So i've read the multiple which is faster threads, but i want to know from people that have dealt with both cars what are their faults and strong points. I plan on getting a new car early next year and would like to see how these cars stack up. Before i head out for some test drives. I had my heart set on the M3 but the more i read about the 335, and saw one up close in person yesterday, im starting to sway my decision. Here is a list of stuff im curious about:

Power delivery, i know both are fast, but how do they feel?
Handling in DD conditions, sprinted driving, track if applicable.
Interior comfort
Interior quality
Feel of transmission, I will most likely go with either SMG or steptronic since i deal with alot of traffic.

I don't want to start a thread where people fight which is better:nono, but if you've owned both, tell me which you prefer.

Thanks in advance,
Marcello

Which M3 are you referring to?

Sorry should have specified, but it was perfectly clear which one in my head:corkysm60...E46

Does the 335i have a JB?

in day to day driving, the power delivery in the 335 is much more usable. tons of power any time, vs having to rev it out in the m3. the power delivery in the m3 can be more "fun" though. I still prefer the looks of the e46, though I think the e92 drives nicer.

335 is better for all around daily driving, and the two of them are equal on performance really. the M3 is better in the corners, because of its LSD, but the 335 is a touch faster in a straight line.

Last week I test drove a 335ci with the Sport package. Compared to my E36 Eurospec M3 here are my observations:

Driving Impressions:
It was very quiet and refined with minimal road noise. The engine is truly a marvel with lots of low end torque and sounds great. The clutch (6-speed) is very light but with little feel. The shifter is also light but a touch notchy. When accelerating hard, I sensed a bit of pull on the steering which felt oddly like front drive torque steer. It wasn't too intrusive but noticeable. The steering was probably the biggest disappointment to me. It was precise and quick but lacked any feel for the road. It had proper weighting but it did transmit much if any :)info to my hands.

Turn in was crisp and although I did not push it through any demanding turns it felt very composed and in control. The brakes were very strong with a slightly soft feel but still very nice. Body roll was also well controlled.

In conclusion, a very capable and fast sports coupe which is a little too refined for those of us who want more of a true sports car.

Interior:
Overall quality was excellent with very nice fit and finish. The car was so smooth and refined and the design of the interior enhanced the luxurious feel even more. However, unlike the E36 and E46 designs the cockpit is no longer as driver oriented. Seats are quite supportive and comfortable.

Exterior:
In my opinion, the best Bangle derived design of all the current BMWs. It is sleek, elegant and yet aggressive. Beautiful proportions and balance. It looks much better in reality than in pictures.

Just my 2 cents! :)

Power delivery, i know both are fast, but how do they feel?

335i hands down. Most of the S54's power don't kick in until around 4,000 RPM. You gotta wind that sucker out like there's no tomorrow to really take advantage of that. Think of it this way, the 335i will give you most of it's power up front, and continue to pull to 6,500+ RPM...By the time the 335i is done pulling, the S54 has barely begun making the majority of its power and has 1,000 more RPMs to go.

Handling in DD conditions, sprinted driving, track if applicable.

Daily: 335i. Spirited driving: M3. Track: M3. You can't really tell the limit of a car's handling ability until you take it to the track, however, for daily use the 335i will feel just as planted around a corner at 4/10th (about as fast as street driving can get) as an E46 M3 does. Push it past 6/10th (only safe to do at track) and the ///M's strength shows.

Interior comfort
Interior quality

Subjective. The M3 has better quality leather and a more driver centric interface. The 335i has more space for "girth" and don't feel as cramped as the E46. Material wise the E46 wins. Feel wise, the E90/92 design is more modern and more "luxurious". E46 interior feels dated compared to E90/92, but real tactile feeling...E46 is a touch better, and the Nappa on the M3 is a lot better than the regular Dakota crap that they put into the run of the mill 3 series.

Feel of transmission, I will most likely go with either SMG or steptronic since i deal with alot of traffic.

Do you know how to drive a stick-shift? Have you driven a stick-shift regularly in traffic? If no to either, you will not like the SMG. While it's got automagic modes, they suck. You need to drive the SMG like a real manual, with a light brush off of the throttle as you shift. And it's never going to be as smooth as a manual.

The automatic in the 335i is the second best automatic I've ever driven in a BMW. The best was from a 745i Sports, and it's only MARGINALLY better.

I've made my personal opinion on the matter fairly clear by now. If you intend on taking the car to the track, get the real thing. If you need daily comfort with excellent performance for those .01% of your drive that you actually push the car all the way to the limit, or you just want to get a car knowing that it's got that potential to go fast for you, get the 335i. The 335i is infinitely easier to drive and drive fast fresh out of the box compared to any of BMW's ///M offerings. In the hands of an experienced driver (think A or B level drivers in BMW CCA schools) the M3 is faster. The limits of a stock E46 M3 is far beyond that of a stock 335i (for track), but that limit can not be reached on surface streets. And for surface street use, the limit on the 335i is easier and quicker to reach than the M3.

Most comments are dead on.
335 is easier to drive, and faster in most situations without running the car WOT. But it's close.
Put a PROceed in the 335 and it's lights out, not even close.
So to me, the 335 with a plug and play chip, is WAY FASTER.
That is a fact.