E92 M3 or M135i
Discussion
I'm planning to buy a new daily runabout with potential to do the additional track day and have my eyes on a used E92 M3 or a lightly used M135i.
The prices for a 2008 E92 M3 with 40k mls and a 2013 M135i with 10k mls are about equal where I live.
It's my understanding that both cars are about equally matched on the track when it comes to lap times. Has anybody here run both for an extended period of time?
M135i:
+ more useable everyday, up to date interior and infotainment
+ smaller dimensions
+ cheaper to maintain (fuel, repairs... would even have warranty on it)
+ unassuming looks
- no LSD, would have to retrofit
- looks like a dogs breakfast
- chassis setup a bit too comfortable for the track?
E92 M3:
+ far more "interesting" engine
+ sportier chassis (?)
+ LSD standard
+ prefer the looks although it may come off a bit chavy to the environment
+ lower depreciation
- cost of ownership, potential for eye wateringly expensive bills
- higher milage
- dated interior
- much lower torque so maybe not all that quick in traffic
The prices for a 2008 E92 M3 with 40k mls and a 2013 M135i with 10k mls are about equal where I live.
It's my understanding that both cars are about equally matched on the track when it comes to lap times. Has anybody here run both for an extended period of time?
M135i:
+ more useable everyday, up to date interior and infotainment
+ smaller dimensions
+ cheaper to maintain (fuel, repairs... would even have warranty on it)
+ unassuming looks
- no LSD, would have to retrofit
- looks like a dogs breakfast
- chassis setup a bit too comfortable for the track?
E92 M3:
+ far more "interesting" engine
+ sportier chassis (?)
+ LSD standard
+ prefer the looks although it may come off a bit chavy to the environment
+ lower depreciation
- cost of ownership, potential for eye wateringly expensive bills
- higher milage
- dated interior
- much lower torque so maybe not all that quick in traffic
There's an evo article comparing a new m235 (pretty similar to the m135 really) to an older e92 m3 at the same price point and they came to the conclusion that both are excellent cars but the m3 is more exciting, more capable and more rewarding.
No surprises there really.
I would expect the 2nd hand m3 to depreciate less than a newer M135. M3 will no doubt cost a bit more in consumables so probably pretty close in overall costs unless you're doing a lot of miles in which case the more economical m135 might be a bit cheaper.
I'd go for the m3 if i had to choose between those two. In fact, it's something I've been looking at myself - a 2+2 for £30k but I'm leaning more towards 997/Evora than a BMW - I do want to test drive a v8 m3 though, the engine is supposed to be wonderful.
No surprises there really.
I would expect the 2nd hand m3 to depreciate less than a newer M135. M3 will no doubt cost a bit more in consumables so probably pretty close in overall costs unless you're doing a lot of miles in which case the more economical m135 might be a bit cheaper.
I'd go for the m3 if i had to choose between those two. In fact, it's something I've been looking at myself - a 2+2 for £30k but I'm leaning more towards 997/Evora than a BMW - I do want to test drive a v8 m3 though, the engine is supposed to be wonderful.
Mermaid said:
Welshbeef said:
One is a proper M car the other is a very hot hatch that is as quick in the real world, more practical & a lot cheaper to run
EFAThe residuals on the M135is have been rather good, but I think they are due for a little drop as the facelift 1 series is now out, so you may want to work that in to your thinking.
All is not lost though - if you look around you can get a brand new facelift, direct from a dealer for £25k (+ options of course). The facelift looks quite a bit better too.
Which car you buy really depends on what you want, I think they are quite different really.
All is not lost though - if you look around you can get a brand new facelift, direct from a dealer for £25k (+ options of course). The facelift looks quite a bit better too.
Which car you buy really depends on what you want, I think they are quite different really.
Crafty_ said:
The residuals on the M135is have been rather good, but I think they are due for a little drop as the facelift 1 series is now out, so you may want to work that in to your thinking.
Possibly likely to be hurt further when all the PCP deals come to an end too and hundreds of them appear on the market?Don't think thats too much of an issue - the 2 year ones will have already been moved on. I have kept an eye on the used market for a little while and whilst some (rather overpriced) cars are still hanging around the stock lists on the AUC site seems to change quite often, so they are getting sold.
In the end, given the facelift and the deal (from TRL for those in the know!) it didn't actually make sense to buy used, so I ordered new.
In the end, given the facelift and the deal (from TRL for those in the know!) it didn't actually make sense to buy used, so I ordered new.
Lefty said:
Crafty_ said:
The residuals on the M135is have been rather good, but I think they are due for a little drop as the facelift 1 series is now out, so you may want to work that in to your thinking.
Possibly likely to be hurt further when all the PCP deals come to an end too and hundreds of them appear on the market?The new M135i is absolutely a much better looking car. Even with the 20% rebate the price works out to around £36000 for the M135i since I have to register the car in Austria where there are tax penalties for new cars with not so great fuel economy. Old but decent (2007, 20k mls) E92 M3s are well below £30000.
It's tough, my main worry is that the M135i will feel like a regular 1 series with a big engine but I've always preferred a good chassis over a strong engine. I suppose the M2 will tick all boxes but by the time it is out it will cost the same as a used M3 F80.
EricE said:
It's tough, my main worry is that the M135i will feel like a regular 1 series with a big engine but I've always preferred a good chassis over a strong engine.
Interestingly that's exactly what I thought of the e46 M3 and is my main concern about the e92 M3. I'm still going to drive one but it's what I expect.these cars are so different a test drive in each should be all that's required, for me the choice is simple proper m car chassis, engine etc vs relatively boring turbo, inferior handling and dull looks.
Interesting that you mentioned they are the same on track would have thought an m3 would have a comfy advantage
Interesting that you mentioned they are the same on track would have thought an m3 would have a comfy advantage
dvshannow said:
why does almost every reply focus on residuals yes they are important but zzzz and secondary to why we actually want to own these kind of cars
We can't help the OP much with which car to buy, as its very subjective. What we were saying is that due to the strong residuals a new M135i might be a better buy than a used one right now (in the UK at least - we weren't aware the OP was in Europe).dvshannow said:
Interesting that you mentioned they are the same on track would have thought an m3 would have a comfy advantage
I thought so too but no... M3 seems to be faster into the corner but the M135i just has more torque coming out of them.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9FjeTfYYNo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVwOmM3zA2w
EricE said:
I thought so too but no... M3 seems to be faster into the corner but the M135i just has more torque coming out of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9FjeTfYYNo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVwOmM3zA2w
I'd say that's much more to do with the driver and confidence - my old E36 328i could hit over 130mph GPS after Flugplatz, and into Fuchsrohe - the M3 in the vids isn't doing much more, if at all...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9FjeTfYYNo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVwOmM3zA2w
Problem is, this is your last chance to buy a nearly new NA V8, don't waste it. The S65 is nothing short of a masterpiece. You can get sensible turbo car next time around, in fact you probably won't have much choice.
M3s are easy to dismiss as regular 3's on a short drive but when you take them into the right enviroment you see they are very different and they get under your skin.
The E92 is good enough to be used in either situation you have described, that's what it does best. (excluding mpg of course).
M3s are easy to dismiss as regular 3's on a short drive but when you take them into the right enviroment you see they are very different and they get under your skin.
The E92 is good enough to be used in either situation you have described, that's what it does best. (excluding mpg of course).
The other thing I would consider, having driven an E92 and a 135i back-to-back recently is the M car certainly feels much larger (and is). Depending on the roads you drive, that might put a dampener on spirited drives.
Alternatively it might just mean it is more comfortable and practical, especially if you regularly have people on the back seats.
Alternatively it might just mean it is more comfortable and practical, especially if you regularly have people on the back seats.
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