[DarkE92]

First off I want to say hey to everyone, and I just joined the forum. I been lurking the forum for years, but now I've decided to join because now I'm in a position to get a BMW 😃. This would be my first BMW or "capable" car. I'm coming from a 2000 mazda soo you get the idea. Up until yesterday I have never drive any variation of the e9x series. But yesterday I went and test drove a 09 e92 335i fully loaded alpine white on red. My first impression of the car as I was driving out of the lot was the sterring feel. The sterring is nice and heavy and has a really precise feeling. Next I notice as I started to drive it that it was very capable and eager to accelerate. In other words this shit was stupid fast to me as I've never driven anything at this level of a vehicle before. As I was getting onto the on ramp I gave it half throttle and it took off like a rocket ship as the tires barked. It accelerated effortlessly from any rpm on the highway. After I settled down on the highway I noticed how quite and smooth the engine was and it really shocked me. All in all after the test drive I was blown away by the 335i. Now here comes my question. I've been looking into the e92 m3 as well and wanted to know if this would besuitable for someone that's new to bmw's and high performance cars? Or should I just get the 335i? I've heard that the m3 is "torque less". I wouldn't know as I haven't driven one yet. Do you think I should test drive the m3 and then make a decision. I've heard many people tell me before I pull the trigger on a 335i to test drive the m3 first. I just want to get an opinion on how the 335i compares to the m3 as far as driving characteristics.

[Antartic]

If money is not an issue, then I have no idea why anyone would get a 335 over an M3. The driving characteristics is leaps and bounds better on M3.

Moreover, you need to test drive both cars to see which one you like the most.

[Eugeinus]

The M3 is on a different level. You really need to test drive if you're between the two. Like the above poster said, if money is not the issue, M3 wins out almost all the time. The 335i will be a better daily, while still having fun, but cmon, can you beat the V8?

[JAL0988]

It depends what you're looking for. If you're going to keep the car stock then definitely get the M3. If you're into tuning and upgrading the engine, then get the 335i. The 335i is extremely tunable and can easily out perform an M3 after a few upgrades. But the M3 has all of these things in a stock package.

Tuner= 335i
Stock= M3

[DarkE92]

Originally Posted by COBBTT

It depends what you're looking for. If you're going to keep the car stock then definitely get the M3. If you're into tuning and upgrading the engine, then get the 335i. The 335i is extremely tunable and can easily out perform an M3 after a few upgrades. But the M3 has all of these things in a stock package.

Tuner= 335i
Stock= M3

Yes the only thing in going to do to either cars is cosmetic, and I would probably tune the 335i if I chose it.

[rr006rbc]

It also depends on how long you plan on KEEPING these cars as well. The M3 has better durability for the most part..and it also depends on an N55 335i or an N54 335i.

[JAL0988]

Originally Posted by DarkE92

Yes the only thing in going to do to either cars is cosmetic, and I would probably tune the 335i if I chose it.

Ok so you're only going to do cosmetics? Your post kind of contridicted itself there lol. But if you're only sticking to cosmetics, get the M3. It has most of the cosmetics you'd want on it already. If you don't mind spending the money, then get the M3. If you get the 335i, make sure you have the M Sport package on it cause you'll be buying the bumpers/side skirts later if you're going with cosmetics.

[litxus]

For a DD 335i would probably be better and it is tunable for less, but if you ever plan on going to the track and need better reliability I would go for M3.

[kjlogan65]

If you are torn between the two, you need to test drive the M3. If you don't and decide to go with the 335i, you will always wonder what if.

[Hamburg31]

Like everyone is saying ... If you have the money go with the M3. Even for a DD I would love to drive an M3 everyday. I think if you test drive both, you'll enjoy the M more. Keep us informed on your decision!!

[Turb0Surge]

If money is not an issue- m3. I have an e90 335i and I love it, but I'd take an e90 m3 over my 335i any day of the week.

Test drive the M3 before you make your decision!

[ThEnder]

Both are great cars, I share the opinions above that the 335i is a better daily driver but the M3 is definitely the better car.

[DarkE92]

Originally Posted by rr006rbc

It also depends on how long you plan on KEEPING these cars as well. The M3 has better durability for the most part..and it also depends on an N55 335i or an N54 335i.

I'm planning on keeping the car for awhile like 5-8 years. I know about the 335i problems but I haven't really checked into the m3's reliability.

Originally Posted by litxus

For a DD 335i would probably be better and it is tunable for less, but if you ever plan on going to the track and need better reliability I would go for M3.

I probably won't track it but reliability is important. I have to look into the m3's reliability record.

Originally Posted by kjlogan65

If you are torn between the two, you need to test drive the M3. If you don't and decide to go with the 335i, you will always wonder what if.

I'm definetly going to test drive an m3 since everyone here says its so different from the 335i.

[E90Company]

M3, this isn't even a question. One's a super efficient motorsport car with a track suspension and high revving V8, the other a mass produced DD.

[litxus]

Originally Posted by DarkE92

I'm planning on keeping the car for awhile like 5-8 years. I know about the 335i problems but I haven't really checked into the m3's reliability.


I probably won't track it but reliability is important. I have to look into the m3's reliability record.


I'm definetly going to test drive an m3 since everyone here says its so different from the 335i.

I think E90/92 M3 is probably one of very few BMWs that are recommended by Consumer Reports. Not that I follow Consumer Reports much, but for an M3 to be recommended that is quite a feat. When I was in the similar boat M3s were and still are more expensive to buy / maintain / insure + my long commute with low M3 MPG did not help my budget.

[Fin_f80]

I'd say the M3, money no issue of course. I love my 335i but if I could have gotten into a M3 I would have. Handling and power along with the amount of fun you'd have driving it.

M3!

[WLF]

Originally Posted by COBBTT

It depends what you're looking for. If you're going to keep the car stock then definitely get the M3. If you're into tuning and upgrading the engine, then get the 335i. The 335i is extremely tunable and can easily out perform an M3 after a few upgrades. But the M3 has all of these things in a stock package.

Tuner= 335i
Stock= M3

This

[krazysk8er]

also depends on if you need xdrive or not, my friend cant drive his M3 out in NYC during snowy days, but thats like less than 14 days max anyways.

[yarviinn]

Of course the M3!

[AndyR83]

There are tons of 335 owners (myself included) that either wish they got an M3, or swear that their next car will be an M3.

To date, I have not encountered an M3 owner that wishes they got a 335, or says their next car will be a 335.

[vashthe3rd]

I'm going to go the other way on this one for a couple reasons because it sounds like you're going to be driving this car a lot. Before I go on, I agree with everyone about test driving one.

1) The S65 (E9x M3 engine) drinks up gas, and has no room to go up in terms of upgrades. It's a maxed out high revving V8 yes. One with sad torque that's only good for keeping up speed on a track.

2) From my experiences the price difference is not worth the different "feel" on normal roads and normal driving. Unless you have 0 fucks to give about money, the 335i is the better option.

That said. If cosmetics are the only thing on your mind after buying the car, the M3 already has everything you'd probably think about doing to it other than paint or replacing parts with carbon fiber bits and whatever wheels you want.

TL;DR: The M3 costs more for a regularly driven car and without a track you will not notice a difference in "feeling"

[AzureHaze]

The M3 is nice but I'm pretty sure you're gonna go grab the 335i at the end of the day.