[TemjinX2]

Originally Posted by gds52

Actually I was thinking on same lines and then I did some calculation.
A track/project car for $7-8k will still need street or some basic insurance, there will be wear n tear on that car as well.
If we track, let's say, 5-7 times a year, the track insurance comes out to be about $1k+_ for the season. In my opinion it's still a cheaper option than a full track car. Again It's based on number of track days a season.

Yeah but i'm thinking of just buying a cheap rwd japanese car. That way, if something happens to it, i won't care. The suspension pieces are a lot cheaper.

If i break stuff on the 335i while tracking, its a lot more expensive to fix. Thats basically my debate is over.

But your correct the initial cost saving is better if you only have one car, but i'm including future repair costs as stuff breaks more easily when you track a car.

[TemjinX2]

Originally Posted by rick100

The track car should be a car that you can leave behind in the dumpster if something happens

To truly experience what a car is capable of doing you need a car that you dont care about or you can afford to leave behind

That is the main reason the 335 will not be a good track car for your average joe. You will always worry about something happening to the car which will prevent you pushing the car to its limits.

I ve been watching some chump car endurance racing , and to me that is the closest the average joe gets to truly experience the limits of a car .

Now if you have sponsors or own a shop , or have the money to dump , then sure a 335 will do the trick

yeah thats why i thought about buying a cheap rwd japanese car. If stuff break or i crash i won't really care and the parts are cheap.

[gds52]

Originally Posted by TemjinX2

Yeah but i'm thinking of just buying a cheap rwd japanese car. That way, if something happens to it, i won't care. The suspension pieces are a lot cheaper.

If i break stuff on the 335i while tracking, its a lot more expensive to fix. Thats basically my debate is over.

But your correct the initial cost saving is better if you only have one car, but i'm including future repair costs as stuff breaks more easily when you track a car.

I agree with your point.
But at the same time I want to drive my best car on track. I will do 1-2 more track sessions and then evaluate what I need to do.
I know Miatas are cheapest and best for track, but I don't like the shape...not at all !!!

[rick100]

Originally Posted by gds52

I agree with your point.
But at the same time I want to drive my best car on track. I will do 1-2 more track sessions and then evaluate what I need to do.
I know Miatas are cheapest and best for track, but I don't like the shape...not at all !!!

Its not a miss universe contest. You are there to drive the crap out of the car .

If you care about car looks i would not recommend tracking your car. Rock chips, possibility of hitting something are huge. I also highly doubt you ll push your better car to ita limits on the track.

The guy in the pos car is havig a blast while the guy in the newer clean car is thinking aboit repairs, dents, etc etc etc

[rick100]

Originally Posted by TemjinX2

yeah thats why i thought about buying a cheap rwd japanese car. If stuff break or i crash i won't really care and the parts are cheap.

Thats my point. Plus you can work on it, take your time. Its not a car you need working next day to go to work

You can prob get a set of tires for 500 $ , brakes for dirt cheap. While bmw tires cost twice the price .

Check out chump racing on youtube.

[JayTriggy14]

Originally Posted by TemjinX2

yeah thats why i thought about buying a cheap rwd japanese car. If stuff break or i crash i won't really care and the parts are cheap.

Lol what i get from reading this is you are looking at a 240sx Great choice just make sure you set money aside as there can always be things to fixed and they love getting worked on.

[PalestineM3]

Originally Posted by racermp

m235i! 335is is old now. get newer tech and lower maintenance.

excuse me but how is a 2013 335is “old”? bixenon headlamps, dual clutch offered, rain sensing wipers nav maps work perfectly fine for me incredible steering because it’s not electric last year of hydrolic steering if anything the brand new bmw’s are played out. Please do explain to me how the 335is is “old” 5 year old car is not old. 25 year old car is old. m235i is just like the 335is but th 335is is much more exclusive and unique and n54 is best shit from bmw besides s65... Many people can’t afford a brand new car when they’re starting out their life don’t disrespect the 335is like that

[PalestineM3]

Might be late now, but had an m3 and have a 335is getting another m3, they’re almost the same in many ways but E92 is a legend bro and it looks so good. 235 has LSD I think? will make it better around the track but honestly having gone through 4 BMWS, the e92 is my favorite by far reccomend e92 335is it’s much more exclusive and hard to come by than m235 (car is small seems feminine to me just my opinion) OR...if u want the best fun e92 m3...they are getting much cheaper

[RoarinForeign]

335is all the way

[Zombie_Head]

Originally Posted by rick100

Personally the e92 is starting to show its age , and is just a matter of time ( sooner rather than later) it will look outdated. Just the way it goes, car has been on production since 2007 , and now days all these kids with their N54 are putting M3 bodykits , lci tail lights, etc ,etc . So its not like the IS will stand out that much from the rest

So if I m spending that type of money on a car, why no get the newer model. And get the M badge on the back. Sure its not a true M car, but 99% of people will still treat it like a M car. Even people here that know more about BMWs still talk about it like it was a M car.

Anyways OP made a decision. Nice car for sure

This is the best comment i have read so far.

[Lifelike]

I vote M235i.

I used to work at a Porsche dealership and one came in for sale there and I got to drive it.

Man, that thing is a pocket-rocket. I had a ball.

I love the interior and looks. It's all preference really.

[carguy138]

Long time (well 4 years) e90 335i owner and until yesterday I would have said E90 all the way. Yesterday I drove a M240xi and was blown away by how good it was. The chassis feel reminded me of an E46 yet had all modern day amenities. I was able to take it up a tight mountain road and the way the car rotates and blasts up tight corners (wet and sand/salt) was outstanding. Sure the power was great but the smaller wheelbase is what impressed me most. Mash the throttle out of a tight corner and you can feel the rear step out first, rotate, and go where you point the wheels. If anything I'm glad to know that BMW still "has it".

This was the first car that I've driven since the E46 M3 12 years ago that left me shocked. I never expected this outcome but it's that good. From a drivetrain/pull out of corners sensation it sort of reminded me of a STi but without the annoying understeer. Chassis feel was reminiscent to the S2000. Not implying it's a much more powerful awd S2000, just saying that was the first car that came to mind to describe the chassis feel.

For comparison purposes I drove a F30 M3 last year and was underwhelmed. Sure it was quick but felt way too artificial and actually too much for public roads. The type of driving I enjoy most are 2nd and 3rd gear back roads, damp, tight uphill turns and the M3 is mostly a 1/4-1/2 throttle car for this type of environment. On the contrary the E36 and E46 were a blast on these roads. I had a Yamaha FZ1 for a summer and the M3 felt like that on those type of roads. One misjudged corner and I'm off to the emergency room.

Having said that for the price of a new M240i, I would go for the M2 for the LSD. Otherwise I'd hold out for a CPO in the mid 30's. If I was in the market for a new car, that's what I'd do..

Keep in mind that my 335i is a 6MT, MPPK, msport, xdrive, dinan springs/koni yellows, JB4 and BMW PE.

Sure it's a M2 but Chris Harris's video sums up the chassis best.

My 335i.

[Adieu]

E46 m3 or 335d

[Biginboca]

I can’t get past the dwarfish proportions of the 2 series. The M2 is the only one that looks decent, but even the M2 is really not a great looking car in stock form, it just looks good. The E92 is simply beautiful from all angles.

This alone makes the choice easy for me.

[JJaber]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

I can’t get past the dwarfish proportions of the 2 series. The M2 is the only one that looks decent, but even the M2 is really not a great looking car in stock form, it just looks good. The E92 is simply beautiful from all angles.

This alone makes the choice easy for me.

Agreed. Can't get past the styling of that car...

[atmosphericM]

To me it would depend on what the car is for. I think the 2er is much better as a track car, a weekend toy (for the track, etc), more spirited driving, etc. However, it isn't as nice. IMO the interior is definitely not as nice of a place to be compared to the E92, and also seems cheaper (plus obviously smaller). So if cruising around and road trips is important, those are strong points for the 335is. Finally, if you do go 'vert, 335is all the way for the hard top.

They're both really great cars, and IMO each have great styling.. but they're definitely different. The 335is is more refined whereas the 2er is more youthful.

[atmosphericM]

Originally Posted by NotQuickEnough

I may get some flak for this but I feel that a big appeal of the 335is is in fact that DCT transmission being the only non M e90 in North America to have a DCT. If you're just going to go for the manual go for the m235i. A 6MT 335is is not that different from an m sport e92.

Wait, they never put the DCT into the 335i?? Wow, they did on the 1er (135i switched from slush-box to DCT for the auto configuration after a certain year.. 2011 I think?) so I figured for sure the big brother got it.