[invid]

I'm going from my carbon black m3 to an alpine white/black leatherette/6 speed/fully loaded 335i coupe

going to obviously test drive it before i sign the papers but can any previous m3 owners shine some light onto my situation?



current car

[montrealm3]

I had the exact same car and switched to an E92 and it's perfect. The stock suspension of the E92 was too soft so I switched to KWv2 coilovers and the car now rides like I want it to.

I don't think you'll regret it! The engine is stronger, the brakes are better, the technology is better and it's more comfortable.

I also couldn't stand the rasp of the E46 M3 (I had the Eisenmann exhaust as well) and the E92 stock exhaust sound is really terrific.

my 2 cents

[Mr Practical]

You'll love it. I went with an e90 though since had a baby on the way. I would definitely try to sell your car on the market though...Mine sold 1.5 days after the ad, and I had so many bites. Lots of enthusiasts and track junkies out there wanting the e46 m3. I had SMG and that was a big plus on resale.

Things you will miss about your m3.

1. Handling
2. SMG (although the 335 is a much imprived Step...it still is a far cry from SMG)
3. Sound of the engine at high revs.
4. exclusivity

Things you will love about your 335:

1. Torque
2. No maintenace for 4 years or 50kmiles
3. Ride Quality
4. Bang for Buck engine mods.

[BHairsto]

I am also a convert to an E90 335i from a lightly modded carbon black E46 M3. You may initially miss the more 'raw' nature and exclusivity of the M3, but that's about it. The 335i is more civilized, has better toys, handles well (improved with coilovers), and the abundance of torque makes it feel more powerful and easier to drive on a daily basis. All around, I think the 335 is a better car and you won't miss the M3 at all once you've had some good seat time in the 335.

[invid]

Thanks for the replies guys..and btw my current car is also a 6 speed as i do not believe in buying an automatic or smg bmw. Unfortunately my current car has been on autotrader for several MONTHS and all I have gotten is very low ball offers and losers that cant stick to a deal. Its a fully loaded 01 with 49k miles and I'm selling it for around 26k with the stock wheels; so hopefully I can sell it by this weekend, if not its going into the dealership

[derryck]

I think you'll be very happy...I have an 03 M3 coupe and an 07 335 sedan and if I had to get rid of one it would be the M3. The 335 is just better as a daily driver...more comfortable and it has more usable power.

[gonzo]

I had a '98 M3. Long time ago I know, but you will be a happy camper.

[SP330]

You'll like it. They're both GT's, it's not like you're coming from a Boxter.

[adc]

Originally Posted by invid

Thanks for the replies guys..and btw my current car is also a 6 speed as i do not believe in buying an automatic or smg bmw. Unfortunately my current car has been on autotrader for several MONTHS and all I have gotten is very low ball offers and losers that cant stick to a deal. Its a fully loaded 01 with 49k miles and I'm selling it for around 26k with the stock wheels; so hopefully I can sell it by this weekend, if not its going into the dealership

Try putting it on e46fanatics.com, bimmerfest.com and bimmerforums.com too. It may not be too late, your asking price is pretty good.

I guess it's too late for Roundel advertising - that would have been your best bet (targeted audience at the right income bracket).


(I sold an 03 330i ZHP recently, this is how I know ).

[RRGOO7]

if i didnt have to worry about depreciation or driving the "old body style" i would of deff gone with an M3.

I went with the 335 because it wont take as big as of a hit(or so i think) as an M3 and it is the new body.

Dont get me wrong the 335 is a GREAT car but i simply perfer the feeling of the NA engine. M3 is more a drivers car whereas the 335 has a much smoother feeling

[dawgdog]

I bought an 03 e46 M3 SMGII coupe new and owned it for 3 yers. Since then I have owned a 550 and now a 335 sedan. My 335 is my favorite BMW to date by far. It does not have quite the handling of the M3 but much more torque. It gets the job done with less drama. And if you add the Procede it just is incredibly fast.

[Spool]

I went from an 04 M3 to 335i....


And now looking to go back to 06 M3 ZCP...


it's up to you, i still think the M3 is hands down, the best looking coupe BMW has ever manufactured...


hard to beat it

[johnwoo19]

Originally Posted by BOB Nevada

if you like the sound of driving a hair dryer or a vacum cleaner get a 335i

???

[Damage Inc]

I went from an 01 330i to an 01 M3 to an 06 330i (E90) to an 05 M3 ZCP. So I can speak from experience

Like others said:
The M3 is a bit more "raw", engaging, and exciting to drive.
E90\E92 is comfortable, smooth, and goes straight fast. No drama.

I'm starting to do more track events which drew me back to the M3. However I also took my E90 on the track and it did quite fine.

I know I'll get flamed for this but here goes: the E90 gets no attention on the road, it just blends in with other cars. Nobody ever asked me about my E90 once, it just blends in. My M3 is essentially a 8 year old design now that gets thumbs up, looks, stares, questions, people wanting to race, etc - its just a very special car. No, it doesnt make me feel better about myself, blah blah but like I said, its just a special car not sure how else to explain it.

g\l - they're both great rides, cant go wrong.

[Ty Vil]

Originally Posted by Brisk

you might be more happy and yeild more consistent speed with a auto...

Terrible suggestion. He's a "driver" not a "fairy."

Get the 335i and never look back. I've been saying since the first time I drove it that this is the first time that a "regular" 3 is more satisfying than the previous generation ///M.

I'd never go back to an E46 now.

[Ty Vil]

The auto MAY be faster in some situations. That doesn't make it more fun as a drivers car.

[SleepEatDrive]

Originally Posted by Spool

....i still think the M3 is hands down, the best looking coupe BMW has ever manufactured...


hard to beat it

I think the E46 M3 is the best looking *car* *any manufacturer* has ever manufactured!

[Spool]

Originally Posted by SleepEatDrive

I think the E46 M3 is the best looking *car* *any manufacturer* has ever manufactured!

Nice, i didn't wanna go THAT far, but indeed...i just love the way it looks.


Perfect, timeless design. If only there was a way to harness more reliable power out of that car.

[invid]

Originally Posted by adc

Try putting it on e46fanatics.com, bimmerfest.com and bimmerforums.com too. It may not be too late, your asking price is pretty good.

I guess it's too late for Roundel advertising - that would have been your best bet (targeted audience at the right income bracket).


(I sold an 03 330i ZHP recently, this is how I know ).

more information about the roundel advertising please? im a member of all the boards mentioned, ive posted the car up there months ago..ill do it again right now, thanks

[E90ice]

The M3 is more fun to drive...but IMO the 335 wins the rest of the categories.

[lvwirelessguy]

I had 2 E90s before I decided to go back to the E46 platform and get my first E46 M3. If you are a true enthusiast there is no comparison between the 335i and E46 M3.

[Straz M3]

I'm doing the exact opposite...trading in my E92 335 tonight for a E46 M3 competition