Late E46 M3 or Early 335se?

[finmac]

Looking to buy a new daily driver and late high spec E46 M3 is around same price as early low spec 335's.

Interested to hear from any owners who have had/run both?

[Ozzie Osmond]

I've not driven those but would always buy the car which is a generation more modern. Personal choice of course.

[Patrick Bateman]

Can't speak from experience but I'd expect there's only one choice here.

M3 please.

[dean0717]

I've owned both albeit the 335 was in sport spec. I have far fonder memories of the M3 and feels much more special to drive although i personally didn't get on with the SMG gearbox for in town driving. M3 costs are of course higher but worth it overall so long as you get a good one

[Daniel1]

335 unless the M3 was a convertible in the right colour. Then id have to drive both and make up my mind based on that.

[kambites]

I think I'd go for the M3. Much nicer engine and the current generation of 3-series is quick shockingly ugly.

[cheadle hulme]

I tested an e46 before I bought my 335. It was quick, but only when you are "on one". Most of the time it felt a bit dull. I bought the 335 as I preferred the turbo feel after my diesel. Very different cars though; although the performance is similar.
335 remaps to 370+ if you feel its lacking. Mine doesn't get used much since I stopped contracting, so I'll be selling it soon. WBAC are offering 15k! Great value for someone...

[marcosgt]

Depends if running costs bother you.

If so, the 335's probably a better bet, but the E46 M3 is a great car, imo. The latest 3-series just don't really do it for me.

M

[Patrick Bateman]

cheadle hulme said:

I tested an e46 before I bought my 335. It was quick, but only when you are "on one". Most of the time it felt a bit dull. I bought the 335 as I preferred the turbo feel after my diesel. Very different cars though; although the performance is similar.
335 remaps to 370+ if you feel its lacking. Mine doesn't get used much since I stopped contracting, so I'll be selling it soon. WBAC are offering 15k! Great value for someone...

Seems odd to call an M3 dull when you're comparing it to a regular 3 series, newer or not.

[996 sps]

Would have to be the M3 for me, owned the new shape 3 series and is lacking soul and build quality in my opinion. M3 will tick all those boxes and its a M.

[finmac]

Patrick Bateman said:

cheadle hulme said:

I tested an e46 before I bought my 335. It was quick, but only when you are "on one". Most of the time it felt a bit dull. I bought the 335 as I preferred the turbo feel after my diesel. Very different cars though; although the performance is similar.
335 remaps to 370+ if you feel its lacking. Mine doesn't get used much since I stopped contracting, so I'll be selling it soon. WBAC are offering 15k! Great value for someone...

Seems odd to call an M3 dull when you're comparing it to a regular 3 series, newer or not.

It does but having had 3 x M3's before I can understand the comment, the power delivery is so linear that it doesnt feel that quick whereas Turbo cars always feel "punchier" even if on paper they are no quicker.

[RobM77]

Patrick Bateman said:

cheadle hulme said:

I tested an e46 before I bought my 335. It was quick, but only when you are "on one". Most of the time it felt a bit dull. I bought the 335 as I preferred the turbo feel after my diesel. Very different cars though; although the performance is similar.
335 remaps to 370+ if you feel its lacking. Mine doesn't get used much since I stopped contracting, so I'll be selling it soon. WBAC are offering 15k! Great value for someone...

Seems odd to call an M3 dull when you're comparing it to a regular 3 series, newer or not.

I did also feel that it was a master of disguise - a wolf in sheep's clothing. When you're pushing you can really feel that wonderful rear diff in action, and hear the beautiful engine, but the rest of the time 90% of people wouldn't know the difference from a 330ci, and to me it felt very similar. The interior feels very dated as well - the E90 has moved things on considerably in this department - the E46 was closer to the E36 to be honest. Because of speed limits and common sense any fast car should feel special in my opinion, and the E46 M3 never really did at normal speeds. Awesome car, but I know precisely what Cheadle means. I tested a 2005 model before I bought my Z4 Coupé and far preferred the Z4C - it just felt more like a sports car more of the time.

[ArmaghMan]

Hmmm interesting dilema

there is a nice low mileage 545i for sale local to me which I could basically "swap" my E39 M5 for but it's just not "special".
I hope that makes some kind of sense?
An M car is just different/special

[jonnydrama]

335i all the way for me, remapped they are incredibly good fun. Although saying that they are still pretty quick as standard!

[996 sps]

RobM77 said:

Patrick Bateman said:

cheadle hulme said:

I tested an e46 before I bought my 335. It was quick, but only when you are "on one". Most of the time it felt a bit dull. I bought the 335 as I preferred the turbo feel after my diesel. Very different cars though; although the performance is similar.
335 remaps to 370+ if you feel its lacking. Mine doesn't get used much since I stopped contracting, so I'll be selling it soon. WBAC are offering 15k! Great value for someone...

Seems odd to call an M3 dull when you're comparing it to a regular 3 series, newer or not.

I did also feel that it was a master of disguise - a wolf in sheep's clothing. When you're pushing you can really feel that wonderful rear diff in action, and hear the beautiful engine, but the rest of the time 90% of people wouldn't know the difference from a 330ci, and to me it felt very similar. The interior feels very dated as well - the E90 has moved things on considerably in this department - the E46 was closer to the E36 to be honest. .

Got to be honest prefer the interior in my E39 M5 and previously my E46 M3 than I did my E90 3 Series also find the build quality better in my older cars than I did my E90. The M Car is special you ve got to tick that box, a 335 se does not cut it IMO.