[EricEst1978]

Option 1:

2010 BMW 335i Coupe M Sport
Mileage: 30,017
Clean Carfax
Color: Le Mans Blue Ext., Saddle Brown Int.
Loaded with NAV and Automatic Trans.
Asking Price: $35,888 (mentioned in emails he might go down to $34,500)

Option 2:

2011 BMW 335i Coupe M Sport
Mileage: 22,000
Clean 1-owner CarFax
Color: Alpine White Ext., Coral Red Int.
Loaded with NAV and Manual Trans.
Asking Price: $36,995 (have not discussed/negotiated yet)

Option 3:

2008 BMW M3 Sedan
Mileage: 50,695
Clean 2-owner CarFax
Color: Silverstone Metallic Ext., Fox Red Int.
Loaded with NAV and Manual Trans
Asking Price: $34,950 (have not negotiated/discussed yet)


My concern with the M3 is the mileage and lack of warranty coupled with increased maintenance cost, etc. My practical side says go with a 335i yet the M3 is just so sexy--so, I thought I'd consult the experts and see what you all had to say.

This will be my first BMW and I am looking forward to joining the club.

UPDATE 1: Option 3 is firm on the price and has quoted me $37,580.92 out the door.
Option 1 has offered $36,000 out the door at this point--still working with him though.

[idrift4wd]

option 2 or 3. i would try to find a better m3 with lower miles if possible.

option two looks great, low miles and 2011 meaning more warranty!

[xPETEZx]

Option 2 / 3.

Option 1 is just trumped by 2 in every way imo.
Better colour + manual + newer

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by EricEst1978

Option 1:

2010 BMW 335i Coupe M Sport
Mileage: 30,017
Clean Carfax
Color: Le Mans Blue Ext., Saddle Brown Int.
Loaded with NAV and Automatic Trans.
Asking Price: $35,888 (mentioned in emails he might go down to $34,500)

Option 2:

2011 BMW 335i Coupe M Sport
Mileage: 22,000
Clean 1-owner CarFax
Color: Alpine White Ext., Coral Red Int.
Loaded with NAV and Manual Trans.
Asking Price: $36,995 (have not discussed/negotiated yet)

Option 3:

2008 BMW M3 Sedan
Mileage: 50,695
Clean 2-owner CarFax
Color: Silverstone Metallic Ext., Fox Red Int.
Loaded with NAV and Manual Trans
Asking Price: $34,950 (have not negotiated/discussed yet)


My concern with the M3 is the mileage and lack of warranty coupled with increased maintenance cost, etc. My practical side says go with a 335i yet the M3 is just so sexy--so, I thought I'd consult the experts and see what you all had to say.

This will be my first BMW and I am looking forward to joining the club.

M3! Completely different animal and 50K for NA V8 is nothing if it was maintained well. The maint cost will not be more than 335.

GL

[grassfeeder]

option 3.....in a few months you'll always wonder about this car should you pass it up.

however - if you do, go option 2 all day long!

[EricEst1978]

Thanks for the input.

I should mention that I have a soft cap of $35,000 in terms of what I wanted to spend. There doesn't seem to be any M3 options with lower mileage at that price point and I'm not even sure option 2 would be willing to go down on their pricing--although when I asked via email if there was room for negotiation on the price, they responded with "I'm sure we could find a way to make a deal." Perhaps disingenuous, but I'll take them at their word for now.

Option 1 is there because I really did the Le Mans blue--probably my favorite color with the Alpine white/red interior running a close 2nd.

The AT vs. MT thing is a toss up for me because this will be my daily driver and I do have to deal with some traffic on the way home in the evenings.

Again, thanks a bunch for the feedback. Keep it coming and I will keep you updated. I intend to go look at option 2 today, and possibly 3 if they respond to my email before I leave work.

Cheers

[PR3CI5N]

Option 1 or 3. Why would you want a N55? I guess if you don't plan on modding..

[bender rodriguez]

Option 2.. It is the most affordable and makes the most sense...

[EricEst1978]

update on original post--thanks again for the feedback boys and girls. I do appreciate it.

@PR3CI5N - forgive my ignorance on engine particulars--care to elaborate a bit? I hadn't planned on going overboard with modding it, but had considered doing some mods through BMW down the road to bump the HP up around 375'ish.

[ef11]

I think you need to decide if you want a sedan or coupe..that would be the biggest thing for me. As I do not like coupes at all, I would go with the M3 sedan!

[EricEst1978]

Originally Posted by ericfox11

I think you need to decide if you want a sedan or coupe..that would be the biggest thing for me. As I do not like coupes at all, I would go with the M3 sedan!

This may sound silly but in the 335i, I prefer the coupe. With an M3, I don't have as strong a preference truthfully.

[koss2010]

Option 2, since I would only endorse a MT. Also not a fan of the m3 sedan.

[SaMaster14]

I would say option 2 if you know how to drive manual (which I assume you do by the fact that you are looking at these cars as options).

Love the LCI coupe, and the color is perfect.

I'm not a fan of the pre-LCI sedan, and I would be wary of a 2-owner car and the high(ish) miles.

[MSPORTWORLD]

Option 3! But I may be biased.

Option 2 is also a good option but I wouldn't get a 335i over an M3 based on maintenance cost assumptions.

[KwlAznKid]

M3, m3 is in a different leage!

[badassfajita]

Sounds like you have 35-36K budget. In that case, skip the M3. Maintenance/repair costs will probably be the highest.

I say be firm with Option 1 and give him a target price, like 33k and have Option 2 as your backup. Le mans blue really makes the M sport special whereas AW, well is way too common.

[cbad335]

Option 2: coupe, 6MT, and low miles.

[deadmn1337]

Option 2

[cuiter23]

M3, you don't want to buy a car in which later you will feel that you want something better. Might as well go all the way as the raw power of that 4.4L V8 is something you will not be able to experience no matter how much you mod a 335i. Plus maintenance costs will not be any higher than a 335i since it does not possess any of the turbo issues.

[Eugeinus]

Option 2 based on your budget - plus you can mod it and still get comparable performance if you really want to.

[EricEst1978]

I checked out option 2 this evening, it is pristine.

I'm not sure where I should stand firm on pricing and am trying not to let my enthusiasm be too apparent--but it really is a beautiful car.

I haven't see the Le Mans Blue in person but this color combination is amazing in person.

[PR3CI5N]

Originally Posted by EricEst1978

update on original post--thanks again for the feedback boys and girls. I do appreciate it.

@PR3CI5N - forgive my ignorance on engine particulars--care to elaborate a bit? I hadn't planned on going overboard with modding it, but had considered doing some mods through BMW down the road to bump the HP up around 375'ish.

Well to start off, the N55 is a b**ch to mod due to the valvetronic system. I'm sure you already know that starting in 2011, BMW changed the motor from the twin turbo N54 to the single turbo N55. The N55 can't put up the HP/TQ numbers that the N54 can which is why you see a good amount of N55 parts/cars for sale. Why do you think the N54 motor is in the 1M even though the N55 motor was the present motor being used at that time?

BUT, since you're planning on modding your 335i through BMW's performance parts you probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a N54/N55. If you mod your car with parts from say BMS though, you'd notice a huge difference in power. With a simple tune, intake and E-85, you'll be close to 400whp/wtq! Try these same mods in a N55 and you may make a lot of torque but you won't even get close in HP.

The N54 motor is IMHO one of the best motors BMW has ever built (first OEM turbo'd BMW!).

Here's a little info on how the N55 motor works. I'd say it's a good car "stock":
http://www.mwerks.com/artman2/publis...Cylinder.shtml

If someone has a lot of detailed info on the n54 vs n55 then the stage is yours.