[fanatic]

E46 M3 vs E90 335i vs E87 135?

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=125908

Discuss.

[MechUT]

335i any day.

Performance is the same between them all, unless you are tracking.

The M3 may save money up front, but both gas and maintenance is noticably more. Plus, it doesn't have the warranty coverage or included maintenace of a new 135/335.

And the 135 may be 20% cheaper, and therefore 20% smaller, but it sure isn't only 20% less attractive.

[Yvette]

m3, i like old skool

[ElCapitan]

Depends on priorities:

If I want the most raw driving experience I would pick the E46 M3 as a third car for weekend fun(I used to have one and I loved it and miss it dearly).

If I need four doors and speed I would pick the E90 335i (what I have now because I am a family man now and needed a four doors all year long DD).

If I want a small fast moddable car I would pick the E87 135i (great modern track project).

That is why we have choices.

[Soni]

Originally Posted by ElCapitan

Depends on priorities:

If I want the most raw driving experience I would pick the E46 M3 as a third car for weekend fun(I used to have one and I loved it and miss it dearly).

If I need four doors and speed I would pick the E90 335i (what I have now because I am a family man now and needed a four doors all year long DD).

If I want a small fast moddable car I would pick the E87 135i (great modern track project).

That is why we have choices.

+1

[ctgazer]

hmm i'd get a e92 335i...135i is too small for me to be practical. i dont track. a new e46m3 would be nice, but then again, not as comfortable as a 335i as a DD...

[Lazzer]

E46 M3 = very raw, balanced chassis, but too expensive to mod and repair, most likely no warranty.
E90 335i = refined, huge amounts of torque make it faster then it feels, easy to mod, 4 doors, seats 5, warranty but lacks the rawness and looks of the M3
E87 135i = same benefits as the 335i using the N54 engine and warranty, but lacks 4 doors, really compact, definitely the ugliest of all of these and if not fully optioned can look cheap.

So it comes down to want you want, need and can afford. I went with E90 335i because I need 4 doors, space, power, with easy mod capabilities.

[Calka]

The 135i is actually quite spacious, for a 3 door coupe. It's lighter and should be really fun to drive. I had the chance to sit in one at the Vancouver auto show.

I mean E46 M3, the thing is classic but it is already heading into the outdated column.

I drive an e90 335i, and I love my car.

But given the new 135i, I'd give it serious consideration, since the cabin space is good in the front, the trunk is pretty spacious. And who are we kidding, you don't really expect to take 2 ppl in the back all the time, right? I can recall less than 10 times where there's ppl in the backseat since owning my car.

So depending on your needs, I'm not sure about you. The 135i is great IMO.

Edit: I think the article was referring to the E92 335i, not the sedan.

[fanatic]

Originally Posted by Calka

The 135i is actually quite spacious, for a 3 door coupe. It's lighter and should be really fun to drive. I had the chance to sit in one at the Vancouver auto show.

Probablly as a driver but you would cry if you had to sit behind me. Your legs would be gone.

Originally Posted by Calka

I mean E46 M3, the thing is classic but it is already heading into the outdated column.

Classic? This is only a 6 yr old car! An E30 or E36 would be a classic.

Originally Posted by Calka

Edit: I think the article was referring to the E92 335i, not the sedan.

You're right. I just wrote down what they had in the article but when you look at the pic, it is a coupe.

[Magimac]

I've driven a few older M3s that were somewhat abused -- I'd love to try one that was properly cared for, but I still think maintenance costs would be high. I like the new 135i, except for the bug eyed look and the useless back seats. I don't really feel that I compromised by buying an '08 335i

[chromerl]

Originally Posted by Calka

I mean E46 M3, the thing is classic but it is already heading into the outdated column.

Outdated!! Hell no, that thing is a beast. Drive one and you'll understand.

[fanatic]

Originally Posted by Magimac

I've driven a few older M3s that were somewhat abused -- I'd love to try one that was properly cared for, but I still think maintenance costs would be high. I like the new 135i, except for the bug eyed look and the useless back seats. I don't really feel that I compromised by buying an '08 335i

Any German car is going to cost if you keep it for a long time. If you want cheap maintenance, buy a Honda or Toyota.

As a comparison, my friend's E36 M3 Cab with low miles, running against my E90 330, can still hang for a car that is 7yrs old. Don't discount an older M-car, the good ones are still fast.