335i vs m3, curious if anyone on this power hungry forum will agree with me.

NoelSmart · 10-16-2006, 03:42 PM

The performance specs on the 335i are almost identicle to the e36 M3 but with improved torque and gas mileage due to the turbos. Fuel efficient 300hp/300ftlbs is a pretty tempting package. Will the gas guzzling v8 only fractions of a second faster really be worth the wait, higher price, and higher insurance?

Sure those flared fenders look mean, but I am really very curious to see how much more fun it will be to push that pedal down in the upcoming m3 than the 335i. Another thing that has me in this conservitive state of mind is the fact that I get myself in enough trouble in my 1997 328is, buying some v8 monster just might be the end of me

ROAD EAGLE · 10-16-2006, 06:48 PM

I would just wait for that M3, just having that badge is all the money in the world.That M3 is going to be a mean machine !

GregW / Oregon · 10-16-2006, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noelsmart

The performance specs on the 335i are almost identicle to the e36 M3 but with improved torque and gas mileage due to the turbos. Fuel efficient 300hp/300ftlbs is a pretty tempting package. Will the gas guzzling v8 only fractions of a second faster really be worth the wait, higher price, and higher insurance?

Sure those flared fenders look mean, but I am really very curious to see how much more fun it will be to push that pedal down in the upcoming m3 than the 335i. Another thing that has me in this conservitive state of mind is the fact that I get myself in enough trouble in my 1997 328is, buying some v8 monster just might be the end of me

No doubt the 335i is fast, and will be easily modded to equal the M3 in a straight line. Given the likely $10k price difference, it is a good performance buy.

But, for the hard core, the M3 will be at another level, with more aggressive looks, better handling, better brakes & limited slip, among other things. And of couse there's the M badge, for those that need validation. It's all a matter of degree. BMW is not stupid enough to canablalize M3 sales by making the 335i too close to the M.

Teufelhund · 10-16-2006, 10:07 PM

I would have to agree with GregW, the M3 will be at another level. First off, let's even consider the current e46 M3. Having spent ample time behind the wheel of an E46 M3, and a bit behind the wheel of the e92 335i (I ordered one, with an e92 M3 and e90 M3 on order, to take the first one I can), there is quite a bit of difference between these cars. I prefer the sheer driving experience of the e46 M3 over the e92 335i (due to tighter suspension, much better steering feel, mechanical sounds and sheer fun). The e92 M3, I have to imagine, will be even more fun. You really have to drive an M3 and the 335i to see the difference.
Case in point, I also test drove the IS350, and although it was truly fast, it disappointed me due to the dead feel (steering, muted sounds, suspension). The current M3 is most assuredly faster around a track than a 335i, but even if it wasn't, it would be more fun to drive.
If it is worth it to you is a different question, but I'd be quite certain that when you put the pedal down, there will be a considerable difference in experience in the e92 M3 and the 335i.

YYdoodle · 10-16-2006, 10:59 PM

You can't go wrong with either the 335i or the e92 M3 I'm sure. That's a good dilemma to be in, choosing between a torquey 300hp 3er coupe or a 400hp V8 monster!

swamp2 · 10-17-2006, 12:42 AM

Sure the 335i is fast but you are comparing apples and oranges. The new M3 will have the following objective and subjective differences (as already well pointed out by Teufelhund). They they make the M3 a sports car (maybe GT in some peoples book) compared to a fast sedan.

1. More hp, more torque
2. Higher redline (a very big deal, ask an F1 driver...)
3. Lighter sprung and unsprung weight
4. Totally different suspension: materials, geometry, stiffness, etc.
5. LSD (maybe from M5 = (no "one wheel wonder" burn-outs!!!))
6. 3+4+5 = Way better handling than 335i
7. 7 spd SMG III (prob. right from the M5)
8. Awesome brakes (again prob. from M5)
9. Quicker steering and better feel
10. Sound
11. Seats

Even though we are still speculating on specs a bit, and even if a couple items above turn out not to be that case, the new M3 will be in a class quite far above the 335i.

cntlaw · 10-19-2006, 12:34 AM

There is no replacement for displacement, when it comes to the gambling table, M3 V8 power will be like you still have a lot of cash on hand! I can imagine the exhaust sound of the M3 V8 must be freaking close to a Porsche Twin Turbo.

The M badge always carries better sports seats, better leather, better suspensions, better aero kit and its chasis is built to the dynamics and stiffness capable of handling ample engine power surge. The M3 is always exclusive and is specially designed for the very demanding individuals who do not compromise with quality and performance.

JK42 · 10-21-2006, 01:22 AM

M cars are M cars, they are street legal racing versions of BMW vehicles. - And in some cases they aren't even street legal, such as the Z4 M Coupé Rennsport with a 400hp version of the S54B32 straight six, 120 liter tank and major weight reduction, meant for individual small racing teams for endurance racing, available only with a racing license and 250.000 euros.

The new M3 will have a new M Variable Slip Differential (335i won't have any LSD), and the new SMG IV gearbox, just to mention two things out of thousands of technical differences.

The 335i Coupé or Sedan are nice regular BMW cruisers for the regular everyday driver, the M cars are passion, and many of them will be taken to the track on a regular basis, or for good.

Best regards,

Jussi

10-16-2006, 03:42 PM	#1
NoelSmart Enlisted Member 6 Rep 40 Posts Drives: 1997 328iS Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh PA iTrader: (0)	335i vs m3, curious if anyone on this power hungry forum will agree with me. The performance specs on the 335i are almost identicle to the e36 M3 but with improved torque and gas mileage due to the turbos. Fuel efficient 300hp/300ftlbs is a pretty tempting package. Will the gas guzzling v8 only fractions of a second faster really be worth the wait, higher price, and higher insurance? Sure those flared fenders look mean, but I am really very curious to see how much more fun it will be to push that pedal down in the upcoming m3 than the 335i. Another thing that has me in this conservitive state of mind is the fact that I get myself in enough trouble in my 1997 328is, buying some v8 monster just might be the end of me
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10-16-2006, 06:48 PM	#2
ROAD EAGLE Private 1 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 2005 530I Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SAN ANTONIO,TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 Z4 [0.00]	I would just wait for that M3, just having that badge is all the money in the world.That M3 is going to be a mean machine !
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10-16-2006, 10:07 PM	#4
Teufelhund New Member 4 Rep 5 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Portland iTrader: (0)	I would have to agree with GregW, the M3 will be at another level. First off, let's even consider the current e46 M3. Having spent ample time behind the wheel of an E46 M3, and a bit behind the wheel of the e92 335i (I ordered one, with an e92 M3 and e90 M3 on order, to take the first one I can), there is quite a bit of difference between these cars. I prefer the sheer driving experience of the e46 M3 over the e92 335i (due to tighter suspension, much better steering feel, mechanical sounds and sheer fun). The e92 M3, I have to imagine, will be even more fun. You really have to drive an M3 and the 335i to see the difference. Case in point, I also test drove the IS350, and although it was truly fast, it disappointed me due to the dead feel (steering, muted sounds, suspension). The current M3 is most assuredly faster around a track than a 335i, but even if it wasn't, it would be more fun to drive. If it is worth it to you is a different question, but I'd be quite certain that when you put the pedal down, there will be a considerable difference in experience in the e92 M3 and the 335i.
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10-16-2006, 10:59 PM	#5
YYdoodle Captain 115 Rep 666 Posts Drives: E92 M3 fanatic Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	You can't go wrong with either the 335i or the e92 M3 I'm sure. That's a good dilemma to be in, choosing between a torquey 300hp 3er coupe or a 400hp V8 monster!
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10-17-2006, 12:42 AM	#6
swamp2 Lieutenant General 609 Rep 10,407 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Diego, CA USA iTrader: (3)	No comparison Sure the 335i is fast but you are comparing apples and oranges. The new M3 will have the following objective and subjective differences (as already well pointed out by Teufelhund). They they make the M3 a sports car (maybe GT in some peoples book) compared to a fast sedan. 1. More hp, more torque 2. Higher redline (a very big deal, ask an F1 driver...) 3. Lighter sprung and unsprung weight 4. Totally different suspension: materials, geometry, stiffness, etc. 5. LSD (maybe from M5 = (no "one wheel wonder" burn-outs!!!)) 6. 3+4+5 = Way better handling than 335i 7. 7 spd SMG III (prob. right from the M5) 8. Awesome brakes (again prob. from M5) 9. Quicker steering and better feel 10. Sound 11. Seats Even though we are still speculating on specs a bit, and even if a couple items above turn out not to be that case, the new M3 will be in a class quite far above the 335i.
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10-19-2006, 12:34 AM	#7
cntlaw Major General 235 Rep 6,874 Posts Drives: 330i E90 C55 AMG Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i E90 [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i E90 [0.00] 2005 Mercedes Benz ... [0.00] 2002 Z3 2.2 USA Spo ... [0.00] 2002 Toyota MR-S Co ... [0.00]	There is no replacement for displacement, when it comes to the gambling table, M3 V8 power will be like you still have a lot of cash on hand! I can imagine the exhaust sound of the M3 V8 must be freaking close to a Porsche Twin Turbo. The M badge always carries better sports seats, better leather, better suspensions, better aero kit and its chasis is built to the dynamics and stiffness capable of handling ample engine power surge. The M3 is always exclusive and is specially designed for the very demanding individuals who do not compromise with quality and performance. __________________ BMW 2006 330i E90 Jet Black/Black Leathers/Aluminium, Steptronic Active Steering; MTech Aero Kit Carbon Fibre Splitters/Diffuser. Bilstein PSS9 Coilover, Rays VOLK Racing RE30 Formula Limited Edition 18" Pirelli Rosso; Project Mu 355mm Forged 4pot Caliper. HID:Osram D1S 6000K, PIAA 6500K White Ring, Philips Diamond Vision HB4 5000K, PIAA H490/H491 Super Bright 6500K LED Interior Lights. Chrome S.Wheel Cover, Rear Windows Sunshades.
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10-21-2006, 01:22 AM	#8
JK42 First Lieutenant 19 Rep 374 Posts Drives: E70 BMW X5 4.8i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern Europe iTrader: (0)	M cars are M cars, they are street legal racing versions of BMW vehicles. - And in some cases they aren't even street legal, such as the Z4 M Coupé Rennsport with a 400hp version of the S54B32 straight six, 120 liter tank and major weight reduction, meant for individual small racing teams for endurance racing, available only with a racing license and 250.000 euros. The new M3 will have a new M Variable Slip Differential (335i won't have any LSD), and the new SMG IV gearbox, just to mention two things out of thousands of technical differences. The 335i Coupé or Sedan are nice regular BMW cruisers for the regular everyday driver, the M cars are passion, and many of them will be taken to the track on a regular basis, or for good. Best regards, Jussi
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