I'm looking to replace my 2003 M3 with a newer CPO'd M3, but my dealer would much rather sell me a new car. After balking at implied deprectiation (ridiculously low lease residuals) on the Z4 M Coupe, my dealer implored me to drive the 335i. He said, "it's better than the M3 for $15K less." Okay...

So on Saturday morning, they gave me the demo car for the weekend. 335i in Space Gray with red leather interior, 6 speed, with sport package. Pictures do this car no justice. It really is very very very good looking in person. My only quibble with the design is that the rear end looks a bit odd. The trunk looks several inches too long, no matter how you are looking at it. But that really is a rather minor point. Overall, the car looks awesome. The interior, in red, was very cool. I thought the red would be too loud, but it looked great. I don't imagine it will age very well, but for now, it is great.

From a "seat of the pant" perspective, the car feels fast. Very fast. In a straight line or powering out of corners, it definitely feels faster than the M3. Power delivery, however, was a bit odd. I'm not sure if I just don't have enough seat time with FI cars, but you romp on the throttle, then there is a momentary delay before all hell breaks loose. I know the small impeller twin-turbos were supposed eliminate lag, but they didn't. It is noticeable, or mabye I'm just used to instantaneous response from the S54. Also, the exhaust note is kind of annoying. It has a muffled droning sound.

On Sunday I took the 335i on some of the backroads around my house. This is where the differences became quite evident. The power is very addictive, but overall, the car feels HUGE. We also have an E90 330i, and surprisingly, the E90 feels much more nimble than the E92. The E92 feels heavy and very "floaty." It's like this...brake, wait for nose to set, turn in, car rolls and sets, steady state through apex, accelerate out of turn, feel weight SLOWLY transfer, DSC fights for traction due to lack of LSD. There is no doubt that the chassis is very capable, but the car just feels heavy and sluggish, as compared to the M3.

A couple other things...the demo car had 798 miles on it when I picked it up, and the passenger side "robotic arm seat belt assist thing" was already broken! HAHAHAHA! Also, parked in the garage next to my wife's E90 330i, it looks like the E92 is actually longer! As I looked at it some more, the E92 looks more closely related, at least in proportions, to a 6 series than an E30-E36-E46.

Overall, it really is a great car, and in 95% of driving situations, I imagine I'd be very happy with it. But it isn't an M3. There is something special about the M3, where as this car feels more like a sporty "everyman" car. I think it looks great, it is a scorcher in a straight line, and it is abundantly capable. It's just no M3. After spending about 200 miles behind the wheel of the 335i, I wasn't sure what to expect when I got back in the M3. When I got back in my car on Sunday night and started it up, the M3 just feels so much more alive. You sit lower, the idle is rough, the steering is heavier, the engine revs more freely; the M3 just seems angry all the time. Definitely a better fit for my personality.:devillook

Good write up, thanks! :buttrock


I am going to have some seat time myself next week when i take my M3 in for servicek. Most of what you are saying i have already guessed will happen. It is quite heavy (more than a loaded E46 M3) and has a softer suspension because after all...it is a touring car. No matter how small you make the turbos, or how much displacement you have there will always be lag. That is one of the great things about the S54...it seems to almost anticipate your right foot and when you boot it, it seems to already know that and be going balls out.

How are the brakes? That is one thing i have heard that are spectacular.

Brakes were quite good. They definitely have adequate power to overwhelm the traction provided by the run-flat tires. At speed, pedal feel was very good, and they are easily modulated. Pedal feel in parking maneuvers was a bit odd, as the brakes are very grabby at low speed. It takes some getting used to.

Obviously, street driving doesn't provide the opportunity to really push the car, but I wonder how badly these brakes would fade at the track, given the extra mass.

Brakes were quite good. They definitely have adequate power to overwhelm the traction provided by the run-flat tires. At speed, pedal feel was very good, and they are easily modulated. Pedal feel in parking maneuvers was a bit odd, as the brakes are very grabby at low speed. It takes some getting used to.

Obviously, street driving doesn't provide the opportunity to really push the car, but I wonder how badly these brakes would fade at the track, given the extra mass.

Well since they are pretty large 13.7F 13.2R (larger than my ZCP brakes I might add :eek: ) I would assume they are pretty good. BMW never cheaps out on brakes, and I doubt they would on a new high performance model. I never had fade when I auto crossed my 03 300Ci, but then again I never did a track event. I know some guys on here that think the stock e46 M brakes are insufficient which astonishes me.

I'm sure it will be no ballerina though, judging from your initial impressions of the handling, especially coming out of an M yourself.

After you do a track event or two, you simply can't run the stock brake pads. They don't hold up under the heat. I change out my pads to a higher temp pad. I'd say the stock caliper/rotor (with higher temp pads and fluid) is borderline adequate for occasional track usage, but a BBK would be of great benefit for more frequent track goers.

No LSD? Is it an option or something? Any car with that kind of car should have an LSD IMO/.

No LSD? Is it an option or something? Any car with that kind of car should have an LSD IMO/.No LSD available...not even as an option.
Great write up on the E92 A-team.
I was curious so I stopped by the dealer just to 'look' at the car. The one they had in stock happened to be sitting next to an identical color 2006 M3.
http://www.teampointless.com/apictures/E901.jpg
http://www.teampointless.com/apictures/E902.jpg
http://www.teampointless.com/apictures/E903.jpg
http://www.teampointless.com/apictures/E904.jpg
Honestly, I hate the look of it. Maybe it will grow on me but my first impression will last for quite some time. It looks downright huge next to the E46 M3. It is the first car I have ever seen that I liked better in pictures. The E90 sedan looks so much more proportioned. Let's hope BMW will bring back the M3 sedan.

The 335i is 4inches longer than the 330. The wheel base is 1.5inches longer...

Mechanical LSDs have been gone from non-M BMWs for a long time now, they use electronic equivalents.

You spend a lot of time fighting traction control on corner exit. Car has a ton of power!

You spend a lot of time fighting traction control on corner exit. Car has a ton of power!

i'll bet. not LSD FTMFL!!!!

That's because BMW preseves the M differential for M cars only! :D

Good W/UP..
The thing about speed is that you can get speed with a Honda, especially for the price of the 335.
The M has a heritage and carisma that no other non M cars can match.
Can ya wait for the 08 M3?
Otherwise you will be another guys in a 335 thinking it's an M3 killer at a bargain.

I will absolutely wait for the next M3. My sales guy REALLY wanted me to drive the 335i, for exactly the reason you state: he thought I would be one of those guys that thought I was driving an M3 killer at a bargain. Not quite. Seat of the pants, it may feel faster than the M3 in a straight line. But this morning, in my M3, as I got on the freeway and my car made that angry sound and started going berserk, it reminded me of why I love this car so much.

Plus, I can't imagine regularly tracking the 335i.

I will absolutely wait for the next M3. My sales guy REALLY wanted me to drive the 335i, for exactly the reason you state: he thought I would be one of those guys that thought I was driving an M3 killer at a bargain. Not quite. Seat of the pants, it may feel faster than the M3 in a straight line. But this morning, in my M3, as I got on the freeway and my car made that angry sound and started going berserk, it reminded me of why I love this car so much.


Plus, I can't imagine regularly tracking the 335i.


ATTABOY..
BMW is not a straight line racer. Never was never will be.
in my opinion M stands for "Mystique"

And to think this whole time I thought the M stood for Moneypit

GO buy a Porsche then talk to me about money, this ain't shit and for what you get it's the best deal in town IMO.

Was this at the BMW store? I think I'm going to go drive one this weekend, just to see what it's like.

GO buy a Porsche then talk to me about money, this ain't shit and for what you get it's the best deal in town IMO.

You've obviously never owned an exotic. A Porsche is comparably a Honda in that regard.

You've obviously never owned an exotic. A Porsche is comparably a Honda in that regard.

:rolleyes

Was this at the BMW store? I think I'm going to go drive one this weekend, just to see what it's like.

No, this car was at Sweeney. If you are going to go to Sweeney, let me know and I'll give you my sales guy's information. He's pretty good.

WOW go read the 335 forum sometimes guys, these clowns are calling the E46 M3 obsolete..
These guys think they are buying M killing supercars..
It's funny stuff.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7491005#post7491005

to each his own.

Vader, is your car actually that color, or is it p-shopped in that picture? That blue looks artificially vivid. Just curious.

WOW go read the 335 forum sometimes guys, these clowns are calling the E46 M3 obsolete..
These guys think they are buying M killing supercars..
It's funny stuff.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7491005#post7491005

We all new the 'turbo' was going to excite a certain crowd and it certainly has...

Non M cars have a place in my garage....where my wife parks her car. :devillook

lol@MOSSMAN..and yes the color came with the zcp..interlagos blue

WOW go read the 335 forum sometimes guys, these clowns are calling the E46 M3 obsolete..
These guys think they are buying M killing supercars..
It's funny stuff.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7491005#post7491005


retards...

clowns.

So you gotta figure the new M3s engine will be lighter than the 335 due to the lack of the turbos right?

The engine is not the thing.
Its the total build and spirit of the car.
You can make anything fast.

As a street car, the 335 is crazy dope. Looks better than the e46, more lux and upscale inside, and with a few cheap mods will be way faster (for street purposes) than the e46 M.

I'd get one before I'd pay similar dough for an e46 or the $15K premium for an e92 M3.

Much rather have a 335 street car, and keep my e36 for hellian/track duty.

NO M


NO THANX

As a street car, the 335 is crazy dope. Looks better than the e46, more lux and upscale inside, and with a few cheap mods will be way faster (for street purposes) than the e46 M.

I'd get one before I'd pay similar dough for an e46 or the $15K premium for an e92 M3.

Much rather have a 335 street car, and keep my e36 for hellian/track duty.

Have fun without your warranty. You'll represent a very, very small percentage of 335 owners. As far as choosing a 335 over an E92 M3, well, that's just silly. The M3's are always significantly a cut above their 3 series counterparts...particularly in the styling department.

To each his own, but this argument is getting REALLY tiring and I for one and f*ing sick of seeing threads about it, particulary from the usual suspects.

this is what I think 335 owners will be like, thinking they are hot, then they hit a corner and BAM..


http://ebaumsworld.com/2006/09/stripper-fall.html

this is what I think 335 owners will be like, thinking they are hot, then they hit a corner and BAM..


http://ebaumsworld.com/2006/09/stripper-fall.html
omg, :rofl

it's true tho

As a street car, the 335 is crazy dope. Looks better than the e46, more lux and upscale inside, and with a few cheap mods will be way faster (for street purposes) than the e46 M.

I'd get one before I'd pay similar dough for an e46 or the $15K premium for an e92 M3.

Much rather have a 335 street car, and keep my e36 for hellian/track duty.


How many new BMW's have you driven yourself?

I have been in several of the newer models. The E46 M3 still gets more looks and complements on and off the road than the E60 525 and E90 325 I've driven. Been in the E63 M6 and E60 M5 as well. Only the M cars did it for me, sorry.

More lux an upscale? Ok, how about I give you that one...

and I get to have E46 M3 as more elegant and sexy with just the right amount of aggressive flare?

Ok, I'll take that trade and you can keep your heavier, long and narrow, lux and upscale 335i, I'll have my fun to drive and better looking E46 M3 :redspot

An E46 M3 dropped with 19's looks like a brute. 335i? This is one of the better looking bangle designs for sure, but I'm not a huge fan of the femenine styling of the headlights.

335i as the better DD car? Sure, I'll actually be test driving a 335i next week to try and get a friend of mine into one... the low end torque should be better for most people and the newer gadgets will be nice. However, it is not the better car for someone who could actually appreciate the E46 M3 in the first place, as the most well balanced (looks/handling/luxury/cost/etc) high performance car on the road :)

Oh yeah, even more... lack of angled dash on the new models? Sad to see BMW going away from this. The E30/E36/E46 give you the feel of a cockpit with the dash angled toward the driver that arcs out in front of the passenger, while the newer model's interior seemed more akin to a Buick Lesabre I used to drive.

WOW go read the 335 forum sometimes guys, these clowns are calling the E46 M3 obsolete..
These guys think they are buying M killing supercars..
It's funny stuff.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7491005#post7491005Well it does have the potential to modded to spank the hell out of the old E46 M3 and new 08 M3! Betta get that P-car back!:D I'm surprised you sold it! Now that was a car!;) Wow u went from AMG to P-car to BMW "M"! You went backwards Vader! j/k:D When are we getting the new P-car back?

Well it does have the potential to modded to spank the hell out of the old E46 M3 and new 08 M3! Betta get that P-car back!:D I'm surprised you sold it! Now that was a car!;) Wow u went from AMG to P-car to BMW "M"! You went backwards Vader! j/k:D When are we getting the new P-car back?
You drive a talon. AMG's are for Senior Citizens and Pcars are track cars (watched a GT3 on the track all by itself today :drool: ). M is where its at, unless we factor in exotics.

You drive a talon. AMG's are for Senior Citizens and Pcars are track cars (watched a GT3 on the track all by itself today :drool: ). M is where its at, unless we factor in exotics.And then you woke up! ;)

Not to mention that my talon or AMG would S--t all over your beloved old E36 M3.Watch the subframe!:D

You drive a talon. AMG's are for Senior Citizens and Pcars are track cars (watched a GT3 on the track all by itself today :drool: ). M is where its at, unless we factor in exotics.

AMGS are boats no matter what you do to them.
E46 M blows any 3 series away.
I sold the Porsche because it was not a good street car/daily driver. I did put tons of miles on it. I don't see why people think you keep 100K plus cars forvever. You get in and out of them before they get too many miles or wrecked.
The ZCPE46M is really the best all around car I have ever had.
Porsches are good for second cars. Weekend romping and DE's
Before the C32 I had a stage 3 A4, and a Kleeman blown 6Speed C240..since 2000
Plus a ML500 and a X5 and a company C230K sedan(Stock)
I go through cars..seems every year or 2 max..

that 335i is sucha hot car!

I have driven both back to back and posted earlier on my impressions. I ended up going with the E46 M3. Yes the 335 probably is as fast in day to day driving and definately has more torque but that's not the entire picture. The tactile feedback provided by the M3 is leaps and bounds above the 335. The 335, while it is an EXCELLENT car, doesn't have near the crispness of the M3. Nor does it provide the same level of feedback.

On top of that the M3 feels much more raw. Idles rougher, feels meaner, etc. I am not saying the M3 is a better or worse car...just different.

Oh and before someone starts saying suspension, whatever, I am talking stock for stock. I have had my share of modified M3's in my life and while they all handled better than stock, at the end of the day, stock was a much better compromise for day to day driving.

You've obviously never owned an exotic. A Porsche is comparably a Honda in that regard.

Vader probably has exotic cars he has forgotten about lost in the cushions of his couch, or a corner of his garage. Seriously, how is a GT3 not exotic?

Don't want to hijack an otherwise remarkably informative thread ( for a change) but that comment was absurd.

Vader probably has exotic cars he has forgotten about lost in the cushions of his couch, or a corner of his garage. Seriously, how is a GT3 not exotic?

Don't want to hijack an otherwise remarkably informative thread ( for a change) but that comment was absurd.

Retards a plenty here man.
The GT3 is boarderline exotic, I think it's more of an exclusive true sports car.
It's a good car to track and hammer.
You really don't track and hammer exotics, people cruise them.
There are a few exceptions of course but generally the only exotic Porsche to me is the CGT.
Porsche drivers (beyond the carrera or boxter posers) opt for the TT or GT class Porsche because they like to drive.
Exotic guys like the bling factor and tracking those cars can be a nightmare if you go off. Also most exotics are really not that great of track cars compaired to a GT3 that costs half as much as a Ferrari 360 (new)
Most guys with these cars, Porsche or Exotics go through them.
It's like an addiction ot pussy, you nail a hot one for a year and then move on to some other chick.
The real ballers have garages full of them but the guys who can't afford 16 cars trade up or down frequently testing them all out. It's awesome to be an ex owner of something, it's a life experience. I look forward to the next one and am having a good time searching and testing them out, just tested a WICKED 360FCS.
Being in the market of a hot car is almost as fun as owning one.
People will fly you out, get you a 4 star hotel, bring a car to you or invite you in a showroom and you can test multiple cars. DO you buy one? maybe maybe not..but it's the experience.
I am not one to keep the same chick for long, or even a car at that matter.
The M3 is like that Old Faithfull girl..Those are keepers.
Some people here are thinking that because I sold my GT3 I am losing my cool, but that's not what it's about.
Those guys have been staring at photos of GT3's too long and can't understand why someone would sell one.
I beat the crap out of that thing for 14 months, used it for a racing DVD and got my monies worth 10 fold.
If you look at most of the guys on 6speed, they have an M3 or M5 and also a bitchen Porsche.
2 great cars, for different roaduse.
Now back to the topic, I jus have to kind of laff at the 335 guys thinking they are going to be rockstars in the 335 and they are going to rape everything BMW has to offer. Especially the E46 M3, I have to wonder if they are all guys who have serious M3 envy.
That's CHILDSPLAY..get what you can, drive the piss out of it and move on..Don't sit around and think your 3 series is the shit because there is no BMW on the planet that even compairs to the real sports car out there modded or not. If you want to be fast spend 45K on a Civic hatch and go race everyone and blow them away with some crazy tuner car.
Why waste it on a 335 if you are so dead set on being fast.
It's still just a 3 series at the end of the day.

greatest write up ever.

have you guys seen the videos of the E92 M3?? pure sechs/

OK, sorry to get OT but you have to see this (if you haven't already)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RUl2HOuDihg

greatest write up ever.

lol. thanx..

yes I have seen the vid..if I switch up it will be for a 09..year one will be a nightmare car.

lol. thanx..

yes I have seen the vid..if I switch up it will be for a 09..year one will be a nightmare car.

You know you won't be able to wait that long for a new car...:stickoutt

You know you won't be able to wait that long for a new car...:stickoutt

God help me, I am going to try..ya know how much money I have drained on my impulse, trading up/down and sideways costs money..
prolly an easy M3 paid off in cash just from the last few years...
I am getting over it..and I really love the E46M...
2 years in the E46 is going to happen..and really historically year one models always suck and are always the hardest to resell.

I just traded in a e46 m3 for a 335i. I felt it was the right choice seeing the situation im in. I don't stay into a car for more than 3 years and i was really looking for something to lease. Im sure after three years i will look into a e92 m3. But im sure i'll be very happy with the decision i made. To each their own.

I just traded in a e46 m3 for a 335i. I felt it was the right choice seeing the situation im in. I don't stay into a car for more than 3 years and i was really looking for something to lease. Im sure after three years i will look into a e92 m3. But im sure i'll be very happy with the decision i made. To each their own.

Cool man, give us your feedback.