E46 M3 v 135i - how different?

[Pommygranite]

How big is the difference between an E46 M3 and 135i in terms or ride, handling and real world performance?

[daveco]

I have experience only in the 335 but it might be of benefit to you.

I test drove numerous E46 M3s and numerous 335s...imo the 335 trumps it for real world performance and overall ownership enjoyment.

I had my heart set on an M3 for many years however the 335 felt noticeably quicker, turned sharper, and sounded better overall.

I still think the M3 looks better, has a far better top end both noise and performance wise, and feels more special inside...the beauty of the 335 is that even sat idling in traffic it puts a smile on your face.

Another downside to the M3 is the exorbitant cost of the BMW extended warranty compared to the 335.

[mwstewart]

I would expect the more modern BMWs to have firmer spring and damper rates which will serve to make them a sharper drive. I think the average steering ratio has reduced considerably since the E46 too, contributing further.

The E46 M3 in standard form is suprung very softly by today's standards and has a slow rack, but that doesn't really get in the way of its ability on the road. It's more of a feel thing.

[Crusoe]

Pommygranite said:

How big is the difference between an E46 M3 and 135i in terms or ride, handling and real world performance?

Ride- better in the M3, bumpy road unravels the 135i a bit, too bouncy at the back.
Handling- m3 better at the limit and beyond but 135i more pointy.
Performance- 135i has much better in gear performance at lower rpm so easer to drive quickly but doesn't rev as freely, has a small edge everywhere.

Few youtube videos where they show back to back.

[Patrick Bateman]

daveco said:

I have experience only in the 335 but it might be of benefit to you.

I test drove numerous E46 M3s and numerous 335s...imo the 335 trumps it for real world performance and overall ownership enjoyment.

I had my heart set on an M3 for many years however the 335 felt noticeably quicker, turned sharper, and sounded better overall.

I still think the M3 looks better, has a far better top end both noise and performance wise, and feels more special inside...the beauty of the 335 is that even sat idling in traffic it puts a smile on your face.

Another downside to the M3 is the exorbitant cost of the BMW extended warranty compared to the 335.

Really?

[pilchardthecat]

One has the finest 6 cylinder engine ever created by man (the M3)

The other has possibly the nastiest power delivery of any petrol engine ever created by man. The mid-range makes promises that the top end cant deliver. You'll be bored of it in a week.

[irish boy]

Real world, an auto m135i and manual e46 m3 are identical performance. (straight line)

[daveco]

Patrick Bateman said:

daveco said:

I have experience only in the 335 but it might be of benefit to you.

I test drove numerous E46 M3s and numerous 335s...imo the 335 trumps it for real world performance and overall ownership enjoyment.

I had my heart set on an M3 for many years however the 335 felt noticeably quicker, turned sharper, and sounded better overall.

I still think the M3 looks better, has a far better top end both noise and performance wise, and feels more special inside...the beauty of the 335 is that even sat idling in traffic it puts a smile on your face.

Another downside to the M3 is the exorbitant cost of the BMW extended warranty compared to the 335.

Really?

Yep. Burbles away at idle. Sounds far better at low revs than the M3 too. Far more characterful on downshifts as well.

[mwstewart]

daveco said:

Yep. Burbles away at idle. Sounds far better at low revs than the M3 too. Far more characterful on downshifts as well.

Interesting. I find the 135i/335i as soulless as the old E46 330i, whereas the M3's engine has unmatched character from the moment it starts up. It's an absolute gem.

[nbetts]

I have owned both - E46 M3 and a CSL and I have also owned a 135i
Ride - In general the ride in an 135i on day to day roads is more comfortable than an E46 M3, especially if it is equipped with non-runflat tyres

Handling - The E46 has better handling and it feels like it too. The steering of the 135i has better feel than the M3 in my opinion. I never thought the M3 steering was one of its finest attributes.

Real World Performance - The 135i is an easier car to extract the performance from. There is more power and torque available at more areas across the rev-range. The E46 pace wise when in the correct gear and at the right rev-range is marginally quicker than the 135i . However, if you take the 135i onto a track it will quickly become apparent that the 135i is just a pretender on that stage, it is a bit of a pudding and it really is not in the same league as the BMW M car.

Edited by nbetts on Monday 22 December 14:36

[Patrick Bateman]

Are we all talking about the same car?

Is this the M135i or the older 135i as in the title?

[nbetts]

Patrick Bateman said:

Are we all talking about the same car?

Is this the M135i or the older 135i as in the title?

My apologies, I assumed the original poster was going on about the M135i.

I have had a 135i too - so let me correct what I said earlier.

[pilchardthecat]

irish boy said:

Real world, an auto m135i and manual e46 m3 are identical performance. (straight line)

That's why just looking at the numbers is completely pointless. In terms of power delivery, you would struggle to find two cars that are more different

[daveco]

mwstewart said:

daveco said:

Yep. Burbles away at idle. Sounds far better at low revs than the M3 too. Far more characterful on downshifts as well.

Interesting. I find the 135i/335i as soulless as the old E46 330i, whereas the M3's engine has unmatched character from the moment it starts up. It's an absolute gem.

I thought the 330 had a great but albeit muted engine note. The M3 sounds like a bag of spanners at idle and low revs imo. At high revs it is amazing but I felt there was nowhere but the track and rare empty roads to exploit that top end.

[mwstewart]

daveco said:

I thought the 330 had a great but albeit muted engine note. The M3 sounds like a bag of spanners at idle and low revs imo. At high revs it is amazing but I felt there was nowhere but the track and rare empty roads to exploit that top end.

Yep, horses for courses I find the M3 needs more power, but like you say it depends where you are driving.

[s m]

Here's a decent production vid comparing the 135i Coupe with the E46 M3

http://youtu.be/9ZGwpifULe4

[Durzel]

Real or simulated engine noise?

[billzeebub]

Well the M125i has been acclaimed as a junior Supercar so the M3 would definitely struggle in comparison

[shalmaneser]

daveco said:

I have experience only in the 335 but it might be of benefit to you.

I test drove numerous E46 M3s and numerous 335s...imo the 335 trumps it for real world performance and overall ownership enjoyment.

I had my heart set on an M3 for many years however the 335 felt noticeably quicker, turned sharper, and sounded better overall.

I still think the M3 looks better, has a far better top end both noise and performance wise, and feels more special inside...the beauty of the 335 is that even sat idling in traffic it puts a smile on your face.

Another downside to the M3 is the exorbitant cost of the BMW extended warranty compared to the 335.

[Jonc]

I run a E82 135i (M54) and it is all about the engine! For a turbo it is pretty lag free for a turbo engine and there is massive torque throughout rev range, though it does seem to run out of puff in the upper range. Before buying the 135i, I did test a 130i and to be honest, I prefered the instantaneous throttle response and the revvy nature, can't beat a good NA engine. I did have a quick drive in an M3 years ago and the engine is immense, though it did feel that you had to go a fair lick before you start to enjoy it. The 135i feels quick at more modest speed due to the shove you get with two turbos. I'd say the 135i is more usable as an everyday motor, and if you want to do some track work, there are plenty of suspension upgrades available for the 135i, big power gains to be had with a remap and the standard 6 pot brakes should easily cope with the power increase.