[Black Gold]

That's right, I sold my 09 LCI 335i 6mt for an 06 e46 m3 6mt. And yes, I do have my flame suit on for those incapable of having respect for more than one car.

My e90 was modded with ST V1 coils, a cobb AP, bmw ssk, ets fmic, and msport interior parts. My m3 is at this point stock.

Below are my comparisons of the two in list form

E90 Pluses

-torque
-newer
-modern
-more luxurious interior other than seats
-easy to add power
-better gearbox (only gearbox)

M3 Pluses

-incredible handling
-incredible throttle response
-smoother more compliant ride (yes serious)
-better styling
-better seats
-better clutch feel/easier to drive
-better sound
-lighter and more nimble

E90 Minuses

-awful clutch feel
-heavy
-decent handling
-not exciting to drive
-too common/non unique
-lack of top end

M3 Minuses

-more expensive maintenance
-older car (if that bothers you)
-more raw feel (however, to me, this is a positive)

IN MY OPINION, the M3 is a sports car, while the 335i is a cruiser. There is nothing wrong with that, but the M3 inspires me and makes me feel like I am driving a special car. Top notch handling, high strung engine, slick/smooth clutch feel, excellent sound, unique and imo one of the best looking cars ever. The 335i feels like a normal fairly sporty car with a lot of power. To me, it never provided driving excitement, and always left me wanting more from it. After driving the M, i knew that i could never make my 335i an M3.

It is a dream come true for me to own the car I have wanted since I was in high school. I figured that some of you would be interested in a comparison between the two from someone who has gone from a 335 to an M3. The 335i is an excellent car, but to me, the M3 is in a class by itself (not comparing to full out sports cars).

Flame on brothers.

[kgb1637]

I don't think you'll get flamed that much, the E46 M3 is a GREAT sports car, you pretty much hit all the points on the head, some are opinionated but people generally agree on them, I too always wanted one in high school but ended up getting a 335i instead. Enjoy the ride and let the haters hate!

[Dackz]

No flame needed. I personally havent drove the M3 but I think if thats what you want, then more power to you. If your able to make it a DD then that is great. They are awesome cars.

Congrats on the car itself!

One question though....have you not had a chance to drive an e92 M3 or was price an issue there? I could see the MPG being a factor (the e46 m3 does really well on that too, much like 335i).

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by kgb1637

I don't think you'll get flamed that much, the E46 M3 is a GREAT sports car, you pretty much hit all the points on the head, some are opinionated but people generally agree on them, I too always wanted one in high school but ended up getting a 335i instead. Enjoy the ride and let the haters hate!

Thanks man, as you can tell, i love it. I do think the 335i is a great choice as well, you cannot go wrong with either

Originally Posted by Dackz

No flame needed. I personally havent drove the M3 but I think if thats what you want, then more power to you. If your able to make it a DD then that is great. They are awesome cars.

Congrats on the car itself!

One question though....have you not had a chance to drive an e92 M3 or was price an issue there? I could see the MPG being a factor (the e46 m3 does really well on that too, much like 335i).

I think it is fine as a DD. It rides smoother than my old 335 did stock (just parted out to stock, drove it for 30 miles four days ago) and handles better. The engine is definitely coarser, and it does have a bit more of a raw feel.

The e92 was not in consideration at this time for 3 reasons. One, i greatly prefer the styling of the e46 m3. Two, I hate the clutch in the 335i (assume they are similar), three as you mentioned, the price is roughly 20-25k MORE for an e92 with comparable miles.

I am sure the e92 is a great car, but at this time in my life, the e46 is perfect for me..

[RambleJ]

All points sound about right. But i am curious on one thing, you said the seats are more comfortable in the M3, what packages did you have on the 335?

Next question, when are you going to drop a charger in the M?

[jopa489]

Flame? Are you kidding? The E46 M3 is a fantastic car, I don't think anyone here can argue against that. They're different beasts, but the E46 is much more of a true driver's BMW.

Congrats! Now where are the pictures...?

[Beemw335]

Ill agree on the handling the m3 is better.
As for styling..well you had an e90...e92 is 10 times nicer than an e46 m3(looks very dated)..but its my opinion im not flaming here

As for top end power..umm you had a cobb ap and the 335i lacks top end power? It would smoke the m3 any day. Unless you fo fi on the m3 youll never near the power of a modded 335i. Lets not forget the immense difference in torque between the two cars!

Anyways Im glad you like it..thats all that matters at the end of the day.

[cleex024]

yeah I had an e46 m3 2005 before i sold it for a cruiser (2008 acura tl type s), now the 2008 335i coupe. the only thing in my opinion which was better in the e46 m3 was the handling and power smoothness (not overall power). I considered the e46 m3 when i was selling my acura but once i felt the power of the 335i there was no way i was going to get the e46. even looks wise the coupe is the way to go...e90 is sort of ugly on the tail end of it. overall power...i also have the cobb ap and the m3 is no where close to the power. also the comfort level for dd is much better in the 335i...i dont know where you got that from that the e46 is more comfortable...then again you probably had the runflats. either way i did consider both cars in the beginning and they are both great cars...but in a race i think i would win in my 335i with the cobb =).

[derrick603]

Congrats on the purchase, though I do find it odd that you consider the M3 to have a smoother ride than the 335i. I've ridden in my co-worker's E46 M3 several times and I don't think I could live with it day to day (stock suspension with aftermarket 19s) whereas my 335i with ZSP is, to me, just about right.

[TheRox]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

That's right, I sold my 09 LCI 335i 6mt for an 06 e46 m3 6mt. And yes, I do have my flame suit on for those incapable of having respect for more than one car.

My e90 was modded with ST V1 coils, a cobb AP, bmw ssk, ets fmic, and msport interior parts. My m3 is at this point stock.

Below are my comparisons of the two in list form

E90 Pluses

-torque
-newer
-modern
-more luxurious interior other than seats
-easy to add power
-better gearbox (only gearbox)

M3 Pluses

-incredible handling
-incredible throttle response
-smoother more compliant ride (yes serious)
-better styling
-better seats
-better clutch feel/easier to drive
-better sound
-lighter and more nimble

E90 Minuses

-awful clutch feel
-heavy
-decent handling
-not exciting to drive
-too common/non unique
-lack of top end

M3 Minuses

-more expensive maintenance
-older car (if that bothers you)
-more raw feel (however, to me, this is a positive)

IN MY OPINION, the M3 is a sports car, while the 335i is a cruiser. There is nothing wrong with that, but the M3 inspires me and makes me feel like I am driving a special car. Top notch handling, high strung engine, slick/smooth clutch feel, excellent sound, unique and imo one of the best looking cars ever. The 335i feels like a normal fairly sporty car with a lot of power. To me, it never provided driving excitement, and always left me wanting more from it. After driving the M, i knew that i could never make my 335i an M3.

It is a dream come true for me to own the car I have wanted since I was in high school. I figured that some of you would be interested in a comparison between the two from someone who has gone from a 335 to an M3. The 335i is an excellent car, but to me, the M3 is in a class by itself (not comparing to full out sports cars).

Flame on brothers.

Agreed, 335i is not a sports car.

For one it has a turbo engine...which is not nearly as responsive as the NA M3 inline six.


No flaming here, you said whats true. 335i is a pretty soft car in reality...people here just think that its some sort of pseudo-Porsche 911.

[applebook]

I agree with you re: styling. The E90 looks nice, but the E46 was the best thing that BMW has ever designed (IMO). It will look good in another 10 years.

However, since I drive mostly in the city, I would choose the newer and more practical 335.

[norMcal]

Originally Posted by TheRox

Agreed, 335i is not a sports car.

For one it has a turbo engine...which is not nearly as responsive as the NA M3 inline six.


No flaming here, you said whats true. 335i is a pretty soft car in reality...people here just think that its some sort of pseudo-Porsche 911.

Way to go! I actually was thinking about doing the same thing last year, when my 335i lease was up, because the E46 M3 still the best drivers car I ever owned. I ended up getting a 335d instead, just because it made more sense.
My only complaint about the e46M3 is that it took some extra effort to drive it smoothly in traffic. It's one of those cars that is meant to be driven and not perfectly suited for stop and go traffic. IMHO the 335i is a better daily driver and better all around car, but clearly not as much fun when pushed.

Miss that car

[bimmer]

no flaming here. If you love it, that's what matters.
E46 M3 used to be my dream car, but these days it shows its age. Never the less still head turner and pleasure to own. I still think that e46 M3 looks classier (not better) than newer e90 M3.

Congratz

[Repsol]

I like my 335 but I love my M.

[Exception]

Congratulations! I always like the e46 M3s, definitely one of the nicest looking BMWs, even today.

[WWONG]

I'd say it's unfair to compare an M3 vs a non-M 3 series. That's like comparing an EVO to a regular Lancer, in another aspect.

in b4 HP+TQ comparison