[ItsGary]

Coming from a 335i myself, you won't look back if you get an M3. I went with an E90 M3 from an E92 335i

[Big boi m5]

Originally Posted by 10"

Just get an M3. Life is short. Don't wait for tomorrow. F80 M3s are getting cheap. $30-40k range now for a clean used one now...

Seconded tbh. The 235is are also cheap.

Personally, I'm sick of the N54 maintenance. Get the M.

[Humdizzle]

i would wait for the g20 to be announced before buying a f30/32 right now.

if an f80 is out of the question i would grab a 335is for cheap. hang on to it for a year and when the new M3 is announced grab an f80 for dirt cheap.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by SleepingBMW

Seconded tbh. The 235is are also cheap.

Personally, I'm sick of the N54 maintenance. Get the M.

I agree a used M235i or M240i would be a great choice.

[rob-e90]

I went from a 328i E90 to a 435i F32 and I have to say the 435i is not as fun to drive even with the 300hp. I would think the 335is E92 would be a better "driving" machine, especially with a manual trans.

Good luck.

[PKL]

I owned a 335is. GREAT car. I would get the best condition lowest mileage 335is you can find

[WeekendWarriorz]

If you're not buying a M3 then 335is all the way. Amazing cars, lot's of my buddies have them. N54>N55 if you have the money for the slight extra problems. E-series cars have a special driving feel which doesn't compare to the F3/8x. Both generation of cars are VERY capable. Test drive them both and be honest with yourself and your preference.

[ny325]

E92 335is if you want a BMW. F series rides too soft, and the car feels like a boat.

[FBMWWINS]

I drove an E92 (built 2007) N54-based 335i and loved every bit of it. Fortunately I wasn't too affected by most N54 problems as I only experienced a few and warranty saved me every time.
I am driving an F32 435i Xdrive now (N55 engine) I can also say I love it! It has almost 74.000 km and except for the leaking AC condenser (replaced under warranty) I have had ZERO issues.

It's a tough choice I admit. I will simply say go and testdrive them and get your own impressions and feelings for both. And whatever you decide know that you cannot go wrong.

[tangsuva]

Went through the same dilemma last year... 335is hands down.

[t5dy]

Originally Posted by tangsuva

Went through the same dilemma last year... 335is hands down.

Did you test drive the cars before finalizing on the 335is? I'm planning on test driving the 335is possibly tomorrow.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

I was in the same exact scenario as you OP. Used M3/M4 were still a bit to high for the budget mainly due to insurance... 5K insurance a year lol... so it fell down to 435i M sport pack, or the 335is after I learned what it actually was.

335is felt more special and was less expensive so 335is won it. Also RWD manual transmission 435i with M pack and M exhaust were hard to find. One thing I do admit I prefer was the 435i has stock brakes that look nicer and I guess performs better but the 335is has all the rest IMO. The 335is definitely felt more sporty and direct than 435i.

And for the caliper issue, I just painted them gloss black and they look really good now.

[tangsuva]

Originally Posted by t5dy

Did you test drive the cars before finalizing on the 335is? I'm planning on test driving the 335is possibly tomorrow.

Test drove both cars... 335is just felt more special.

It's more rare and unique. Sounds better (unless you get MPPK + MPE for the 435i). Felt better driving. And the HK system in E92s sounds better than in F30s for some reason.

[FBMWWINS]

In my opinion next to performance, driving feeling and overall impression after a test drive you should also ask yourself whether other aspects, elements are important to you. For example some new technology, features/options that you may find on a well equipped 435i vs. a more conservative in this kind of sense E92 series. Provided that almost anything can be retrofitted there may be some options which are important to you from the start and you might want to have.
For me at least personally this would also factor into the equation.

[BM dnobagaV]

Originally Posted by Law

Actually the 335is (emphasis on the "s" suffix) was a special performance model that came in two-door coupe (E92) body-style only.

Incidentally, the 435i has a Gran Coupe variant, so I'd say as far as body-style is concerned, it should be the other way around (kids = 4GC, no kids = E92 or F32).

But I digress because an M3/4 is a solid choice given what the OP has been implying (wanting an M).

The 4GC has backseat room for kids up until the age of 7
After that it's a cramped little cage.

[b92]

Coming from an '09 E92 (N54), I tested the M235i and 435i (both 6MT RWD) but ended up sticking with the E92 N54 in the 335is. I think the E9x chassis is one of the greatest BMW has produced and boy do I love this engine, there's many reasons why it has such a fanboy following. This chassis is still aging very well, people are always surprised when I tell them my car is a 2011!

M will come one day, I could have purchased a E92 M3 for similar $ when I bought my iS but I couldn't fathom paying the insurance that came with it. Hopefully only a few years away, for now I will enjoy my iS, plenty of smiles per gallon!

Oh, and if you do end up going the iS route, good luck in your search! If you're looking for a 6MT, low mileage examples are rare to come by so you'll need to be prepared to travel a good distance when the right one does pop up.

[Germanauto]

E92 is more fun to drive but will be a pain to maintain.

[Drtsk]

Originally Posted by 10"

Not always. My 1M's insurance was/is the same as the 135 I traded for it...

M cars are considered "safe" cars by insurance standards. Obviously driving record is very important alongside what car..

My 2015 M4 was $133 more expensive per year than my 2014 991.1 c2s cab.
I currently own a 2013 335is 6MT. I had my M4 for 24 months. I replaced the M4 with M2. I actually prefer the 335is over the M4. Matter fact, I think I like the 335is more than the M2.
So 335is all the way.

[b92]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

E92 is more fun to drive but will be a pain to maintain.

That's half the fun!

[CAMOETO]

Yeah, if you want the BMW of yore feel (including $$$$ for repairs every year, mostly due to the n54), get the 335is. The F32 is nothing special. I would get neither personally. Guessing your price range to be about $20k based on what you're looking at.

At that price my choice would be, assuming you're looking for a manual:

1. Find a clean 2012-2013 e92 335i coupe (n55) with m-sport package. Very similar in feel to 335is, but more reliable. Sounds better too IMHO. Stay away from clapped out examples and get a car with complete ownership/maintenance history. It's worth the extra $$$$ for these cars.

1a. The 2014 (or newer) m235i. The f22 is much more reliable in general than the e9x, and not just because it's newer. Feels more nimble than the e9x and is ~150 pounds lighter. Also has a beefed up version of the n55 with stronger internals than the versions in the f3x. Stock power is about the same as the 335is. Modern day electronics are a plus, and the adaptive suspension is actually very nice after you get used to it. In sport mode it's comparable in firmness to e9x m-sport suspension, just feels different. The downside is numb steering, obviously. Also weird throttle response in any mode. Too much computer wizardry in this one trying to guess what you want to do with mixed results.

As a reference point, I have owned a e90 335i with the m-sport suspension, and currently own a f22 m240i (but have test driven multiple examples of the m235i as well).