[bizzleb109]

I currently have a 2007 e93 335i, have owned a e46 M3 and the car was just rugged all the time as if it just wanted to be floored all the time. Was thinking about buying a e93 m3 but have been told the 335i drives better is that true

[jt335i]

Find and test drive an E93 M3 for yourself and then you will know whether it's true or not.

[catcher22]

exactly. totally subjective. look what you started lol

[BeaterM3]

Never had an E92 M3 but had an E36 and personally, I enjoyed driving the E36 more over my current 2011 335xi.

[9krpmrx8]

I have a FBO Stage 2+ N55 E90 335i with Bilstein coilovers, Dinan camber plates, etc and my co worker has a bone stock 2009 DCT E93 M3 and my car is better handling and faster.

But the redline and feel of the M3 is something I love because I am a long time turbo Rx-8 owner so I miss that feeling. But I have always longed for a E9X M3 and I have to say I driven his M3 a few times and every time I drive it it makes me love it less.

But it's so subjective, I am sure I would love a blown M3 with full bolt ons and a tune.

[TemjinX2]

the 335i's just better daily driver mainly because of the generous amount of low end tq and better mpg.

e9x m3 gets horrible mileage, my buddy didn't believe me and he bought a e92 m3 last yr and got sick of the 13mpg and $4 a gallon gas for 91 and got rid of it.

I would test drive it, only you will know if its worth it. you can get pretty smoking deals on the e93's though.

[9krpmrx8]

Well to be fair, you still need premium for a 335i and I only get 15MPG in my 335i because of the way I drive.

[TemjinX2]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

Well to be fair, you still need premium for a 335i and I only get 15MPG in my 335i because of the way I drive.

you must have a super lead foot. i get around 17-19mpg city and 27-30mpg at 5000ft attitude.

[atmosphericM]

Yes, the E9x generation of M3 still has that M3 "feel" that you are referring to. Of course, being a convertible (E93), the M3 - as well as your 335i - has lost some of it's "athletic" feel, but I am 99% sure that an E93 M3 is going to feel more raw and "beast-like" than an E93 335i. I say 99% because I haven't personally test driven any E93. But, I've driven plenty of E92's, and that unmistakable M3 feel is absolutely there with the E92. The car just feels like a different car than a 328/335, because there are a lot of big differences when it comes to the chassis/drive-train/stance. It wants to be floored and is sticky as hell.

When people talk about how the 335i is a better car, is the better buy, etc... 99% of the time that is because that person is all about straight line speed -where the 335i is obviously the better choice unless your pockets are wayy deep.

[arhoads335i]

in the long run the M3 is the better buy/investment

[LMB335IS]

I kinda like my hybrid, the best of both worlds although I'm only knocking down 9-10 mpg on E60. Full M3 drivetrain with N54 and M3/Performance suspension and brakes.

[Biginboca]

Well let’s see, how do you enjoy spending your time in the garage?

Rod bearings, main bearings, and throttle actuators... M3

Turbos, high pressure fuel pumps, charge pipes, water pumps, fuel injectors, rod bearings, serpentine belts, oil leaks... 335

Water pumps, serpentine belts, and oil leaks... 328

Pick your poison


Actually in all seriousness I don’t see why anyone would choose a 335 over a M3 if the extra $10k-$20k for the M3 was within their budget. M3 is special in today’s world while the 335 is just another turbo car among many. The M3 has unique character similar to your e46, but also in my opinion absolutely must get the rod bearings replaced. I would not consider any M3 without planning to have that addressed if it hadn’t been already.

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

I have a FBO Stage 2+ N55 E90 335i with Bilstein coilovers, Dinan camber plates, etc and my co worker has a bone stock 2009 DCT E93 M3 and my car is better handling and faster.

But the redline and feel of the M3 is something I love because I am a long time turbo Rx-8 owner so I miss that feeling. But I have always longed for a E9X M3 and I have to say I driven his M3 a few times and every time I drive it it makes me love it less.

But it's so subjective, I am sure I would love a blown M3 with full bolt ons and a tune.

Define 'better handling' please. Stiffer?

[9krpmrx8]

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

Define 'better handling' please. Stiffer?

It's subjective but just better, more planted, smoother, no shudder, etc. But it's not really a fair comparison since he is on worn stock suspension and I am on newish Bilstiens, strut tops and bushings, and new tires.

But of course this is just driving around town at lunch, not a road course.

[atmosphericM]

That M3 is also a vert which makes a HUGE difference in terms of feel and handling... vs. your 335 which is a sedan. So, yeah.

[9krpmrx8]

Meh, I would not expect such a huge difference with the hard top up on an M car. But who knows, I have never owned or really driven a vert other my bosses SL500 years ago.

[hassmaschine]

it's like 600lbs heavier and all that weight is added higher up. you would notice.

Never understood the point of an M3 convertible. It's not really an M3, it's a heavy drop top with an M3 engine/suspension. But to be fair I would only get to use a vert like 1 month a year here.

[9krpmrx8]

Yeah I saw a guy post that his E93 335i weighed 4160lbs with him (185lbs) in it and a 1/4 of gas.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

Meh, I would not expect such a huge difference with the hard top up on an M car. But who knows, I have never owned or really driven a vert other my bosses SL500 years ago.

It is a huge difference. There’s basically no point in modifying an e93 for the track bc, it’s heavy and flexy.