who has gone from a 335i to a E90 M3

[Mnut]

I am just adding up all the mods I want to do to my 335 to do track days and have come up with a $12,519 bill not including labor. Mods are
JB3 2.0
AMS intercooler
AMS exhaust
AR oil cooler
DCI
3" down pipe
Ohlins coil overs
Hotchkis sway Bars
light weight 18 wheels with Re-11's
lsd

so I am deciding is it better since I love these e90 machines would it be better to just trade in my 335 for a M3. Has anyone gone to the e90 M3 from a 335i what are the pro and cons and was it worth the extra money? I will be making about 400hp and 400tq to the back tires with the 335i.

[GnokGnik]

Finally, a topic that is minutely different than the typical 335i vs. M3 threads.

[jaehshim]

let's face the facts.
you can do all that, and plus even more, and the 335i will be great
problem is that you'll drool at M3 no matter what you do to your 335...
trust me, i'm the biggest fan of E90 Sedans, 335i, and M3 as you probably are...
trade in for M3, as the next gen M3 probably won't have sedan lineup
good for track days, good for daily drives...
i just don't see how spending 10K + on 335 is worth it...
save up money for some forced induction for the M3 V8s....which may be more expensive but much more worth every penny..
pretty sure within 1~2yrs there will be numbers of popular forced induction kits for E90 M3s.
good luck

[Mnut]

I drool already. Driving to work today a E90 M3 pulled out in front of me and I drooled all the way to work and it got me thinking if a 335i is good then a M3 must be better.I am not caught up in the whole my 335 makes more power bs but into the driving experience as a whole and I think the M3 will give it to me. I mostly drive around in the low boost map as I really like taking turns and just having fun. Will the 335 in 3-4 years be just another 335 but the M3 will always be a M3 kind of a thing?

[bmc335]

A friend of mine at work just went from a 335i (using jb3) to the M3. He is very happy with change. I am looking to get out of my lease on the 335 so I can do the same as I finally have the money. Everyday I pull into the parking garage and think that is a beautiful car.

I have been a fan of the M3 since the highschool days when I was given a ride in an Esterol blue e36 coupe. That car made me not only a fan of the M3but of BMW. I still love that car to this day. So to your point, a 335 will just be a 335, I think you are absolutely right.

[Alias]

I went from an 07 335 to an 08 e90 m3 and its completely worth it. The 335 has nothing on the M3 in the handling department. The sound of 8k rpm is intoxicating. If your concerned about mpg the M3 is not the car for you, get used to filling up every other day if you drive a lot.

[Mnut]

great information thank you for the reply.. I know the V8 sound is amazing and cant wait to hear one on the street opening it up. I am still on the fence though with all the mods I have listed above and just know the 335 will perform well but the M3 is calling my name..lol

[TheRealOrosie]

Originally Posted by Mnut

great information thank you for the reply.. I know the V8 sound is amazing and cant wait to hear one on the street opening it up. I am still on the fence though with all the mods I have listed above and just know the 335 will perform well but the M3 is calling my name..lol

08 e92 Dinan 335 to 2011 e92 M3 here....totally different cars. I dont regret the switch one bit. I love the M.

[ramtin325i]

Ive sat in a 335 and E90 M3. I couldnt handle sitting in the M3 for more than 5 min.

[Mnut]

Originally Posted by P-TownM3

08 e92 Dinan 335 to 2011 e92 M3 here....totally different cars. I dont regret the switch one bit. I love the M.

thank you that is what I was looking for.. is there anything you miss about the 335?

[Mnut]

Originally Posted by Ramtin32i

Ive sat in a 335 and E90 M3. I couldnt handle sitting in the M3 for more than 5 min.

I dont understand could you please explain as I am a newb...

[MaxL]

Originally Posted by Ramtin32i

Ive sat in a 335 and E90 M3. I couldnt handle sitting in the M3 for more than 5 min.

Because you wanted to drive it, right?

[MaxL]

Originally Posted by Mnut

I am just adding up all the mods I want to do to my 335 to do track days and have come up with a $12,519 bill not including labor. Mods are
JB3 2.0
AMS intercooler
AMS exhaust
AR oil cooler
DCI
3" down pipe
Ohlins coil overs
Hotchkis sway Bars
light weight 18 wheels with Re-11's
lsd

so I am deciding is it better since I love these e90 machines would it be better to just trade in my 335 for a M3. Has anyone gone to the e90 M3 from a 335i what are the pro and cons and was it worth the extra money? I will be making about 400hp and 400tq to the back tires with the 335i.

I upgraded from a 335xi to an M3. There should be a detailed review somewhere in the "General discussion" forum. In short, a M3 is indeed a much better car in many areas, but much of it is lost if you are not tracking it. For just city/highway driving, 335i/xi seems like a better value.

[r31n3r]

I went from an '07 335i with the PROcede v4 tune to a 2010 M3 and I must say it was completely worth it. I am not saying that I did not enjoy the 335i for it was a blast to drive for what it offered, but the M3 has so much more that is synonymous with the thrill of driving. With the sound of the motor revving to 8000 rpms and the feel of the chassis make all worth it.
Maybe keep your 335 for a daily driver. I plan on getting another 335 with that purpose in mind.

[DefBringer]

I'm aching to get into a car that is more athletic and quicker than my 335i. But honestly it's really hard to justify the price increase for an M3. Frankly I prefer a forced induction engine and the N54 is just a better overall powerplant. The 335 and M3 share the same chassis and both are equally stiff. $2000 in parts from BMW will get you all the suspension parts that make the M3 the M3. Obviously there are other differences such as brakes, wheels, exhaust, (possibly) DCT, etc

There are a lot of e46 M3 owners who deliberately chose the 335i rather than the e9x M3 due to the superior power of the turbo engine. They (like me) are waiting for BMW's next M3 which most people think will also be a turbo.

Unless you're seeing a LOT of time on the track I just don't think the M3 makes sense. I know this will be an unpopular opinion on this forum but it's frankly how many of us feel.

[devo]

Originally Posted by DefBringer

I'm aching to get into a car that is more athletic and quicker than my 335i. But honestly it's really hard to justify the price increase for an M3. Frankly I prefer a forced induction engine and the N54 is just a better overall powerplant. The 335 and M3 share the same chassis and both are equally stiff. $2000 in parts from BMW will get you all the suspension parts that make the M3 the M3. Obviously there are other differences such as brakes, wheels, exhaust, (possibly) DCT, etc

There are a lot of e46 M3 owners who deliberately chose the 335i rather than the e9x M3 due to the superior power of the turbo engine. They (like me) are waiting for BMW's next M3 which most people think will also be a turbo.

Unless you're seeing a LOT of time on the track I just don't think the M3 makes sense. I know this will be an unpopular opinion on this forum but it's frankly how many of us feel.

The M3 and 335 do not share the same chassis and certainly, $2000 in suspension mods will not bring a 335 even close the the M3's suspension superiority. The M has better strutual rigidity which the 335 can not match.

Your opinion of the 335's engine over the M's is subjective.

[brava09]

Originally Posted by DefBringer

I'm aching to get into a car that is more athletic and quicker than my 335i. But honestly it's really hard to justify the price increase for an M3. Frankly I prefer a forced induction engine and the N54 is just a better overall powerplant. The 335 and M3 share the same chassis and both are equally stiff. $2000 in parts from BMW will get you all the suspension parts that make the M3 the M3. Obviously there are other differences such as brakes, wheels, exhaust, (possibly) DCT, etc

There are a lot of e46 M3 owners who deliberately chose the 335i rather than the e9x M3 due to the superior power of the turbo engine. They (like me) are waiting for BMW's next M3 which most people think will also be a turbo.

Unless you're seeing a LOT of time on the track I just don't think the M3 makes sense. I know this will be an unpopular opinion on this forum but it's frankly how many of us feel.

LOL

Obviously you haven't touched an E9x M3 in your whole life.
Go drive one, and then see if you have the same opinion.

[adc]

Originally Posted by Alias

I went from an 07 335 to an 08 e90 m3 and its completely worth it. The 335 has nothing on the M3 in the handling department. The sound of 8k rpm is intoxicating. If your concerned about mpg the M3 is not the car for you, get used to filling up every other day if you drive a lot.

+1.

Went from 07 335i with JB mods to 2009 E90 M3 - both via Euro Delivery.

I enjoyed the 335i and understood it's potential so initially I thought of following it with a 135i with full mods, but then several questions remained unanswered:

- Potentially severe warranty problems. If you don't acknowledge these you are either way braver or way wealthier than I am (and I have a very friendly service advisor).

- The question of value and resale value. Fact it, I never keep a car more than 5 years, 3-4 years more typical. At the end of those years, a modified 135i/335i will be harder to sell than a stock M3. (Figure in component parting, hassle, lower residual value etc.). Also, is a $50k modified 135i a good value?

- Driver enjoyment. In theory, well chosen suspension/power/brake mods should create the ultimate 135i/335i, but will it offer more enjoyment and satisfaction than a stock M3? (This figures in handling, engine response, reliability etc.). Frankly, I just don't know.

- Desirability factor. Ever since I sold my E36 M3, I've wanted another M car. It's hard to explain, some part is objective and some is subjective but ultimately the heart wants what the heart wants.


Especially after tracking the M, I don't have the slightest desire to own a 335i or 135i. (The upcoming M1 or 1M could be an entirely different prospect though).

You will be hard pressed to find an M3 owner switching to a 335i, but lots of 335i owners who are now happy M3 owners - ultimately that should answer your question.

[bmwboi]

Originally Posted by MaxL

I upgraded from a 335xi to an M3. There should be a detailed review somewhere in the "General discussion" forum. In short, a M3 is indeed a much better car in many areas, but much of it is lost if you are not tracking it. For just city/highway driving, 335i/xi seems like a better value.

If you could do it again, would you get the M3?

I'm coming from a 335xi and the e92 M3 is my top choice but unlike most people on this forum I most likely won't be tracking or modding my car. I never tracked my e46 but loved the overall driving experience, which is what I hope to have in the new M3. I love my 335xi but do admit that it's a bit boring.

[graider]

Originally Posted by DefBringer

I'm aching to get into a car that is more athletic and quicker than my 335i. But honestly it's really hard to justify the price increase for an M3. Frankly I prefer a forced induction engine and the N54 is just a better overall powerplant. The 335 and M3 share the same chassis and both are equally stiff. $2000 in parts from BMW will get you all the suspension parts that make the M3 the M3. Obviously there are other differences such as brakes, wheels, exhaust, (possibly) DCT, etc

There are a lot of e46 M3 owners who deliberately chose the 335i rather than the e9x M3 due to the superior power of the turbo engine. They (like me) are waiting for BMW's next M3 which most people think will also be a turbo.

Unless you're seeing a LOT of time on the track I just don't think the M3 makes sense. I know this will be an unpopular opinion on this forum but it's frankly how many of us feel.

i was in the same boat and chose the e46 m3 over the 335i. in no way would i take it over the e46 m3, let alone the new m3.

[graider]

Originally Posted by bmwboi

If you could do it again, would you get the M3?

I'm coming from a 335xi and the e92 M3 is my top choice but unlike most people on this forum I most likely won't be tracking or modding my car. I never tracked my e46 but loved the overall driving experience, which is what I hope to have in the new M3. I love my 335xi but do admit that it's a bit boring.

nah, go m3. you will fall as sleep with the xi if you DD your car alot. even I'm bored with the m3 sometimes. i jumped into my mdx for a day or two, then right back into my m and it felt awesome.

[DefBringer]

Originally Posted by devo

The M3 and 335 do not share the same chassis and certainly, $2000 in suspension mods will not bring a 335 even close the the M3's suspension superiority. The M has better strutual rigidity which the 335 can not match.

Your opinion of the 335's engine over the M's is subjective.

I seriously hope you are joking.

Of course both cars share the same chassis ...one is not more rigid than the other. An E92 is an E92. It's all the suspension bits (bars, struts, bushings, etc) that separate the two.

And yes, for $2000 you can buy OEM BMW M3 suspension pieces. Don't take my word for it, some of these are available right here:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

You buy these from the dealer, have them installed at the dealer, and the parts are warrantied by BMW. You would still need a LSD, wheels, brakes to make it functionally the same as an M3. But the end result would be a car that handles just as crisply and would have all the trappings of an M3 including steering feel...but without the M3 badge.

I'm not arguing that it is smart to modify a 335i to be like an M3, I think it's a waste of money. Of course I would rather have the "real thing"....but not at the price premium an M3 demands. And certainly not since I will never track my car (and neither will 95% of the rest of you).

If you love your M3, that's awesome. It's a great car.