[TK-421]

okay, here goes. im torn between an e93 335 and an e92 M3. i like the e93 because its a vert and will cost less but still find myself looking at the m3. it's faster, looks crazy from the inside (CF leather, anthracite headliner, tri-stitched wheel, etc) and out (cf roof, quad exhaust, side gills, flaring), and has that wow factor, but would limit other stuff i could do/buy because of the extra $ id be paying. if i got either, it would be crimson red for the e93 and melbourne red for the M3. the M3 isnt out of my price range, im just not sure if i should spend 15k more for basically the same car. if i did get it, i would debadge it. any help?

[PLAYON]

Best of Both Worlds: E93 M3

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by PLAYON

Best of Both Worlds: E93 M3

the e92 is as high as ill go as far as price is concerned

[canook]

m3 buddy, m3.

[tonee8519]

stay high, go fo the m3.

[darkphantom]

hey dude I contemplated the EXACT same thing. Just think of it this way, with a fully loaded E93 335i, you'll be paying MUCH more for those options in an E92 M3 - but you'll have a beast of a car! Test drive both, and then consider the options and what weighs more than the other.

I chose the E93 335i - fast but it's no M3 and no way in hell can I afford an E93 M3 - 80k w/ the options I have...WTF...

[ChaneRZ]

m3333333333

[dbempire]

Judging by what you've said, I'm guessing your gut is telling you the E93 335iover the M3 due to price and what you can afford. There's no doubt you will love the M3 but after a few payments and with rising gas prices something tells me you will regret your decision. Go with the E93 335i... listen to your gut

[darkphantom]

M3 looks are killer and man....it's just a fking BEAST! but if you want just the power and don't want to track it, then get the E93 335i and dinan tune it - you MIGHT keep up to an M3...I know the E92s with the dinan tune barely beat them...so you might just BARELY keep up....but hey it's QUICK...

Originally Posted by dbempire

Judging by what you've said, I'm guessing your gut is telling you the E93 335iover the M3 due to price and what you can afford. There's no doubt you will love the M3 but after a few payments and with rising gas prices something tells me you will regret your decision. Go with the E93 335i... listen to your gut

+1

[epoints]

I am facing with same decision....but, now knowing DCT will be available on 09 E92, I am going with 335i with DCT and Dinan flash afterward.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Originally Posted by PLAYON

Best of Both Worlds: E93 M3

+1

But if that's too much $$$ then i would choose M3 for sure
What is your price range?

[darkphantom]

wait, DCT on the E93 is definitely a GO? Did you hear this from the dealer?

edit: Dammit! :-( oh well, you can't beat technology

[peet]

If the e92 M3 and e93 335 cost the same - I'd say M3. But - they don't. Not anywhere NEAR the same.

M3 carbon fiber roof - let's get real about this. Sure it's pretty to look at a couple of times, sure it's light so it lowers the center of gravity. BUT - no sunroof, let alone a total opening top.

Yes you can get a sunroof - but kiss the CF roof goodbye in that case.

Next. Upgrades. If you are like many of the enthusiasts on here you'll be totally kicking your backside when in a year you can't do bupkus to the M3. Trust me - I had an e36 M3 when it was new, an Audi S4 when it first came out (B7 V8 style) and an e86 M Coupe when it first came out. All of those cars were edgy sure, but not a one of them had mods to eek out more power.

While most will argue that the stock power was enough - to them I say : go drive a prius (and get 2 MPG less than me!).

So the 335 setup with those great mitsu turbos - a couple of bucks and some simple plug in mods and you get 70 ponies or better. Not enough for you? I'm sure more will be out soon enough and already there is a ton to choose from.

the suspension and brakes are close enough that I would arguy 90% of drivers wouldn't know the difference.

So I hope this helps you in a pro 335 decision. It's a car that's light years ahead of the older M3s - and I'd argue on par or better than the new M3.

[MrSteak]

If you're getting an automatic... get the E93, if you're planning on a 6-speed, then go with M3.

[yazz]

m3!

[Gumulri]

you want speed wait for nissan GTR

[darkphantom]

M-dct w/ the M3....GTR is WAY overpriced right now w/ the markups....

[ihyln]

If it's basically the same car as a M3 why not just get the 335i, dump 15k worth of mods into it, void your warranty, and not have a M3 at all?

[White_Pearl]

i say go with the E93 335i cuz check this out get a chip and youll be almost as fast as the m3 and the girls love the top down so if it was me i would go with the e93 335i

check this video out to see wat i mean by the chiped 335i vs m3

[cntlaw]

i vote 335i bcos i am scare to floor a 420hp M3

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Originally Posted by White_Pearl

i say go with the E93 335i cuz check this out get a chip and youll be almost as fast as the m3 and the girls love the top down so if it was me i would go with the e93 335i

check this video out to see wat i mean by the chiped 335i vs m3

That is def not an E93.

Originally Posted by cntlaw

i vote 335i bcos i am scare to floor a 420hp M3

414hp. . . Might feel 410hp

[Michael Schott]

Originally Posted by peet

If the e92 M3 and e93 335 cost the same - I'd say M3. But - they don't. Not anywhere NEAR the same.

M3 carbon fiber roof - let's get real about this. Sure it's pretty to look at a couple of times, sure it's light so it lowers the center of gravity. BUT - no sunroof, let alone a total opening top.

Yes you can get a sunroof - but kiss the CF roof goodbye in that case.

Next. Upgrades. If you are like many of the enthusiasts on here you'll be totally kicking your backside when in a year you can't do bupkus to the M3. Trust me - I had an e36 M3 when it was new, an Audi S4 when it first came out (B7 V8 style) and an e86 M Coupe when it first came out. All of those cars were edgy sure, but not a one of them had mods to eek out more power.

While most will argue that the stock power was enough - to them I say : go drive a prius (and get 2 MPG less than me!).

So the 335 setup with those great mitsu turbos - a couple of bucks and some simple plug in mods and you get 70 ponies or better. Not enough for you? I'm sure more will be out soon enough and already there is a ton to choose from.

the suspension and brakes are close enough that I would arguy 90% of drivers wouldn't know the difference.

So I hope this helps you in a pro 335 decision. It's a car that's light years ahead of the older M3s - and I'd argue on par or better than the new M3.

This thought process has been thoroughly discussed here and the consensus is the M3 is significantly improved in every way over even a highly modded 335. No way is a 335 "on par or better than the new M3". You say the suspension and brakes are close enough but the rear suspension on the M3 is a completely different setup as are the brakes. Also, no modded I6 is going to feel like the BMW V8.

Whether you'll need to mod a $70K M3 is up to you but for most 0-60 in the low 4's is fast enough for even hard core enthusiasts.

Thanks, Mike.