E92 335i - M3 - is it worth changing?
Discussion
After a long list of weekend only fun cars, I moved to the US and needed a car for my daily commute, general running around etc. I decided on an E92 335i as it had plenty of power, and was sensible with 4 seats and a decent size boot.
6 months on and I am really bored to tears with it. Its hugely capable and has a decent turn of speed, however it is just so boring, I am getting itchy feet.
The car I really want is an R8 however they are still a lot of money and I don't think I want to spend that much at this point in time. I have been looking at E92 M3's for sale and they seem a lot of car for the money. Problem is will it just be too similar to the 335i to justify the cost of change (only had car 6 months, bought from BMW main dealer so I paid top dollar and would no doubt lose a packet). Will I get equally bored of the M3 in a short period, or is it a radically different / more involving / exciting drive to make me forget about the loss on the 335i, something similar to driving my Elise / Porsches??
6 months on and I am really bored to tears with it. Its hugely capable and has a decent turn of speed, however it is just so boring, I am getting itchy feet.
The car I really want is an R8 however they are still a lot of money and I don't think I want to spend that much at this point in time. I have been looking at E92 M3's for sale and they seem a lot of car for the money. Problem is will it just be too similar to the 335i to justify the cost of change (only had car 6 months, bought from BMW main dealer so I paid top dollar and would no doubt lose a packet). Will I get equally bored of the M3 in a short period, or is it a radically different / more involving / exciting drive to make me forget about the loss on the 335i, something similar to driving my Elise / Porsches??
Edited by EK993 on Sunday 12th September 23:35
EK993 said:
After a long list of weekend only fun cars, I moved to the US and needed a car for my daily commute, general running around etc. I decided on an E92 335i as it had plenty of power, and was sensible with 4 seats and a decent size boot.
6 months on and I am really bored to tears with it. Its hugely capable and has a decent turn of speed, however it is just so boring, I am getting itchy feet.
The car I really want is an R8 however they are still a lot of money and I don't think I want to spend that much at this point in time. I have been looking at E92 M3's for sale and they seem a lot of car for the money. Problem is will it just be too similar to the 335i to justify the cost of change (only had car 6 months, bought from BMW main dealer so I paid top dollar and would no doubt lose a packet). Will I get equally bored of the M3 in a short period, or is it a radically different / more involving / exciting drive to make me forget about the loss on the 335i, something similar to driving my Elise / Porsches??
I would guess that would depend on where abouts in the USA you are?6 months on and I am really bored to tears with it. Its hugely capable and has a decent turn of speed, however it is just so boring, I am getting itchy feet.
The car I really want is an R8 however they are still a lot of money and I don't think I want to spend that much at this point in time. I have been looking at E92 M3's for sale and they seem a lot of car for the money. Problem is will it just be too similar to the 335i to justify the cost of change (only had car 6 months, bought from BMW main dealer so I paid top dollar and would no doubt lose a packet). Will I get equally bored of the M3 in a short period, or is it a radically different / more involving / exciting drive to make me forget about the loss on the 335i, something similar to driving my Elise / Porsches??
Edited by EK993 on Sunday 12th September 23:35
Personally, I would have thought the 335i would be perfect for the USA, unless track the car or you actively compete in Auto-X or live in a more remote area with winding mountain roads etc., where you can enjoy the attributes of a ///M car more.
If the extra involvement of an ///M car only accounts for 5% or less of your driving, I can't see point in having one.
As said, you can get 335s up to 400bhp and more if you're really bothered, very different cars in reality. When I lived in the states I felt it was only right to have a US muscle car - C5-Z06, they aren't the most refined things but they're a truck load of fun and the fuel bills are bearable too on that side of the Atlantic.
Thanks for the replies.
From the sounds of things the M isn't going to be different enough to make it worth the change. I was kind of feeling that might be the case, I thought as they seem very reasonable it could have been worth considering.
I live in Connecticut, about 45 mins drive from Manhattan. There are some good roads nearby, although people don't "hoon" like they do in the UK, at least not round here. To be honest a lot of the driving in the US is on the highway.
It's only my girlfriend and I over here, so we don't need back seats although they have come in handy a number of times when friends visit, go out with people from work etc.
I did consider a muscle car, the image over here is a bit redneck though.
From the sounds of things the M isn't going to be different enough to make it worth the change. I was kind of feeling that might be the case, I thought as they seem very reasonable it could have been worth considering.
I live in Connecticut, about 45 mins drive from Manhattan. There are some good roads nearby, although people don't "hoon" like they do in the UK, at least not round here. To be honest a lot of the driving in the US is on the highway.
It's only my girlfriend and I over here, so we don't need back seats although they have come in handy a number of times when friends visit, go out with people from work etc.
I did consider a muscle car, the image over here is a bit redneck though.
EK993 said:
From the sounds of things the M isn't going to be different enough to make it worth the change. I was kind of feeling that might be the case, I thought as they seem very reasonable it could have been worth considering.
I live in Connecticut, about 45 mins drive from Manhattan. There are some good roads nearby, although people don't "hoon" like they do in the UK, at least not round here. To be honest a lot of the driving in the US is on the highway.
The M is very different..... but, my point (and it's just my point of view) is that if you can only exploit that difference on such few occasions, is it really worth the extra cost.... and that's not just buying/changing costs, it's the extra exponential costs associated with ///M ownership such as service intervals and costs etc....? I live in Connecticut, about 45 mins drive from Manhattan. There are some good roads nearby, although people don't "hoon" like they do in the UK, at least not round here. To be honest a lot of the driving in the US is on the highway.
The replies so far are focussed on power only. If you, as I do, value the other things like the sound of your car, exclusivity, and looks then the M3 is in a different league. The v8 sounds glorious and I cant stop polishing those 4 tailpipes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So in answer to your question yes they are sufficiently different IMO.
I'm of a different mind. I went from a 335d, quick, monster torque but sooo boring, to an e92 M3. It's a completely different driving experience. I had extensively test driven the 335i before I bought the 335d, and I had a 135i, so I'm familiar with that engine too. The M3 is in a different class in terms of the driving experience. Not just when you get a chance to hoon it on country roads, which I rarely did, but in every part of the driving experience it delivers such delicacy of feedback, and such nimble handling and great power delivery that I must whole-heartly recommend you change if its not financially prohibitive.
I have never driven an E92 M3 or a 335i - and generally its annoying if people on forums give their opinions (as so often happens) without being fully informed.
However, my Mrs has an E92 335d. Amongst other vehicles, I have a lightly modified E36 M3 (after market induction, arbs, suspension). I have no idea what the peformance differential is - but frankly I dont really care - it does not define which I car I take the keys for - both are quick. I have also owned other 'performance' oriented but non M Power BMWs.
If I want to cross the country with the family as fast as possible, as economically as possible and arrive feeling as fresh as possible, I take the 335d.
If I want to DRIVE a car and really ENJOY it and be less worried about petrol consumption - maybe to blow off steam after work or at the weekend - I take the M3. There isnt much comparison for involvement and driving pleasure.
It strikes me that the people that make the case for the 335 are 335 drivers who probably dont have the experience of driving an M3 (Taffyracer excepted - but if you need 4 seats and a boot then a 997 isnt really the answer). If I was the OP, I'd definitely do some wider reading on this and get myself a test drive. The magazines certainly seem to rate the E92 M3 highly as a drivers car. The 335i seems to be more of a 4 star drivers car in standard trim. It may be quick off the lights or in the mid range, but that doesnt define driving pleasure. No offence meant to 335 drivers. Just my 2p.
However, my Mrs has an E92 335d. Amongst other vehicles, I have a lightly modified E36 M3 (after market induction, arbs, suspension). I have no idea what the peformance differential is - but frankly I dont really care - it does not define which I car I take the keys for - both are quick. I have also owned other 'performance' oriented but non M Power BMWs.
If I want to cross the country with the family as fast as possible, as economically as possible and arrive feeling as fresh as possible, I take the 335d.
If I want to DRIVE a car and really ENJOY it and be less worried about petrol consumption - maybe to blow off steam after work or at the weekend - I take the M3. There isnt much comparison for involvement and driving pleasure.
It strikes me that the people that make the case for the 335 are 335 drivers who probably dont have the experience of driving an M3 (Taffyracer excepted - but if you need 4 seats and a boot then a 997 isnt really the answer). If I was the OP, I'd definitely do some wider reading on this and get myself a test drive. The magazines certainly seem to rate the E92 M3 highly as a drivers car. The 335i seems to be more of a 4 star drivers car in standard trim. It may be quick off the lights or in the mid range, but that doesnt define driving pleasure. No offence meant to 335 drivers. Just my 2p.
Edited by five50 on Monday 13th September 20:12
Edited by five50 on Monday 13th September 20:15
You're asking the wrong question entirely.
If I moved to the US the first thing I'd do is get hold of a car that works over there but not over here. Some sort of muscle car/giant pickup/etc. You lack imagination, and are wasting a valuable opportunity to own something yankee and interesting in an environment where it belongs without all the "too big"/"left hand drive"/"nowhere to properly support it"/"it's an import" issues you get over here.
Get a bloody Camaro SS or a Shelby Stang or and F150 Lightning or something. You can have a BMW whenever you like.
If I moved to the US the first thing I'd do is get hold of a car that works over there but not over here. Some sort of muscle car/giant pickup/etc. You lack imagination, and are wasting a valuable opportunity to own something yankee and interesting in an environment where it belongs without all the "too big"/"left hand drive"/"nowhere to properly support it"/"it's an import" issues you get over here.
Get a bloody Camaro SS or a Shelby Stang or and F150 Lightning or something. You can have a BMW whenever you like.
Edited by pilchardthecat on Wednesday 15th September 11:41
pilchardthecat said:
You're asking the wrong question entirely.
If I moved to the US the first thing I'd do is get hold of a car that works over there but not over here. Some sort of muscle car/giant pickup/etc. You lack imagination, and are wasting a valuable opportunity to own something yankee and interesting in an environment where it belongs without all the "too big"/"left hand drive"/"nowhere to properly support it"/"it's an import" issues you get over here.
Get a bloody Camaro SS or a Shelby Stang or and F150 Lightning or something. You can have a BMW whenever you like.
If I moved to the US the first thing I'd do is get hold of a car that works over there but not over here. Some sort of muscle car/giant pickup/etc. You lack imagination, and are wasting a valuable opportunity to own something yankee and interesting in an environment where it belongs without all the "too big"/"left hand drive"/"nowhere to properly support it"/"it's an import" issues you get over here.
Get a bloody Camaro SS or a Shelby Stang or and F150 Lightning or something. You can have a BMW whenever you like.
As someone who goes out to the USA quite a bit, if I lived there, that's what I'd be doing...... Roush or Shelby Mustang or a Challenger Hemi for me please.
You can then visit the local cruise's, get to know the local expert spanner men and speed shops etc.... and generally the whole US car culture thing that you won't get with owning an 'import'.
I have to say though, conversely, that would depend on what type of housing I was living in, as if I was renting a house with a garage, I would do the cheap import thing as a DD, and I'd be using to garage to build a 50's/60's period style '32 Ford hot rod instead
Lostprophet said:
american musle? hmmmm lol no thanks!
M3 please!
You're missing the point. I'm an M fan, I have a Z4M right now. Sure the M3 is going to be better than the american stuff, but you can have an M3 and countless other excellent european cars and enjoy them here whenever you like.M3 please!
There is a whole different automotive universe over in the US, and i'm sorry, but if you go and live over there for a year or two, and turn down the opportunity to own/drive/mingle amongst all that and enjoy it in it's native element, then in my book you are not a petrolhead. You're a part time plastic top gear watching pretend petrolhead nancy gaylord with no imagination
so ner.When in Rome, etc; Buy a f
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