Is the extra coin really worth it for an M3 over 335i SEDAN

[MY2NDM3]

Originally Posted by SANguru

built to burn a quart of oil every 500 miles? built to have 3 SMGIII replacements before BMW buying it back??? Take it from a guy that pretty much owned every iteration of M cars.. M for marketing. My E60 M5 was a PIECE OF SHIT. E36 M3 LTW had bad tranny mount causing a mishift and blown motor. My E46 M3 had 1 bearing recall and 1 main harness to the tune of 3 weeks in the shop gutted ($18K) replaced due to multiple things shorting out.

Let me ask you, if you can't justify performance as a differentiator, why buy an M? for image? I failed to see the logic behind that.

So your saying every iteration of the "M" brand has problems? That's total BS. I have no idea why you had so many problems with your "M" cars. Yes, there where engine problems with the E46 M3, especially engines built in late '01 and early '02. BMW took care of the problem and covered warranty for 100K or 6 years. Maybe it's just bad luck or bad driving on your part. Missing a shift is a driver problem, and not a tranny mount problem.

Bottom line..."M" cars are worth the extra cost over their ordinary cousins, and theres no two ways about it. It is an image

[GUINNESS]

Originally Posted by MY2NDM3

So your saying every iteration of the "M" brand has problems? That's total BS. I have no idea why you had so many problems with your "M" cars. Yes, there where engine problems with the E46 M3, especially engines built in late '01 and early '02. BMW took care of the problem and covered warranty for 100K or 6 years. Maybe it's just bad luck or bad driving on your part. Missing a shift is a driver problem, and not a tranny mount problem.

Bottom line..."M" cars are worth the extra cost over their ordinary cousins, and theres no two ways about it. It is an image

Would you like me to begin a list at least for the e30, e36, and e46 M3? Obviously the e36 list will be a lot longer since I'm more familiar with it


Now, let's refocus the conversation (this is a general statement fyi, not directed at my2ndme)...

Is it worth the extra coin for an M3 SEDAN over a 335i SEDAN? I have an M3 that I take to the track. The sedan will not be for me (yeah right), but seriously, this will be Nicole's car and me begging her to let me drive it. So let's put things in perspective...

daily driver
family sedan (i wish i could convince her to get an e39 m5)
may (stress may) go to an auto-x here or there
auto/step/smg - no ifs ands or buts

modifications - i can't leave well enough alone
procede (335i only)
exhaust (335i only because of outrageous cost on M3)
intake
suspension
front spoiler/lip (335i only)
rear valence/diffuser (335i only)
wheels
lsd (335i only if noticable driving difference)

I'm sure I probably just answered my own question, but I think you can see the point I'm getting to. Sure, I would love to have a black e90 M3 sitting next to my alpine e36 M3... but is the extra money enough to justify "It's an M3".

As for those saying M3 chassis tuning etc... it can all be done and still come in less than an M3. I've seen it done and know people who have done it. It just takes time.

[SANguru]

pretty clueless post... I guess you are not familiar with the infamous E36 tranny mount issues.. Are you telling me that the PTG and BMW club racing guys who initially suffered the same fate can't drive either?? For the record, my Ferrrari and my Porsche's have all been MUCH more reliable than my M cars. They have never left me stranded.

Originally Posted by MY2NDM3

So your saying every iteration of the "M" brand has problems? That's total BS. I have no idea why you had so many problems with your "M" cars. Yes, there where engine problems with the E46 M3, especially engines built in late '01 and early '02. BMW took care of the problem and covered warranty for 100K or 6 years. Maybe it's just bad luck or bad driving on your part. Missing a shift is a driver problem, and not a tranny mount problem.

Bottom line..."M" cars are worth the extra cost over their ordinary cousins, and theres no two ways about it. It is an image

[SANguru]

Originally Posted by pseto

I'm not getting good gas mileage at all in my e92, probably 23mpg on avg. and for the V8 equipt M3, I doubt it would get anything near 17

The procede helps on the gas mileage believe it or not.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by GUINNESS

Seriously, do you guys think it will be worth it? I'm not sure I see many pros and cons yet aside from the cost factor and insurance. Both will be maintained under the new car policy, both will get good mileage if you don't have a lead foot.

Worth it in terms of speed, performance, probably not. Worth it for the emotional connection, probably yes, depending on the individual purchaser.

It is only one factor, but I really don't think you can assume both will get good mileage. The new M3 engine is 80% of the E60 M5 V10 engine. I would expect mileage to be exactly the same. Lots of people reported under 12 mpg on the E60 M5, some reported down to 8 mpg (US). I don't think anyone is buying an M3 as an economy car, and the cost of the fuel is totally irrelevant with a car of this price, but I personally can't accept buying a vehicle that gets the same mileage as a Hummer. It is just wrong. I think modern technology should deliver both performance and responsible use of our petroleum resources.

[SANguru]

even 8 is a little optimistic. Cruising range on E60 M5 was ~140-150 miles per tank.

Originally Posted by JCL

Worth it in terms of speed, performance, probably not. Worth it for the emotional connection, probably yes, depending on the individual purchaser.

It is only one factor, but I really don't think you can assume both will get good mileage. The new M3 engine is 80% of the E60 M5 V10 engine. I would expect mileage to be exactly the same. Lots of people reported under 12 mpg on the E60 M5, some reported down to 8 mpg (US). I don't think anyone is buying an M3 as an economy car, and the cost of the fuel is totally irrelevant with a car of this price, but I personally can't accept buying a vehicle that gets the same mileage as a Hummer. It is just wrong. I think modern technology should deliver both performance and responsible use of our petroleum resources.

[GUINNESS]

Which is why I went UUC. Yes, I know, they're a whole ballgame onto themselves... but fortunately I've had no issue with them.

[LeMansX5]

If you are going to get a 335i and spend another $10-15k modding it, then its better to get a M3. On the other hand does Nicole care if it has less than 300 HP or more? or is it just you wanting a car "for her for you".

[GUINNESS]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

If you are going to get a 335i and spend another $10-15k modding it, then its better to get a M3. On the other hand does Nicole care if it has less than 300 HP or more? or is it just you wanting a car "for her for you".

She would be happy with an e46 325i if that tells you anything :eek:

[DINANM3]

I've owned almost every Mcar ever made and will admit they do have there share of problems. My E39 M5 is my most reliable Mcar to date if not my most reliable BMW. This car has been flawless. The only problem i had was with the MAFS. I also had to change my E36 tranny mounts to UUC. and unfortunately learned the hard way on my 96 M3 thats when i bought my 99 and installed the mounts with a short shift immediately. And believe it wasnt driver error. It was the mounts that caused the misshift. That really pissed me off.

That being said I dont think Mcars have any more problems than any other low production high performance car out there. especially porsche. The biggest problems with Mcars over the past 5 years has been the SMGs. Other than that they are not that bad.