[InZpire]

So the E46 M has sub frame issues and the Vanos failure.

What kind of potential buyers remorse can you get from an E92 335i?

[fasternfaster]

HPFP breaks..

LSD not installed, will cost you 1700 more..

You cant fit wide tires on the front without doing some crazy stuff with the fenders and dialing your offset camber perfectly.

Other than that, i got an e90 335i and i love it.. still no LSD for me though. i will get it soon though.

[Doctor T]

Not a remorse, but the E92 335i has much better fuel economy than the E46 M3 if that matters...

[InZpire]

Originally Posted by fasternfaster

HPFP breaks..

LSD not installed, will cost you 1700 more..

You cant fit wide tires on the front without doing some crazy stuff with the fenders and dialing your offset camber perfectly.

Other than that, i got an e90 335i and i love it.. still no LSD for me though. i will get it soon though.

The HPFP breaking is what's serious for me.

I guess i'm more concerned on the issues that isn't related to modifying but almost a design or engineering flaw from the manufacturer like I mentioned above.

[kyleb350]

Although an inconvenience, the HPFP can be replaced under warranty for 100K miles.

[DJKhan85]

I would rank the subframe problem more serious than the HPFP problem. The hpfp dies but can easily be replaced. The subframe not so much.

[J02 335i]

I just sold my 02 M to buy my E90 335i and I'm loving it, but easier car to drive.

[InZpire]

Originally Posted by J02 335i

I just sold my 02 M to buy my E90 335i and I'm loving it, but easier car to drive.

I think saw your post at the M3 forums. Congrats on the purchase.

[Nalod]

Some M years are better than others.

Personally I was also torn between the two.

05 or 06 M3 but MT only. Did not like DCT. Too Crude.

Or 328i MT.

IN the end I wanted a good handling car but not pay performance premium or service.

Speed is relative.

[Outlaw 06]

Originally Posted by InZpire

So the E46 M has sub frame issues and the Vanos failure.

What kind of potential buyers remorse can you get from an E92 335i?

I enjoy driving my M3 Coupe much more than my 335i Sedan. If I had to give one up it would be the 335i.

[CT_335i]

Another former M owner here. My remorse was that I had the car modded well (CSL downpipes, KW v2s, Dinan exhaust) and sold it because it wasn't practical for me at this point in life (with a newborn). That said, the E90 335i that I have (fully loaded) is just as fast (if not more, since its tuned) and is just that much more comfortable than the M.
I'll head back to the M in a few years is my guess .

Like what the others said, the only difference is the HPFP in gravity with the subframe and vanos issues.

As for the subframe, I've never had issues even lowered. The fix is about $900 with the Turner subframe kit installed. I've spoken to a few shops and they were of the opinion that lowered + aggressive launches tend to cause this problem.

[InZpire]

Originally Posted by CT_335i

As for the subframe, I've never had issues even lowered. The fix is about $900 with the Turner subframe kit installed. I've spoken to a few shops and they were of the opinion that lowered + aggressive launches tend to cause this problem.

Not to divert the tread but is it just the launch? I was even told it's not the lowering. It's really all about the aggressive power transfer. Some times I don't want to put the car on S6 (SMG) just cause it feels brutal on the cars frame.

[The HACK]

Like all things on the intarweb, the "problems" are far more exaggerated than it really is. Does all E46 M3 subframes fail? Not quite. The failure rate is on the single digit percentage wise. Does every HPFP fail? I don't know. If you read these forums you would certainly think so.

Also, wrt the subframe, don't be surprised if the E9X platform suffers the same fate. When the E46 first came out nobody suspected any subframe issues like the E36 had. Well, guess what? 12 years later they started to pop up. The E9X platform is new enough where said issue, if it were to start cropping up, would likely be in the next few years so don't assume it doesn't happen.

[CT_335i]

It is supposedly the aggressive power transfer. The lowering exacerbates it by stressing the subframe even more.

I rarely drove in S6.. its almost unmanageable at slow street speeds. I tend to hover in S4/S5 usually.

[CT_335i]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Like all things on the intarweb, the "problems" are far more exaggerated than it really is. Does all E46 M3 subframes fail? Not quite. The failure rate is on the single digit percentage wise. Does every HPFP fail? I don't know. If you read these forums you would certainly think so.

Also, wrt the subframe, don't be surprised if the E9X platform suffers the same fate. When the E46 first came out nobody suspected any subframe issues like the E36 had. Well, guess what? 12 years later they started to pop up. The E9X platform is new enough where said issue, if it were to start cropping up, would likely be in the next few years so don't assume it doesn't happen.

Actually, it got to the point that BMW acknowledged it. There was a class action lawsuit filed and BMW asked that all cars that had the issue and had to repair their subframe bring it to the dealership and they will be paid by BMW for the repair cost.

See: http://www.e46subframeclassactionsettlement.com/

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by CT_335i

Actually, it got to the point that BMW acknowledged it. There was a class action lawsuit filed and BMW asked that all cars that had the issue and had to repair their subframe bring it to the dealership and they will be paid by BMW for the repair cost.

See: http://www.e46subframeclassactionsettlement.com/

BMW acknowledging it BECAUSE of the class action lawsuit.

All my car buddies, every single one, has E46es. NO ONE has had a single rear subframe failure (and every single one of us track heavily). All of my car buddies who's got N54 engines? Everyone has had their HPFP failed.

BMW NEVER acknowledges squat. They only did so to settle the class action. The E36es probably had significantly MORE rear subframe failures than the E46es and BMW did jack and squat for their owners.

If you guys ever read Jenny Morgan, she brought up an excellent point about the rear subframes. It wasn't that the E36 or E46 had a design issue. The issue here is COMPETITION. BMW had to cut a lot of corners and use a lot less material to keep up the profit margin against the likes of the Asian luxury imports. With Lexus SQUARELY in the bulls-eye for BMW, don't expect the subframe issue, which was a conscious decision by BMW to cut material in a crucial area of the car, to magically disappear with future models.

[CT_335i]

Originally Posted by The HACK

If you guys ever read Jenny Morgan, she brought up an excellent point about the rear subframes. It wasn't that the E36 or E46 had a design issue. The issue here is COMPETITION. BMW had to cut a lot of corners and use a lot less material to keep up the profit margin against the likes of the Asian luxury imports. With Lexus SQUARELY in the bulls-eye for BMW, don't expect the subframe issue, which was a conscious decision by BMW to cut material in a crucial area of the car, to magically disappear with future models.

Jenny Morgan from Roundel? Must have missed that issue. Nonetheless, it is a possibility, though it is disturbing that they would cut corners on an area that could cause a catastrophic handling/safety issue if not dealt with. Profit margin is one thing, cutting corners that can damage brand value/perception is another. Then again, it could be users who really beat their cars and have mods that aggravate the problem.

We'll see with the E9x series. I haven't see any subframe failure myself on my previous M; folks just tend to get the fix done to avoid worrying about it.