M3/M4 M3 vs. 335i

[JohnM]

Is it worth the extra $15,000 US? The 335i has more Torque and the interior is exactly the same (sans some different trim color options). If you get the sport suspension and variable steering then how much of the M3 handling do you get?

I've read wildly varying acceleration numbers for each car with the "official" BMW numbers differing by only 0.5 seconds (well within the overlap from the varying official sources). How do these two engines compare regarding feel? How do the manual transmission compare? I've read disappointing things about the 08 M3 6-speed but nothing about the 335i 6-speed.

The 335i gets vastly better gas mileage, which may matter more when gas hits 4.50+/gallon for premium but still another plus for the cheaper car.

What am I missing? I love my 97 M3 but I'm not convinced the 08 M3 is "good enough" to justify the cost differential (although oddly, I find it easily the best value with respect to it's peers, C63, RS4, IS-F).

 

[DeDe]

1. Different engine concepts: M3 V8 is a highreving sport-engine (up to 8400 rpm), 335i is a 6-cyl-twin turbo engine (max revs 7000) with a lot of torque.
2. M3's suspension is even sportier than 335i M's.
3. M3 has a M-differential if I'm right
4. M3 is an M3 335i just a BMW...

 

[Centurion]

The M3 and 335i are two cars in different worlds. With M3 you get better engine response, an amazing, sharper steering, better brakes and a few other goodies which sets it apart from your average car.

In the end the real way to determine if the M3 is worth the extra dough is by heading down to your local BMW dealer and drive the cars back to back. That's the only way my friend.

 

[Zafiro]

I driven both 335i and the new M3. I pick a M3 over 335i, much sportier drive than 335i. But a 335i is much cheaper to own and maintain and offer a great performance that is more than enough for cardrivers.
If money is a problem then go with 335i, I think you will be happy with it. I dont know were you live but if Alpina B3 is for sale were you live, then take a look at it. B3 gives you 360hp (including BMW warranties) and is cheaper than a M3.

 

[hussein]

m3 of course m3 is something else coulmon man its like youre saying cls 550 vs cls 63 amg

 

[Tarek]

M3 without thinking twice if the money is not a problem

 

[Mr Robert]

If 0-60 is your main concern and aim you should go for the 335i and maybe some tuning.

 

[ateekt]

A 335i with a couple of grands ($) in mods will eat M3 without any headache but, at the end of the day, M3 will be the M3 ...!

 

[JohnM]

Thanks All,

The 335i seemed like it could be the next M3 when it came out in 2007 and it competes against the RS4 regarding track times so it's a spectacular car in it's own right. I know all the technical changes between the cars, but those never tell the tale of which car is faster around the track or drivable in the real world. If the 335i isn't in the RS4/M3/C3/ISF class then I don't know what class it's in. I don't feel it's much of a choice between the 335i and any car within $10,000 if you have the money and I'm not sure what else comes close regarding performance except the above four cars (or variants of those). I think the 335i is probably a better car than the RS4 regardless of money. It does sound like the M3 is still a significant step up but I've never seen the cars directly compared. I've seen the 335i compared to the RS4 favorably and I've seen the M3 compared to the RS4 favorably. It would be disappointingly to plunk down an extra $16K just to discover that the M3 isn't really any better than the 335i just different. "Prestige" isn't worth an extra $16K to me, it has to drive (not just in a straight line) significantly better.

<So far> I haven't found a dealer that is going to get an M3 for several months so driving it (if I want a new car before August) isn't an option. I live in Atlanta if anyone knows of someplace with an M3 I could drive that would be spectacular. Waiting would be prudent but I'm about out of patience.

Money is always an issue whenever I'm spending $50K+ or maybe that's just me being cheap.

Anyway, thanks for all the insight. It's been very helpful!

 

[Poverty]

Thanks All,

The 335i seemed like it could be the next M3 when it came out in 2007 and it competes against the RS4 regarding track times so it's a spectacular car in it's own right. I know all the technical changes between the cars, but those never tell the tale of which car is faster around the track or drivable in the real world. If the 335i isn't in the RS4/M3/C3/ISF class then I don't know what class it's in. I don't feel it's much of a choice between the 335i and any car within $10,000 if you have the money and I'm not sure what else comes close regarding performance except the above four cars (or variants of those). I think the 335i is probably a better car than the RS4 regardless of money. It does sound like the M3 is still a significant step up but I've never seen the cars directly compared. I've seen the 335i compared to the RS4 favorably and I've seen the M3 compared to the RS4 favorably. It would be disappointingly to plunk down an extra $16K just to discover that the M3 isn't really any better than the 335i just different. "Prestige" isn't worth an extra $16K to me, it has to drive (not just in a straight line) significantly better.

<So far> I haven't found a dealer that is going to get an M3 for several months so driving it (if I want a new car before August) isn't an option. I live in Atlanta if anyone knows of someplace with an M3 I could drive that would be spectacular. Waiting would be prudent but I'm about out of patience.

Money is always an issue whenever I'm spending $50K+ or maybe that's just me being cheap.

Anyway, thanks for all the insight. It's been very helpful!

335i as good as the RS4

335i laps just as fast as the new Audi A4 3.2 Quattro around hockenheim racetrack. Also S3 laps similiar to 335i around alot of tracks too.

You might aswell just get a 335i and get it remapped and fit a sport diff.

 

[Guibo]

335i as good as the RS4
335i laps just as fast as the new Audi A4 3.2 Quattro around hockenheim racetrack. Also S3 laps similiar to 335i around alot of tracks too.

There are not enough lap times for the A4 to make too many comparisons. We do have same-day testing for the 335i coupe against the S5 (by Autozeitung, where they both got identical times). Shouldn't the S5 be faster than the A4 and S3?
We also have same-day testing for the 335i coupe against the RS4 (by Car & Driver, where the 335i was faster). There is also a test by Cars in Action of South Africa, where the 335i sedan and RS4 lapped in about the same time (2:06.9 and 2:07.0), though on different days.

 

[Poverty]

There are not enough lap times for the A4 to make too many comparisons. We do have same-day testing for the 335i coupe against the S5 (by Autozeitung, where they both got identical times). Shouldn't the S5 be faster than the A4 and S3?
We also have same-day testing for the 335i coupe against the RS4 (by Car & Driver, where the 335i was faster). There is also a test by Cars in Action of South Africa, where the 335i sedan and RS4 lapped in about the same time (2:06.9 and 2:07.0), though on different days.

The new S4 chassis is better odly enough has a better chassis than the S5 even though they are based on the MLP solution. The S5 s more of a relaxed tourer really, on the track its nothing special hence the S3 being faster than it on a couple tracks.

 

[Zafiro]

guys may I remind you this is a thread about M3 and 335i. A guy chosing between these two cars. This isnt internal combustion, this 3 series section.

 

[Steve]

guys may I remind you this is a thread about M3 and 335i. A guy chosing between these two cars. This isnt internal combustion, this 3 series section.

JustMe for moderator

 

[Zafiro]

JustMe for moderator

Im already a Moderator since years ago on this board. So I suggest you arent cocky in the future Keep you friends close and you enemies closer

 

[hussein]

y do you think hes a Executive steve??????????????????

 

[warot]

If price tag is not that big of a deal, M3 hands down. The noise alone is worth the price hike. However, you will not get a better car for the money than the 335i. That thing is an absolute monster that will satisfy you 90 percent of the time.

Case and point:

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[Cashmere]

IMO, the 335 is a MUCH better value for money car. Its not an ///M but I would probably be amongst the few that would take a 335 over an M3. If you live in NA, you have access to companies such as DINAN and and more importantly "Vishu Tuning" which have insane mod packages out for the 335. With a simple ECU remap you will be killing M3's, in a straight line (which is more likely to happen then racing an M3 around a track). Hartge also offers a L5 Limited slip differential for the 335 which makes things alot more exciting.

I enjoy modding cars a little here and there, so for this reason I guess the 335 does appeal more to me then the M3 and the fact that you can have $16K spare change to spend on mods makes it all the more intimidating.... so 335 for me. Look on the bright side, if it still feels slow or un-impressive, you can always just trade it in for the M3 at a later stage.

 

[PanterroR]

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Unbelievable how it "pulls"...

 

[Zafiro]

I have seen a modified 335i beat the new M3 in straightline race. From one of our M5board.com airfield meetings.