[E82tt6]

Have you driven the M3?

I think it's more fun than the 1er. However, when I bought my car, the extra $28k was unjustifiable to me. I don't ever lease, rent, or finance cars. I did ED, my nearly loaded 1er came out to $41k, whereas an M3 optioned as I'd like would have run me $69k. M3 is a blast to drive, but it is not $28k better than a 135i if you're paying cash, IMHO, especially given how inexpensive it is to modify a 135i to achieve equivalent performance in all regards. Apples to Oranges, I know, but I'm not saying a modded 135i is superior, only that the cost of modding it played into my choice.

If it were $54k vs $41k, I would have opted for the M3.

Drive it, and see how you feel about it. It doesn't feel quite as heavy and large as it is, though you can feel the extra heft compared to the 1er. It seems slightly more hesitant on rapid left/right transitions, though is generally equally sharp on the turn-in, with superior steering and chassis feel, with a good bit less body roll.

Realistically to get the 135i on par or superior to the M3 in terms of handling, you aren't talking about KWs. Probably a complete suspension setup from TC Kline or Vorshalg would be more along the lines of what you'd need, along with some bushing and control arm upgrades. Realistically, figure $5k with installation, alignment, and cornerweighting depending on how friendly you are with your shop. Straight line power is cheap. Catless DPs and an aggressive tune and you're talking about trap speeds in the low 1-teens, on par or a bit faster than an M3. Figure $2,500 there. Next you'll want an LSD, and that is another $4k.

Add it all up, and you're talking about over 10 grand, enough to justify the price different between that used M3 at $54,000 and the new 1er.

If your budget extends in the mid 50s, keep in mind you can get a lightly used 997, or a brand new Cayman S given the discounts going, and either of those cars are clearly superior to the M3.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by Chewyjr15

my vote is for the 135 here is my setup thus far
135 jetblack, coral red leather, 6 mt, premium hifi, sports pack, ipod usb, bmw assist, idrive. I payed 43 grand out the door. Now i have spent just about 5 grand for all my mods which are sitting in the garage, and i know terry burger and will be visiting him for a tune when im all done. I should be making around 400 wheel horsepower so with my kw suspension will be able to easily track the car. So if you bought a 135 bare bones you could get it for under 40 grand out the door plus 5-6 grand in mods and you've got an m3 killer.

let the flaming begin!

you'll need to do more than that. you'll need some fat wheels, an LSD, an intake, exhaust, and an ECU tune. coilovers reduce body roll, but i've read on the Auto-X sub-forums that they can screw up the handling.

if you're gonna make an M3 killer, you're probably gonna have a high risk of losing your warranty. i stated in an "M3 vs..." thread that if i was given 10-12k to spend on mods i could purchase the parts to make an M3 killer. i then stated that, despite the (supposed) greater performance, i'd still rather take the M.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by E82tt6

Have you driven the M3?

I think it's more fun than the 1er. However, when I bought my car, the extra $28k was unjustifiable to me. I don't ever lease, rent, or finance cars. I did ED, my nearly loaded 1er came out to $41k, whereas an M3 optioned as I'd like would have run me $69k. M3 is a blast to drive, but it is not $28k better than a 135i if you're paying cash, IMHO, especially given how inexpensive it is to modify a 135i to achieve equivalent performance in all regards. Apples to Oranges, I know, but I'm not saying a modded 135i is superior, only that the cost of modding it played into my choice.

If it were $54k vs $41k, I would have opted for the M3.

Drive it, and see how you feel about it. It doesn't feel quite as heavy and large as it is, though you can feel the extra heft compared to the 1er. It seems slightly more hesitant on rapid left/right transitions, though is generally equally sharp on the turn-in, with superior steering and chassis feel, with a good bit less body roll.

Realistically to get the 135i on par or superior to the M3 in terms of handling, you aren't talking about KWs. Probably a complete suspension setup from TC Kline or Vorshalg would be more along the lines of what you'd need, along with some bushing and control arm upgrades. Realistically, figure $5k with installation, alignment, and cornerweighting depending on how friendly you are with your shop. Straight line power is cheap. Catless DPs and an aggressive tune and you're talking about trap speeds in the low 1-teens, on par or a bit faster than an M3. Figure $2,500 there. Next you'll want an LSD, and that is another $4k.

Add it all up, and you're talking about over 10 grand, enough to justify the price different between that used M3 at $54,000 and the new 1er.

If your budget extends in the mid 50s, keep in mind you can get a lightly used 997, or a brand new Cayman S given the discounts going, and either of those cars are clearly superior to the M3.

+1. excellent post.

[RMA]

Originally Posted by Berduderunner

M3 if u are staying stock.
135i if you are going to mod.


Simple as that.

[Shev]

M3 definately if $$ aint the issue but on a peronal level its all about which u like better test drive both again then decide.

[Bluesummer]

see if the mechanics can pull out any data on the M3 to see if it has ever been revved above 4500 before the 1200 miles brake in.
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[nd54]

M3 hands down, it's a completely different league in every department.

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

Without a DOUBT, go for the M3. At least that's how I see it.

It only has 3100 miles. Do a background check. If there's no abuse, no mechanical issues, then I don't see how it could be in bad condition. The car looks, sounds, and feels much better to me. I just never thought it was worth the extra cash.

Spend 3k on an Eisenmann exhaust setup and .

OMG your sig!!! Teh secks!

[BK]

Originally Posted by news 4 u

OMG your sig!!! Teh secks!

+10000 I was going to say the same thing without the l33t sp34k.

[SLO]

WOW! Overwhelming responses guys!! Thanks for all the feedback. I drove the M3 sedan back when it first came out. I was on the list for the first one in Oregon but i had to pass on it since i still had a year left on my E550 lease. I was able to drive it and i dont remember being as impressed as i thought i would be. Then, i just recently drove the 135i. The time frame between test drives was a year so not a good comparison. I'll see if i can go back and drive both back to back. I think that is going to be the real deciding factor.

The thing i keep coming back to is how highly modifiable the 135i is. I love being able to individualize a car. Also, i like how small and agile it is. In no way would my intentions be to make the 135i into a "M3 Killer." As a previous ///M car owner, i appreciate that nothing will compare to the sophistication of the ///M cars. However, i dont like how big the 3 series is getting. The E92 M3 seems almost as big as the E39 M5.

[TwinTurboXI]

M3 on looks alone.

[C17MooseDriver]

Originally Posted by E82tt6

If your budget extends in the mid 50s, keep in mind you can get a lightly used 997, or a brand new Cayman S given the discounts going, and either of those cars are clearly superior to the M3.

In what way are they clearly superior?

I also think the 135i headlights look horrible. It looks better in person, but still it looks kinda funny.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by news 4 u

OMG your sig!!! Teh secks!

Originally Posted by BK

+10000 I was going to say the same thing without the l33t sp34k.

lol thanks

[MrHarris]

Originally Posted by SLO

WOW! Overwhelming responses guys!! Thanks for all the feedback. I drove the M3 sedan back when it first came out. I was on the list for the first one in Oregon but i had to pass on it since i still had a year left on my E550 lease. I was able to drive it and i dont remember being as impressed as i thought i would be. Then, i just recently drove the 135i. The time frame between test drives was a year so not a good comparison. I'll see if i can go back and drive both back to back. I think that is going to be the real deciding factor.

The thing i keep coming back to is how highly modifiable the 135i is. I love being able to individualize a car. Also, i like how small and agile it is. In no way would my intentions be to make the 135i into a "M3 Killer." As a previous ///M car owner, i appreciate that nothing will compare to the sophistication of the ///M cars. However, i dont like how big the 3 series is getting. The E92 M3 seems almost as big as the E39 M5.

Honestly I don't think modifying a 135 is more individual than modding an m3. Everyone modding 135/335's all have a tune, exhaust/dp, duel cone intake etc. What makes you more individual? The M3 hides the weight very well, if it felt like a huge car I wouldn't have one. If you feel the new 3 is still too big and not agile enough then go for a 1. Weird how a stock 1 will feel more agile when a stock m3 is clearly more agile(from mag tests etc).

[MrHarris]

Originally Posted by C17MooseDriver

In what way are they clearly superior?

I also think the 135i headlights look horrible. It looks better in person, but still it looks kinda funny.

I think the 135 looks like my 2004 330i ZHP just a bit smaller Not bad, just seems a little backtracking in style.

[wj4]

No replacement for an M, point blank.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by MrHarris

Honestly I don't think modifying a 135 is more individual than modding an m3.

lol I was thinkin' the same thing.

[Hula-Hula]

Id rather have something awesome from the beginning If I can choose.

Misa Campo > Ugly asian with 2000$ mods



J/K I love the 135i, it's just the M3 is so ?ber it's not even fair
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[ScheerSpeed]

i originally wanted a 135i, but they wanted 750/month with 2500 down. i ended up finding a NEW E90 M3 for 650/month with 0 down!