335is or an M3

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

Here's the version where you looked so handsome in your little conductor's outfit.

Cuteness overload, Bimmerfest unprepared.

Originally Posted by ChrisJ951

Hi Guys and Girls. This is my first post on this site. I'm an active member of the Porsche forum called Rennlist. I'm in the process of selling my 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo that I have spent a ton building a new motor for. Dyno'd at over 400 rwhp. Anyhow, I love the car but the platform is almost 30 years old and I want something newer.

I had an 07 335i sedan when they first came out and aside from the HPFP problem, it was a great car.

I'm looking at either an 11 or 12 335is or an 08 or 09 M3. They are similar in price. I'd get the DCT because it'll be my daily driver and a traditional manual in metro Atlanta traffic isn't a good choice.

I know a ton about both cars, driven both cars, love both cars. I know there is more potential in the 335is for modifications but the M3 is just a sick car.

I'd like peoples thoughts on what they would do.

Thanks,
Chris

There is no way you test a 335i against the beasty v8 its a complete car in factory form, maybe an eisenmann upgrade thats it

I could afford either car. I'm picking up my 335is at the Welt on 1/26/13. The M3, for me in DD would not have made sense.

Originally Posted by ttt1725

I could afford either car. I'm picking up my 335is at the Welt on 1/26/13. The M3, for me in DD would not have made sense.

Did the same...could afford both but got the IS (that is after I drove the M3).

Originally Posted by ///M-ratedE90

I know. Don't worry about it.

Give any driver on this board a ride in a 335is, M3 or Mustang Boss for a couple of twenty minute sessions, they would be lapping the cars in about the same time at the end of the session...and definitely about the same average time. (I wouldn't say this on M3Post as Leh Keen posts there) These times will vary from person to person based on their experience, skill and courage. It will take a pro driver to drive the cars at the level where the differences in their performance, in this case 2 seconds in ~2minutes, or 1.7% will be demonstrated. Also, the pro driver in a Miata will beat every one of these cars driven by an amateur, including the experienced ones. The ultimate ability and performance of each of these cars is so far beyond the average driver, that the differentiation based on performance is moot.

Thus, in true Bimmerfest style, the OP asks for a comparison of 2 things and receives endorsement for an option not given... A Ford Boss 302.

This was not my track experience, especially the Miata part. Best driver I know used to drive a Miata, we did some track days together and he was about the same laptime as my 325i. He would lose too many seconds on each straight section to make up in the corners. He didn't care though, he wasn't about lap times. Unless we're talking autoX, I assume you meant road coarses.

I second the motion for a Boss 302, that's what I'd buy among the 3 cars.

Originally Posted by Chris90

This was not my track experience, especially the Miata part. Best driver I know used to drive a Miata, we did some track days together and he was about the same laptime as my 325i. He would lose too many seconds on each straight section to make up in the corners. He didn't care though, he wasn't about lap times. Unless we're talking autoX, I assume you meant road coarses.

I second the motion for a Boss 302, that's what I'd buy among the 3 cars.

It depends on the track. On a track with long straights a car with fast acceleration will have an advantage on a track that favors momentum not so much.

CA

You won't regret it.

Originally Posted by Chris90

This was not my track experience, especially the Miata part. Best driver I know used to drive a Miata, we did some track days together and he was about the same laptime as my 325i. He would lose too many seconds on each straight section to make up in the corners. He didn't care though, he wasn't about lap times. Unless we're talking autoX, I assume you meant road coarses.

I second the motion for a Boss 302, that's what I'd buy among the 3 cars.

Was he a pro driver, or the best driver you know?

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

You won't regret it.

Looks like a picture taken from my rear view mirror j/k. Very nice car

Picture taken from a supercharged M3's rear view mirror.

Originally Posted by bear-avhistory

Looks like a picture taken from my rear view mirror j/k. Very nice car

How did you disable that stupid autodimming feature?

CA

Originally Posted by bear-avhistory

Looks like a picture taken from my rear view mirror j/k. Very nice car

I will concede that a 335is, tuned or not, is indeed faster than parked M3...

...by at least a couple of 1/10ths.

Originally Posted by captainaudio

How did you disable that stupid autodimming feature?

CA

Have no idea.....never even thought about it. Someone told me the outside mirrors also auto dim, is that true?

///M rated E90. My understanding its 1/10th parked 3/10ths in the quarter mile. The spread is caused by the big lump on the hood & the fat fenders creating to much drag at speed but none while parked. That being said I might force myself to put up with it when the Turbo M3 is released. Should be a great package for both the street & track.

Originally Posted by ///M-ratedE90

Was he a pro driver, or the best driver you know?

He had sponsors back in Japan, he races in some Alfa Romeo classic series. Dunno if that classifies him as a pro. Kind of a moot point - watch a Toyota celebrity race series, some amateurs are as fast as pros.

He used to destroy us go-karting.

Originally Posted by BuraQ

I'm liking the trunk lid spoiler. Where did you get that? Your car looks great!

In my opinion both the E92 M3 and 335is are two of the best looking cars BMW has produced in the last twenty years. I'll give the edge to the M3.

The deciding factor, in my opinion, is the power plant. We can tune the living **** out of turbo 6's for the next hundred years, but the day of the NA 8 are limited (I hate when people say that).

I honestly believe that anyone that can, should experience the high revving V8. It is truly a unique experience, and one that may not ever be available At this price point.

Both are great cars in their own way. My logic is that the M3 driver will have no regrets. He knows he got the best interpretation of the 3 series.

In contrast I can imagine a 335 driver seeing an M3 on the road and questioning his decision. I'm not saying that either is the better car; I'm just saying that one is more unique, special, and most likely won't be something you can pick up in 2015 if you have regrets.

Either way you can't go wrong.

Originally Posted by Db750

Both are great cars in their own way. My logic is that the M3 driver will have no regrets. He knows he got the best interpretation of the 3 series.

Some truth there. When I was shopping for ZHPs in 2005, seemed like every single owner who was selling was cause they bought the car and regretted not buying an M3.

I think that's a sign of the times. Back then I got zipped once by an M3 & it looked very formable as it drove around me. Both cars were NA & the M3 had about 100 more horsepower with no way to easily make up the spread in the 330Ci. Today it's a very different situation & I got a belated payback at the same spot with the same M3 years later.

The M3 is from the neighborhood, black convert, & is now updated with some performance parts but I believe it would have a very hard time against a stock 335i.

Deffo the m3 is a complete car just get the eisenmann and hit the loud pedal

M3 all the way with a manual box

Originally Posted by beden1

I'm liking the trunk lid spoiler. Where did you get that? Your car looks great!

Its the BMW OEM Rear Deck Spoiler part# 51710443130

Both the M3 DCT and the 335iS DCT technically has the same chasis. The M3 has better suspension off the lot, that does not mean you cannot do the same on the 335iS. The 335iS with upgraded suspension, should have the advantage on handling over the M3 due to the almost 50/50 weight distribution the 335iS has of over the M3

Power is another thing, the 335iS clearly with a tune will leave a stock M3 in complete humiliation. Regardless even if its modded to hell without a SC, it will still get left behind. The worse mistake a M3 driver can do is disregard the 335iS as a regular 335i not knowing they are Fraternal Twins

Originally Posted by BuraQ

The worse mistake a M3 driver can do is disregard the 335iS as a regular 335i not knowing they are Fraternal Twins

Been there, done that, got the tee shirt & really enjoyed the outcome Are you still knocking on 11 seconds?

Originally Posted by bear-avhistory

Been there, done that, got the tee shirt & really enjoyed the outcome Are you still knocking on 11 seconds?

Knocking ? I am skining it. I would have made it for sure if it wasnt for dew drop on the other half of the track. My TC came on so I wouldnt lose control of the car, thats why my trap speed look funky with the ET

Tomorrow, is private track rental at PBIR so will be there to give it another shot

Good luck