Which car for about 10k? E92 335, E46 M3, or other
Discussion
Right chaps, I'm looking for a daily driver which will be reliable and offer some thrills as well. I'm a huge fan of the E46 M3 however, every time I hear/see a 335 (even idling) it sounds and looks great. It seems to offer nearly the same performance as the M3 too. Is an auto 335 a better proposition than a manual? Would the M3 be the more reliable and rewarding steed? Any other suggestions welcome.
Its personal preference but I have a 330i auto but every time I get in it I wish it was a manual so if I was buying a 335i it would certainly be a manual, some like an auto as a daily as they are more relaxing and easier to drive...for me though its worth making that little bit more effort with a manual to get the full driving experience.
I agree also that the 335i does sound well and I certainly wouldn't say no to one.
I agree also that the 335i does sound well and I certainly wouldn't say no to one.
daveco said:
I'm a huge fan of the E46 M3 however, every time I hear/see a 335 (even idling) it sounds and looks great. It seems to offer nearly the same performance as the M3 too.
In a straight line, maybe. But M cars are all about the chasis and handling in the corners 
£10k is more than enough to get a good E46 M3 example and run it.
Have owned a few 335i and a few M3 (E30/36 & 46).
At £10k a 335i makes a lot of sense lovely to use and plenty quick enough on the road most of the time it's quicker that an old m3 due to having 300 / 300 from 2500 rpm to 7000 rpm no need to rev these hard to make them go unlike and M3.
My current 335i is on 190,000 miles still on original turbos clutch etc running costs are so much lower than an M, it's no track car though as quite soft and no LSD .
At £10k a 335i makes a lot of sense lovely to use and plenty quick enough on the road most of the time it's quicker that an old m3 due to having 300 / 300 from 2500 rpm to 7000 rpm no need to rev these hard to make them go unlike and M3.
My current 335i is on 190,000 miles still on original turbos clutch etc running costs are so much lower than an M, it's no track car though as quite soft and no LSD .
rallycross said:
Have owned a few 335i and a few M3 (E30/36 & 46).
At £10k a 335i makes a lot of sense lovely to use and plenty quick enough on the road most of the time it's quicker that an old m3 due to having 300 / 300 from 2500 rpm to 7000 rpm no need to rev these hard to make them go unlike and M3.
My current 335i is on 190,000 miles still on original turbos clutch etc running costs are so much lower than an M, it's no track car though as quite soft and no LSD .
I thought the E90/E92 335 had several mechanical/electrical issues no? At £10k a 335i makes a lot of sense lovely to use and plenty quick enough on the road most of the time it's quicker that an old m3 due to having 300 / 300 from 2500 rpm to 7000 rpm no need to rev these hard to make them go unlike and M3.
My current 335i is on 190,000 miles still on original turbos clutch etc running costs are so much lower than an M, it's no track car though as quite soft and no LSD .
If you were doing about 150 miles of early morning and clear rural roads/motorway driving every week, what car would you go for?
daveco said:
I thought the E90/E92 335 had several mechanical/electrical issues no?
If you were doing about 150 miles of early morning and clear rural roads/motorway driving every week, what car would you go for?
Your bills are likely to be higher if you buy an old E46 M3, even when they were quite new they rack up huge bills and now they are old/higher mileage expect to pay some hefty running costs. If you were doing about 150 miles of early morning and clear rural roads/motorway driving every week, what car would you go for?
335i can also throw up some huge bills, when buying it check for rattley turbo wastegates (on cold start up). Its not somethign with suddenly appears and requires an immediate fix, can be fixed with some clever adjustments but will still come back again unless you change them (which = change the turbos even though its just a worn wastegate). From the ones I've owned I'd expect the old M3 to throw up much higher running costs than an 335.
As a daily the 335i is better IMHO
Newer sooner modern better toys and also real world nothing in of performance wise.
Noise wise however the E46 wins but you can only hit max revs in. 1 gear legally... 335i sounds good all revs.
Also another factor the 335i is a safer car if you have an accident.
Newer sooner modern better toys and also real world nothing in of performance wise.
Noise wise however the E46 wins but you can only hit max revs in. 1 gear legally... 335i sounds good all revs.
Also another factor the 335i is a safer car if you have an accident.
Hmmm...interesting opinions chaps.
I have upped my budget to around 12k so will be looking at '06 M3s with less than 100k on them. Does that change anything?
I know the rear sub-frame is an issue on the M3, but I heard/was told BMW will fix it under warranty as long as it is less than ten years old?
I have upped my budget to around 12k so will be looking at '06 M3s with less than 100k on them. Does that change anything?
I know the rear sub-frame is an issue on the M3, but I heard/was told BMW will fix it under warranty as long as it is less than ten years old?
Drove both first and foremost.
Secondly one thing to consider and its something I've regretted previously is end of the day you really do want an M3 you'd own the icon that it is. Now sure it could cost a fair chunk if your unlucky but likewise so could the 335i but frankly its comparatively. If you have eyes wide open for both and you buy on condition the. You should be fine.
So would you look back and say heck I've never owned a 335i nope never you may well do for an M3.
However the 335i is superb just as quick though not an M car.
Secondly one thing to consider and its something I've regretted previously is end of the day you really do want an M3 you'd own the icon that it is. Now sure it could cost a fair chunk if your unlucky but likewise so could the 335i but frankly its comparatively. If you have eyes wide open for both and you buy on condition the. You should be fine.
So would you look back and say heck I've never owned a 335i nope never you may well do for an M3.
However the 335i is superb just as quick though not an M car.
I'm a bit biased but these cars were on my potentials list along with An Audi S4. In the end I am happy to have gone for a C55 amg.
Pros - Faster (ok about the same as an E46 but without the work), more robust, V8 torque and noise.
Cons - Old torque converter gearbox (suits me for my 70% stop start driving), looks a bit dated. Love mine, great fun and charecterful but lacks the final word in driver involvement, did I mention the noise
Pros - Faster (ok about the same as an E46 but without the work), more robust, V8 torque and noise.
Cons - Old torque converter gearbox (suits me for my 70% stop start driving), looks a bit dated. Love mine, great fun and charecterful but lacks the final word in driver involvement, did I mention the noise
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