M3 E46 or new shape 335i coupe?

[notax]

Looking to buy an entertaining car for work. Needs to be reliable and reasonably fast and comfortable and I may use on the occasional slalom too (see http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... v BMW....on grass video!) for the sort of thing...

I have been considering a manual E46 M3 but have seen that 335i are now available for similar money. What would you recommend?

[Fidgits]

Go try them both - they are very, very different.

The E90 3 series is much more refined than the E46 (especially the M3)...

The twin turbo is very different to the S54 lump too - so best bet is to drive both and see which suits your needs best.

[rash_decision]

I loved the E46 M3's I owned, but an E92 335i would win it for me. It's not much slower, if any in reality, than the E46 M3, and it'll be a good bit newer and more modern.

[Tminus2mins]

Despite the similar performance and the fact they are both 3-Series Coupes, i'd say they were chalk & cheese. The M3 is fun all the time and has the last of the traditional BMW look IMO. I would only go for the 335i if your want to be discreet (although an E46 M3 in a dark colour with 18" alloys can too!). Plus i think only one of them will be a 'future classic' and i bet you can guess which...

[notax]

Thanks, which would you expect to be more reliable, assuming they both have similar mileage? I'll have to test drive both but it could be a close call:

E46 M3 - iconic car, but older and only 23mpg - but 5 Evo stars

E92 335i - not a car I've ever yearned for, but about 28mpg, more modern and still 4.5 Evo stars (I think)

Anyone know how service intervals and running costs compare?

BTW my current work car is a 400bhp Jag XKR - smooth and fast, so maybe the E92 would be closer to what I'm used to...

[rash_decision]

Tminus2mins said:

Despite the similar performance and the fact they are both 3-Series Coupes, i'd say they were chalk & cheese. The M3 is fun all the time and has the last of the traditional BMW look IMO. I would only go for the 335i if your want to be discreet (although an E46 M3 in a dark colour with 18" alloys can too!). Plus i think only one of them will be a 'future classic' and i bet you can guess which...

A future classic? I doubt it! There are far too many of them! There are 407 cars advertised on here alone! Probably over 1000 if you added all classified sources together! The E30 was the last M car that will/has become a true classic. The E46 CSL, we'll still need to wait and see, but may be next on the classic list!

[Fidgits]

notax said:

Thanks, which would you expect to be more reliable, assuming they both have similar mileage? I'll have to test drive both but it could be a close call:

E46 M3 - iconic car, but older and only 23mpg - but 5 Evo stars

E92 335i - not a car I've ever yearned for, but about 28mpg, more modern and still 4.5 Evo stars (I think)

Anyone know how service intervals and running costs compare?

BTW my current work car is a 400bhp Jag XKR - smooth and fast, so maybe the E92 would be closer to what I'm used to...

yes, the E90 is much more refined - you may find the E46 M3 a bit hardcore for everyday use if you are used to the Jag.

as for reliability, how long is a piece of string - a younger, lower mileage car "should" be, but it all depends on how well its been treated previously, and the 335i has those turbos to worry about

[notax]

Fidgits said:

notax said:

Thanks, which would you expect to be more reliable, assuming they both have similar mileage? I'll have to test drive both but it could be a close call:

E46 M3 - iconic car, but older and only 23mpg - but 5 Evo stars

E92 335i - not a car I've ever yearned for, but about 28mpg, more modern and still 4.5 Evo stars (I think)

Anyone know how service intervals and running costs compare?

BTW my current work car is a 400bhp Jag XKR - smooth and fast, so maybe the E92 would be closer to what I'm used to...

yes, the E90 is much more refined - you may find the E46 M3 a bit hardcore for everyday use if you are used to the Jag.

as for reliability, how long is a piece of string - a younger, lower mileage car "should" be, but it all depends on how well its been treated previously, and the 335i has those turbos to worry about

I've so far spent my time researching the M3 option - how big an issue are the turbos on the 335? I had thought the issues related to diesel versions?

At least with turbos I guess I could get it remapped to be at least as fast as the M3...

[pilchardthecat]

There is a massive difference in power delivery - the 3.2 is NA revvy screaming loveliness, the 3.0tt is all mid range and a bit flat at the top IMO. It drives like a very powerful diesel with a much nicer noise, but it's not fun, in my opinion.

I don't think there would be much in it fuel economy wise - i got much, much less than the supposed 30mpg from the 135i

Only one of them is an M car

[notax]

pilchardthecat said:

There is a massive difference in power delivery - the 3.2 is NA revvy screaming loveliness, the 3.0tt is all mid range and a bit flat at the top IMO. It drives like a very powerful diesel with a much nicer noise, but it's not fun, in my opinion.

I don't think there would be much in it fuel economy wise - i got much, much less than the supposed 30mpg from the 135i

Only one of them is an M car

Will have to try them both Interesting re the economy - a 20% improvement as claimed does seem a bit unlikely...

Can anyone comment on the earlier thread implying the 335i has turbo problems? How reliable are they?

[pilchardthecat]

notax said:

pilchardthecat said:

There is a massive difference in power delivery - the 3.2 is NA revvy screaming loveliness, the 3.0tt is all mid range and a bit flat at the top IMO. It drives like a very powerful diesel with a much nicer noise, but it's not fun, in my opinion.

I don't think there would be much in it fuel economy wise - i got much, much less than the supposed 30mpg from the 135i

Only one of them is an M car

Will have to try them both Interesting re the economy - a 20% improvement as claimed does seem a bit unlikely...

Can anyone comment on the earlier thread implying the 335i has turbo problems? How reliable are they?

I got about 22mpg driving enthusiastically from the 135i (got it down to 7 at one point). It's considerably thirstier than the 130i/330i, much more so than the official figures suggest.

[gizlaroc]

Two completely different cars.

335i is a seriously quick mile muncher that does it all with no drama and in complete comfort.

M3 is a ballastic animal that will have you grabbing the keys at midnight in December just to go for 'another' drive.




I have owned both and would happily own either again, but you need to decide what you want.

[0836whimper]

One is a bit more PH than the other. I'd recommend that one.

[briers]

335i might be a bit more rounded in most departments but it's not as much fun.

Nothing beats a powerful N/A engine.

[Matthew_Eames]

335i would be my choice, the more boring choice but I like the idea of more low/mid range power.

[Big E 118]

Can't comment on the M3 I'm afraid but a bit of advice.

I have an e92 325i M Sport with 19in wheels and RFT's (yes I know, poor mans choice) and my mate has a e92 335i SE with 18's and regular tyres.

I'd advise if you go for a 335i drive the M Sport and the SE with both wheel sizes, obviously the lump at the front is the same but the ride comfort is completley different although level of grip/handling is very similar. It will be down to personal preference but a lot of people think the 19's and RFT's cause a far too harsh a ride, a sentiment I tend to agree with while crashing over B roads every day!! I'll be ditching the RFT's when the warranty expires.

[cheadle hulme]

The ratio of SE spec to M sport is much higher with the 335i simply because the SE is much better for most people. Better ride, more discrete looks. 182 are best compromise wheel size.

Think of the 335i as like a 335d but with a nicer noise and a bit more top end. Its a great wafter and can snarl when you want it too, but its not raw like the E46 M3.

[Ti22]

Main issue for me would be lack of a slippy diff on the 335, which would have to be remapped and have BMW performance seats added..

[JBM78]

Big E 118 said:

Can't comment on the M3 I'm afraid but a bit of advice.

I have an e92 325i M Sport with 19in wheels and RFT's (yes I know, poor mans choice) and my mate has a e92 335i SE with 18's and regular tyres.

I'd advise if you go for a 335i drive the M Sport and the SE with both wheel sizes, obviously the lump at the front is the same but the ride comfort is completley different although level of grip/handling is very similar. It will be down to personal preference but a lot of people think the 19's and RFT's cause a far too harsh a ride, a sentiment I tend to agree with while crashing over B roads every day!! I'll be ditching the RFT's when the warranty expires.

cheadle hulme said:

The ratio of SE spec to M sport is much higher with the 335i simply because the SE is much better for most people. Better ride, more discrete looks. 182 are best compromise wheel size.

Think of the 335i as like a 335d but with a nicer noise and a bit more top end. Its a great wafter and can snarl when you want it too, but its not raw like the E46 M3.

The 335 SE has the same suspension as the 335 M-Sport.

[Big E 118]

JBM78 said:

The 335 SE has the same suspension as the 335 M-Sport.

Not the way I understand it as thought the M Sport was lower and slightly stiffer but if you're correct then still worth trying 19's with RFT's and 18's without to see the difference.