[_Ascension_]

After nearly 4 thoroughly enjoyable years with my 335i, I started looking for an M3 in the summer. I had a long list of requirements, so knew it was going to be a bit of a wait, but a couple of weeks ago a car popped up that ticked all the boxes for what I was looking for, and a fair few more as well!

It's a 2013 DCT in Moonstone Silver- photos, especially from the iPhone camera, really don't do the colour justice!

I'm absolutely delighted with it, I've spent the last few years reading argument about 335i vs. M3, but I've got to say within about an hour of my 2.5 hour drive home with the M at the weekend, the permanent smile attached to my face which I couldn't shake off told me everything I needed to know in terms of the comparison between the two!

Here are some pics, including a particularly ropey one I took of the interior

[E60525d]

Congratulations. Also completely agree the 335 vs M3 debate, the M3 is so much more special than any 335i.

[abeardo83]

Welcome to the club!
M3 is so much better than the 335i in every way. Dat V8!

[Lockman_321]

Amazing looking car mate! Congrats!

[R99]

Individual Audio - that tells me everything I need to know about how well spec'd it must be!

Congrats on the purchase!

[Tr1ppy]

Fantastic car mate, congrats!

Now go find a tunnel to enjoy that V8 even more!

[Ao1]

Originally Posted by R99

Individual Audio - that tells me everything I need to know about how well spec'd it must be!

Congrats on the purchase!

I spotted that as well. The late 2013 got a lot of options thrown in as they were end of line by then and the M4 was on the horizon. I don't get to drive mine very often but when I do it's subline.

[R99]

Originally Posted by Ao1

I spotted that as well. The late 2013 got a lot of options thrown in as they were end of line by then and the M4 was on the horizon. I don't get to drive mine very often but when I do it's subline.

I retrofitted Individual Audio into my E91 (inc loom / harness etc) and its incredible.

I didn't even know it existed for ages, as its so rare to see!

I can only dream of a E9x M3.

One day.......

[RajB]

Huge congrats. Lovely colour too and quite rare.

[djgandy]

Congrats mate! These V8's feel like keepers

[_Ascension_]

Originally Posted by E60525d

Congratulations. Also completely agree the 335 vs M3 debate, the M3 is so much more special than any 335i.

Originally Posted by abeardo83

Welcome to the club!
M3 is so much better than the 335i in every way. Dat V8!

Hasn't taken long for me to decide I completely agree

Originally Posted by Lockman_321

Amazing looking car mate! Congrats!

Originally Posted by Tr1ppy

Fantastic car mate, congrats!

Now go find a tunnel to enjoy that V8 even more!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by R99

Individual Audio - that tells me everything I need to know about how well spec'd it must be!

Congrats on the purchase!

Originally Posted by Ao1

I spotted that as well. The late 2013 got a lot of options thrown in as they were end of line by then and the M4 was on the horizon. I don't get to drive mine very often but when I do it's subline.

Yep, Individual Audio, Comp Pack, extended leather, comfort access and some rather pointless options like the rear electric sun blind

Originally Posted by R99

I retrofitted Individual Audio into my E91 (inc loom / harness etc) and its incredible.

I didn't even know it existed for ages, as its so rare to see!

I can only dream of a E9x M3.

One day.......

It does sound pretty great, compared to the Alpine upgrade in my old E93 and especially compared to the base spec audio that was originally in it, haha.

The M has been a dream of mine for a while, had to do it whilst I could!

Originally Posted by RajB

Huge congrats. Lovely colour too and quite rare.

Thanks, yeah, does seem to be pretty rare- not sure I've seen another- although could well have just passed it off as another silver previously

[_Ascension_]

Originally Posted by djgandy

Congrats mate! These V8's feel like keepers

Only a few days in and I already feel that way!

Was originally looking for one the same colour as yours actually, they don't come up very often though! Very nice

[richk84]

Did you look at e93 m3s? Will you not miss being able to put the top down?

[The0pportunist]

Congrats on the new motor mate

M3 was a strong contender for my new car this year!

[_Ascension_]

Originally Posted by richk84

Did you look at e93 m3s? Will you not miss being able to put the top down?

I didn't, no... my girlfriend moved over from Belgium and in with me back in April and I think I've had the roof down about twice over the summer... "It's too cold", "It's too windy", "Oh, really? I've just done my hair!".

It became a pointless addition to the car

I will miss it, but not enough to actively have hunted out another one. Had an E46 vert before the E93- think I've satisfied my open top urge for a while now

[_Ascension_]

Originally Posted by The0pportunist

Congrats on the new motor mate

M3 was a strong contender for my new car this year!

Thanks Which F13 did you get and what made you choose that over the M3 in the end?

[The0pportunist]

Originally Posted by Ascension335i

Thanks Which F13 did you get and what made you choose that over the M3 in the end?

I went for the 640d in the end.

This was my shortlist:

C63 - the coupe came in above budget, not a fan of the saloon. (heartbroken)
M3 – Really really wanted this. I’ve had an e90 for 4 years and the interior of the e92 was very similar, just fancied a change in the end.
640i – Rare to find a good spec AUC car (was looking July-Sept16)
640d – Found one with good spec, drove it, fell in love, bought it.

[djgandy]

Originally Posted by Ascension335i

Only a few days in and I already feel that way!

Was originally looking for one the same colour as yours actually, they don't come up very often though! Very nice

Funny you say that, there is one for sale at the moment - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01612030310486
They are rare though, maybe a handful in the whole country.

I think you made the right decision. The spec on yours must be one of the best in the country and moonstone is a great looking silver.

[_Ascension_]

Originally Posted by The0pportunist

I went for the 640d in the end.

This was my shortlist:

C63 - the coupe came in above budget, not a fan of the saloon. (heartbroken)
M3 – Really really wanted this. I’ve had an e90 for 4 years and the interior of the e92 was very similar, just fancied a change in the end.
640i – Rare to find a good spec AUC car (was looking July-Sept16)
640d – Found one with good spec, drove it, fell in love, bought it.

Nice. Fair point on wanting a change- for me, coming from my 335i, which was pretty low spec with CCC business nav to a high spec car with DCT, extended leather and CIC pro nav, it does kind of feel like a different cabin really!

[_Ascension_]

Originally Posted by djgandy

Funny you say that, there is one for sale at the moment - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01612030310486
They are rare though, maybe a handful in the whole country.

I think you made the right decision. The spec on yours must be one of the best in the country and moonstone is a great looking silver.

Yeah, saw that one get pointed out on one of the BMW Facebook groups yesterday, funny with the timing on how these things pop up sometimes.

Absolutely no regret though, I think if you put up mine and that one next to it, I'd probably still pick mine now

[AWSAWS]

Originally Posted by abeardo83

Welcome to the club!
M3 is so much better than the 335i in every way. Dat V8!

Stock for stock I'd agree but as soon as it's modified it's a different story.

Lovely car OP. My brother loves his high revving v10 5 litre NA M5.
I'm a boost junkie. Direct injection FTW

[Sbm007]

Congrats!! I see you got EDC aswell