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I personally think the M3 is it a class of it's own. I've driven the E46 M3 down to Portland plenty of times and I love that car. The seats are extremely comfortable and there's plenty of room for the driver and occupants. Besides the flawless handling and awesome exhaust note, the car just looks beautiful.
I don't have much experience with convertibles, my impression of the coupe was excellent so having the roof down should only make it better.
e46 cab has a bit of flex over pot holes than the coupe. especially over pot holes, you could feel the windscreen shake a bit Posted via RS Mobile
Unless ur a super duper hardcore track enthusiast, then the eLSD or 1 wheel drive will be more than adaquet for everyday use.
I had my doubts at first but now that I had spent some time driving my car, the eLSD is a lot better than what I had expected. Posted via RS Mobile
Why would you cry about fails.. I guess its a big deal eh?
Hey I have no prob without someone failing me for a difference of opinion, but failing someone for a stating a fact is plain lame........I just love RS and the idiots that troll on it
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16 GT3 RS
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17 Long beach blue M2
86 944 Turbo with 340rwhp Lindsay Racing kit
15 991 PTS GT3
18 VW Golf R
sounds a lot like my car, 2x injectors, solenoid valves, steering coil spring, 2x catalytic converters, fuel gaskets, 2x fuses, 3x fuel pumps, sparkplugs, shifter linkage, bad VANOS. i swear never to get into another N54/N55 powered bmw.
Was going to get a 1M but decided against it based on my experience and went for a M3 instead.
3 fuel pumps, 1 turbo, rattling wastegate actuators, injectors, a camshaft failure, and a bad linkage between the driveshaft and diff. even though it was all covered under warranty, it made it a huge pain in the ass because i'd feel like something's wrong with the car but BMW wouldn't do shit about it until it was too late (like for example, when the turbos STOPPED WORKING). and keep in mind, all this happened with no modifications done to the motor. i'm sure mine is a bit of an isolated incident but the HPFP and rattling wastegate actuators are a very common problem.
A close family friend of mine had pretty much these same problems with his 335. It seems like every time I see him at a family gathering he's telling me about some new problem that's happening with his car. His turbo just stopped working when I talked to him last week. Not to mention the convertible top getting stuck a couple times in the summer. Every time he brings it to BMW, he has to put a lot of emphasis into having them check the folding hardtop.
Regarding convertibles and coupes.. That's really a personal choice.. There's no feeling like driving with the top down on a sunny day. (Even though we live in Vancouver.. )
Regardless, he still loves the car. The way I see it, if you can afford the maintenance and all, then it's really just a personal choice. Both cars will have its problems.. but from what I've heard personally, the 335 seems to be a bit more finnicky with little things. The M3 will be more peppy and fun to drive, and the 335 is more luxurious and comfy, but it's no snail either. You're coming from a Benz, so you know all about maintenance on German cars.
Personally I'd go with the 335i as well.. but I'd factor an "emergency fund" cost with the car
__________________ Studies show 100% of people die.. Might as well have some fun.
Yup, I read consumer report say M3 is the most reliable car BMW currently makes, fingers crossed. I was looking for a M6 too, loved that V10 but sadly out of my budget (maintanence, gas, etc.)
Do you have an exhaust for your M6?
Back on topic, I really think the OP should go for the M3, do your research well and once you get the car, treat it well and don't slack on the maintenance, the M car will make you happy for a long time to come. I have friends who had E36 M3, E46 M3 and taken care of properly, they are meant to last.
Back on topic, I really think the OP should go for the M3, do your research well and once you get the car, treat it well and don't slack on the maintenance, the M car will make you happy for a long time to come. I have friends who had E36 M3, E46 M3 and taken care of properly, they are meant to last.
I'm having a real hard time finding many manual 335ci, so I think the M3 will win. I prefer the 335ci, yet I am in no mood to have another garage queen. It took years to sort out all the issues on my MB, I don't have the patience to do that again. I want a platform/engine that's been around a few years and has all the issues sorted out.
So next question: This will be my DD, so what is the M3 like in the snow? with proper snow tires.
As for coupe vs vert, I want the open top. I had been considering other cars like the STi that would be more appropriate to run up the mountains in the winter. I want to try a vert for a year and see how it goes, thus why I'm looking for 4-5yo cars that have suffer most of the depreciation already so I can turn around a resell without much of a loss if it doesn't suit my lifestyle.
It's the 335i not ci and I wouldn't touch any first year BMW model. The 2007 had issues but the 2008+ models really don't have any issues except for the failing HPFP.
Vancouver is raining 70% of the time anyways. Verts arent really ideal in this situation. I have an 02 M3 and with proper snow tires and it does fine. Maintenance for the M3 will be more expensive than a 335 and for daily driving a 335 would be alot better. There is no low end torque on the m3. The STI holds its value alot better than the bimmers. If i were you, id get a 06 STI and call it a day.
Vancouver is raining 70% of the time anyways. Verts arent really ideal in this situation. I have an 02 M3 and with proper snow tires and it does fine. Maintenance for the M3 will be more expensive than a 335 and for daily driving a 335 would be alot better. There is no low end torque on the m3. The STI holds its value alot better than the bimmers. If i were you, id get a 06 STI and call it a day.
Thanks.
I'm not worried about the weather and a convertible. I have a full glass roof on my car, and while I cannot open it most of the year, the times I can it is soooo worth it.
Depreciation isn't that big a deal. I'd go with the Jeep Unlimited if I really cared about depreciation as they don't seem to drop at all.
I cannot find a 2008 335ci with a manual, so M3 it is. I wish the owner of this one was more knowledgeable about the service done. She says "lady driven" which means "I only fixed what broke".
STi definitely makes more sense... if I hate the M3 its top of the list as the next car with an Audi avant second in line.
I currently have a 04 vert sitting in my garage, I would be bias towards the M. And I'm selling it cause my wife doesn't drive it anymore.
The M is always edgier than the 335. Funny thing is, my cousin told me not to get a 335 due to numerous problems. He's a BMW mechanic.
Go with a 04 and newer, you shouldn't have any problem. But the first few things u wanna change is, rear trailing arm bushing, front control arm bushing and ignition coils.
I'm not worried about the weather and a convertible. I have a full glass roof on my car, and while I cannot open it most of the year, the times I can it is soooo worth it.
I hope you have a garage or at least a car port.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by BIC_BAWS
I literally do not plan on buying another vehicle in my lifetime, assuming it doesn't get written off.
As some of you guys know, I run a car dealership that mostly sells late model BMW product. While we no longer see many E46 M3s as they are getting older, we have had many of them over the years. The same is true with 335s and we have 3 or 4 in stock at any given time.
Back in 07-08, lots of people were wrestling with the same decision - E46 M3 or 335? We were stocking both at the time and many people would come in looking for the M3, but most of them ended up leaving with a 335.
335i Cabrio - Advantages
-much more comfortable ride
-hardtop convertible much more resilient in the weather - no issues with fading, rips, or tears
-twin turbo is much nicer to drive everyday (torque down low > hp @ 8000rpm)
-much better technology (navi, bluetooth, etc)
-newer, easier to get warranty on
-newer looking
-much quieter interior with top up
-many more sold, easier to find one in the right colour
-no special service routine required
-auto in the 335 is much better and more reliable than SMG in the M3
-can easily be modded for a bunch more power
E46 M3 Cabrio - Advantages
-more unique/"special"
-easier to find a 6-spd manual
-has a proper lsd
-lighter and perhaps more agile
-less depreciation expected in years to come
-more trunk space with top down
-very expensive to modify relative to other models
I should point out that I LOVE the E46 M3, it is a timeless design and in many ways, I think the best M-Car ever built - the last with a 6cyl and a proper widebody. However, I have tens of thousands of kms in each, I used to daily drive several different M3s and now daily drive many 335s... there is no doubt in my mind that as a daily driver, a 335 simply slaughters the E46, and I think the gap in the convertibles is even bigger. The hardtop simply has a ton of advantages - much harder to break into, quieter and warmer when it's up, looks great down, etc. If it were my money, I would be buying the 335 and not looking back.
Hope that helps,
Mark
PS I would urge you to test drive a 335 cabrio auto with paddle shifters (sport package). I cannot tell you how many guys swore they would only consider a 335 in a 6spd and then test drove, and loved, and bought the auto. For a DD, I would rock the auto every day of the week. It is a great transmission - put it in sport and shift from 1-2 at WOT and it will chirp the rear tires it shifts so quickly.
PPS Our last E46 M3:
My current DD:
__________________ I'm old now - boring street cars and sweet race cars.
PS I would urge you to test drive a 335 cabrio auto with paddle shifters (sport package). I cannot tell you how many guys swore they would only consider a 335 in a 6spd and then test drove, and loved, and bought the auto. For a DD, I would rock the auto every day of the week. It is a great transmission - put it in sport and shift from 1-2 at WOT and it will chirp the rear tires it shifts so quickly.
Thanks Mark!
The auto would help with the GF not knowing how to drive stick, and not wanting to drive around a "pretentious" car (her words, not mine).
I haven't had an auto in so long I don't know if I want to make the switch. Shifting manually is about the only part I still enjoy of my commute... yet you're right I should give it a shot.
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Spoiler!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lowside67
As some of you guys know, I run a car dealership that mostly sells late model BMW product. While we no longer see many E46 M3s as they are getting older, we have had many of them over the years. The same is true with 335s and we have 3 or 4 in stock at any given time.
Back in 07-08, lots of people were wrestling with the same decision - E46 M3 or 335? We were stocking both at the time and many people would come in looking for the M3, but most of them ended up leaving with a 335.
335i Cabrio - Advantages
-much more comfortable ride
-hardtop convertible much more resilient in the weather - no issues with fading, rips, or tears
-twin turbo is much nicer to drive everyday (torque down low > hp @ 8000rpm)
-much better technology (navi, bluetooth, etc)
-newer, easier to get warranty on
-newer looking
-much quieter interior with top up
-many more sold, easier to find one in the right colour
-no special service routine required
-auto in the 335 is much better and more reliable than SMG in the M3
-can easily be modded for a bunch more power
E46 M3 Cabrio - Advantages
-more unique/"special"
-easier to find a 6-spd manual
-has a proper lsd
-lighter and perhaps more agile
-less depreciation expected in years to come
-more trunk space with top down
-very expensive to modify relative to other models
I should point out that I LOVE the E46 M3, it is a timeless design and in many ways, I think the best M-Car ever built - the last with a 6cyl and a proper widebody. However, I have tens of thousands of kms in each, I used to daily drive several different M3s and now daily drive many 335s... there is no doubt in my mind that as a daily driver, a 335 simply slaughters the E46, and I think the gap in the convertibles is even bigger. The hardtop simply has a ton of advantages - much harder to break into, quieter and warmer when it's up, looks great down, etc. If it were my money, I would be buying the 335 and not looking back.
Hope that helps,
Mark
PS I would urge you to test drive a 335 cabrio auto with paddle shifters (sport package). I cannot tell you how many guys swore they would only consider a 335 in a 6spd and then test drove, and loved, and bought the auto. For a DD, I would rock the auto every day of the week. It is a great transmission - put it in sport and shift from 1-2 at WOT and it will chirp the rear tires it shifts so quickly.
The auto would help with the GF not knowing how to drive stick, and not wanting to drive around a "pretentious" car (her words, not mine).
I haven't had an auto in so long I don't know if I want to make the switch. Shifting manually is about the only part I still enjoy of my commute... yet you're right I should give it a shot.
Tell you what... I have an 09 335 cabrio auto in stock and my daily driver is a 6-spd 335 coupe... if you want to come by, I'll let you take them around the block and you can compare for yourself. Send me a PM for my phone number if you want to do that - I am at work on Saturday in Burnaby.
Mark
__________________ I'm old now - boring street cars and sweet race cars.
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)
(maintanence, gas, etc.) 
Do you know what year the 335is cab came out? Its a 2011.
