E90 335i MSport auto vs E46 M3 CS SMGII - which one??
Discussion
I am in a bit of a dilemma in that I can't choose between these two great cars. Both Coupes and £13k.
The E90 is a 2007 model, the M3, 2005. Both have about 50k miles on the clockand FSH of course.
Which would you choose and why? It will be a daily driver for me and I'll be doing about 8k miles per year.
All advice/ input appreciated - especially from those who have driven both variants. I know the M3 will be a better driver's car - but what about reliability over the next 5 years say, over the 335i?
Thanks in advance...
The E90 is a 2007 model, the M3, 2005. Both have about 50k miles on the clockand FSH of course.
Which would you choose and why? It will be a daily driver for me and I'll be doing about 8k miles per year.
All advice/ input appreciated - especially from those who have driven both variants. I know the M3 will be a better driver's car - but what about reliability over the next 5 years say, over the 335i?
Thanks in advance...
Hi,
I had a M3 SMG and loved every moment in it, fuel 19 MPG, bumpy on uneven roads with 19"s and the SMG was clunky at slow speeds. None of this mattered when pressing on, sound, gear changes, I loved it all.
After an unfortunate accident I bought a 335i auto coupe. This was a great cruiser, very comfortable (18"s), smooth gear changes, modern interior and did 25mpg.
The problem I had is after the M3 nothing ever felt as special. In the M3 I could just go for a drive, no reason why or where, just a drive. The 335i was a great car to drive but didn't have that special feeling, not one where you thought lets just go for a spin somewhere.
An M car is expensive to run but it's an M car and leaves you feeling like a million dollars!
I had a M3 SMG and loved every moment in it, fuel 19 MPG, bumpy on uneven roads with 19"s and the SMG was clunky at slow speeds. None of this mattered when pressing on, sound, gear changes, I loved it all.
After an unfortunate accident I bought a 335i auto coupe. This was a great cruiser, very comfortable (18"s), smooth gear changes, modern interior and did 25mpg.
The problem I had is after the M3 nothing ever felt as special. In the M3 I could just go for a drive, no reason why or where, just a drive. The 335i was a great car to drive but didn't have that special feeling, not one where you thought lets just go for a spin somewhere.
An M car is expensive to run but it's an M car and leaves you feeling like a million dollars!
Many thanks for this response - exactly the sort of input I was looking for! 
What do you drive at the mo?? I have also been toying with the idea of an E60 M5, but huge fuel bills are scaring me off somewhat!
What do you drive at the mo?? I have also been toying with the idea of an E60 M5, but huge fuel bills are scaring me off somewhat!
rjm8282 said:
Hi,
I had a M3 SMG and loved every moment in it, fuel 19 MPG, bumpy on uneven roads with 19"s and the SMG was clunky at slow speeds. None of this mattered when pressing on, sound, gear changes, I loved it all.
After an unfortunate accident I bought a 335i auto coupe. This was a great cruiser, very comfortable (18"s), smooth gear changes, modern interior and did 25mpg.
The problem I had is after the M3 nothing ever felt as special. In the M3 I could just go for a drive, no reason why or where, just a drive. The 335i was a great car to drive but didn't have that special feeling, not one where you thought lets just go for a spin somewhere.
An M car is expensive to run but it's an M car and leaves you feeling like a million dollars!
I had a M3 SMG and loved every moment in it, fuel 19 MPG, bumpy on uneven roads with 19"s and the SMG was clunky at slow speeds. None of this mattered when pressing on, sound, gear changes, I loved it all.
After an unfortunate accident I bought a 335i auto coupe. This was a great cruiser, very comfortable (18"s), smooth gear changes, modern interior and did 25mpg.
The problem I had is after the M3 nothing ever felt as special. In the M3 I could just go for a drive, no reason why or where, just a drive. The 335i was a great car to drive but didn't have that special feeling, not one where you thought lets just go for a spin somewhere.
An M car is expensive to run but it's an M car and leaves you feeling like a million dollars!
E46 all the way IMO, as long as you're happy with SMG. It's a bit clunky when cold and around town, but other than that it's great in an M3. 335i is a very good car, but feels a little soulless and heavy compared to the M, and for the relatively low mileage you're doing the matter of fuel bills shouldn't be too bad assuming you don't sit in traffic for all of your commute
As for reliability, I've had much less go wrong in my CSL over the last couple of years than the 335d I had for the couple of years before that
As for reliability, I've had much less go wrong in my CSL over the last couple of years than the 335d I had for the couple of years before that
Edited by Leins on Thursday 30th August 11:46
rjm8282 said:
In the M3 I could just go for a drive, no reason why or where, just a drive. The 335i was a great car to drive but didn't have that special feeling, not one where you thought lets just go for a spin somewhere.
An M car is expensive to run but it's an M car and leaves you feeling like a million dollars!
I've had both and this ^^ is the difference. An M car is expensive to run but it's an M car and leaves you feeling like a million dollars!
The CS is a fantastic car and I miss my old one, which actually back on the market (by the current owner) here:
http://www.munichlegends.co.uk/component/option,co...
This is the ad when ML sold it for me:
http://www.munichlegends.co.uk/component/option,co...
wax lyrical said:
Thanks all for the input - much appreciated!
So £13k for a private M3 CS, with 55k miles on the clock and FSH is a good deal then??
I'm sure you've had a look at the E46 M3 buying threads on here, if all the points mentioned look ok, services are all stamped and the car feels tight then I'd say yes it's a good deal.So £13k for a private M3 CS, with 55k miles on the clock and FSH is a good deal then??
Personally I'd pay to get a local specialist check it out and phone BMW customer services to check the warranty work done (if it was under warranty) and any repairs that BMW have made.
Good luck!
Thanks for the advice!
I see you now have an E92 M3. Fantastic car, but is there anything about your old CS you miss??
I see you now have an E92 M3. Fantastic car, but is there anything about your old CS you miss??
Big E 118 said:
I'm sure you've had a look at the E46 M3 buying threads on here, if all the points mentioned look ok, services are all stamped and the car feels tight then I'd say yes it's a good deal.
Personally I'd pay to get a local specialist check it out and phone BMW customer services to check the warranty work done (if it was under warranty) and any repairs that BMW have made.
Good luck!
Personally I'd pay to get a local specialist check it out and phone BMW customer services to check the warranty work done (if it was under warranty) and any repairs that BMW have made.
Good luck!
wax lyrical said:
Thanks for the advice!
I see you now have an E92 M3. Fantastic car, but is there anything about your old CS you miss??
Really miss my CS and actually considered buying the same one back. The CS feels more special/fun than the E92 M3 for everyday driving. I see you now have an E92 M3. Fantastic car, but is there anything about your old CS you miss??
Big E 118 said:
I'm sure you've had a look at the E46 M3 buying threads on here, if all the points mentioned look ok, services are all stamped and the car feels tight then I'd say yes it's a good deal.
Personally I'd pay to get a local specialist check it out and phone BMW customer services to check the warranty work done (if it was under warranty) and any repairs that BMW have made.
Good luck!
Personally I'd pay to get a local specialist check it out and phone BMW customer services to check the warranty work done (if it was under warranty) and any repairs that BMW have made.
Good luck!
My girlfriend describes the E92 as much more of a grown ups car where as the CS was just a bit of a hooligan!
Hey Wax,
Having just bought an e60 M5, i can share with your concerns regarding fuel consumption.
As part of my justification for the purchase, i made my own "patented-man-maths-computer", its an excel spreadsheet with some simple logic to let me work out how much i spend on fuel in a year, then model the impacts of having a lower/high mpg on the total cost.
According to my basic (and possibly flawed) logic if you drive 8,000 miles per year in an E60 M5 - at £1.40 per litre for fuel, based on my average of 16mpg so far:
at 16mpg you will spend £3,296 per year on fuel.
at 24mpg you will spend £2,197
at 30mpg you will spend £1,785
at 40mpg you will spend £1,318
After that exhausting logic, i figured i could buy a car i didn't really want and halve my fuel bills.
But then i figured I only live once and bought my dream car!
And after only two weeks of owning an M5, i am 100% sure i made the right choice!
Good luck!
Greg
Having just bought an e60 M5, i can share with your concerns regarding fuel consumption.
As part of my justification for the purchase, i made my own "patented-man-maths-computer", its an excel spreadsheet with some simple logic to let me work out how much i spend on fuel in a year, then model the impacts of having a lower/high mpg on the total cost.
According to my basic (and possibly flawed) logic if you drive 8,000 miles per year in an E60 M5 - at £1.40 per litre for fuel, based on my average of 16mpg so far:
at 16mpg you will spend £3,296 per year on fuel.
at 24mpg you will spend £2,197
at 30mpg you will spend £1,785
at 40mpg you will spend £1,318
After that exhausting logic, i figured i could buy a car i didn't really want and halve my fuel bills.
But then i figured I only live once and bought my dream car!
And after only two weeks of owning an M5, i am 100% sure i made the right choice!
Good luck!
Greg
Thanks for the heads-up on your M5. It's still one of my options - but I'd prefer one with a BMW warranty already in place!
muhnkee2 said:
Hey Wax,
Having just bought an e60 M5, i can share with your concerns regarding fuel consumption.
As part of my justification for the purchase, i made my own "patented-man-maths-computer", its an excel spreadsheet with some simple logic to let me work out how much i spend on fuel in a year, then model the impacts of having a lower/high mpg on the total cost.
According to my basic (and possibly flawed) logic if you drive 8,000 miles per year in an E60 M5 - at £1.40 per litre for fuel, based on my average of 16mpg so far:
at 16mpg you will spend £3,296 per year on fuel.
at 24mpg you will spend £2,197
at 30mpg you will spend £1,785
at 40mpg you will spend £1,318
After that exhausting logic, i figured i could buy a car i didn't really want and halve my fuel bills.
But then i figured I only live once and bought my dream car!
And after only two weeks of owning an M5, i am 100% sure i made the right choice!
Good luck!
Greg
Having just bought an e60 M5, i can share with your concerns regarding fuel consumption.
As part of my justification for the purchase, i made my own "patented-man-maths-computer", its an excel spreadsheet with some simple logic to let me work out how much i spend on fuel in a year, then model the impacts of having a lower/high mpg on the total cost.
According to my basic (and possibly flawed) logic if you drive 8,000 miles per year in an E60 M5 - at £1.40 per litre for fuel, based on my average of 16mpg so far:
at 16mpg you will spend £3,296 per year on fuel.
at 24mpg you will spend £2,197
at 30mpg you will spend £1,785
at 40mpg you will spend £1,318
After that exhausting logic, i figured i could buy a car i didn't really want and halve my fuel bills.
But then i figured I only live once and bought my dream car!
And after only two weeks of owning an M5, i am 100% sure i made the right choice!
Good luck!
Greg
wax lyrical said:
I am in a bit of a dilemma in that I can't choose between these two great cars. Both Coupes and £13k.
The E90 is a 2007 model, the M3, 2005. Both have about 50k miles on the clockand FSH of course.
Which would you choose and why? It will be a daily driver for me and I'll be doing about 8k miles per year.
All advice/ input appreciated - especially from those who have driven both variants. I know the M3 will be a better driver's car - but what about reliability over the next 5 years say, over the 335i?
Thanks in advance...
I ran an M3 CS manual for over 4 years and 60k miles and now have an E92 335i with the later N55 engine (again with a manual box). The 335i is an excellent daily driver and I'm very pleased with mine; however, it's no M-car and doesn't involve or communicate like the CS did. I wouldn't worry about reliability on the CS as mine had the best part of 70k on the clock when I sold it and I had no major issues; providing they're well maintained the E46 M3 is a pretty robust machine (although like all E46's they do tend to break rear springs now and again!). The E90 is a 2007 model, the M3, 2005. Both have about 50k miles on the clockand FSH of course.
Which would you choose and why? It will be a daily driver for me and I'll be doing about 8k miles per year.
All advice/ input appreciated - especially from those who have driven both variants. I know the M3 will be a better driver's car - but what about reliability over the next 5 years say, over the 335i?
Thanks in advance...
Therefore, on the mileage you're doing I'd say go for the CS while you can still find a decent one; it will cost more on fuel but less on depreciation so buy and enjoy. They're still making 335's so you can always buy a nice secondhand one of those in a couple of years time!
wax lyrical said:
Thanks for the heads-up on your M5. It's still one of my options - but I'd prefer one with a BMW warranty already in place!
You could always look at mine....it's the Interlagos one that Munich Legends are flogging on my behalf...has the full BMW warranty in place. And trust me, it's a deeply special car. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4080268.htm
Edited by Wolands Advocate on Friday 31st August 12:17
Lovely car, but out of my price range! 
Wolands Advocate said:
You could always look at mine....it's the Interlagos one that Munich Legends are flogging on my behalf...has the full BMW warranty in place. And trust me, it's a deeply special car.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4080268.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4080268.htm
Edited by Wolands Advocate on Friday 31st August 12:17
Big E 118 said:
Really miss my CS and actually considered buying the same one back. The CS feels more special/fun than the E92 M3 for everyday driving.
My girlfriend describes the E92 as much more of a grown ups car where as the CS was just a bit of a hooligan!
I think that sums it up very well.My girlfriend describes the E92 as much more of a grown ups car where as the CS was just a bit of a hooligan!
On balance, I think my old CS is the best car I've owned. If I were to have another, I'd probably go manual rather than SMG. But it was a brilliant car.
Big E 118 said:
I've had both and this ^^ is the difference.
The CS is a fantastic car and I miss my old one, which actually back on the market (by the current owner) here:
http://www.munichlegends.co.uk/component/option,co...
This is the ad when ML sold it for me:
http://www.munichlegends.co.uk/component/option,co...
I have seen this once at a Pistonheads SS and it is very very nice :-)The CS is a fantastic car and I miss my old one, which actually back on the market (by the current owner) here:
http://www.munichlegends.co.uk/component/option,co...
This is the ad when ML sold it for me:
http://www.munichlegends.co.uk/component/option,co...
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