Discussion
Toying with changing the M3 for something different in the new year. Was looking at monaro's orininally but I've gone off that idea so now looking at the above. They seem cheap for what they are and I've heard stories of turbo issues on that engine.
Thoughts and comments - I know nothing about them and haven't driven one yet.
Thoughts and comments - I know nothing about them and haven't driven one yet.
I made the opposite move, in May. My driving needs changed so that I could run an older daily driver and have the M3 for fun. You will lose the fun factor , at least if like me you love a B road blast, tight bends where the M chassis is another level.
But you will gain a different engine, one that is as fast but whilst not as exciting when revved out does feel faster at lower revs, the torque obviously, and is more flexible. My first M3 test drive took me from Wales to Hampshire on a wet and cold February morning and thanks to Sat Nav ,after leaving motorway ,had my share of country lanes. 335i was immense, did make me wonder why as it such an all round great car, why was I changing. And although I smiled widely the moment I saw the smaller, better looking ,M3 parked against an seemingly giant X6 , it wasn't until my test drive took me into the B roads and I scared the sales guy witless with my speed in the bends that ,as above ,I really felt the magic of the M3. Around town, it did feel a bit ordinary and slower than the 335i. Which is more modern and can be got with some nice kit, if that's your thing. I also had a DCT; that's a great gearbox. I'm a manual fan, but the DCT feels like you have a racing driver next to you making the changes
A similar feeling of how accomplished the 335i was played out on the way home and again on route to my next test drives to test the M3 I did buy. I prefer my M3 but its superiority comes over only on the exciting drives. I'm not saying I couldn't daily it, but for the long road trips I used to do, say airport runs, 335i felt faster, more flexible, torque and DCT and nice place to sit. Better in the urban cut and thrust driving too. Plus mine was bone stock, loads of tuning potential.
I bought mine, a 2009, so N54 coupe in 2014 and it had been faultless to 59k, I took it to 84k and all I had done were injectors. I'm very glad to have owned both different but great cars
But you will gain a different engine, one that is as fast but whilst not as exciting when revved out does feel faster at lower revs, the torque obviously, and is more flexible. My first M3 test drive took me from Wales to Hampshire on a wet and cold February morning and thanks to Sat Nav ,after leaving motorway ,had my share of country lanes. 335i was immense, did make me wonder why as it such an all round great car, why was I changing. And although I smiled widely the moment I saw the smaller, better looking ,M3 parked against an seemingly giant X6 , it wasn't until my test drive took me into the B roads and I scared the sales guy witless with my speed in the bends that ,as above ,I really felt the magic of the M3. Around town, it did feel a bit ordinary and slower than the 335i. Which is more modern and can be got with some nice kit, if that's your thing. I also had a DCT; that's a great gearbox. I'm a manual fan, but the DCT feels like you have a racing driver next to you making the changes
A similar feeling of how accomplished the 335i was played out on the way home and again on route to my next test drives to test the M3 I did buy. I prefer my M3 but its superiority comes over only on the exciting drives. I'm not saying I couldn't daily it, but for the long road trips I used to do, say airport runs, 335i felt faster, more flexible, torque and DCT and nice place to sit. Better in the urban cut and thrust driving too. Plus mine was bone stock, loads of tuning potential.
I bought mine, a 2009, so N54 coupe in 2014 and it had been faultless to 59k, I took it to 84k and all I had done were injectors. I'm very glad to have owned both different but great cars
I have a 2009 335i and am very happy with it. Very muscular engine from low revs all the way round to the 7k redline and of course as a BMW straight 6 it sounds great.
And M3 is going to be better as a 'special car' and will be more lively in sure, but in most day to day circumstances the 335i will be quicker than the e46 M3.
The cheap 335i examples might also be the pre facelift (pre-September 2008) models which are £500 tax and supposedly more prone to HPFP and turbo troubles. The old idrive system isnt as good so the facelift (LCI) is really the one to hunt down.
2010 on saw the introduction of the n55 single turbo engine which might be worth seeking out.
And M3 is going to be better as a 'special car' and will be more lively in sure, but in most day to day circumstances the 335i will be quicker than the e46 M3.
The cheap 335i examples might also be the pre facelift (pre-September 2008) models which are £500 tax and supposedly more prone to HPFP and turbo troubles. The old idrive system isnt as good so the facelift (LCI) is really the one to hunt down.
2010 on saw the introduction of the n55 single turbo engine which might be worth seeking out.
Edited by Mike335i on Thursday 27th October 22:06
The trouble with the N/A M3 engines is all the fun is at the top end of the revs and they're not easily exploited.
The 335i will be far more usable but ultimately less satisfying maybe, as a daily I would always prefer the 335i, but as something to use occasionally the N/A M3 would win the day.
The 335i will be far more usable but ultimately less satisfying maybe, as a daily I would always prefer the 335i, but as something to use occasionally the N/A M3 would win the day.
I have a late, full BMW historied 2006 N54 engined 335i and I really rate it.
Fast, discreet, useable.
I honestly don't know what comes close for the money.
360-370 bhp is a £350 remap away 390-400 probably another £500.
Another 2k will see you over 500bhp, if that's your thing.
Mine is averaging around 30mpg, which I think is good enough for the performance available.
Fast, discreet, useable.
I honestly don't know what comes close for the money.
360-370 bhp is a £350 remap away 390-400 probably another £500.
Another 2k will see you over 500bhp, if that's your thing.
Mine is averaging around 30mpg, which I think is good enough for the performance available.
I've got a "low" mileage 2009 N54 E90 and it's an incredible car.
It's fast and really comfy (once you get normal tyres) and it looks great.
Mine has quite a bit of wastegate rattle, but apart from the noise, they still hit their boost target every time.
Other than that I've got to have it walnut blasted as its a little rough and had to replace the injectors.
Remaps are even easier now. £120 and an android phone and you can flash your car at home in an hour (stage 1 - 360-380bhp)
Then when you bolt on more parts, you flash it again (5mins) for free.
I find they drive a bit like a diesel but rev out like a petrol.
It's fast and really comfy (once you get normal tyres) and it looks great.
Mine has quite a bit of wastegate rattle, but apart from the noise, they still hit their boost target every time.
Other than that I've got to have it walnut blasted as its a little rough and had to replace the injectors.
Remaps are even easier now. £120 and an android phone and you can flash your car at home in an hour (stage 1 - 360-380bhp)
Then when you bolt on more parts, you flash it again (5mins) for free.
I find they drive a bit like a diesel but rev out like a petrol.
Dannbodge said:
Other than that I've got to have it walnut blasted as its a little rough and had to replace the injectors.
Have you had the walnut blast done yet? Supposedly recommended every 35k on the N54 but yet to find many people who have done it.R.e OP - Very flexible engine, mine is running 360bhp through an evolve custom map (didn't want a piggy back for the DCT box) and is brilliantly fast when we needed put happy to roll around in 6th gear at 30mph. Averaged 27mpg. Perhaps not the knife edge experienced of an M3 when pushing on (the E89 never feels 100% happy at 100%, maybe different for the E92?).
thanks everyone. i know its an odd step M3 to 335 but i just want a move into something a bit more modern. as much as id love a big V8, im holding off for a bit.
in terms of the e92, id be looking at a facelift and maybe stage 1 mods but im not too worried about maps etc in the grand scheme of things.
my M3 is manual, i couldn't stand the SMG box and im wary of auto's in general but the paddles to look like fun.
is the paddle box really that good?
the manuals seem rare as do the ones with the widescreen nav. other than that, im pretty open to what else it comes with - what sort of kit should i look for?
what differences other than maybe reliability, are there from pre to post facelift?
in terms of the e92, id be looking at a facelift and maybe stage 1 mods but im not too worried about maps etc in the grand scheme of things.
my M3 is manual, i couldn't stand the SMG box and im wary of auto's in general but the paddles to look like fun.
is the paddle box really that good?
the manuals seem rare as do the ones with the widescreen nav. other than that, im pretty open to what else it comes with - what sort of kit should i look for?
what differences other than maybe reliability, are there from pre to post facelift?
pidsy said:
thanks everyone. i know its an odd step M3 to 335 but i just want a move into something a bit more modern. as much as id love a big V8, im holding off for a bit.
in terms of the e92, id be looking at a facelift and maybe stage 1 mods but im not too worried about maps etc in the grand scheme of things.
my M3 is manual, i couldn't stand the SMG box and im wary of auto's in general but the paddles to look like fun.
is the paddle box really that good?
the manuals seem rare as do the ones with the widescreen nav. other than that, im pretty open to what else it comes with - what sort of kit should i look for?
what differences other than maybe reliability, are there from pre to post facelift?
I don't think it's an odd step, you've given the one common reason: something more modern. That is very noticeable. in terms of the e92, id be looking at a facelift and maybe stage 1 mods but im not too worried about maps etc in the grand scheme of things.
my M3 is manual, i couldn't stand the SMG box and im wary of auto's in general but the paddles to look like fun.
is the paddle box really that good?
the manuals seem rare as do the ones with the widescreen nav. other than that, im pretty open to what else it comes with - what sort of kit should i look for?
what differences other than maybe reliability, are there from pre to post facelift?
If you go LCI, 2010, onwards then all 335i autos are actually the DCT; which I like and I don't like ordinary autos or the SMG.
Biggest LCI difference, as far as I noticed, is the subtle changes to the styling, personally I don't like it as much and hate the wheels, style 313 I think. There's a sport plus edition, circa 2012 which has a few nice styling additions.
I actually thought most 335is that had nav had the wider pro nav screen, mine did.
I didn't really take into account of extras, when choosing, but the nice things mine had were sunroof, adds light to any dark interior and coming from E46, you don't have the tilting back windows anymore so this compensates for some breeze
Heated seats I liked and comfort access, cool to just keep key in pocket all the time. Parking sensors front, are good I didn't have and managed in tight spaces even tho car will feel a bit bigger than your E46.example of the sports plus
http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/3-Series/3.0-335i-Sport-...
rockford22 said:
Have you had the walnut blast done yet? Supposedly recommended every 35k on the N54 but yet to find many people who have done it.
R.e OP - Very flexible engine, mine is running 360bhp through an evolve custom map (didn't want a piggy back for the DCT box) and is brilliantly fast when we needed put happy to roll around in 6th gear at 30mph. Averaged 27mpg. Perhaps not the knife edge experienced of an M3 when pushing on (the E89 never feels 100% happy at 100%, maybe different for the E92?).
There is a fair few people on E90Post who have had it done.R.e OP - Very flexible engine, mine is running 360bhp through an evolve custom map (didn't want a piggy back for the DCT box) and is brilliantly fast when we needed put happy to roll around in 6th gear at 30mph. Averaged 27mpg. Perhaps not the knife edge experienced of an M3 when pushing on (the E89 never feels 100% happy at 100%, maybe different for the E92?).
I haven't yet, it's on my list for this year though.
I have the N55 335i - I think what you might find is that in real world performance, it might not be far off the V8 - the V8 M3 sings and dances at much higher speeds 100+. The 335i (esp due to turbos) likes to play more a little lower down in rev range and speeds.
I think its brilliant for what it costs and does compared to an M3.
There are a few on M3cutters forum for one reason or another who have switched from m3s to 335i and are 95% of the time happy with their choice.
a big thing for me was adding a BMW warranty to a 335i was only 400 quid a year. M3 comes at 1k plus, some cars even commdanding 1.5-2k a year.
Its a brilliant engine.
Same as you updated tech makes a big difference to me.
I think its brilliant for what it costs and does compared to an M3.
There are a few on M3cutters forum for one reason or another who have switched from m3s to 335i and are 95% of the time happy with their choice.
a big thing for me was adding a BMW warranty to a 335i was only 400 quid a year. M3 comes at 1k plus, some cars even commdanding 1.5-2k a year.
Its a brilliant engine.
Same as you updated tech makes a big difference to me.
pidsy said:
my M3 is manual, i couldn't stand the SMG box and im wary of auto's in general but the paddles to look like fun.
Paddles are only fun for about 5 minutes, my M3 was a manual and it made it feel like a different car.Had DCT with paddles in an Audi TTS and it suited the engine in some ways, but what I don't like about 2 pedal cars is that it completely changes the way a car feels.
Every 2 pedal car I've ever had or driven just feel like a comfortable cruiser and there's nothing wrong with that at all, but I don't enjoy the lack of involvement with them.
I have a 2014 335i M Sport with manual box and the BMS JB4 piggyback remap fitted giving 362 bhp. I considered an M3 when I was looking last year, but once the remap was fitted the 335 has become exactly what I wanted - fast, stealthy, comfortable and not too flashy. In fact, one of the best things about it is the number of drivers on the motorway who move over as I approach thinking I'm unmarked plod!
With the remap, I can leave it in 6th most of the time and drive it like an automatic. There's so much torque, it'll pull from 1000rpm in 6th. 2nd gear corners become 6th gear corners!
It's a very flexible engine and other than a V8 M3, I really don't feel I'm missing out.
About the only thing I miss on my car is a limited slip diff, but you can't have it all I suppose and traction has been better since I ditched the runflats.
With the remap, I can leave it in 6th most of the time and drive it like an automatic. There's so much torque, it'll pull from 1000rpm in 6th. 2nd gear corners become 6th gear corners!
It's a very flexible engine and other than a V8 M3, I really don't feel I'm missing out.
About the only thing I miss on my car is a limited slip diff, but you can't have it all I suppose and traction has been better since I ditched the runflats.
Mike335i said:
Took me a looooooong time to find a manual box, but glad I did.
I haven't had the walnut blast yet but was quoted £400 by the dealer to have this done. Includes quite a bit of work and overnight soaking as well as the blasting apparently. Next year it will be done though.
Have checked into the walnut blasting too. I am little luckier than you in that the 3 main dealers I called local to me quoted 300 for the job and indies were only 30 quid cheaperI haven't had the walnut blast yet but was quoted £400 by the dealer to have this done. Includes quite a bit of work and overnight soaking as well as the blasting apparently. Next year it will be done though.
XMT said:
Have checked into the walnut blasting too. I am little luckier than you in that the 3 main dealers I called local to me quoted 300 for the job and indies were only 30 quid cheaper
Interesting, if you could quote the dealers I'm sure I could get the most excellent and wonderfully accommodating Soper of Lincoln to price match! XMT said:
Mike335i said:
Took me a looooooong time to find a manual box, but glad I did.
I haven't had the walnut blast yet but was quoted £400 by the dealer to have this done. Includes quite a bit of work and overnight soaking as well as the blasting apparently. Next year it will be done though.
Have checked into the walnut blasting too. I am little luckier than you in that the 3 main dealers I called local to me quoted 300 for the job and indies were only 30 quid cheaperI haven't had the walnut blast yet but was quoted £400 by the dealer to have this done. Includes quite a bit of work and overnight soaking as well as the blasting apparently. Next year it will be done though.
I'll check our E90 post for some more feedback.
We've also managed a whole 335i thread without someone mentioning HPFP failure (although injectors and wastegate rattle have cropped up lol).
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