Advice please! E46 M3 vs. E92 335i

dlbrooks18 · 09-18-2009, 05:44 PM

I love the E46 body and agree the only turn off is the interior which is outdated.. lot's of tuning potential just like the 335.. The 335 can add loads of hp + torque for less $ than the E46 M3, but the M has HPF kit ... I'm also addicted to torque and the 335 has plenty and when tuned torque output is comparable to supercar performance, so from a dig and especially with an LSD you are always one of the fastest car's on the road at any given time.. of course someone is always faster, but I bet you win 9 out of 10 dig races anyday

check this out:

eunosracr · 09-18-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniz

thats because the S54 is a hell of a motor and you got a cooler car.....congrats!

Thanks. Not to mention the fact that the 335i will give you high pressure fuel pump problems ( i went through 2), injector problems and probably coil issues while the s54 is pretty much rock solid.

graider · 09-18-2009, 10:19 PM

let forget about performance for a sec.

look wise, the 335 got nothing on the m3. that's alone is the deal breaker.

retrodrive · 09-19-2009, 12:16 AM

lol...e92 335 beats e46 M3 in pretty much every test out there in a straight line or the track. Yet, everybody thinks that e46 is such an advaced racecar.

I love the e46 for the strong engine block and LSD. Other then that there is not much special about it.

ohaywood · 09-19-2009, 12:19 AM

I think it comes down to the principles on which each car was built.

BarbeRouge · 09-19-2009, 09:33 PM

I own one, and have driven both. The M3 is a total involvement car. You feel every bump in the road, and the handling is way more precise. The 335 is faster in a straight line, and is more of cruiser. YOu don't have to be totally involved in the driving expeirence (which I like sometimes BTW). YOu can just cruise and hit the gas, and it goes. The M3 is hectic, but a tone of fun to drive. Plus its better looking IMO, and it's not outdated, and it doesn't look like a Japenese car like the e9x's do.

c0nstant · 09-20-2009, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrodrive

lol...e92 335 beats e46 M3 in pretty much every test out there in a straight line or the track. Yet, everybody thinks that e46 is such an advaced racecar.

I love the e46 for the strong engine block and LSD. Other then that there is not much special about it.

http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Nurburgring

the E46 is faster by a good 4 seconds.

ohaywood · 09-20-2009, 01:41 PM

Nice find.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jh valley

http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Nurburgring

the E46 is faster by a good 4 seconds.

koreez88 · 09-21-2009, 04:09 AM

^^^

Slower than 335 and 135, but faster than both on the track

[u2b]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9ZGwpifULe4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9ZGwpifULe4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/u2b]

darkphantom · 09-21-2009, 10:20 AM

oh em gee!

dude, do you have ANY idea how many threads like this were created when the E92 335i came out?????

here...let me help you with that...

ArabianSensation · 09-21-2009, 10:28 AM

From my (very) limited experience driving an e93 335i and my experience driving my uncle's e46 M3 vert that sits in the garage, I would have to say the M3 was more fun. Yes, it was more difficult to drive (M3 was SMG, 335i was auto), and yes, the SMG's computer is terrible at shifting on its own in my opinion, but it was a lot more fun to drive than the 335i. I agree that the 335 is a cruiser and an M3 is a sportscar. You feel a lot more of the road in the M3- which I love. The acceleration is there and quicker than a base 335i at 4.8 seconds to 60. The exhaust note on the M3 is amazing as well... Although I love how the turbos sound on the 335i ignition. After driving the M3 around for a few hours one night, I had the exhaust note stuck in my head like a song.

If you live in a climate that allows it, and you get other benefits out of it (buying your dad a car for example), I would say go ahead and get the M3. You won't be disappointed in the performance even though you're coming from a tuned 335i. As others have pointed out, mods for the e46 M3 are plentiful.

For my next car, it's between a 335xi (Chicago winters...) and an e46 M3. I know the M3 would be insane to drive in the winter, but that's one of my favorite cars of all time. That generation M3 is what turned me on to BMW in the first place.

TK-421 · 09-21-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Santa34

I own one, and have driven both. The M3 is a total involvement car. You feel every bump in the road, and the handling is way more precise. The 335 is faster in a straight line, and is more of cruiser. YOu don't have to be totally involved in the driving expeirence (which I like sometimes BTW). YOu can just cruise and hit the gas, and it goes. The M3 is hectic, but a tone of fun to drive. Plus its better looking IMO, and it's not outdated, and it doesn't look like a Japenese car like the e9x's do.

this

ohaywood · 09-21-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkphantom

oh em gee!

dude, do you have ANY idea how many threads like this were created when the E92 335i came out?????

here...let me help you with that...

"Sorry, no matches"

Fail.

ohaywood · 09-21-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArabianSensation

From my (very) limited experience driving an e93 335i and my experience driving my uncle's e46 M3 vert that sits in the garage, I would have to say the M3 was more fun. Yes, it was more difficult to drive (M3 was SMG, 335i was auto), and yes, the SMG's computer is terrible at shifting on its own in my opinion, but it was a lot more fun to drive than the 335i. I agree that the 335 is a cruiser and an M3 is a sportscar. You feel a lot more of the road in the M3- which I love. The acceleration is there and quicker than a base 335i at 4.8 seconds to 60. The exhaust note on the M3 is amazing as well... Although I love how the turbos sound on the 335i ignition. After driving the M3 around for a few hours one night, I had the exhaust note stuck in my head like a song.

If you live in a climate that allows it, and you get other benefits out of it (buying your dad a car for example), I would say go ahead and get the M3. You won't be disappointed in the performance even though you're coming from a tuned 335i. As others have pointed out, mods for the e46 M3 are plentiful.

For my next car, it's between a 335xi (Chicago winters...) and an e46 M3. I know the M3 would be insane to drive in the winter, but that's one of my favorite cars of all time. That generation M3 is what turned me on to BMW in the first place.

The M3 would definitely not be fun during a Chicago winter. Here in SoCal, it'd be perfect.

graider · 09-21-2009, 05:53 PM

actually no. i drive my m3 in the winter here canada (worse than any us winter) and no problem.

328skidpad · 08-12-2016, 01:54 PM

Great comments.
I presently own both
08 335 with jb+ on V1 coilovers
05 m3 no mods
Both have Pilot super sports...

m3 is a german muscle car and and has better handling, as for acceleration the 335 feels much faster but when you look in the rear view mirror the m3 seems just as fast. This due to the low end 335 torque and the m3 8K redline.

The 335 is a great all around car but the m3 has a soul and character that puts a grin on my face every time.

I also own a 15 porsche boxter GTS (control) which is what I am comparing the cars to

In the end it depends on if you want to deal with a rougher car (m3's engine and suspension) or a all around master of none car.
FYI the LSD on the m3 is much more confidence inspiring around turns and at high speeds

grab one before they go up in price like the e36 m3 did...
good luck..

09-18-2009, 05:44 PM	#23
dlbrooks18 Brigadier General 164 Rep 3,735 Posts Drives: e90 335i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	I love the E46 body and agree the only turn off is the interior which is outdated.. lot's of tuning potential just like the 335.. The 335 can add loads of hp + torque for less $ than the E46 M3, but the M has HPF kit ... I'm also addicted to torque and the 335 has plenty and when tuned torque output is comparable to supercar performance, so from a dig and especially with an LSD you are always one of the fastest car's on the road at any given time.. of course someone is always faster, but I bet you win 9 out of 10 dig races anyday check this out: __________________ 2008 E90 335
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09-18-2009, 10:19 PM	#25
graider Colonel 35 Rep 2,406 Posts Drives: py/kiwi e46 m3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	let forget about performance for a sec. look wise, the 335 got nothing on the m3. that's alone is the deal breaker.
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09-19-2009, 12:16 AM	#26
retrodrive Lieutenant Colonel 151 Rep 1,938 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (8)	lol...e92 335 beats e46 M3 in pretty much every test out there in a straight line or the track. Yet, everybody thinks that e46 is such an advaced racecar. I love the e46 for the strong engine block and LSD. Other then that there is not much special about it.
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09-19-2009, 12:19 AM	#27
ohaywood Major 75 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2007 JB/Saddle E92 335i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Malibu, CA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	I think it comes down to the principles on which each car was built. __________________
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09-19-2009, 09:33 PM	#28
BarbeRouge Life is short 219 Rep 274 Posts Drives: Macan Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Charlotte iTrader: (0)	I own one, and have driven both. The M3 is a total involvement car. You feel every bump in the road, and the handling is way more precise. The 335 is faster in a straight line, and is more of cruiser. YOu don't have to be totally involved in the driving expeirence (which I like sometimes BTW). YOu can just cruise and hit the gas, and it goes. The M3 is hectic, but a tone of fun to drive. Plus its better looking IMO, and it's not outdated, and it doesn't look like a Japenese car like the e9x's do.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-21-2009, 04:09 AM	#31
koreez88 Всем привет ;) 149 Rep 3,358 Posts Drives: Tesla Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (12)	^^^ Slower than 335 and 135, but faster than both on the track [u2b]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9ZGwpifULe4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9ZGwpifULe4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/u2b]
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09-21-2009, 10:20 AM	#32
darkphantom Banned 623 Rep 5,945 Posts Drives: E93 335i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The place for Bimmers iTrader: (4)	oh em gee! dude, do you have ANY idea how many threads like this were created when the E92 335i came out????? here...let me help you with that...
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09-21-2009, 10:28 AM	#33
ArabianSensation Lieutenant 38 Rep 475 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	From my (very) limited experience driving an e93 335i and my experience driving my uncle's e46 M3 vert that sits in the garage, I would have to say the M3 was more fun. Yes, it was more difficult to drive (M3 was SMG, 335i was auto), and yes, the SMG's computer is terrible at shifting on its own in my opinion, but it was a lot more fun to drive than the 335i. I agree that the 335 is a cruiser and an M3 is a sportscar. You feel a lot more of the road in the M3- which I love. The acceleration is there and quicker than a base 335i at 4.8 seconds to 60. The exhaust note on the M3 is amazing as well... Although I love how the turbos sound on the 335i ignition. After driving the M3 around for a few hours one night, I had the exhaust note stuck in my head like a song. If you live in a climate that allows it, and you get other benefits out of it (buying your dad a car for example), I would say go ahead and get the M3. You won't be disappointed in the performance even though you're coming from a tuned 335i. As others have pointed out, mods for the e46 M3 are plentiful. For my next car, it's between a 335xi (Chicago winters...) and an e46 M3. I know the M3 would be insane to drive in the winter, but that's one of my favorite cars of all time. That generation M3 is what turned me on to BMW in the first place.
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09-21-2009, 05:53 PM	#37
graider Colonel 35 Rep 2,406 Posts Drives: py/kiwi e46 m3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	actually no. i drive my m3 in the winter here canada (worse than any us winter) and no problem.
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08-12-2016, 01:54 PM	#38
328skidpad Lieutenant 55 Rep 495 Posts Drives: 328xi e350 Z4M X3 M40 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Princeton NJ iTrader: (0)	my thoughts Great comments. I presently own both 08 335 with jb+ on V1 coilovers 05 m3 no mods Both have Pilot super sports... m3 is a german muscle car and and has better handling, as for acceleration the 335 feels much faster but when you look in the rear view mirror the m3 seems just as fast. This due to the low end 335 torque and the m3 8K redline. The 335 is a great all around car but the m3 has a soul and character that puts a grin on my face every time. I also own a 15 porsche boxter GTS (control) which is what I am comparing the cars to In the end it depends on if you want to deal with a rougher car (m3's engine and suspension) or a all around master of none car. FYI the LSD on the m3 is much more confidence inspiring around turns and at high speeds grab one before they go up in price like the e36 m3 did... good luck..
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