335i or old M3 - advice from owners please
Discussion
Morning all - I have tried the "search" facility, but is down at the moment. I am test driving a 335i convertible in the next few days and wanted to hear from any existing owners - what do you think of the car? How happy have you been with it? The other option I'm thinking about is getting an E46 M3 convertible. This has the advantage of being about £15k cheaper (and will lose a lt less money over next 2 yrs!), but evo seemed to love their 335i so I'm curious to hear from other owners.
Is the 335i really better than the E46 M3? What are running costs like? Any advice appreciated.
Many thanks
Is the 335i really better than the E46 M3? What are running costs like? Any advice appreciated.
Many thanks
Have never owned an E46 M3 but own a 335i touring. Judging from several Autobahn encounters I'd say that albeit the M3 is slightly faster the 335 returns similar performance in day to day driving. Mine is mapped to about 370 bhp which comes cheaply and is an absolute hoot to drive. I am sure we are about to enter the n/a vs. turbo debate any minute now 
Whilst being a very, very nice car, I believe the E46 is starting to look dated, and personally I don't agree with the usual arguments (n/a sounds better, more involving a drive) but I believe you are on the right track by driving both.
Whilst being a very, very nice car, I believe the E46 is starting to look dated, and personally I don't agree with the usual arguments (n/a sounds better, more involving a drive) but I believe you are on the right track by driving both.
Move away from speed for a moment, and what you'll find is that they offer very different driving experiences. The 335i is much more refined than an M3, but the M3 does a better job of delivering the thrills.
To get the same performance from both, you'll be working the M3 much harder, so if you enjoy getting stuck in to doing some driving then you'll love the M. If you just want to get from London to Manchester 3 times a week then you'd probably prefer the 335i.
Depends what you're looking for really.
Running costs of an M3 needn't necessarily be all that scary, but there is the potential for some big bills there. Having said that, who knows when a turbo can go pop, for example.
My money would go on the M3 personally, but there are plenty who would differ.
To get the same performance from both, you'll be working the M3 much harder, so if you enjoy getting stuck in to doing some driving then you'll love the M. If you just want to get from London to Manchester 3 times a week then you'd probably prefer the 335i.
Depends what you're looking for really.
Running costs of an M3 needn't necessarily be all that scary, but there is the potential for some big bills there. Having said that, who knows when a turbo can go pop, for example.
My money would go on the M3 personally, but there are plenty who would differ.
sjm,
I own an M3. I've driven a couple of 335i's and they're very impressive cars. There really is little of nothing between them, performance wise. The 335i even sounds good for a turbocharged car!
In your position, I'd try both and see which one suits your driving style. The M3 is recalcitrant in the mornings and doesn't like to be hurried. Once warmed it wakes up and goes all banzai over 6k rpm. You do need to use it to get the most from that fantastic engine.
The 335i on the other hand feels docile by comparison. It can be driven "lazily" and sometimes feels like a high revving diesel, if that makes sense. However, it too is properly quick above 4.5k rpm. Just have a search on Youtube for comparison vids.
An M3 will be more expensive to service and they'll both return mid-20's to the gallon. The 335i is more economical on a run though. Whichever car you decide on, make sure it has manufacturers warranty and has been properly looked after by the previous owner(s)
Matt
I own an M3. I've driven a couple of 335i's and they're very impressive cars. There really is little of nothing between them, performance wise. The 335i even sounds good for a turbocharged car!
In your position, I'd try both and see which one suits your driving style. The M3 is recalcitrant in the mornings and doesn't like to be hurried. Once warmed it wakes up and goes all banzai over 6k rpm. You do need to use it to get the most from that fantastic engine.
The 335i on the other hand feels docile by comparison. It can be driven "lazily" and sometimes feels like a high revving diesel, if that makes sense. However, it too is properly quick above 4.5k rpm. Just have a search on Youtube for comparison vids.
An M3 will be more expensive to service and they'll both return mid-20's to the gallon. The 335i is more economical on a run though. Whichever car you decide on, make sure it has manufacturers warranty and has been properly looked after by the previous owner(s)
Matt
m12_nathan said:
I assume that as you want the convertable version you don't care about handling or performance, in which case just get a 335i - the metal roof will be nicer over winter and it is quick enough though duller than the M3. e9x interior feels much more modern than the e46 too.
+1Thanks all. Fair point re not so interested in performance/ handling - I fully appreciate that going soft up top means softer all over. I've got an '88 911 Carrera for when I want to really feel like I am driving, and to be fair I just want to get something more comfy but still with some oomph for the next few months. I'm driving the 335i later this week, so will then drive an E46 M3 and see how they compare. Depreciation is the killer - I got hit rather hard on a Maserati 4200 which lost about £19k in 18 months last year so may go for the M3 on the basis it won't lose so much over the next 12 months - but as above, the E92 does seem a lot more comfortable inside...Oh Lordy...
Can't comment on the M3 myself but did contemplate it when shopping for the 335i that I had, decided to go newer and the 335i was a very good car...lovely noise and deceptively quick, comfy and returned 27mpg in mixed driving for the near 2 months that i had it..
Sold my 335i on an 07 plate for £19k in the end though it only cost me £20k when I bought it
so enjoyed trying it out for 2 months...most of it's value must have been shed by then I reckon..
You will be impressed with 335i but it depends if you want the 'hard' edge to it or not to consider the M3 imho...
Sold my 335i on an 07 plate for £19k in the end though it only cost me £20k when I bought it
so enjoyed trying it out for 2 months...most of it's value must have been shed by then I reckon..You will be impressed with 335i but it depends if you want the 'hard' edge to it or not to consider the M3 imho...
sjm18 said:
I'm looking for a bit more comfort this time, so 335i could eb the way to go. How the hell did you manage to buy one for £20k?!? Are we still talking about a convertible, or was it the saloon?
Sorry, wasn't clear on that, it was a Coupe..maybe I went a bit of topic there! 
Edited by berry100 on Monday 27th October 21:08
I had my 335i for about 6 or 7 months, a nice comfortable mile muncher that is also very quick (remapped mine straight away) but ultimately got bored of it very quickly.
Now in an E320 estate for when I want to potter about and back in an E46 M3 for all the other times.
They are two completely different cars, I guess ideally I would have a 335i for everyday and the M3 for having fun in, they are different enough to warrant that as mad as it sounds.
I will just add, I took the E93 out for a drive, was the new M3 version, as I wanted to test the DCT gearbox and I absolutely hated it from a handling perspective, and it felt slow.
I think if going for the cab you may as well buy a 325i and just waft around, as long as you can save £10k of course.
Now in an E320 estate for when I want to potter about and back in an E46 M3 for all the other times.
They are two completely different cars, I guess ideally I would have a 335i for everyday and the M3 for having fun in, they are different enough to warrant that as mad as it sounds.
I will just add, I took the E93 out for a drive, was the new M3 version, as I wanted to test the DCT gearbox and I absolutely hated it from a handling perspective, and it felt slow.
I think if going for the cab you may as well buy a 325i and just waft around, as long as you can save £10k of course.
Reading the posts above I think you should try both but suspect the 335i is your car.
I've driven the 335i coupe and own an E46 M3CS and would judge the 335i a more rounded everyday car. However, for me the M3 definitely has that extra something as a pure driver's car and that's what tempted me to a second-hand CS rather than a new 335i. A couple of months after I drove the 335i Steve Sutcliffe described it in Autocar as a car for people who wanted to go quickly but weren't really that interested in driving (or words to that effect!) and, while I thought that was a bit harsh, I knew what he meant.
Having said that, if my mileage profile changed such that I was doing more long runs on motorways I would certainly look at a 335i - excellent machine but just not as involving as the M3 when you want to have some fun (all IMO of course!).
I've driven the 335i coupe and own an E46 M3CS and would judge the 335i a more rounded everyday car. However, for me the M3 definitely has that extra something as a pure driver's car and that's what tempted me to a second-hand CS rather than a new 335i. A couple of months after I drove the 335i Steve Sutcliffe described it in Autocar as a car for people who wanted to go quickly but weren't really that interested in driving (or words to that effect!) and, while I thought that was a bit harsh, I knew what he meant.
Having said that, if my mileage profile changed such that I was doing more long runs on motorways I would certainly look at a 335i - excellent machine but just not as involving as the M3 when you want to have some fun (all IMO of course!).
Yep- inclined to agree that a 325i/ 330i may be better suited to what I want from this particular car - i.e., just commuting and enjoying roof down moments etc. Of course, when I drive the 335i I may think otherwise! The BMW salesman has said that the 335i is a much quicker car than the 330i but from what I am hearing it may be a bit without character compared to the 330i. Plus like you said, I can save a few thou' on the 330i. I've got an '88 911 Carrera for when I want to stir things up a bit (althought I realise the 335i would be quicker!)
Can't help thinking though that if I buy a 330i then every time I see a 335i go by I'll have a slight pang of regret...
Can't help thinking though that if I buy a 330i then every time I see a 335i go by I'll have a slight pang of regret...
sjm,
Not sure if a 330i has crossed your mind, but a friend of mine is selling his.........
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=355...
Matt
Not sure if a 330i has crossed your mind, but a friend of mine is selling his.........
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=355...
Matt
Thanks for link Matt - looks stunning, and I am considering a 330i. Maybe my local BM delaer is offering good prices after all though, as I can get an 08 plate with lower mileage from them for the same money. Such is the market at the moment that if I buy private I'd not want to spend more than £30k. I may have to wait a bit longer I guess...
My last car was an M3 and now I run a chipped 335i. I have recenntly driven my old car and must say that I much much prefer the 335i. It's just as fast now if not faster lower in the rev range but feels much more relaxed and refined. They feel very different and it depends what kind of thrill you want but to me the 335i is newer, more sorted generally, more comfortable but handles almost as well on the limit and gets better economy...just. Then again it really needs a limited slip diff!
gizlaroc said:
I had my 335i for about 6 or 7 months, a nice comfortable mile muncher that is also very quick (remapped mine straight away) but ultimately got bored of it very quickly.
Now in an E320 estate for when I want to potter about and back in an E46 M3 for all the other times.
They are two completely different cars, I guess ideally I would have a 335i for everyday and the M3 for having fun in, they are different enough to warrant that as mad as it sounds.
I will just add, I took the E93 out for a drive, was the new M3 version, as I wanted to test the DCT gearbox and I absolutely hated it from a handling perspective, and it felt slow.
I think if going for the cab you may as well buy a 325i and just waft around, as long as you can save £10k of course.
The e93 M3 even in DCT form is not as quick as the coupe. its like 205kg heavier.Now in an E320 estate for when I want to potter about and back in an E46 M3 for all the other times.
They are two completely different cars, I guess ideally I would have a 335i for everyday and the M3 for having fun in, they are different enough to warrant that as mad as it sounds.
I will just add, I took the E93 out for a drive, was the new M3 version, as I wanted to test the DCT gearbox and I absolutely hated it from a handling perspective, and it felt slow.
I think if going for the cab you may as well buy a 325i and just waft around, as long as you can save £10k of course.
I'm new here so be gentle! I've had E46 M3 Coupe's and Convertibles as well as 335i E92's and E93's.
I do a lot of miles so the 335i is a better all round car than the M3. Easier to drive quickly and I think it feels quicker to overtake. E46 was a superb car but is now feeling dated inside, so if you have the 911 as your weekend car, I'd go for the 335i for a refined all rounder. Still a very quick car but without the presence of the M3.
Not sure I get some of the comments on here about 330i being a better car than the 335i. I had a 330i E92 briefly and although it was a great motor, it needed a lot of revs. Maybe its the miles I do, but the effortless shove of the 335i suits me better.
Plenty of well priced cars about though...
I do a lot of miles so the 335i is a better all round car than the M3. Easier to drive quickly and I think it feels quicker to overtake. E46 was a superb car but is now feeling dated inside, so if you have the 911 as your weekend car, I'd go for the 335i for a refined all rounder. Still a very quick car but without the presence of the M3.
Not sure I get some of the comments on here about 330i being a better car than the 335i. I had a 330i E92 briefly and although it was a great motor, it needed a lot of revs. Maybe its the miles I do, but the effortless shove of the 335i suits me better.
Plenty of well priced cars about though...
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