[Steg M3]

Hey guys I am a bit confused here. The lease on my E46 M3 is about to come to an end and it is time to move onto a new BMW. I honestly do not have a lot of knowledge on the new 2011 335i coming out besides the fact that it is single turbo.

I am considering both the new 2011 335i and the 335is but can't choose between them as weird as that sounds. I mean I know the 335is keeps the old twin turbo N54 motor and there are already a lot of modifications out for that motor but what about this new single turbo N55? What is so different about this one that still produces same power and may have fixed the HFPF problem. The 335is only features I care about is the fact that there is a DCT option and you can launch it. Should the N54 motor really matter this much? Is it justified the extra 7 or 8 grand?

The new 2011 335i can look just as good (the body kit doesn't really matter to me on the 335is). The only down point i see here is that there is no DCT option. I would in this case have to get stick because my E46 M3 is stick shift and I am very intrigued of BMW's coverage of clutch within their warranty. The only reason I wouldn't get it for the 335is is because the available DCT option is there and I honestly think that is one of the many key selling points for the 335is.

So basically can anyone give me an opinion on what to do? This will be for about a 3 year lease. Just a nice daily driver that also has a sporty factor to it. The E46 M3 was an amazing car but it is just time to move on

Thank you!

[Brey335i]

A lease on an e46 is just ending? How long was that lease?

If you can swing it, the 335is for sure. The overboost function and extra cooling elements along with the body kit and exhaust justify the price increase. I would still choose the stick over the DCT but I say give both a try and then make up your mind

[AS335i]

If you can afford it and want a more sportier car, go with the 335is for sure. Only reason you would want to get the 335i is if you dont care about performance or if you want to save money, but its up to you. Drive them both!

[cotmfk]

I would go with a year or two old 335i. The money saved for almost the same car is huge. You can get CPO if you really need the long warranty. 335is is priced way too high, IMO.

[Kroy]

Originally Posted by cotmfk

I would go with a year or two old 335i. The money saved for almost the same car is huge. You can get CPO if you really need the long warranty. 335is is priced way too high, IMO.

But if you lease, that's another story. CPO 335i > 335is > new 335i. my 2c.



Edit: curious, what's the buyout on your e46? and that was a long lease...

[Steg M3]

Originally Posted by Brey335i

A lease on an e46 is just ending? How long was that lease?

If you can swing it, the 335is for sure. The overboost function and extra cooling elements along with the body kit and exhaust justify the price increase. I would still choose the stick over the DCT but I say give both a try and then make up your mind

Lease was 5 years long...I am so confused on what to do I love the car but I think it is time for a change.

Originally Posted by Kroy

But if you lease, that's another story. CPO 335i > 335is > new 335i. my 2c.



Edit: curious, what's the buyout on your e46? and that was a long lease...

No clue for buyout yet

[RambleJ]

The only thing about the 335is, is the overboost function has thrown a wrench in the works of just slapping on a JB3 or V4. As of yet, I haven't really heard of any tunes working with this, but there is already beta testing going on for the N55 single turbo engines.

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by cotmfk

I would go with a year or two old 335i. The money saved for almost the same car is huge. You can get CPO if you really need the long warranty. 335is is priced way too high, IMO.

Buying a CPO right now on the phone. 20,000 miles 335i... Perfect. New cars suck, leases are all right as long as the payments are low.

I prefer to own CPO'd cars.

[kgb1637]

Wow, a 5 year lease, thats insane, I do 3 year leases because after 3 years I need something new.

[Noc57]

The 335is is basically the exact same thing as a "regular 335i" with overboost feature, 20 more hp, and an optional DCT. It still uses the same N54-based platform. It's just got a few more goodies. (M-sport standard, 335is gages, different exhaust, etc...) Are the extras worth an extra $7-8K over a standard 335? Well that's up to you, I say no.

I don't know if I would opt for a new N55 either. The reviews look promising, but not so sure on the tuning end. IF you ever plan on having a tune, I'd make sure I got the N54. That leaves you with two options:

1) Buy a new 335is
2) Buy a CPO/ 1-2 year old 335i.

I'd go with option 2, saves you a fortune in the end. However if I was buying new, I'd probably shell out a little more and just get an M3. There's only about an $8K difference base from a 335is coupe to M3.

[Php]

Originally Posted by Aonarch

Buying a CPO right now on the phone. 20,000 miles 335i... Perfect. New cars suck, leases are all right as long as the payments are low.

I prefer to own CPO'd cars.

Agreed

[smaxon1]

Originally Posted by Noc57

The 335is is basically the exact same thing as a "regular 335i" with overboost feature, 20 more hp, and an optional DCT. It still uses the same N54-based platform. It's just got a few more goodies. (M-sport standard, 335is gages, different exhaust, etc...) Are the extras worth an extra $7-8K over a standard 335? Well that's up to you, I say no.

Don't forget the upgraded cooling components....I say go with the 335is.
Of course, I may be biased since I just ordered one.

[dreamingat30fps]

I test drove the new 335is... honestly I wasn't impressed. The power difference felt minimal not even close if you have a tune on the 335i. Not a fan of the trim or the grey gauges or the 335is badging all over. The exhaust note to me sounded slightly louder than a golf tee modded exhaust but not much more. The only good thing was the DCT smooth as butter but still I would go with a 6 speed.

I would do CPO 335i or as someone else said if it's new then I would just go for the M3.

[John 070]

If you're going to lease, I don't think the question can be answered without knowing the payment. It's as simple as saying the 335is costs $x more per month than a 335i, is it worth it? If you're going to buy then of course, it's critical to get what you really want.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

I test drove the new 335is... honestly I wasn't impressed. The power difference felt minimal not even close if you have a tune on the 335i. Not a fan of the trim or the grey gauges or the 335is badging all over. The exhaust note to me sounded slightly louder than a golf tee modded exhaust but not much more. The only good thing was the DCT smooth as butter but still I would go with a 6 speed.

I would do CPO 335i or as someone else said if it's new then I would just go for the M3.

Interesting, I was at the dealership Thu. and they didn't have any, and this was a massive dealership. I don't mind the idea anymore of a CPO because new isn't reliable anyway, so it's all about warranty coverage.

M3 is simply too wasteful. Gas guzzler tax = money for nothing. Need to throw in the chicks for free.

[positiveions]

Keep your E46 m3, and get Stage 2.5 HPF turbo. You'll smoke... the smoke itself.

[fruition3000]

Buy a new 2010 or 2009 335i. They are still out there

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...RUMB&pgId=2102

[domsaywha]

Originally Posted by kgb1637

Wow, a 5 year lease, thats insane, I do 3 year leases because after 3 years I need something new.

Two years FTW...

[335rrr]

Originally Posted by Kroy

But if you lease, that's another story. CPO 335i > 335is > new 335i. my 2c.



Edit: curious, what's the buyout on your e46? and that was a long lease...

I appologize if I didn't read long enough but those two quotes are SPOT ON...The 335IS will make more sense if you are leasing for it will have HIGHER residual, THUS lesser payment, value over the 335I which has been on the market for going on 4 years...I asked my friend who is a sales manager at a BMW dealer and he told me the difference in power is not that much at all and he likes performance. IF I WERE YOU, I would find a slightly used 335i and just buy it, you will end up paying way less interest and the payment might actually be less than leasing the new 335IS with all the financing incentives and high residuals!!

used/cpo 335I over the 335IS... MHO2...

[WhitehawkCS]

Originally Posted by Steg M3

Hey guys I am a bit confused here. The lease on my E46 M3 is about to come to an end and it is time to move onto a new BMW. I honestly do not have a lot of knowledge on the new 2011 335i coming out besides the fact that it is single turbo.

I am considering both the new 2011 335i and the 335is but can't choose between them as weird as that sounds. I mean I know the 335is keeps the old twin turbo N54 motor and there are already a lot of modifications out for that motor but what about this new single turbo N55? What is so different about this one that still produces same power and may have fixed the HFPF problem. The 335is only features I care about is the fact that there is a DCT option and you can launch it. Should the N54 motor really matter this much? Is it justified the extra 7 or 8 grand?

The new 2011 335i can look just as good (the body kit doesn't really matter to me on the 335is). The only down point i see here is that there is no DCT option. I would in this case have to get stick because my E46 M3 is stick shift and I am very intrigued of BMW's coverage of clutch within their warranty. The only reason I wouldn't get it for the 335is is because the available DCT option is there and I honestly think that is one of the many key selling points for the 335is.

So basically can anyone give me an opinion on what to do? This will be for about a 3 year lease. Just a nice daily driver that also has a sporty factor to it. The E46 M3 was an amazing car but it is just time to move on

Thank you!

i did it, i had an e46 m3 before with a 5 year lease also.. i would have bought it out but i had 92k on it.

i didnt get the 335is because the payments would have been too high and i didnt want to pay that much again... if i was going to pay damn near a grand i would just dish out for an e92 M3.

instead i got a 2010 335i m-sport with the power kit, yea, its performance is like an IS but it doesnt have that overboost thing... and great part is, its $300+ less than my m3 was.

[persian54]

surprised no one mentioned a used M3...

a 09 M3 will run you less than the 335is

[gizmo335i]

I think it depends on what you want to do? Do you want to mod a lot? If so, get a used (low mileage) 335i. If you are not looking to mod and money isn't an issue, then I'd look at the '11 335i. I agree with most that the 335is is priced too high.

But like a couple said, why not look at a used E92 M3 or even new if you don't mind the spending...