335i perfect go between e46 & e9x M3s?

[gixermark]

Hi guys,

Always been a fan of the e46 M3s... Now the kids are out of boosters etc, thinking of a fun coupe/convertible...

I've been seriously looking at 335is this week (convertible) as they seem a great 'compromise' of performance, style... And are modern.

I don't do big miles.. So a thirsty M is a possibility.. I appreciate the potential runnings costs of an M.... But for those that have went from one to another..... What you think?

E46 M3 handy ££ still nice car! but getting old/tired.. Convertible not as pretty as coupe
335i nice price point.. Modern, look good coupe or convert
E9x M3 really pushing budget... But arguably the 'best' of all options. Can't see prices moving that much more on them near term..?

[gangzoom]

I have a heavly modifed 335i, I wouldnt recommed buying a stock 335i if your heart is set on a proper M car. Stock the 335i is no more than a 320D which has had a nice heart transplant, though the engine is good enough to be in a M car (1M), the rest of the car though nice, is comprimised compared to a M car.

At a minimal your need to add a quaife LSD, and better springs/dampers/anti-roll bars to get the 335i any where near to a M car interms of driver engagement/fun. I was so fustrated by the lack of a LSD on the stock car I had one fitted with-in 2 weeks of ownership. Having said that, now that I have modded my 335i to the level I want I wouldn't swap it for a M3 (unless someone gives me one for free ). You get 90-95% of the performance, but much lower running costs, and because it looks like a 320d to 90% of the public theres no unwanted attention!!

But the mods aren't cheap, I've spent £6Kish on my 335i, I would have bought a M3 to start of with but my wife put a stop to that, so I had no choice but to mod my 335i....So in-short, no the 335i isn't a go between e46 & e9X M3, not unless your willing to spend at least £3K on a LSD and better suspension. If you want a car that offeres the engagment of a M car, save up go for a proper M car.

[DVandrews]

I'd echo the sentiments above , I came from an E39 M5 and initially looked at E93 M3s but struggled to find a decent one with the right spec. I settled on an E93 335i to which I have added 360BHP upgrade, Quaife LSD, Birds full suspension pack including ARBs and non run flat tyres which has turned it from a car with a mediocre chassis with cracking engine to a bit of a weapon. It as a bit more of a sleeper than an M3, but the stock package has too many compromises to be complete.

If you are after the 'M' experience and you can find the right one then I would aim for an M3, however I had to kiss a lot of frogs and still didn't find a prince...

Dsvd

[Crimefighter]

As both posters above have said - the 335i, although dear to my heart, is essentially a 3 series with a fantastic engine dropped in it. It's great as a GT - but if you like track days an M car would be a better investment imo.

[gixermark]

track days will not happen (have a toy for track racing)

this is purely a fun car that can carry the kids too - school runs, wk end drives... but i want something with a bit of go - i dont do big milage.. so big engine petrol car is half sensible.

like the idea of a rag top - again for fun with the kids etc... hence the 335i is nice as it is a 'hard top' the rest of the time..

i've test drove a 335i earlier this week and liked it, not test drove either M models.. my guess is an E46 rag top would have a fair amount of cabin noise compared to the 335i which i thought was very quiet/solid inside.

I'm starting to think an E46 rag top might be worth a punt... and 12-18 months later go back to a sensible car.. or go for the V8 M3 which would be at a more sensible pricepoint (for me)

[SBN]

I compromised an got an 335i when I wanted an m car, 6 months later sold the car and got an m3 e90 and it's amazing!

[SeiW500]

335i is a bargain, I picked up a low mile car 65k for £8600. As others have said LSD is essential £1500, I also have had re map £300 & fitted proper tyres and the car is a weapon! Will beat a v8 m3 in a straight line, it does ok round the twisty bits to & stops really well. I'm considering suspension upgrades but TBH I'm not sure it's worth it as I have an E30 track car so 335 is only for the road

[gixermark]

thanks... like i say track (and ultimate road performance) not top of list.. want something usable inc 2 kids.. and they seem to offer a lot for the money.

i just want something special/occasion/character can be rag top of coupe.. also thinking older pork

335i is prob sensible option... but like OP above.. i dont want to buy it.. then 3 months later think it lacks soul/character...

[gangzoom]

gixermark said:

i just want something special/occasion/character

I wouldn't use any of those words to describe my 335i when it was stock

[ManiacGT]

Imho lsd is not essential. If you track it perhaps but for road use you'll hardly ever notice.

[gixermark]

gangzoom said:

I wouldn't use any of those words to describe my 335i when it was stock

Starting to think you are right... Same there is such a price diff between e46 and e9x M3s.. Maybe I just need to dig deeper and go for the e9x M3!

[SeiW500]

ManiacGT said:

Imho lsd is not essential. If you track it perhaps but for road use you'll hardly ever notice.

You can't be trying very hard?
PRE LSD my traction control light was flashing like a 80's disco!

Not much point in buying a 335i unless your going to give it some beanz every now and then!

[Rdawson]

As with all arguments, there isn't always a right or wrong answer, and it depends entirely on what you want, and your driving style (and what you are used to driving). I have a stock sapphire black E90 M Sport 335i in manual with a lemon dakota interior. I love it to pieces just as it is, and personally I do get a bit of a kick every time I start it up, and driving it is an absolute pleasure. I even turn around to look at it parked up every time I walk away, sad though that may be (and am reminded of this by you know who). I find it ticks all the boxes for me. I haven't ever owned an M car, and I'm sure you'd enjoy a greater sense of occasion if you owned one, but that doesn't mean you can't feel a degree of that occasion about a 335i. I'd call a 1992 Nissan Pulsar a characterless car with no sense of occasion, but not a 335i - even in spite of it not being an 'M'. As others have said, if you can afford a few extra grand to spend on uprating the dampers, springs, ARBs, bushes, and an ECU reflash to 360 - 380 bhp you will have yourself a very capable car that won't attract unwanted attention from the feds or the thieving scuzz. That's my goal over the next year, but in the meantime I know I'll still look forward to driving it just as it is. It's a cracking car in pretty much all respects. Wish the sedans had the same headlights as the coupe though, and not just the M3 sedan.

[Smuler]

Great post, any pictures of what sounds a superb car?

[gixermark]

thanks for that guys...... i'm still torturing myself in the classifieds :-)

although the E46 M3s are in a nice price range for me... i think they are (naturally) looking a bit dated - and the rag top was never as pretty in them (imho)

the 335i drop top is def. a lovely looking car (esp the M Sport) and is again at a nice price point.. the test drive i had in one i thought went well.. not unbelievable.. but was swift, smooth and would be a handy into to drop tops to see if the kids actually enjoy it.

E93 Drop top.. def are quite a car - essentially look/feel of a coupe, with the V8 rumble ! but that comes at a fairly hefty $$ in terms of buying - and running.

need to play with the man maths calculator more ! but if i found the right colour combo of 335i i think i'd be very happy.. the M3 woudl be more of a box tick - M badge and V8 in one

[Smuler]

gixermark said:

thanks for that guys...... i'm still torturing myself in the classifieds :-)

although the E46 M3s are in a nice price range for me... i think they are (naturally) looking a bit dated - and the rag top was never as pretty in them (imho)

the 335i drop top is def. a lovely looking car (esp the M Sport) and is again at a nice price point.. the test drive i had in one i thought went well.. not unbelievable.. but was swift, smooth and would be a handy into to drop tops to see if the kids actually enjoy it.

E93 Drop top.. def are quite a car - essentially look/feel of a coupe, with the V8 rumble ! but that comes at a fairly hefty $$ in terms of buying - and running.

need to play with the man maths calculator more ! but if i found the right colour combo of 335i i think i'd be very happy.. the M3 woudl be more of a box tick - M badge and V8 in one

What gearbox was on your test, 335i? I've drive all versions (coupes) and found the DCT by far the best.

[gixermark]

i wasn't aware there was a DCT in the 335i ? maybe the fresher ones ?

i test drove an '07 model auto.

it would be '07/'08 models i am looking at... any younger than that, and i'd put the $$ into an M3

[Smuler]

gixermark said:

i wasn't aware there was a DCT in the 335i ? maybe the fresher ones ?

i test drove an '07 model auto.

it would be '07/'08 models i am looking at... any younger than that, and i'd put the $$ into an M3

Think it came in, late 58 plate...quick look to satisfy my curiosity on AU database puts 09 plates with DCT at around 19k.

[DVandrews]

My E93 335i is a DCT, excellent transmission, not as sharp as the DSG in the wife's Audi, but very very good.

It is a '61 plate.

Dave

[gixermark]

every day is a school day :-) i wasnt aware the fresher 335i had DCT... i guess that's a fair step forward from the normal slushbox in the earlier 335s ? (which i found ok)

they changed to a single turbo too at some stage ? i guess getting away from the actuator issues on the earlier models ?