[fl335i]

Ok, here I am with a mildly mod'd 2007 E90 335i 6spd manual base pkg and 61k. I'm faced with either continue with modding the car to the point where I'd be happy which is this list:

-DP's
-Charge pipe & BOV
-BMW performance suspension
-M sport steering wheel
-New 335is motor mounts
-Blk OEM window trim

OR just sell the car and buy a +1 or 2 yr newer lower mileage M3 and leave it stock. From what I could tell a CPO 2008-2009 M3 is about $28-30k. If I parted my car out and sold it stock or traded it in + the parts list above I think I'd spend more than just buying a M3. And the M3 has a nicer interior mainly the seats. And the suspension is all done, brakes etc. Everything is DONE. And it's stock, and a M3. And if it's wrecked or stolen I'm not out all the mod'd parts money!! Thoughts?

[Tom Droze]

And you really want us to believe you'd leave the M3 stock? I'd buy the M3!

[Underground6t9]

If you can afford it get the M3

[Cloud9blue]

This is a question you have to answer yourself really. A well sorted out 335i will be able to hang with M3 with very little effort, but the two provides totally different driving experience due to the difference in power delivery. But if you want a M3, you will always want a M3.

OP, it looks like you have already put in quite a bit of mods already, especially that OS Giken. Some M3 arms and subframe bushing, along with a decent coilover or shock/spring combo and some track pads (should be around $2-3000 total), you will have a pretty decent track car.

[GMe90]

Originally Posted by fl335i

Ok, here I am with a mildly mod'd 2007 E90 335i 6spd manual base pkg and 61k. I'm faced with either continue with modding the car to the point where I'd be happy which is this list:

-DP's
-Charge pipe & BOV
-BMW performance suspension
-M sport steering wheel
-New 335is motor mounts
-Blk OEM window trim

OR just sell the car and buy a +1 or 2 yr newer lower mileage M3 and leave it stock. From what I could tell a CPO 2008-2009 M3 is about $28-30k. If I parted my car out and sold it stock or traded it in + the parts list above I think I'd spend more than just buying a M3. And the M3 has a nicer interior mainly the seats. And the suspension is all done, brakes etc. Everything is DONE. And it's stock, and a M3. And if it's wrecked or stolen I'm not out all the mod'd parts money!! Thoughts?

There is no way that you will find an M3 for that price. Most of the 08-09 are in the high $30s.

[Zach1328]

Originally Posted by Tom Droze

And you really want us to believe you'd leave the M3 stock? I'd buy the M3!

+1. You might say you'll keep it stock, but I'm sure that will quickly change if you get an M3.
Personally, I believe the 335i has a lot more potential unless you plan on going Forced Induction with the M3.

[drewnel22]

Originally Posted by GMe90

There is no way that you will find an M3 for that price. Most of the 08-09 are in the high $30s.

+1. e9x M3's are more expensive. Especially CPO

[inFamousKicks]

Like others have said, if you can afford the M3 then that's the obvious choice, but don't worry, the mod bug'll hit you when you least expect it...

[Mardio]

By reading your post it sounds like you really want the M3, get it and have no regrets.

[Antetokounmpo]

Get the M3, sounds like you want. Don't forget, a stock 335i feels much faster under 4k, the M3 doesn't make power until you wind it out like a crotchrocket.

[sjf430]

M3. You will regret it if you dont, if you can afford it you will love it, that v8 is a machine!

[ef11]

How has everyone not jumped on the fact that CPO 2009 M3s are not 28-30K. Especially not with LOWER mileage than 61k.

You might find a high mileage 2008 for low to mid 30s. The 2009 looks way better in my opinion though.

I would say at trade you might get $15,000 for your car, M3s are going to run you low $30,000s. If you have the $15K to spend, do it...but you aren't going to spend $15,000 on mods to your current car so this is in no way a "break-even" scenario.

[fl335i]

^ I found two at the local dealer for under 30, cpo. I need to put a sharp pencil to this.... rather than just throwing around numbers and figures.

[drewnel22]

Originally Posted by fl335i

^ I found two at the local dealer for under 30, cpo. I need to put a sharp pencil to this.... rather than just throwing around numbers and figures.

Did they have 80-90k+ miles?

[Fortyb]

Originally Posted by GMe90

There is no way that you will find an M3 for that price. Most of the 08-09 are in the high $30s.

+1
I was looking at the prices a couple of Months ago and the wife told me why not buy a new M3 until i told her how much a new one cost then she told me to get off of the computer..lol

[iturbo_bmw]

lol when i was trying to decide what car to get (m3 vs 335i) i factored how much i would spend on mods.. even though i would tell myself i could just leave it stock, i knew there was no way in hell i'd end up leaving it stock and i decided the cost of a m3 + modding would be out of my budget, and a 335i + mods was in my budget

but get the m3 if u can afford it

[jwzimm]

One thing I always worry about when buying a used performance car is how the previous owner treated (mistreated) it. I would always be concerned about the future of the car not knowing if the previous owner beat the living hell out of the car. That's just me being my paranoid self though.

[XM_Rocks]

Originally Posted by fl335i

From what I could tell a CPO 2008-2009 M3 is about $28-30k.

I am pretty sure CPO E90 M3's aren't priced that low.

That price range will probably get you a 80k-90k mile non-CPO used car.

I also would skip CPO and try to buy direct from a 1 owner enthusiast with records.

[hongsc]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

One thing I always worry about when buying a used performance car is how the previous owner treated (mistreated) it. I would always be concerned about the future of the car not knowing if the previous owner beat the living hell out of the car. That's just me being my paranoid self though.

So true. I heard horror stories about low mileage M3s that were sponsored cars. They did all kinds of stuff to it, make it stock again, and returned it when the lease was up. Then you hear how excited the person is with their low mileage M3 and "suddenly" they have all kinds of problems with it.

[XM_Rocks]

Originally Posted by hongsc

So true. I heard horror stories about low mileage M3s that were sponsored cars. They did all kinds of stuff to it, make it stock again, and returned it when the lease was up. Then you hear how excited the person is with their low mileage M3 and "suddenly" they have all kinds of problems with it.

Sponsored cars? Horror stories?

Sounds like an overblown urban legend.

Beware of saying "Candy Man" three times.

[Tiago@VRSF]

I've owned both and I had a much harder time selling the 335i than I did the M3

[ef11]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

I've owned both and I had a much harder time selling the 335i than I did the M3

That's good to know! I still have never driven an M3, need to check that off the bucket list for sure! Also, excited to get my charge pipe and intake from you Tiago.

OP,

If we look at the below value, I would say it comes out to $18,600 for car and wanted mods. If you want a lower mileage M3, I'm going to go ahead and say you're going to spend about $35,000. So you're going to spend an extra $16,400 to get the M3.

-Your 2007 335 base - $15,000
-DP's - $600
-Charge pipe & BOV $400
-BMW performance suspension - $1500
-M sport steering wheel - $800
-New 335is motor mounts - $100, but why?
-Blk OEM window trim [/QUOTE] - $200?

Now, I think that buy is 100% fine, but it seems like in your OP you are trying to justify it to yourself as being the same price, when it isn't even close.