Which are you choosing? 335i cpe vs. 04 M3

I sold my 01 M3 to get a E90 330i SP manual ED. At the time I was looking for an easier daily driver than the M3 (was starting to do alot of driving around town), so I got a great deal on a E90 330i tit\blk leather, manual, SP. Driving them back to back the differences are appearant: 330 is smooth, quiet, refined, updated, free maintenance\warranty vs. M3 loud, raw, sporty, agressive, precise, better interior materials.

Having the E90 for a year: it does everything well. Smooth, a little grunt, looks great - just get in a drive, no worries. But, it's not quite as exciting as the M3 and I miss that. Its not about the power, its the "sport" factor I miss. What the heck do you "need" 300+ HP for? When I'm at the track its all about sport and balance (I'm a beginner )

So, I went to check out the 335i. Drove the space grey\red manual, very impressive. But, its too similar to my E90 330 to go through the pain to get a new 335i (I would do ED again for the savings) and its basically the car I have now with more power. While I think its a nice looking car, its not a "WOW gotta have it" like the E46 M3.

So now I'm looking at an 04 M3 (my price cap is $38k), but I'm second guessing myself to pass up a brand new 335i to get a 3 year old used M3. I'm also a little concerned about resale on the M3 since I see the 335i as a direct competitor.

My 01 M3 I bought for $35k, drove for 18 mos, sold for $33k. I plan to have great resale on my 330i since I acquired at ED vs. US invoice.

Anyway, anybody else thinking about this too? I'm looking for what you chose, and why. not to debate which car is better...

Personally, I would be very worried about the resale of an e46 M3.

However, even at ED prices, I think ~$45-$48K is my target for a well-equipped 335i Sedan M3 crusher...adding CAI, exhaust, wheels, chip, perhaps some suspension mods, and an LSD.

used car market is softening. M3 will be old news. Get the 335i. Warranty is a key issue. And hold on to the car if it is reliable.

Originally Posted by 330ci2B

I sold my 01 M3 to get a E90 330i SP manual ED. At the time I was looking for an easier daily driver than the M3 (was starting to do alot of driving around town), so I got a great deal on a E90 330i tit\blk leather, manual, SP. Driving them back to back the differences are appearant: 330 is smooth, quiet, refined, updated, free maintenance\warranty vs. M3 loud, raw, sporty, agressive, precise, better interior materials.

Having the E90 for a year: it does everything well. Smooth, a little grunt, looks great - just get in a drive, no worries. But, it's not quite as exciting as the M3 and I miss that. Its not about the power, its the "sport" factor I miss. What the heck do you "need" 300+ HP for? When I'm at the track its all about sport and balance (I'm a beginner )

So, I went to check out the 335i. Drove the space grey\red manual, very impressive. But, its too similar to my E90 330 to go through the pain to get a new 335i (I would do ED again for the savings) and its basically the car I have now with more power. While I think its a nice looking car, its not a "WOW gotta have it" like the E46 M3.

So now I'm looking at an 04 M3 (my price cap is $38k), but I'm second guessing myself to pass up a brand new 335i to get a 3 year old used M3. I'm also a little concerned about resale on the M3 since I see the 335i as a direct competitor.

My 01 M3 I bought for $35k, drove for 18 mos, sold for $33k. I plan to have great resale on my 330i since I acquired at ED vs. US invoice.

Anyway, anybody else thinking about this too? I'm looking for what you chose, and why. not to debate which car is better...

Not sure I get where you're coming from. You've already owned the "WOW gotta have it" M3, but got rid of it. While you miss the sportiness of the M, what about the raw character, stiff ride, etc. Clearly these issues probably bothered you when you owned the 01. The 04 is no more refined than the 01, so what makes you think the same drawbacks won't bother you the second time around? I had an 03 M3 and went to a 335i. I'm very happy with the 335i. No, it isn't as intense as an M3, but it's much more comfortable, just as fast, and handling is more than good enough for street use. It also has a much better stereo, and is overall a much better daily driver. Clearly either car represents tradeoffs, but given that the M3 is discontinued, you are talking a whole different ball game regarding resale value. If you're going to go back to an M3, I'd spend a good long time getting reacquainted with it's ride, noise level, power curve, etc. If you decide to buy it, do so with the intention of driving it until it drops.

[QUOTE=jmsent;2002510]Not sure I get where you're coming from. You've already owned the "WOW gotta have it" M3, but got rid of it. While you miss the sportiness of the M, what about the raw character, stiff ride, etc. Clearly these issues probably bothered you when you owned the 01. The 04 is no more refined than the 01, so what makes you think the same drawbacks won't bother you the second time around?

Good points. I used to drive a ton more than I do now, so the "harsh ride" doesnt bother me as much. Plus my wife has an E350 now so we take her car all the time. Both those mean I just do short driving distances so that's why I'm looking at the M again.

Do you think the resale will take a big dip? I dont think the new M3 will have a big impact since they'll be so friggin expensive. I'm more worried about the 335i making a bigger impact. I expect to get a nice 04 for around $37k w\about 10% depreciation per year.

Typically, M cars have held their value better than their non-M counterparts. A used M3 which has taken the first 3 years depreciation hit will loose less value long term (meaning 4-5 years at least) than a brand new 335.

To take an example: a 5-6 year old M3 goes for low $30k's. If you get an 04 for $38k, in another 3 years it will probably still go for low $30ks, depending on mileage, condition and any bonuses (ext warranty etc.). So let's call it a $6k loss in 3 years.

A $45k 335 will loose a lot more than $6k in the first 3 years - probably at least $10-12k. If you consider ED here, the difference may be less.

I am wrestling with some of the same questions. If I do decide for a 335 ED, I'll keep it either 2 years, or forever. If kept for 2 years, it'll loose very little value because of the ED savings. But if I end up liking it very much, I may keep it for a long time in which case I no longer care about residual values...

If I were to buy a "dream BMW" right now, it would be a 135 Coupe... maybe in a few years...

If it's sheer driving excitement you're missing with the 330i, then the 335i isn't going to provide it. As your test drive no doubt indicated, the only difference between the two is power.

The 335i is not going to affect the resale of the E46 M3. They may be somewhat comparable on paper, but they're radically different beasts in the real world. The E36 M3 still holds value despite having clearly outdated cosmetics and barely any more power than today's 328.

Originally Posted by sdiver68

Personally, I would be very worried about the resale of an e46 M3.
.

All cars lose value. Why would you be worried about something that affects all cars? Is the answer to keep buying/leasing new to think you are gaining somewhere?

E46 M3 is done. Some folks will never let go, even though BMW has moved on.

M cars never go out of style. Look how sexy the E30 M3 still is. The same can be said (and probably always will be) about the E36 and E46.

Been on this board for 2 days and no one has an opinion, they keep asking others for theirs.

Mate buy the 335i, it's a cracking machine and nearly as fast as the outgoing M3!

Originally Posted by WildRover

Been on this board for 2 days and no one has an opinion, they keep asking others for theirs.

Mate buy the 335i, it's a cracking machine and nearly as fast as the outgoing M3!

But the 335 it is not an M3. I think that is the point. The 335 is a 328 with more HP. An M3 has enhancements all over the place to make it handle better.

This will be more obvious with the new M3 which will be about $15-20k more than a 335.

I can see it now, the 3 series vs. 6 series argument will be come 335 vs. M3. Should make for good entertainment.

Originally Posted by chuck92103

But the 335 it is not an M3. I think that is the point. The 335 is a 328 with more HP. An M3 has enhancements all over the place to make it handle better.

This will be more obvious with the new M3 which will be about $15-20k more than a 335.

I can see it now, the 3 series vs. 6 series argument will be come 335 vs. M3. Should make for good entertainment.

The M3 is also noisier, rides harder has an inferior stereo and is a discontinued model. The 335 is about as fast, more comfortable, etc. The M is more intense and demands to be driven to perform. The 335 with its torque is easier to drive fast. They are both very different and very good cars. I suspect a lot of people bought M3's primarily because they're fast. For them, the 335 is a better choice. There's a lot of used M3's on the market right now. It's a good time to buy one.

Originally Posted by jmsent

There's a lot of used M3's on the market right now. It's a good time to buy one.

BMW has finally figured out that most most did not want an M3, they wanted a 3 series with a lot of horsepower.

There is a difference.

Originally Posted by chuck92103

BMW has finally figured out that most most did not want an M3, they wanted a 3 series with a lot of horsepower.

There is a difference.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by adc

Typically, M cars have held their value better than their non-M counterparts. A used M3 which has taken the first 3 years depreciation hit will loose less value long term (meaning 4-5 years at least) than a brand new 335.

To take an example: a 5-6 year old M3 goes for low $30k's. If you get an 04 for $38k, in another 3 years it will probably still go for low $30ks, depending on mileage, condition and any bonuses (ext warranty etc.). So let's call it a $6k loss in 3 years.

A $45k 335 will loose a lot more than $6k in the first 3 years - probably at least $10-12k. If you consider ED here, the difference may be less.

I am wrestling with some of the same questions. If I do decide for a 335 ED, I'll keep it either 2 years, or forever. If kept for 2 years, it'll loose very little value because of the ED savings. But if I end up liking it very much, I may keep it for a long time in which case I no longer care about residual values...

If I were to buy a "dream BMW" right now, it would be a 135 Coupe... maybe in a few years...

Good points, I actually spend time projecting future resale and how much the car will cost of the life I own it (kinda like a lease I guess). ED will save your butt when you go to sell since you acquired it so much cheaper than everybody else.

I think the 335i resale will do pretty well. I think the M3 resale will continue to do well since its still a hot, saught after car. If I pickup a good 04 for $38k, I figure I should be able to sell in 2 years for about $30k which is only $4k annual depreciation. Cheaper per month than many lesser cars out there....

Originally Posted by jmsent

There's a lot of used M3's on the market right now. It's a good time to buy one.

Do you think this will lower the resale value and market price of the used M's?