[530i-2002]

Has anyone here ever considered e46M3 vs e92 335i? I am looking at a low mileage 2006 M3 w/competition package (6MT) and trying to figure if I am better off going with a new or CPOd e92 335i (6MT) - warranty and lack of thereof on the M3 being my main concern. I would be interested to hear from some e46 M3 owners who made the transition.Thanks.



PS I stopped by my local dealer and checked out F30 328i sedan. I could not believe how they managed to mess this car up so badly. Sitting next to an e92 M3 and e90 328i this car was just butt ugly... Actually looks better on the pictures.

[ZheHbKa]

search, plenty of comparisons

[530i-2002]

Although, driving experience-wise IMO e46M3 is way closer to 135i...

[djjasper]

Almost everyone on this forum, whether they realize it or not, had the same decision to make. With $25,000-$30,000 you can get either one, it just depends on how much older and how many more miles you can live with if you go with the E46 M3. You can't lose either way. It is very inexexpensive to make the N54 very very fast. Not so easy or cheap with the E46.

[Bingobimmer]

IMO buying a car 3 generations old could be a problem, but it is still a great car.

[AddictedToBavarian]

What is it with this obsession people have about not having cars that are 1, 2, or 3 generations old? The E46 M3 is awesome, the E36 is awesome, the E30 is awesome, and the E28 is awesome! I turn my head more for those than I do for plain ol E9Xs. I would love to have a E36 and E46 M3, but I don't have the space and my wife would think I'm crazy.

[Jace_91]

Originally Posted by AddictedToBavarian

What is it with this obsession people have about not having cars that are 1, 2, or 3 generations old? The E46 M3 is awesome, the E36 is awesome, the E30 is awesome, and the E28 is awesome! I turn my head more for those than I do for plain ol E9Xs. I would love to have a E36 and E46 M3, but I don't have the space and my wife would think I'm crazy.

I think the concern is that the older the generation is the less there are on the road and thus less parts available driving up the price?

[530i-2002]

I am also concerned about VANOs issues on the 2005-2006 E46M3 especially considering absence of CPO warranty. I could go and just purchase some extended warranty - however most go up to 75K miles max on a 2006 car and cost a small fortune..

[530i-2002]

Originally Posted by AddictedToBavarian

What is it with this obsession people have about not having cars that are 1, 2, or 3 generations old?

Not sure about e36 M3 but e46 M3 is a legendary automobile. Less electronics that can break, oil dipstick, S54 engine. Especially last production year model with low miles and in a perfect condition.

[techwhiz]

I bought a e90 335i because I needed the extra doors. All things being equal, I'd go for a e46 in a heartbeat.

#1 reason - No turbos to die.

[Vietside]

I recently made the transition from E46 M3 to E90 335I. Honestly the only reason why I did it was because I needed a new car. I had a 2001 M3 with 107k miles in 2012 and was happier than ever besides the fact that there were some mechanical issues that had to be taken care of.

The M3 is an amazing car, but I didn't take full advantage of it by not taking it to the track. I never took advantage of the suspension, handling, raw power, pretty much everything the M3 stands for. I had a choice to go with the E90 M3 but I saw it as a waste of money since it would be my daily driver and in L.A, you can't take advantage of what an M car provides over regular 3's.

But, my 335I provides me with everything that I could want and need that my M didn't. Four doors, Bluetooth with Navi, enough power and even more torque than my M for on ramps. I purchased a brand new 335I for the four year maintenance/warranty program instead of worrying about anything in the future that could go wrong. The handling isn't off by that much to be honest at least in a daily driver.

Was my M a sportier car? Yes, in all categories besides the torque for my buttdyno.
Am I happy with my E90? Yes, honestly I love my car and have no regrets on it. It's a perfect combination of luxury, sport, and power.

They are two different animals but the same beast.

If I could go back, I would only change the fact that I didn't get a manual because Auto is a bit boring in my opinion. You can't go wrong with either car and after the months of research and reading on this forum I've learned that you can't base your decision off of anyone's opinion on this forum. We all have our own preference and needs from the car and that is something you will have to figure out on your own.


P.S, I agree on the F30, but I had a chance to see LTBMW's F30 in person and their custom work made the car look amazing.

[dxb335d]

Both very different beasts. One a performance car one a fast GT type sports car.

Stock for stock the M3 is a quicker road car 400HP an the 335i wins. Not on a track though.

[ES_TRADER]

First off 6mt in competition pkg is VERY hard to find, especially a clean one.

U will find these in smg which are a dime a dozen.

Secondly u have to do deal with valve adjustments every 30k. Dealer quoted me 3k for the service. Figure 30% less at indie.

Go for 36m and invest the rest

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by ES_TRADER

First off 6mt in competition pkg is VERY hard to find, especially a clean one.

U will find these in smg which are a dime a dozen.

Secondly u have to do deal with valve adjustments every 30k. Dealer quoted me 3k for the service. Figure 30% less at indie.

Go for 36m and invest the rest

$3k to adjust valves on M3 ? thats nuts, i recently paid about $200 bucks at the dealer to adjust mine on s2k

[Apex_L8]

IMO, nothing wrong with getting an older generation 3 as long as you're ok with the maintenance associated with it. If you can DIY then buy all means it's worth it due to the $$$ saved from depreciation. If you can't DIY and you can't afford the $$$ for maintenance then you're better off with something new that comes with the maintenance plan.

If you're talking about performance, many would argue that the older 3's are better in terms of handling.

Comfort and technology hands down for the F30

[MattMD]

The M3 will hold its value way more than a 335i, another thing to consider.

[thetedderbear]

Originally Posted by The Low Key OG

The M3 will hold its value way more than a 335i, another thing to consider.

This. Plus as it gets older, parts get somewhat cheaper. Less electronics, no turbos, etc. It's a much more solid and easy to work on car. Many times I wish I had gotten an E46 M3, especially now that I've just replaced the turbos on my 335 on my own dime. It's just more complicated to work on.

[GChase]

I know some people will strongly disagree, but the e92 335i looks a lot better than the e46 M3 IMO. The M3 will cost a bit more to work on if I'm correct. The M3 will drive better, but you will be giving up quite a bit of luxury. I know you're not supposed to worry about what others think, but it's true that 75% of the world will think your 2006 M3 is just an older BMW and wouldn't be able to tell it apart from a 2000 325i. But on the other hand, the other 25% will LOVE your car.

In the end it's your decision. I'd probably choose the 335i but thats me

[Bmoney2K4]

335i. Agree that the F30 looks weird, looks alien-like. I miss those old boxy cars.

[jkman510]

Really depends what you want it for. If you are keeping the 5, get the m3.

I don't have a 335i, but have the 335d. I just drove it from SF to LA and back. Having done the same trip in my m3, the 335 wins. When I go to the track/backroads, m3 wins. So as a second car, I'd vote m3.