Buy a 2008 BMW M3 Seadn or a 2011 BMW 335i?

I got t-boned by a lady in a minivan (she was cited with a failure to yield) last week and just found out my 2006 BMW 330i, loaded with every option including a manual tranny and only 40K miles is totaled. The insurance company is going to be paying out about $25K and I'm considering taking that and upgrading to either a used 2011 BMW 335i (too scared of the fuel pump issues to buy a 2007-2010) or a 2008 M3 Sedan (I am a Realtor so I need 4 doors). I'm trying to keep my cost around $35K or under but I definitely want Sport, Premium & Cold Packages and am leaning towards a manual again, if I can find one.

My three questions are:

1. Would you buy a loaded 2011 335i over a 2008 M3 if you could get either one for $35,000
or lower?

2. Can you realistically get either of these cars for $35,000 or under?

3. If I buy the 2011 335i is the auto (with paddle shifters) really as good as or better the
manual tranny?

This is my first post on bimmerfest.com so I would really appreciate any feedback I can get.

Thanks!
CAGG

Originally Posted by cagg

I got t-boned by a lady in a minivan (she was cited with a failure to yield) last week and just found out my 2006 BMW 330i, loaded with every option including a manual tranny and only 40K miles is totaled. The insurance company is going to be paying out about $25K and I'm considering taking that and upgrading to either a used 2011 BMW 335i (too scared of the fuel pump issues to buy a 2007-2010) or a 2008 M3 Sedan (I am a Realtor so I need 4 doors). I'm trying to keep my cost around $35K or under but I definitely want Sport, Premium & Cold Packages and am leaning towards a manual again, if I can find one.

My three questions are:

1. Would you buy a loaded 2011 335i over a 2008 M3 if you could get either one for $35,000
or lower?

2. Can you realistically get either of these cars for $35,000 or under?

3. If I buy the 2011 335i is the auto (with paddle shifters) really as good as or better the
manual tranny?

This is my first post on bimmerfest.com so I would really appreciate any feedback I can get.

Thanks!
CAGG

Hate to be pessimistic, but in reality, I think you're going to be hard pressed to find a current 2011 335i at 35K loaded - unless the miles are really high (and possibly out of warranty). Loaded, they go for 50K+, and the 2012's aren't out yet.. and won't be out for a bit.

Not sure you'll get an M3 sedan for 35K either (but maybe close) - but I think your chances are far better than the loaded 335i. 3 year old M3, depending on options, is probably in the 40K range - but these vehicles are holding their value well.

Good luck!!

Thanks for the advice Sup3rman, I appreciate it!

you need to add 10k to your estimate if you want all the options.

Thanks TJPark01, but I did find a 2011 BMW 335i (auto w/paddle shifters) with sport, premium & cold packages + Nav, with 15,000 miles listed for just over $38,000.
I'm assuming they listed a bit high so I thought $35,000 could be attainable. Now it sound like it might be just be a really good deal? What do you think?

Thanks,
CAGG

You'll be hard pressed to find a E90 ///M3 for that. ///M3's are holding value well and the E90 is in it's last months of production......that will definitely add to it's value. Plus you are talking about totally different cars....don't let all of the forum chatter fool you. I think you should test drive both and then narrow your search...............Phil

Originally Posted by 650 Ryder

You'll be hard pressed to find a E90 ///M3 for that. ///M3's are holding value well and the E90 is in it's last months of production......that will definitely add to it's value. Plus you are talking about totally different cars....don't let all of the forum chatter fool you. I think you should test drive both and then narrow your search...............Phil

Thanks Phil, I definitely will be putting your advice to use as soon as I can find some good local vehicles to take for some tests drives in. -CAGG

Originally Posted by cagg

Thanks TJPark01, but I did find a 2011 BMW 335i (auto w/paddle shifters) with sport, premium & cold packages + Nav, with 15,000 miles listed for just over $38,000.
I'm assuming they listed a bit high so I thought $35,000 could be attainable. Now it sound like it might be just be a really good deal? What do you think?

Thanks,
CAGG

sounds like a steal. As much as I've looked at many M3's, they are way too impractical for my taste. I think a 335i with the N55 engine is much more livable as a daily driver.

Not sure an M3 is in your budget w/o issues, and its also a pretty hard riding car for a realtor. If you're transporting folks (some of whom are big/tall/fat) I would venture that a 5 series or an X series makes more sense.

Additionally, while for most people leasing is stupid (IMHO)- it seems like your profession is often the exception. You may want to look into that.

Thanks to everyone who has included their input so far!
This is my first post and I am really thankful for the responses, they are really helpful.

My plan right now is to go ahead and test drive the 2011 335i & 2009+ 335d as well as the 2008 M3.
I'm going to try to test both the autos and manuals in the 2011 335i and the manual in the 2008 M3.

I'll keep you guys updated on what I think and in the mean time, please keep the advice coming.Once again it is greatly appreciated!

-CAGG

I went from a 330i Sedan to a 2009 335i Sedan and now to a 2011 M3 Sedan.
I won't include my thoughts on the 330i I had since you've owned one but I thought it was a great car.

The 335i I bought to replace the 330i was pretty much the same car except it had way more power. I thought the 335i rode a bit harder then the 330, but I took the RFT's off and put non RFT's on it and I thought it smoothed out much better. I had the dreaded fuel pump issue but that was only the real issue I had mechanically with the car. It was a great daily driver for me.
Now that I've been in the M since Aug, I LOVE the car. It's a completely different animal then my old 335i. To me the rides are a bit different in that the M is a bit harsher but not uncomfortable for me. If I use the EDC and put it in super sport, it's uncomfortable. I have the DCT with the ZCP package and like it.

However, although I love the M, in my opinion, as a daily driver I would opt for the 335i. The gas milage is noticeably different. I didn't buy this car to drive everyday nor cared about the gas milage. I did buy snow tires for my 335i and they helped tremendously if you live in a snow bound state.

Just my 2 cents from owning all 3 you listed.

Originally Posted by 328dude

I went from a 330i Sedan to a 2009 335i Sedan and now to a 2011 M3 Sedan.
I won't include my thoughts on the 330i I had since you've owned one but I thought it was a great car.

The 335i I bought to replace the 330i was pretty much the same car except it had way more power. I thought the 335i rode a bit harder then the 330, but I took the RFT's off and put non RFT's on it and I thought it smoothed out much better. I had the dreaded fuel pump issue but that was only the real issue I had mechanically with the car. It was a great daily driver for me.
Now that I've been in the M since Aug, I LOVE the car. It's a completely different animal then my old 335i. To me the rides are a bit different in that the M is a bit harsher but not uncomfortable for me. If I use the EDC and put it in super sport, it's uncomfortable. I have the DCT with the ZCP package and like it.

However, although I love the M, in my opinion, as a daily driver I would opt for the 335i. The gas milage is noticeably different. I didn't buy this car to drive everyday nor cared about the gas milage. I did buy snow tires for my 335i and they helped tremendously if you live in a snow bound state.

Just my 2 cents from owning all 3 you listed.

Decent gas mileage and ride comfort can be had in the ///M3. If you get DCT put it in D3 and put EDC in comfort mode.......problem solved. Buy a 335i and you can't put it in any type of ///M mode. The ///M3 will give you the best of both worlds........Phil

Went from 2007 335 convertible auto to 2011 M3 coupe 6mt. Had 3 HPFP issues with the 335 and had the mekatronic transmission fluid leak issue that's pretty common(after the 50k warranty expired). The 335 conv sport suspension frequently bottomed out and i always felt the car was too heavy for the suspension. The M3 with EDC and ZCP rides much more composed and never bottoms out. I think it rides smoother than my wife's X5(sans sport pack). MPG avg 19.4 vs 22 so about 10% less. Not too bad considering the difference in feel, sound and of course the crazy high revving growl of this magnificent V8. You should also consider the 335d instead of the 335i. No HPFP issues and great gas mileage and torque.

Originally Posted by jsleemd

Went from 2007 335 convertible auto to 2011 M3 coupe 6mt. Had 3 HPFP issues with the 335 and had the mekatronic transmission fluid leak issue that's pretty common(after the 50k warranty expired). The 335 conv sport suspension frequently bottomed out and i always felt the car was too heavy for the suspension. The M3 with EDC and ZCP rides much more composed and never bottoms out. I think it rides smoother than my wife's X5(sans sport pack). MPG avg 19.4 vs 22 so about 10% less. Not too bad considering the difference in feel, sound and of course the crazy high revving growl of this magnificent V8. You should also consider the 335d instead of the 335i. No HPFP issues and great gas mileage and torque.

The OP is looking at a 2011 335i with the N55 engine. I know anything is possible but the HPFP issue should not be an issue with this engine.

Just get the M-3 . . . you will not be sorry.

I went from a 2007 335i coupe to a 2011 M-3 coupe. I actually ended my 335i lease early to get into the M-3 (this is after I took a test drive in the M-3).

The M-3 with EDC & M Drive is simply the best. The 335i ride is more harsh than the M-3. Don't try to factor in MPG. That is just the price you pay to for the fun factor of the M-3.

335i ride is more harsh than an M3 ride? I own both! Your 335i must be broken!

Being that the 335 has run flats and the M3 does not (stock), I'd have to agree the M3 can be less harsh than the 335 on some roads.

I agree with that m3 rides better then a 335, I blame the runflats. I assume if you swapped them out for normal tires it would probably ride better then a m3.

I just sold my 08 E90 M3 to carmax. Looking a private sales it was low 40s for a good condition m3 but now since I think a lot of 08 are coming off lease I would think you can get a decent one in the upper 30s, 35k might be tough unless it was higher mileage.

These are great posts, since I'm a newbie to the forum and new to the decision of M3 or 335. (since I just wrecked my 96 M3) I'm in Hawaii so my options are limited.

My 335i convertible with runflats had a pretty harsh ride. I ended up replacing about 4 tires in 3 years. I hit the same pot holes with my M3 convertible and don't feel like someone just struck my car with a sledgehammer.
I was so sad when my 335 lease was up, until i got my M3. It's a whole different beast. It brings a smile to my face everytime I see it or drive it.........................enough said. NO REGRETS

It 's not just the difference in runflats vs non runflats. I've had both on the 335i after the OEM tires bubbled at 10k The suspension set up and EDC is the difference. In comfort mode it beats the standard ride of the 335i but in sport it is rock hard.

I vote for C63 AMG Sedan