[OZMOD335i]

How do you compare a 335i with a E46 M3? I use to own a M3 and i think the 2 cars couldn't be more different. What do you guys think? Without taking anything away from these cars, I think the 335i is alot softer and quiter(unless you change the exhaust). You can drive a 335i around town like a 320, suspension is pretty compliant and easy to live with. In everyday driving and overtaking, the torque in the 335i is superb, kinda like bolting a couple of rockets to an armchair. My mod 335i feels like the power kicks in a lot faster and the car feels a lot more responsive than standard. On the track. I've only been to couple of track days. 335i still fairly soft on track untill you upgrade the suspension. Heaps of push out of corners, just have to watch temp(my car go up to 140C), that can't be good( maybe time for another oil cooler). I have driven a couple of 335i's and have noticed that above 120-140 plus and braking, the car feels uneasy.
E46 is a different animal. It never feels soft. Always got hairs on it's chest and ready to go. Not as easy to use as an everyday drive(smg) but not a disaster. On the street when rev's are low you have to drop back a couple of gears to really get it moving, but once it's in the right rev range it's screaming lika a banshee and wants you to trash it(yee ha). On the track- The M3 feels completely at home straight out of the box and feels pretty indestructable.
I personally prefer the 335i because of the ease of use. My mod 335i definitely feels quicker but their both awesome cars. Maybe we aren't comparing apples with apples and the new M3 is just around the corner.
What do you all think? Ever tried both cars?

[CaptOz]

As you know I have a 335 and have driven a M3 once around Eastern Creek on a BMW drive day. On the drive day I also got to drive the Z4M, M5 and M6 among others but thought the M3 had the best “feel”.

I will eventually take the 335 to the track. However, I feel that as 99% of the time I will be driving on the road that the 335 is a better option.

Cheers.

[Neema]

BEATEN TO DEATH, enough with these e46 m3 vs. 335 threads

[VGR00]

I think it would be unfair to compare the two. Both have been designed with different purposes in mind. The M3 is more hard core racer that is built to take a bit of track punishment. Then you also have to consider that the two cars are from different vintage where the newer car is going to have newer technology that bridges the performance gap.

Each one is great in their own way.

[ase2dais]

+1 agree with all, I still have my M3 e46 and will keep it for a while, the e90/2 is just like my e90/325 except much much faster. 335i good daily driver
while the e46 M3 is more involve you can feel it sensation in driving, definitely more connected with the car up to the cockpit feel.

[danielt]

For me, it was either a used E46 M3 or a new 335. The 335 is no M but has enough useable torque and enough fun factor for me. The E46 M3 SMG I found to be jerky during shifts. I've only been to the track once with the 335, and while fun, it's too far to get to on a regular basis.

The new upcoming M3 is going to be too expensive for me, plus I couldn't justify spending that sort of money on a car (yet)

[BMW //MPOWER]

IMHO the 335i lacks a lot of the aggressiveness the outgoing M3 possesses.
However it's a testament to the outgoing M3 that we're comparing a car that can be picked up 2nd hand for around 80k with a new model that's 120k+ and 6 years newer.
I guess all the 335i owners have to enjoy their little bit of time in the sun (as present guise top of the line 3er) before we start seeing the new M3 V8's on the road.

[astra]

Originally Posted by Boost_Nation

BEATEN TO DEATH, enough with these e46 m3 vs. 335 threads

+1

Originally Posted by BMW //MPOWER

IMHO the 335i lacks a lot of the aggressiveness the outgoing M3 possesses.
However it's a testament to the outgoing M3 that we're comparing a car that can be picked up 2nd hand for around 80k with a new model that's 120k+ and 6 years newer.
I guess all the 335i owners have to enjoy their little bit of time in the sun (as present guise top of the line 3er) before we start seeing the new M3 V8's on the road.

everything you just said is so true!

[1q2w3e4r]

M3 is a drivers car, the 335 is a nicer place to sit in traffic in. Both are great cars for hooning around town in and getting from A to B, although this is where the 335 wins out. Twisty roads or a track, the M3 is a much more exciting drive and better package.

[OZMOD335i]

Originally Posted by 1q2w3e4r

M3 is a drivers car, the 335 is a nicer place to sit in traffic in. Both are great cars for hooning around town in and getting from A to B, although this is where the 335 wins out. Twisty roads or a track, the M3 is a much more exciting drive and better package.

So true.

[docbeemer]

Originally Posted by 1q2w3e4r

M3 is a drivers car, the 335 is a nicer place to sit in traffic in. Both are great cars for hooning around town in and getting from A to B, although this is where the 335 wins out. Twisty roads or a track, the M3 is a much more exciting drive and better package.

sounds logical- if only we all were privileged enough to have both cars in our garage to choose from. but if we had to choose only one (ie your daily driver 95% of the time and taking into account the new car price and depreciation) what would it be???

I love the M3 (even the E46) but I own a 335...