M3 or 335 M Sport - Any expierances?
Discussion
I am currently trying to decide between a new 335i M sport with the DCT gearbox and an 18 month old M3 DCT.
I am sure both are perfectly quick enough in the real world, the 335 is obviously much lower benefit in kind and new.
Or is the M3 worth the extra?
Anyone actualy driven both with any real world views?
I can't find a dealer anywhere close who has them in to do a back to back.
Cheers
I am sure both are perfectly quick enough in the real world, the 335 is obviously much lower benefit in kind and new.
Or is the M3 worth the extra?
Anyone actualy driven both with any real world views?
I can't find a dealer anywhere close who has them in to do a back to back.
Cheers
The 335i is an extremely comfortable autobahn mile muncher, it gets you from A-B in complete comfort and without drama, you can sit at 130mph with your nan next to you and not raising an eyebrow, you press the throttle in any gear and the power is there, no drama and all very civilised, albeit all very quick too.
The M3 on the other hand needs to be worked, and when it does it growls at you!! Get the gearing wrong and you will not keep up with the 335i, however that is not what it is about, it is about the overall package, you want to catch the revs just right, you want to hear it scream as it hits 5000rpm and you want the whole car to feel alive as the revs sweep round to 8000!! You then get a silly warm feeling inside as you drop it down to 3rd coming through a corner as you get the revs just right and you hear the wheels chirp as the limited slip diff gets the traction down and you power out onto the straight, it feels aggressive, it sounds aggressive and it is aggressive!! It is superb!!
I have had a 335i and although a technical masterpiece it is also pretty damned dull, you can remap it and get the 0-60mph time down to 4,5 seconds, but it is still always a comfy mile muncher, it feels more like a big diesel, I would actually rather have the NA 330i over another 335i, and given the choice of an M3 vs a 335i??
There is no fukin' choice!!!
The M3 on the other hand needs to be worked, and when it does it growls at you!! Get the gearing wrong and you will not keep up with the 335i, however that is not what it is about, it is about the overall package, you want to catch the revs just right, you want to hear it scream as it hits 5000rpm and you want the whole car to feel alive as the revs sweep round to 8000!! You then get a silly warm feeling inside as you drop it down to 3rd coming through a corner as you get the revs just right and you hear the wheels chirp as the limited slip diff gets the traction down and you power out onto the straight, it feels aggressive, it sounds aggressive and it is aggressive!! It is superb!!
I have had a 335i and although a technical masterpiece it is also pretty damned dull, you can remap it and get the 0-60mph time down to 4,5 seconds, but it is still always a comfy mile muncher, it feels more like a big diesel, I would actually rather have the NA 330i over another 335i, and given the choice of an M3 vs a 335i??
There is no fukin' choice!!!
Out of those 2 it would have to be the M3.
The 335i is just lazy and powerful at any point. I actually went through all of this recently, not the m3 part though as its a whole new budget and set of running costs that i couldn't stomach at the moment.
For sheer fun and thrills i would seriously consider a manual N/A 330i. A seriously good engine, very engaging in manual form and very quick on the road, especially the newer ED engine. Excellent running costs too.
I ended up with a 335d in the end after setting out looking for a 330, so my priorities did change. I got suckered into the sedated cruising abilities and relaxing drive it gave which is very important to me. But also the ability to have some fun at the weekend. I bought it over the 335i in the end (even though i wanted petrol) because the 335i falls into the higher tax band and will only do about 28-30mpg. The price was irrelevant because i got my 335d for a VERY good price. Where as i'm getting 45mpg from the 335d and it's about 200 quid tax. But if it really is between the 2 you mentioned, it has to be the m3!
The 335i is just lazy and powerful at any point. I actually went through all of this recently, not the m3 part though as its a whole new budget and set of running costs that i couldn't stomach at the moment.
For sheer fun and thrills i would seriously consider a manual N/A 330i. A seriously good engine, very engaging in manual form and very quick on the road, especially the newer ED engine. Excellent running costs too.
I ended up with a 335d in the end after setting out looking for a 330, so my priorities did change. I got suckered into the sedated cruising abilities and relaxing drive it gave which is very important to me. But also the ability to have some fun at the weekend. I bought it over the 335i in the end (even though i wanted petrol) because the 335i falls into the higher tax band and will only do about 28-30mpg. The price was irrelevant because i got my 335d for a VERY good price. Where as i'm getting 45mpg from the 335d and it's about 200 quid tax. But if it really is between the 2 you mentioned, it has to be the m3!
Edited by briers on Tuesday 15th June 20:35
Edited by briers on Tuesday 15th June 20:36
It will be a company car so running costs are not so important, but BIK is and on that basis the M3 is slightly more money, emmissions mean it's 35% as opposed to 28% but in the scheme of things not a lot.
The main reason for the 335i rahter than a 330i or indeed a325i or a diesel, is that it's only the M3 and 335 that get the superb DCT gearbox which I am really impressed with. All the others get the normal torque converter auto and as the wife will drive it a fair bit, the preferance is very much for an auto.
I'm keeping the Lambo so this is something to keep me interested when I'm not in that.
Interesting stuff, thanks chaps.
The main reason for the 335i rahter than a 330i or indeed a325i or a diesel, is that it's only the M3 and 335 that get the superb DCT gearbox which I am really impressed with. All the others get the normal torque converter auto and as the wife will drive it a fair bit, the preferance is very much for an auto.
I'm keeping the Lambo so this is something to keep me interested when I'm not in that.
Interesting stuff, thanks chaps.
bertie said:
Mermaid said:
bertie said:
Done it, bought the M3!!
That's a quick decision.. Well done on choosing the full fat version.
So went out on Monday morning and bought a Toyota Aygo!! haha
So not quite the same thing.
gizlaroc said:
The 335i is an extremely comfortable autobahn mile muncher, it gets you from A-B in complete comfort and without drama, you can sit at 130mph with your nan next to you and not raising an eyebrow, you press the throttle in any gear and the power is there, no drama and all very civilised, albeit all very quick too.
The M3 on the other hand needs to be worked, and when it does it growls at you!! Get the gearing wrong and you will not keep up with the 335i, however that is not what it is about, it is about the overall package, you want to catch the revs just right, you want to hear it scream as it hits 5000rpm and you want the whole car to feel alive as the revs sweep round to 8000!! You then get a silly warm feeling inside as you drop it down to 3rd coming through a corner as you get the revs just right and you hear the wheels chirp as the limited slip diff gets the traction down and you power out onto the straight, it feels aggressive, it sounds aggressive and it is aggressive!! It is superb!!
I have had a 335i and although a technical masterpiece it is also pretty damned dull, you can remap it and get the 0-60mph time down to 4,5 seconds, but it is still always a comfy mile muncher, it feels more like a big diesel, I would actually rather have the NA 330i over another 335i, and given the choice of an M3 vs a 335i??
There is no fukin' choice!!!
This is possibly my favourite post of the year so far. Should be required reading every time someone trots out the 'my diesel....' line, totally missing the point. The M3 on the other hand needs to be worked, and when it does it growls at you!! Get the gearing wrong and you will not keep up with the 335i, however that is not what it is about, it is about the overall package, you want to catch the revs just right, you want to hear it scream as it hits 5000rpm and you want the whole car to feel alive as the revs sweep round to 8000!! You then get a silly warm feeling inside as you drop it down to 3rd coming through a corner as you get the revs just right and you hear the wheels chirp as the limited slip diff gets the traction down and you power out onto the straight, it feels aggressive, it sounds aggressive and it is aggressive!! It is superb!!
I have had a 335i and although a technical masterpiece it is also pretty damned dull, you can remap it and get the 0-60mph time down to 4,5 seconds, but it is still always a comfy mile muncher, it feels more like a big diesel, I would actually rather have the NA 330i over another 335i, and given the choice of an M3 vs a 335i??
There is no fukin' choice!!!
Had the desired effect here too.
0836whimper said:
gizlaroc said:
The 335i is an extremely comfortable autobahn mile muncher, it gets you from A-B in complete comfort and without drama, you can sit at 130mph with your nan next to you and not raising an eyebrow, you press the throttle in any gear and the power is there, no drama and all very civilised, albeit all very quick too.
The M3 on the other hand needs to be worked, and when it does it growls at you!! Get the gearing wrong and you will not keep up with the 335i, however that is not what it is about, it is about the overall package, you want to catch the revs just right, you want to hear it scream as it hits 5000rpm and you want the whole car to feel alive as the revs sweep round to 8000!! You then get a silly warm feeling inside as you drop it down to 3rd coming through a corner as you get the revs just right and you hear the wheels chirp as the limited slip diff gets the traction down and you power out onto the straight, it feels aggressive, it sounds aggressive and it is aggressive!! It is superb!!
I have had a 335i and although a technical masterpiece it is also pretty damned dull, you can remap it and get the 0-60mph time down to 4,5 seconds, but it is still always a comfy mile muncher, it feels more like a big diesel, I would actually rather have the NA 330i over another 335i, and given the choice of an M3 vs a 335i??
There is no fukin' choice!!!
This is possibly my favourite post of the year so far. Should be required reading every time someone trots out the 'my diesel....' line, totally missing the point. The M3 on the other hand needs to be worked, and when it does it growls at you!! Get the gearing wrong and you will not keep up with the 335i, however that is not what it is about, it is about the overall package, you want to catch the revs just right, you want to hear it scream as it hits 5000rpm and you want the whole car to feel alive as the revs sweep round to 8000!! You then get a silly warm feeling inside as you drop it down to 3rd coming through a corner as you get the revs just right and you hear the wheels chirp as the limited slip diff gets the traction down and you power out onto the straight, it feels aggressive, it sounds aggressive and it is aggressive!! It is superb!!
I have had a 335i and although a technical masterpiece it is also pretty damned dull, you can remap it and get the 0-60mph time down to 4,5 seconds, but it is still always a comfy mile muncher, it feels more like a big diesel, I would actually rather have the NA 330i over another 335i, and given the choice of an M3 vs a 335i??
There is no fukin' choice!!!
Had the desired effect here too.
Let him dream on. It might be a bit quicker but it certainly isn't more fun. Especially as most are autos.
If it wasn't for the increasingly stressful slow moving traffic round my way causing me to change gear ever six seconds I would have had a manual 330i in a heartbeat.
But I wanted a lazy auto that could move. The 335i just didn't do it for me and also didn't make sense on fuel and tax and it is a crime to have a 330i auto imho so I ended up with a supremely lazy equivalently priced 335d that isn't that bad on a hoon either. Mid 40s MPG is also a nice bonus.
330i the best thing this side of the m3.
If it wasn't for the increasingly stressful slow moving traffic round my way causing me to change gear ever six seconds I would have had a manual 330i in a heartbeat.
But I wanted a lazy auto that could move. The 335i just didn't do it for me and also didn't make sense on fuel and tax and it is a crime to have a 330i auto imho so I ended up with a supremely lazy equivalently priced 335d that isn't that bad on a hoon either. Mid 40s MPG is also a nice bonus.
330i the best thing this side of the m3.
Hmmmm...had an M5, an RS4 before that and last car was a 335i (Auto)
All supremely fast, no prizes for guessing which was best, but no 2nd prizes for guessing which drank the most!!
Ended up in a 123d Coupe...by god...what a great car to just 'drive' in todays world..
Please take this into consideration when deciding yer next car...doesn't help I know!!!
But fastest is not always best...........
No doubt I'll be back in 6 months with an entirely different opinion!!!
For me....unless u intend to track it....or have enough balls to drive it like it's meant to be driven on the roads (not to mention luck if that's yer intention)...
Then make sure you have the right reason for your car of choice...otherwise you'll be back again on the famous PH opinion of 'what is best'
All supremely fast, no prizes for guessing which was best, but no 2nd prizes for guessing which drank the most!!
Ended up in a 123d Coupe...by god...what a great car to just 'drive' in todays world..
Please take this into consideration when deciding yer next car...doesn't help I know!!!
But fastest is not always best...........
No doubt I'll be back in 6 months with an entirely different opinion!!!
For me....unless u intend to track it....or have enough balls to drive it like it's meant to be driven on the roads (not to mention luck if that's yer intention)...
Then make sure you have the right reason for your car of choice...otherwise you'll be back again on the famous PH opinion of 'what is best'
bertie said:
Picked the car up Saturday as planned.
It's bloody awesome, I love it!!!
The combination of grunt but also being so civilised is fantastic, the tech is awesome and the new iDrive works great, and the steering is
My first ever BMW and I really am very impressed.
It's bloody awesome, I love it!!!
The combination of grunt but also being so civilised is fantastic, the tech is awesome and the new iDrive works great, and the steering is
My first ever BMW and I really am very impressed.
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