What car after 335d M sport

What car after 335d M sport

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yogi bear

Original Poster:

30 posts

216 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
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Been scratching my head recently at what car to get after my BMW 335d M sport (remapped). I've had the BMW for over 2 and a half years and just want a change but every car I think of to replace it I always come back with a reason as to why it ain't as good as the 335d. My budget is under £20k.

Some cars I've been looking at:

Audi S3 (will only be the 260bhp version as can't afford the newer 300bhp model)
Golf R (ditto)
BMW 335i (Not too different from the 335d)
Newer 335d (Very unimaginative)
BMW M135i (What I've been keeping my eye on mostly)
BMW M3 (Probably a little bit out of my budget)
C63 AMG (too expensive)
A5 3.0 tdi (I just know that there's a 335d out there that will kill it)
S5 (Similar bhp to a remapped 335d but a lot less torque and economy)
S4 (ditto)
Golf 170 tdi (big drop in power)
A3 170 tdi (ditto)

Part of me thinks I should just stick with the 335d.

Does anybody else have any suggestions?

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
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Stick, if you're happy, would be my opinion. Or get another BMW because I'm sure a lot of the good points you would otherwise lose, if you changed brands, will continue. Change brands when you no longer keep coming back to the idea of keeping yours.

M3s are close to the 20k even at dealerships and I don't think m135i's are much cheaper and based on my test drives, and I'm sure wink PH opinion, the M3 is massively superior. M135i, for example, I find has too light / vague steering when compared to your generation of 3 series, I'm assuming you have E9X






cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
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A E92 M3 will be a completely different driving experience to a mapped 335d, the 335d will have oceans of low down pull with a twitch of the toe...the M3 doesn't come alive until around 6k revs so it will come as a shock to drive.

They are epic on the top end to 8400rpm though and the chassis and LSD make the M3 feel like a different car to the standard 3 series.

If it was me I think I would be looking at the 335i with it being similar to the 335d in terms of low end punch but without the diesel clatter at idle/low revs, a V8 S5 would also tempt me I think.

yogi bear

Original Poster:

30 posts

216 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
Yes mine is a e90.

Totally agree with what you're saying, if I can't find something I like more than the 335d then don't change. May have to keep my eye out for M3s as well, nothing like revving a petrol engine (especially when it's a V8)!!

yogi bear

Original Poster:

30 posts

216 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
A E92 M3 will be a completely different driving experience to a mapped 335d, the 335d will have oceans of low down pull with a twitch of the toe...the M3 doesn't come alive until around 6k revs so it will come as a shock to drive.

They are epic on the top end to 8400rpm though and the chassis and LSD make the M3 feel like a different car to the standard 3 series.

If it was me I think I would be looking at the 335i with it being similar to the 335d in terms of low end punch but without the diesel clatter at idle/low revs, a V8 S5 would also tempt me I think.
I suppose a couple of things I miss out with owning a 335d is the fun factor of a petrol non turbo engine and the engine note. I imagine driving an M3 at 8000rpm would be awesome in terms of noise and fun.

toasty

7,441 posts

219 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
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cerb4.5lee said:
A E92 M3 will be a completely different driving experience to a mapped 335d, the 335d will have oceans of low down pull with a twitch of the toe...the M3 doesn't come alive until around 6k revs so it will come as a shock to drive.
I agree with you on most of that but it's a little harsh to say the M3 doesn't come alive until around 6k revs.

There's not a lot below 3k, then you get some nice V8 noises (w/exhaust mod) as the speed builds up to about 6k and then it just roars up to 8k.

The 335d is impressive for what it does, the M3 may be wearing a similar suit but it's a different beast entirely.


cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
toasty said:
cerb4.5lee said:
A E92 M3 will be a completely different driving experience to a mapped 335d, the 335d will have oceans of low down pull with a twitch of the toe...the M3 doesn't come alive until around 6k revs so it will come as a shock to drive.
I agree with you on most of that but it's a little harsh to say the M3 doesn't come alive until around 6k revs.

There's not a lot below 3k, then you get some nice V8 noises (w/exhaust mod) as the speed builds up to about 6k and then it just roars up to 8k.

The 335d is impressive for what it does, the M3 may be wearing a similar suit but it's a different beast entirely.
Yes saying it doesn't come alive until 6k is a little harsh but I did find it flat below 6k but I blame that mainly because I was used to a 330d but I absolutely loved it above 6k and it just went like the clappers then.

yogi bear

Original Poster:

30 posts

216 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
So the options going through my head now is either a mapped 335i or standard M3, maybe even stick with my mapped 335d.

335d I find is a brilliant car and I don't think much rivals it in terms of power combined with economy, but it does lack the fun factor and a nice engine note.

335i I'm assuming will be similar in performance to the 335d but will have a nicer note.

M3 will have a completely different power delivery method that requires a lot more input from the driver (which should be more appealing to a petrol head), but economy will be sacrificed dramatically. But a high revving V8 will sound lovely.

I'm guessing some test drives are required.

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
yogi bear said:
So the options going through my head now is either a mapped 335i or standard M3, maybe even stick with my mapped 335d.

335d I find is a brilliant car and I don't think much rivals it in terms of power combined with economy, but it does lack the fun factor and a nice engine note.

335i I'm assuming will be similar in performance to the 335d but will have a nicer note.

M3 will have a completely different power delivery method that requires a lot more input from the driver (which should be more appealing to a petrol head), but economy will be sacrificed dramatically. But a high revving V8 will sound lovely.

I'm guessing some test drives are required.
Test drives, the essential, but if you wanted some reading material I rate this chap's comparison of M3 v 335i.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=428...

I have 335i coupe and whilst I have come to understand the common point (it's made earlier in this thread too) about the higherlb/ft torque meaning better performance at lower revs, I had an extensive drive of a M3 at an event day (back to back with the M135i) and didn't feel any shortcomings in any type of traffic or feel the M135i had any advantage. And thinking hard about my daily drives, I can't think of a circumstance where M3 would disappoint. It is the better car, obviously. I couldn't afford the extra, otherwise I probably would have got one apart from, as you refer to, the fuel economy. That seems to be the biggest issue with it, if it's a daily. Apart from the fact you might prefer a more stealthy car?

Only other point, the M3s most likely in budget for you are probably manuals. The right choice, I think, for a N/A engine but if the auto is your thing that might be a down point?

























335d

758 posts

117 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
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If you like your 335d, you would be mad in my view to swap it for a car (335i) which in many normal road situations will feel slower, even if it sounds better. You may also end up swapping your reliable car for a problem car.

The switch to an E9x M3 is a different matter in my view. That is quite a special car, and if you can live with its downsides, particularly the fuel economy, then that would seem a sensible switch to me (using a suitable amount of man maths).

contractor

919 posts

184 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
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If you are feeling brave 20k will get you a sub 60k M6. Even if you only keep it a while its well worth experiencing a V10

yogi bear

Original Poster:

30 posts

216 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
Smuler said:
Test drives, the essential, but if you wanted some reading material I rate this chap's comparison of M3 v 335i.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=428...
Wow, great write up, the paragraph where he talks about going through the gears in the M3 had me gripped! Thank you for pointing me in this direction.

The part where he was describing the handling of the 335i in the corners (not as confident) does remind me of the 335d, straight line speed it's an absolute brute but does lack in the bends (it might just be me and my lack of ability). But I do find myself taking corners at lower speeds than I did with previous cars (Civic TypeR ep3, Megane R26).

What I got out of reading the above link is that both cars are brilliant at what they do but it's down to me to decide on what I want...what I want is the M3 but there's a lot of man maths involved I think!!!



alock

4,224 posts

210 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
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yogi bear said:
Does anybody else have any suggestions?
All your suggestions are German.

How about a 510bhp XFR at £18K.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...

roofer

5,136 posts

210 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
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M135, map it if you want. It's a fun car more of the time.

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
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yogi bear said:
Wow, great write up, the paragraph where he talks about going through the gears in the M3 had me gripped! Thank you for pointing me in this direction.

The part where he was describing the handling of the 335i in the corners (not as confident) does remind me of the 335d, straight line speed it's an absolute brute but does lack in the bends (it might just be me and my lack of ability). But I do find myself taking corners at lower speeds than I did with previous cars (Civic TypeR ep3, Megane R26).

What I got out of reading the above link is that both cars are brilliant at what they do but it's down to me to decide on what I want...what I want is the M3 but there's a lot of man maths involved I think!!!
I've learnt to really push the handling of my 335i on some lovely Welsh Mountain roads and with the confidence and better tyres (Michelin Pilot Super Sports) it has surpassed my e46 M Sport in it's ability to be composed at high speed, the E46 otherwise was a car which made me, through feedback, feel closer to the road. It's great fun and so far no dead sheep. I wouldn't want to upset the locals wink

That said it's not a M3. Even I know as much from my extended test drive. So hopefully the man maths will work, for you. Although to muddy the waters, there are those who take a 335i and aim to close the gap (some feel they do) by modifying it with LSD, remap, better suspension. I suppose if you keep her, you could always add LSD/suspension to your remapped 335d











stuart-b

3,643 posts

225 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
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yogi bear said:
BMW 335i (Not too different from the 335d)....

Does anybody else have any suggestions?
Sorry I just had to stop there ...

If you love the 335d and you've had it tuned, you would love the 335i.

Burger Motorsports are now publishing their latest R&D maps, pushing 481 WHP from a stock N54 with an additional fuel pump and E85 fuel. Obviously you don't need to go that mad, but it shows you what is possible.

Perhaps look into a 20k 335i and look to have it mapped (MHD)? There are also mods to the stock turbos which allow it to push 400+ bhp with the same PSI levels for a reasonable price.

Once you have heard the sound of a 335i or 335is engine you will realise it's a completely different beast ... and not just the sound. It pulls hard all the way with 500nm available from 1500-2000 rpm with overboost (is).

https://youtu.be/hW4aKUBiI0g?t=38s

Edited by stuart-b on Tuesday 4th August 19:52

yogi bear

Original Poster:

30 posts

216 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
contractor said:
If you are feeling brave 20k will get you a sub 60k M6. Even if you only keep it a while its well worth experiencing a V10
Jesus, didn't realise the purchase price on these were that cheap! I'm afraid if the M3 is a push then the M6 is an even bigger push...good suggestion though.

yogi bear

Original Poster:

30 posts

216 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
stuart-b said:
yogi bear said:
BMW 335i (Not too different from the 335d)....

Does anybody else have any suggestions?
Sorry I just had to stop there ...

If you love the 335d and you've had it tuned, you would love the 335i.

Burger Motorsports are now publishing their latest R&D maps, pushing 481 WHP from a stock N54 with an additional fuel pump and E85 fuel. Obviously you don't need to go that mad, but it shows you what is possible.

Perhaps look into a 20k 335i and look to have it mapped (MHD)? There are also mods to the stock turbos which allow it to push 400+ bhp with the same PSI levels for a reasonable price.

Once you have heard the sound of a 335i or 335is engine you will realise it's a completely different beast ... and not just the sound. It pulls hard all the way with 500nm available from 1500-2000 rpm with overboost (is).

https://youtu.be/hW4aKUBiI0g?t=38s

Edited by stuart-b on Tuesday 4th August 19:52
Yep I know the power gains possible with a 335i as the guy that mapped my 335d had a 400bhp 335i, but I'd only really be mapping a car and nothing else...maybe an exhaust as well.

yogi bear

Original Poster:

30 posts

216 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
alock said:
yogi bear said:
Does anybody else have any suggestions?
All your suggestions are German.

How about a 510bhp XFR at £18K.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
Yes guilty, they are all German, it just happened...honestly.

I did look at the XKR as I'd prefer a coupe, but 5.0 V8 supercharged as much as it sounds the nuts will be too much of a push with running costs. Those Jags do look and sound bloody lovely though.

yogi bear

Original Poster:

30 posts

216 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
Smuler said:
I've learnt to really push the handling of my 335i on some lovely Welsh Mountain roads and with the confidence and better tyres (Michelin Pilot Super Sports) it has surpassed my e46 M Sport in it's ability to be composed at high speed, the E46 otherwise was a car which made me, through feedback, feel closer to the road. It's great fun and so far no dead sheep. I wouldn't want to upset the locals wink
I live on the west coast of Wales and majority of my late night fun drives are done on the mountain road that goes by the Sweet Lamb rally stage, the 335d does perform well on the road but the fun factor is not quite there if I'm honest. One of my favourite cars to drive along this road was a Civic TypeR, you and the car had to work as hard as each other but once finished you had a massive smile on your face. Based on that memory it would make sense to get a M3...some further maths required along with more brownie points in the bank with the missus.