E90 M3 Sedan - Should I do it?

[liukb]

Currently have an e92 335i, not really any major problems so far at 60k besides water pump issue few months after warranty expired...Few times I've been considering switching to an e46 m3 instead, but unsure since its an older car. any suggestions?

[Energy]

I chose the e92 335i over the e46 m3 because it was newer and came with a warranty.

I wouldn't trade my car for an e46 m3, it would have to be an e92 M3 if I ever switch to an M.

[Tapioca]

Originally Posted by liukb

Currently have an e92 335i, not really any major problems so far at 60k besides water pump issue few months after warranty expired...Few times I've been considering switching to an e46 m3 instead, but unsure since its an older car. any suggestions?

It depends what you're looking for in a car. Are you looking to get your hands dirty, or a more direct/old-school driving experience? Or are you looking for something newer, probably fewer issues, and something that is faster?

The E46 M3 is probably the last of the old BMW - no fancy systems and relatively common-sense engineering (subframe issues notwithstanding). Of course, like any older car, it will have issues unless it was maintained by a diligent owner. Most of the E46 M3s have probably passed through several owners by now who likely skimped on maintenance.

[j3welz]

Originally Posted by The_AK

^Steven that you? lol

Haha yep. How you liking your E46?

[wonton1017]

Flame suit on but the m3's v8 has been a no-go for me since forever. Sounds orgasmic, but getting owned by otherwise stock tuned 335i is never going to feel good.

True, the handling does not feel anywhere close to an m3 though even with coilovers, but spending $1k on control arms, sway bars and subframe bushings will make it come real close. Either way, how many of us track our cars enough to make use of the handling superiority?

300hp/300torque stock, 360/380 with just a $100 tune, 400+/420 with tune, exhaust, DP and intake that can all be had for less than $1000.

HPFP and water pumps are the main issues with the car, but after 2 years of owning a now 6 year old car, I've never had to bring my car in.
It's like that with every car, some people are just unlucky and end up with a lemon.

Don't get me wrong, I'm bored of the e92 335i already but it's because of the weakass looking fenders, boring hood and dated angel eyes.

Yeah, you can't compare a non-M to an M but I think for the e9x generation you can. The F8x M3/M4's are just insane, now for THOSE you can't compare.

[bomiheko]

Originally Posted by wonton1017

Flame suit on but the m3's v8 has been a no-go for me since forever. Sounds orgasmic, but getting owned by otherwise stock tuned 335i is never going to feel good.

True, the handling does not feel anywhere close to an m3 though even with coilovers, but spending $1k on control arms, sway bars and subframe bushings will make it come real close. Either way, how many of us track our cars enough to make use of the handling superiority?

300hp/300torque stock, 360/380 with just a $100 tune, 400+/420 with tune, exhaust, DP and intake that can all be had for less than $1000.

HPFP and water pumps are the main issues with the car, but after 2 years of owning a now 6 year old car, I've never had to bring my car in.
It's like that with every car, some people are just unlucky and end up with a lemon.

Don't get me wrong, I'm bored of the e92 335i already but it's because of the weakass looking fenders, boring hood and dated angel eyes.

Yeah, you can't compare a non-M to an M but I think for the e9x generation you can. The F8x M3/M4's are just insane, now for THOSE you can't compare.

I see you parting out your car, what you gonna drive next?

[j3welz]

Originally Posted by wonton1017

Flame suit on but the m3's v8 has been a no-go for me since forever. Sounds orgasmic, but getting owned by otherwise stock tuned 335i is never going to feel good.

True, the handling does not feel anywhere close to an m3 though even with coilovers, but spending $1k on control arms, sway bars and subframe bushings will make it come real close. Either way, how many of us track our cars enough to make use of the handling superiority?

300hp/300torque stock, 360/380 with just a $100 tune, 400+/420 with tune, exhaust, DP and intake that can all be had for less than $1000.

HPFP and water pumps are the main issues with the car, but after 2 years of owning a now 6 year old car, I've never had to bring my car in.
It's like that with every car, some people are just unlucky and end up with a lemon.

Don't get me wrong, I'm bored of the e92 335i already but it's because of the weakass looking fenders, boring hood and dated angel eyes.

Yeah, you can't compare a non-M to an M but I think for the e9x generation you can. The F8x M3/M4's are just insane, now for THOSE you can't compare.

Lol, this is what every 335i owner says, including myself when I had one. And you won't be outrunning any generation of M3s at a stop light, those mods and the amount of torque the car produces at only 1500rpm practically make 1st and 2nd gear unusable at WOT without a LSD, esp considering how much it rains here in Vancouver.

[Energy]

Originally Posted by wonton1017

Flame suit on but the m3's v8 has been a no-go for me since forever. Sounds orgasmic, but getting owned by otherwise stock tuned 335i is never going to feel good.

True, the handling does not feel anywhere close to an m3 though even with coilovers, but spending $1k on control arms, sway bars and subframe bushings will make it come real close. Either way, how many of us track our cars enough to make use of the handling superiority?

300hp/300torque stock, 360/380 with just a $100 tune, 400+/420 with tune, exhaust, DP and intake that can all be had for less than $1000.

HPFP and water pumps are the main issues with the car, but after 2 years of owning a now 6 year old car, I've never had to bring my car in.
It's like that with every car, some people are just unlucky and end up with a lemon.

Don't get me wrong, I'm bored of the e92 335i already but it's because of the weakass looking fenders, boring hood and dated angel eyes.

Yeah, you can't compare a non-M to an M but I think for the e9x generation you can. The F8x M3/M4's are just insane, now for THOSE you can't compare.

Add E85 and the car flies

Originally Posted by j3welz

Lol, this is what every 335i owner says, including myself when I had one. And you won't be outrunning any generation of M3s at a stop light, those mods and the amount of torque the car produces at only 1500rpm practically make 1st and 2nd gear unusable at WOT without a LSD, esp considering how much it rains here in Vancouver.

Sure, hypothetically even if you cannot use ALL the power off the line the midrange power and passing ability of a modded 335i is just amazing. And the engine is just so smooth and the torque is perfect for day to day driving. No E46 or E92 M3 is going to pass me in straight line unless they've gone FI.

Not knocking the M3 in terms of handling but M3 owners should just accept that they have less power.

[westopher]

Its funny because people say "the 335i is way faster than the M3 in a straight line with mods" but then also say "you'd never feel the difference in handling anywhere but the track."
If you are driving hard enough to feel the power straight line power difference, you are going to drive hard enough to feel the handling difference.
I'm not an M snob. I drive the 2nd shittiest m3 ever made. (the shittiest is the e30, I still want one but seriously, its a 190hp 4 banger with a power band like a heart rate monitor) It couldn't compare to a new 335i. But a 328i of my generation couldn't equate to my m3. The e30 325is was faster in a straight line than the e30 m3 but it wouldn't ever be a better car. You could make it handle better than a stock m3 but the stock m3 would still be the better car. You could supercharge your e46 330i and make it faster than the e46 m3 but it still wouldn't be the better car. A car is the complete package more than the numbers that can be achieved with it.

[wonton1017]

^From what I can see, the majority of the people here make use of torque more than horsepower and handling when driving in the city.

Originally Posted by j3welz

Lol, this is what every 335i owner says, including myself when I had one. And you won't be outrunning any generation of M3s at a stop light, those mods and the amount of torque the car produces at only 1500rpm practically make 1st and 2nd gear unusable at WOT without a LSD, esp considering how much it rains here in Vancouver.

And how does the handling help in Vancouver then?

Originally Posted by bomiheko

I see you parting out your car, what you gonna drive next?

Not sure yet :P

[TOPEC]

Originally Posted by westopher

Its funny because people say "the 335i is way faster than the M3 in a straight line with mods" but then also say "you'd never feel the difference in handling anywhere but the track."
If you are driving hard enough to feel the power straight line power difference, you are going to drive hard enough to feel the handling difference.

because every 335 owner likes to brag about how they can keep up with a car that costs $20K more, but knows that when it comes to turns their $20K less car wont be able to keep up so they always fall back to the "oh u wont feel the handling difference unless ur on the track pushing the car" saying.

lets face it people, a M3 is a M3, no amount of money spent on a 335 will make it a M3 no matter what...

[gripenM]

Let's put it this way...
would you rather an import model with thick make-up and boob implants?
or a natural victoria's secret model

sure I'd do both, but i know what I'd prefer

[mikey2781]

I don't understand what's with this HANDLING addiction. If I drove from North Van to Langley, I make at most 10 turns lasting at most 1 minute in a whole 2 hour of driving.

So where else would handling benefit me?

I used to have a Mustang and everyone was like your car can't handle, but I never needed the handling performance.

[Z3guy]

Originally Posted by wonton1017

Flame suit on but the m3's v8 has been a no-go for me since forever. Sounds orgasmic, but getting owned by otherwise stock tuned 335i is never going to feel good.

True, the handling does not feel anywhere close to an m3 though even with coilovers, but spending $1k on control arms, sway bars and subframe bushings will make it come real close. Either way, how many of us track our cars enough to make use of the handling superiority?

300hp/300torque stock, 360/380 with just a $100 tune, 400+/420 with tune, exhaust, DP and intake that can all be had for less than $1000.

HPFP and water pumps are the main issues with the car, but after 2 years of owning a now 6 year old car, I've never had to bring my car in.
It's like that with every car, some people are just unlucky and end up with a lemon.

Don't get me wrong, I'm bored of the e92 335i already but it's because of the weakass looking fenders, boring hood and dated angel eyes.

Yeah, you can't compare a non-M to an M but I think for the e9x generation you can. The F8x M3/M4's are just insane, now for THOSE you can't compare.

E92 M3s getting owned by 335i! that is funny especially with an open diff. How do you get the power down to the ground? It is hilarious when people say I spent $1000 on a tune and exhaust and can beat an M3. Sure you get power, but it is at the expense of reliability. Save you money on 335i mods and save up for a factory tuned car. haha!

[Z3guy]

Originally Posted by mikey2781

I don't understand what's with this HANDLING addiction. If I drove from North Van to Langley, I make at most 10 turns lasting at most 1 minute in a whole 2 hour of driving.

So where else would handling benefit me?

I used to have a Mustang and everyone was like your car can't handle, but I never needed the handling performance.

regardless if you are taking turns at crazy speeds, having a car that responses & reacts to your every input at lower speeds is what is important to me. That is why light cars are so enjoyable to drive.

[j3welz]

Originally Posted by wonton1017

^From what I can see, the majority of the people here make use of torque more than horsepower and handling when driving in the city.



And how does the handling help in Vancouver then?



Not sure yet :P

Quite simple, making a left turn at a green light in the rain from a standstill. If you want to make that turn quickly, your DSC is going to be lighting up like a Christmas tree and cutting power mid turn.

[mikey2781]

How often are we turning that quickly to the point where the traction control kicks in?
The m3 weights half a ton more than a non m. Make the m3 a convertible and it literally becomes pointless with an added 400lbs and costs 5k more.

Why does no one compare with the 335xi then? 335xi with a tune and intake takes sub 4 seconds to go 0-60. No traction problems with that then

[mikey2781]

Also agree with the fact that m3s are always better in every aspect but not for the e9x generation. Look at the e46, m3 in that Era destroys the non m. F8x destroys f3x. The lines are pretty blurry between the e9x m3 and the non ms.

[wonton1017]

I think ppeople are misunderstanding what I'm saying. I'm not saying the 335i is better , it definitely isn't. They are just faster in a straight line and people like me are pretty happy with the excellent handling the non-m bmws. But m3 doesn't have a clear victory over the 335 and that's the problem.

Been eyeing the m4 or gtr for a while now, e9x m3 will not be on my list , ever. I love them and they look sexy as hell but they are not for me and many people feels the same.

[Z3guy]

"clear victory"?? what does that mean? from the cars you are "eyeing" you are obviously a force induction guy Vs NA guy. I personally appreciate NA over forced induction. When I trade my E93 cab in, I was considering the F80 M4, but all that torque through 2 tires is overwhelming and quite frankly not useable. For similar money (2015 M4 Vs 2012/13 991s), for me, the driving experience is far superior. I am intrigued about the upcoming awd M2s though......

[Traum]

Originally Posted by mikey2781

I don't understand what's with this HANDLING addiction. If I drove from North Van to Langley, I make at most 10 turns lasting at most 1 minute in a whole 2 hour of driving.

So where else would handling benefit me?

I used to have a Mustang and everyone was like your car can't handle, but I never needed the handling performance.

This is akin to asking, we really only need 30 or so hp (maybe even less) to keep a car moving. If I drive from N.Van to Langley, I make at most 10 acceleration runs lasting at most 1 min out of the whole 2 hrs worth of driving. So why do we need 300hp cars?

Where else would the horsepower benefit me...

My dad used to drive a 60hp Datsun, and has taken our family all over the place (including going out of town). We never needed anything more than those 60hp!

[westopher]

Thanks for saving my the typing traum

[trollguy]

this thread sucks. so are you buying an E90 LP700-4-1234566788

[mikey2781]

Originally Posted by Traum

This is akin to asking, we really only need 30 or so hp (maybe even less) to keep a car moving. If I drive from N.Van to Langley, I make at most 10 acceleration runs lasting at most 1 min out of the whole 2 hrs worth of driving. So why do we need 300hp cars?

Where else would the horsepower benefit me...

My dad used to drive a 60hp Datsun, and has taken our family all over the place (including going out of town). We never needed anything more than those 60hp!

That's actually my the point I was making, if torque and power means nothing then neither does handling

[LP700-4]

Originally Posted by slowguy

this thread sucks. so are you buying an E90 LP700-4-1234566788

Gonna calm down a bit and look at other options in that price range. C63 comes to mind or maybe if theres any available a 2015 STI. E46 M3 will always be a car i want to own someday, unfortunately like i said theyre impossible to find in a clean low mileage form.

Didnt think this thread would become a 335i vs M3 debate haha.