[ss134]

Originally Posted by ///Mike135i

Superb write up!

Thanks!

I currently own a 5p plate 135 and I am contemplating the jump to an E92 M3.

The characteristics of the 135 stack up nicely against the 335 although you seemed to get 5mpg more in your 335 that I can manage in my 135 even with mostly motorway miles. Everything you have put across in this report makes me want an E92 even more now.

If you can live with the cost of fuel then go for it you will not be disappointed!

Originally Posted by wayne71

Great write up, I am considering treating myself this summer by trading up to an M3.

I love my 335d but I keep looking on autotrader at M3's so I guess its an itch I need to scratch. I'll probably cry at the running costs and get rid after 12 months but I need to do it.

As above! You will really notice the difference in running costs but it will be offset by the extra fun you will have with the car. You only live once - i may trade the M3 in the summer for something else but i can honestly say that i will struggle to find anything that can offer the same level of practicality and driver enjoyment............might buy another M3!!

Originally Posted by zaheer

excellent write up...i have officailyy decided to skip this generation m3 and wait for the next gen one..and finally fulfil a long waited dream to own an m3 someday ..

I am sure the next gen M3 will be amazing but the chance to own possibly the last of the ///M high revving NA engines should not be overlooked - i will be interested to see how they manage to capture the sound and excitement
in the new M3 if as believed they go with a 6 cyl tt.

[thkfast]

Nice write up. Exactly what I needed to read. I'm debating between an '09 E90 M3 with DCT, 9,000 mi for $52K or a '10 E90 335i with Sport, Premium, Cold with Steptronic auto, NEW (153mi) for $42K. The M3 has warranty until Nov 2012 and the 335i would have the full 4yr/50K mi warranty. $10K difference....and whichever one I get will be my daily driver through Iowa winters for the next few years! I'm leaning towards the 335i considering my driving style/needs. Great post.

[ss134]

Originally Posted by thkfast

Nice write up. Exactly what I needed to read. I'm debating between an '09 E90 M3 with DCT, 9,000 mi for $52K or a '10 E90 335i with Sport, Premium, Cold with Steptronic auto, NEW (153mi) for $42K. The M3 has warranty until Nov 2012 and the 335i would have the full 4yr/50K mi warranty. $10K difference....and whichever one I get will be my daily driver through Iowa winters for the next few years! I'm leaning towards the 335i considering my driving style/needs. Great post.

Looks like you went with the 335i! Looks great

[bmwm3redblack]

Thank you very much for this great review that's the things i'd like to hear. Cause i got bmw 335xi 6sp manual at the moment with cobb ap. It's really fast car and i was a bit hesitating, to go for e92 m3 or not. But now i'm sure that i want be dissappointed with m-power N/A 420hp m3.
Thanks again!!!!

[BIGTIME]

I was talking to a work colleague who has a 335 se about an M3. I was saying how much I'd love one if funds permitted. He reckoned we are best of sticking with the 335i as the M3 lacks torque. I explained that the M3 has over 100 bhp and I thought the torque figures were the same.

[ibanezking]

i went from Auto 335d to Manual M3

I miss the lazy low end STOMP from the Diesel& Auto box

But the M3 is AWESOME.............. albeit a thirsty fucker!!

and even though the 335d allegedly comes with Sport suspension - its a big fat wallowy pig compared to the M3 thats "on rails"........

[creepy coupe]

The M3 is not just about the engine, the chassie is sublime, on paper it might look to be short on torque, but in real world driving, it isn't.

[ibanezking]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

The M3 is not just about the engine, the chassie is sublime, on paper it might look to be short on torque, but in real world driving, it isn't.

indeed!!! the repeat of top gear on Dave..... of the M3 against RS4 and C63 showed the BM was 5 seconds a lap quicker than the Audi AND the Merc.............

[ibanezking]

.......... and that WAS with the Stig driving all three...........!!

[ss134]

Originally Posted by bmwm3redblack

Thank you very much for this great review that's the things i'd like to hear. Cause i got bmw 335xi 6sp manual at the moment with cobb ap. It's really fast car and i was a bit hesitating, to go for e92 m3 or not. But now i'm sure that i want be dissappointed with m-power N/A 420hp m3.
Thanks again!!!!

Youre welcome

Originally Posted by ibanezking

i went from Auto 335d to Manual M3

I miss the lazy low end STOMP from the Diesel& Auto box

But the M3 is AWESOME.............. albeit a thirsty fucker!!

and even though the 335d allegedly comes with Sport suspension - its a big fat wallowy pig compared to the M3 thats "on rails"........

Didn't realise you traded in the 335d - belated congrats on the M3!

[ChubbsBmth]

Great write up...really enjoyed reading it but dont think the bank manager will thank you now I am searching Autotrader looking for E92 M3's

[Dave3]

Quality Write Up - Hsving never driven either of these car but dreaming i owned both it makes total sense, i dream of one day owning an M3 and being able to justify it

[ss134]

Originally Posted by Dave3

Quality Write Up - Hsving never driven either of these car but dreaming i owned both it makes total sense, i dream of one day owning an M3 and being able to justify it

I've been lucky enough to have owned 2 but mine will be going soon - need something bigger and more practical for a while unfortunately. I will miss this car so much, it gets under your skin and makes 90% of other cars on the road feel like crap. Thats the problem with an M car....once youve had one unless you can afford a really top end car then everything else is a downgrade. So i'll be downgrading soon i guess.

[jada07515]

great review. the only reason i dont have a m3 is i cant afford one just yet;( but a year in the 335i then i will be going m3 v8 no doubt about it....if im at the lights and a m3 pulls up to me i may be faster in a straight line but the m3 is well...a m3

[ss134]

Originally Posted by jada07515

great review. the only reason i dont have a m3 is i cant afford one just yet;( but a year in the 335i then i will be going m3 v8 no doubt about it....if im at the lights and a m3 pulls up to me i may be faster in a straight line but the m3 is well...a m3

Don't be so sure - you'll need more than just a tune to be faster in a straight line, especially if the M3 is DCT.

[Ant Man]

Originally Posted by ss134

I've been lucky enough to have owned 2 but mine will be going soon - need something bigger and more practical for a while unfortunately. I will miss this car so much, it gets under your skin and makes 90% of other cars on the road feel like crap. Thats the problem with an M car....once youve had one unless you can afford a really top end car then everything else is a downgrade. So i'll be downgrading soon i guess.

That's how I feel. I'll be selling mine later in the year and it'll be a bit of a wrench. I'll be downgrading to the new X3.

[ss134]

Originally Posted by Ant Man

That's how I feel. I'll be selling mine later in the year and it'll be a bit of a wrench. I'll be downgrading to the new X3.

I'm looking at the X3 as well mate - i only keep my cars for 12 months and next year i am going to be away for 6 months so the X3 should be OK for that short period. If i wasn't going to be away i would have got the F10 M5.....this will be the car i get when i come back or possibly the new M3 if it is released in time.

[dstampfer]

Fast forward 2 years since last post to this thread. I stumbled across it because I'm lucky enough to have made the identical transition. '09 E90 335i 6MT sport package -> '11 E90 M3 DCT. Agree with nearly everything mentioned by original poster. Love my M3, smile every time I drive it and find myself staring at it as I park and walk away. 11.7mpg on my last tank of gas compared with 18mpg in my 335i, driving the same commute and with a heavy foot in both. Biggest change for me is getting use to the different gear ratios-- Many places where I'd be in 3rd in the 335i, find myself in 4th or 5th in the M3-- interesting that if you choose D-Auto mode in the M3 the computer has the car in 6th or 7th in these same places, unless more power is called for by throttle input. Yes, the 335i has more torque down low and leads to more flexibility in gear selection, but that isn't an issue when driving the M3 if you have the car in the correct gear. Would I be happy to have even more torque, YES, but the car is fantastic as is.

[ss134]

Originally Posted by dstampfer

Fast forward 2 years since last post to this thread. I stumbled across it because I'm lucky enough to have made the identical transition. '09 E90 335i 6MT sport package -> '11 E90 M3 DCT. Agree with nearly everything mentioned by original poster. Love my M3, smile every time I drive it and find myself staring at it as I park and walk away. 11.7mpg on my last tank of gas compared with 18mpg in my 335i, driving the same commute and with a heavy foot in both. Biggest change for me is getting use to the different gear ratios-- Many places where I'd be in 3rd in the 335i, find myself in 4th or 5th in the M3-- interesting that if you choose D-Auto mode in the M3 the computer has the car in 6th or 7th in these same places, unless more power is called for by throttle input. Yes, the 335i has more torque down low and leads to more flexibility in gear selection, but that isn't an issue when driving the M3 if you have the car in the correct gear. Would I be happy to have even more torque, YES, but the car is fantastic as is.

Glad you're enjoying your M3! Can't believe it's been 3 years since I wrote this review, time flies. Since writing I have bought and sold another E90 M3 and am currently waiting for my F80 M3 to go into production in a few weeks time. I will write a comparison between the E90 and F80 sometime in the summer I think.

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by ss134

Glad you're enjoying your M3! Can't believe it's been 3 years since I wrote this review, time flies. Since writing I have bought and sold another E90 M3 and am currently waiting for my F80 M3 to go into production in a few weeks time. I will write a comparison between the E90 and F80 sometime in the summer I think.

i look forward to your review mate!

[dstampfer]

Looking forward to your update when you get the F80-- I'm jealous!!

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by dstampfer

Looking forward to your update when you get the F80-- I'm jealous!!

+1, wasn't initially very excited by the F80 but looking at the specs now they sound amazing.