[nmulax]

Yeah yeah, I know I'll get 'd for this…oh well; I figure once you've been on here long enough and done your share of "meaningful" post, you're entitled to a "worthless" one every once in a while.


So I'm aching for a coupé. I bought my E90 thinking "maybe it's time for a change…get a 4-door". I was wrong. I know I'll take a hit, and am prepared for the financial impact this will have; but I also plan to keep this car for some time, so I figure I should get what I want.



So the debate is, do I go with an E92 335i or a CPO E46 M3.

I'd be looking at about the same price for either vehicle, so that's negligible. However I'm assuming the M3 will be a bit pricier to maintain once it's out of warranty or free service. Though if it's CPO, it'll be in warranty for a longer period of time (without me paying for an extended package on the E92).

They're both beautiful cars…E92 may be a bit nicer exterior wise (or maybe that's just 'cause it's new), but the E46 interior winds hands down. The E46 would allow me to get nav minus the iDrive. But the E92 does have a better stereo, and a few more bells & whistles. I know you'll say "the E92 can be chipped!" But this would be at the bottom of a long list of mods I'd plan to do; mostly because I rarely get a chance to open my 330i up with traffic around here being as bad as it is.

The E46 could be picked up immediately. For the E92 I would consider doing ED to save some $$$. But I don't know if they have any open slots prior to this fall. Since I'm in Phoenix, I really don't want to buy snow tires for the 24-36 hours I'd be spending in Munich.

The E92 is new, shiny and the most advanced.
The E46 is the best of it's bodystyle, and well…it's an M car.

Flame on!

[chbrules]

E92, used cars will have more issues earlier, regardless of CPO.

[brusso]

I have owned a E46 M3 for about 3yrs now and actually ordered a fully loaded 335 coupe that just came in Monday. Last night I took out the M and drove for about a hour to get to the dealer to see the new car. It was a fully loaded manual.

I drove home in my M3 ! Granted my car is slightly modded ..... but I just felt the M was more fun to drive. The 335 is fast ! The 335 is smother and more refined than the M but after driving them back to back they really are 2 different cars. I love the look of my M and i'm sure I would like the look a 335 even more after the new wheels and tires would go on and a good drop. In the end the M won out. I do think the 335 is a better DD especially if I had to drive long distances every day, but I don't . I only drive about 10 miles a day and every one of them is a blast.

Hope this helped..... Drive them back to back and your decision either way will be an easy one.

[Coldintake]

As great of the car the e46 M3 is... it's time to move from the older platform.

[rrandyy]

In a couple of years even the M E46's are going to look old

[nimamilani]

+1
M3 is a very great car, but it is older technology and when the new M3 comes out the e46 is going to look like the relic of the past. Buy a new car so you don't have to worry about issues that will arise from used cars.

[lvwirelessguy]

The E46 M3 has aged very well and I still prefer the way it looks & performs over the E90 ( had 2 already including the 335i ) and E92.

It will not be looking like a relic anytime soon. 7 years after its introduction it still turns more heads than a E92 will.

But for anyone who thinks the sport suspension on the E90 / E92 is way too harsh I would not recommend getting a E46 M3

[wj4]

I think the E46 M3 is a great looking car that performs extremely well. I would choose an E46 M3 over my 335i if I can afford the maintenance and land a good deal on one.

[SDYANKEE]

Originally Posted by lvwirelessguy

The E46 M3 has aged very well and I still prefer the way it looks & performs over the E90 ( had 2 already including the 335i ) and E92.

It will not be looking like a relic anytime soon. 7 years after its introduction it still turns more heads than a E92 will.

But for anyone who thinks the sport suspension on the E90 / E92 is way too harsh I would not recommend getting a E46 M3

I love the E46 M3, but when I drive past them, its them looking at me, not the other way around.

[x986]

I had a E46 M3 for a year. When I got it, I thought the hard, "race car" ride wouldn't bother me. After a year, I had to admit defeat. I moved into an is350, but it ain't a BMW, so I'm coming back to the fold with a 335i.

[stefman]

The M will always be an M, but that's the only thing the E46 M has going for it if I was making the same choice as you. I used to like the look of the E46 until I saw the E92. The E92 looks like an updated 8-series.The E46 is starting to look dated.

The 335i has enough power to have fun. It might not be a track contender (if you keep it stock), but has enough to have fun with it.

I would choose the E92 over the E46 M.

[jonerik26]

e46 M......

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by nmulax

Yeah yeah, I know I'll get 'd for this…oh well; I figure once you've been on here long enough and done your share of "meaningful" post, you're entitled to a "worthless" one every once in a while.

You get a pass from me for being a former MI guy.

So I'm aching for a coupé. I bought my E90 thinking "maybe it's time for a change…get a 4-door". I was wrong. I know I'll take a hit, and am prepared for the financial impact this will have; but I also plan to keep this car for some time, so I figure I should get what I want.

So the debate is, do I go with an E92 335i or a CPO E46 M3.

My advive, in all honesty, is to hold on to the E90 and get a E92 next year. Or wait a year and get a used one from a private seller who bought early but can't afford it any longer (its bound to happen, like it did with the E46). The reason is, you want to keep the car for a while - but the old E46 bodystyle is going to wear on you as soon as the new M3 hits. You will get the itch to upgrade long before you pay off the car, and again will be taking another hit.

Either that, or go with an 335i + mods. But just don't get an E46 - I think you might end up regretting it after the intial "I'm driving an M!" factor wears off.

Just MHO. Good luck!

[lvwirelessguy]

E92 looks too soft compared to the E46 M3. The E92 looks best from behind

[Neema]

Originally Posted by SDYANKEE

I love the E46 M3, but when I drive past them, its them looking at me, not the other way around.

yup

[sambonator]

I think they're really two different cars.

I have an e90 335i sedan that I'm very happy with (just overall a much more utilitarian vehicle)... but if my choices were e92 coupe vs. e46 m3, I would choose the e92, for the updated looks, more comfortable ride, and full maintenance/warranty.

Do you care about depreciation? The brand new e92 will depreciate more than a used e46 will depreciate (original owner already took the brunt of the depreciation on the e46 m3).

Do you care about having a maintenance-free vehicle?
The new e92 will come with 4 yr/50K full maintenance warranty. You will likely spend more on maintenance on the e46 m3. Will BMW give you a free loaner car when your m3 goes into the shop?

Insurance? I haven't checked, but I think the e46 m3 will cost more to insure.

In the end, you have to just get what makes you feel happy, all things considered.

Do you think the m3 got traded in for a 335i coupe?

[nmulax]

The raw power is the big attraction in the M3.

My buddies friend has an E46 M3 vert and took me for a spin around the block in it tonight…wow. Yeah his is modded, but it really seems like a true sports car. The E92 is as you've all said, a more utilitarian choice.

I like the fact that the M would have already taken the brunt of it's depreciation; but I like the peace of mind that comes with a new car. I guess I'll start shopping around for both, see what's available - and for what price. Then check insurance/registration fees for each vehicle.

Thanks for the comments guys.

[lvwirelessguy]

Plenty of CPO M3s still available with warranty til 2011 like mine, and free maintenance til 2009. That made the choice a no brainer for me

[dmboone25]

Really just depends on what you want, and what your personal needs are. Both are beautiful cars--but very different.

I would keep my 330i until the E92 M3 comes out--then you might get the best of both worlds AND not take such a hit on the financial side of the deal.