Used E90 M3 or EVO X

[eddieinotayev]

I know this is a uneven comparison but please hear me out.

I used to own a f30 335i, jb4, intake, down-pipe, and CP. Prob around 325whp. I Sold it because i thought the suspension was way to soft and boring, while it was certainly fast it didn't feel like it. Im in the market of a new sports car and i dont want to be in the same situation.

Just a disclaimer, i don't care about which is faster, more comfortable, more daily driver, reliability, etc...(" i already know all this information") ALL I CARE ABOUT or the reason why i am posting this thread, is which car is more fun, which car has the tuned suspension that makes you feel like you driving a rocket. FOR EXAMPLE Some cars have the same horsepower but one feels faster than the other. I care about the BUTT DYNO.

So lets begin, here are my 2 options

2011 EVO GSR fully modded with stock internals 500hp or 425whp. 75k miles, for price range around 25k. I have a friend selling one, i think he has the STX500 package from AMS.

2011 BMW M3 Stock, 75k miles, price range around 30k. I can find from a dealer.

Would like to hear experience from people who had both cars.

Your reply will really help my decision getting ready to buy a car real soon.

:resp ect:

[eatsleepboost]

I had 2 Evo 8s and modded them both and now have an 11 zcp m3. It's hard to compare both cars. For me the Evo X never grew on me. I was very partial to the 4g63 engine. I recently turned 30 and to me the Evo seems more like a boy racer car. If I was still 25 or under I think I would have gotten another Evo instead of my m3. Especially one loaded with bolt ons. Everything is way cheaper on evos too as far as mods, repairs, maintenance, insurance etc so if finances make any decision for you there is a big savings to get an X. 5k on the top like u said then all then all maint and repairs. It is enjoyable driving the m3 and it's fun but it's no built Evo. I do miss the raw power of the Evo. That's all I miss about it though. The drivability, handling, brakes, interior, etc everything expect for power is better with the m3. Also depends on what you are gonna use the car for. Drag race, Evo all day. Auto-x or just fun daily driver or weekend car m3. If you have not driven an m3 yet you should. At first I was underwhelmed with the power but after doing some reading you gotta rev these engines up to make the power and I grew to love it. It's nice not having turbo lag any more. But it's never gonna compare to my old Evo going from 0psi to 30psi at wide open throttle. I will always miss that. Evo is better for year round driving too and is SO much fun to drive in the snow with snows.

[eddieinotayev]

Originally Posted by eatsleepboost

I had 2 Evo 8s and modded them both and now have an 11 zcp m3. It's hard to compare both cars. For me the Evo X never grew on me. I was very partial to the 4g63 engine. I recently turned 30 and to me the Evo seems more like a boy racer car. If I was still 25 or under I think I would have gotten another Evo instead of my m3. Especially one loaded with bolt ons. Everything is way cheaper on evos too as far as mods, repairs, maintenance, insurance etc so if finances make any decision for you there is a big savings to get an X. 5k on the top like u said then all then all maint and repairs. It is enjoyable driving the m3 and it's fun but it's no built Evo. I do miss the raw power of the Evo. That's all I miss about it though. The drivability, handling, brakes, interior, etc everything expect for power is better with the m3. Also depends on what you are gonna use the car for. Drag race, Evo all day. Auto-x or just fun daily driver or weekend car m3. If you have not driven an m3 yet you should. At first I was underwhelmed with the power but after doing some reading you gotta rev these engines up to make the power and I grew to love it. It's nice not having turbo lag any more. But it's never gonna compare to my old Evo going from 0psi to 30psi at wide open throttle. I will always miss that. Evo is better for year round driving too and is SO much fun to drive in the snow with snows.

Thanks for your reply! You really helped me see the difference between the both. Thanks again

[Jhanksm3]

Originally Posted by eatsleepboost

I had 2 Evo 8s and modded them both and now have an 11 zcp m3. It's hard to compare both cars. For me the Evo X never grew on me. I was very partial to the 4g63 engine. I recently turned 30 and to me the Evo seems more like a boy racer car. If I was still 25 or under I think I would have gotten another Evo instead of my m3. Especially one loaded with bolt ons. Everything is way cheaper on evos too as far as mods, repairs, maintenance, insurance etc so if finances make any decision for you there is a big savings to get an X. 5k on the top like u said then all then all maint and repairs. It is enjoyable driving the m3 and it's fun but it's no built Evo. I do miss the raw power of the Evo. That's all I miss about it though. The drivability, handling, brakes, interior, etc everything expect for power is better with the m3. Also depends on what you are gonna use the car for. Drag race, Evo all day. Auto-x or just fun daily driver or weekend car m3. If you have not driven an m3 yet you should. At first I was underwhelmed with the power but after doing some reading you gotta rev these engines up to make the power and I grew to love it. It's nice not having turbo lag any more. But it's never gonna compare to my old Evo going from 0psi to 30psi at wide open throttle. I will always miss that. Evo is better for year round driving too and is SO much fun to drive in the snow with snows.

I was in the same boat owned 2 evo 8s. The cars are completely different and will come down to what you want. I was not a fan of the 4b11 motor in the x and I think its because I am a 4g63 guy so its hard for me to tell you about it, but what I can say is it makes great power for cheap. You have to determine what you want out of your next car before you can decide

[roastbeef]

drive both cars. accelerate hard at a corner exit at the top of the rev range. i think you'll find what you are looking for.

[pbonsalb]

You will want a supercharger on the M3. Even then it needs to be revved.

[RjR]

I got both, for the same reason others have said, they are two completely different cars. If I had to pick I would stay with the evo. It feels lighter and nimbler than the m.

[MrMikeHenry]

I have owned a 2011 EVO x, 2013 335i , and a 2011 M3 I will say an evo you can make it faster for a lot less money than the m3 but I would take a m3 over an evo it just feels more beefy. The m3 handles better sounds better and the interior in superior in every way. But it's personal preference if u like tuning evo is the car for you very easy and cheap to make big power.

[srmast1]

I came from a tuned 2011 sti ~300 whp and while it felt faster than the m3 and accelerated harder, I prefer the m3. First, the m3 is a beautiful car, and felt more special in every way but your butt dyno will probably give the nod to the evo. The Japanese tuner cars are cheap speed in comparo to the e9x m3. I though the suspension on the sti was too taught as well. In order for it to compare, you are going to have to supercharge the m3 and that opens up a whole separate can of worms and can be quite expensive as well. Personally, I don't think I would feel so comfortable slapping a supercharger on a engine with 75k miles that was never meant for forced induction. Drive both cars, but if you are looking for that brutal acceleration that will make your butt dyno happy, it'll be the evo unless you supercharge. And you want a taught suspension, which the evo is known for.

[rcracin]

Nothing satisfies the butt dyno like being pushed back into your seat when the turbo spools. You'll love the m3, but I think it will leave you wanting more in the power department and mods arent cheap. The evo sounds like your best option. Worst case, rock the evo for a year and see if it satisfies you. BUT, if you got used to the luxury of a bmw with your f30, you won't find that with the evo. I think you already know that though.

If it was just suspension with the f30, why didn't you just get coilovers?

[Dan Bilzerian]

Originally Posted by rcracin

Nothing satisfies the butt dyno like being pushed back into your seat when the turbo spools. You'll love the m3, but I think it will leave you wanting more in the power department and mods arent cheap. The evo sounds like your best option. Worst case, rock the evo for a year and see if it satisfies you. BUT, if you got used to the luxury of a bmw with your f30, you won't find that with the evo. I think you already know that though.

If it was just suspension with the f30, why didn't you just get coilovers?

That's a good point. Put a set of Ohlins on and you have a new car.

[eddieinotayev]

Originally Posted by rcracin

Nothing satisfies the butt dyno like being pushed back into your seat when the turbo spools. You'll love the m3, but I think it will leave you wanting more in the power department and mods arent cheap. The evo sounds like your best option. Worst case, rock the evo for a year and see if it satisfies you. BUT, if you got used to the luxury of a bmw with your f30, you won't find that with the evo. I think you already know that though.

If it was just suspension with the f30, why didn't you just get coilovers?

So getting shorter springs makes the car feel faster?. If yes i guess ill do that on the M3 so it will feel the same like the EVO. I perfer the M3, but if its that much funner to sacrifice the BMW's luxury i will take the EVO.

[Munichm3]

I remember driving an evo X, and while it was fast, it felt extremely unstable at high speeds... I’m talking 100+ while in the e9x, 100+ feels like you’re cruising

[rdoctor]

Sounds like the EVO would be the best bet for the OP.

[DSilk]

Originally Posted by eddieinotayev

So getting shorter springs makes the car feel faster?. If yes i guess ill do that on the M3 so it will feel the same like the EVO. I perfer the M3, but if its that much funner to sacrifice the BMW's luxury i will take the EVO.

The 335i has a softer suspension than the M3. The M3 has adjustible dampers (comfort, normal, sport) that you can switch on the go. No need to fit aftermarket springs to the M3.

[Dan Bilzerian]

Originally Posted by DSilk

The 335i has a softer suspension than the M3. The M3 has adjustible dampers (comfort, normal, sport) that you can switch on the go. No need to fit aftermarket springs to the M3.

No need? There's always a need to put on a set of ohlins!

[Z K]

I had an 05 Evo 8.. it was the final one with the ACD and front LSD like the Evo 9. And I had a 08 Evo X. Both were very fun cars.

If this is just your weekend car which you take out the track or on fun twisty road drives - the Evo will be much more fun to drive. But if you value things like comfort and want a car you can use every day - while still having fun on track the M3 fits the bill better. The Evos only felt good when you were pushing it. My Evo X Recaros were super uncomfortable for me and on long drives my back would hurt. The Evo 8 had more comfortable seats. The M3 I could relax in and have a good time at lower speeds.

That said, I could never match my lap times I set in my tuned Evo X in my M3. I probably would have kept the Evo if I bought a 2nd car to daily drive.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by Dan Bilzerian

No need? There's always a need to put on a set of ohlins!

I strongly agree. The biggest let down in the M3 is the terrible stock suspension. It lacks rebound and you float over road bumps in any setting. (sport just makes it uncomfortable without increasing grip) That and the lack of shock travel - on any hard cornering, the car rides the bump stops.

[BayE30]

I had an EVO X for a short amount of time. It was an OK car, but I was always partial to RWD cars. Also for those saying Japanese cars are cheap, try having a clutch replaced on the EVO X, get ready for a $2500 repair bill, and that's with stock parts...DIY is NO FUN either. I will take my e90 m3 over an EVO X anyday.

[R3dliner]

If anything get the earlier evo's. The X is just hideous look wise especially the back end.

[cenix]

I'd skip both and grab a clean AP2 S2000. If you're going to keep it factory/stock, get the 2008/2009 CR version for a firmer, stiffer suspension and crisper handling.

[eddieinotayev]

Originally Posted by cenix

I'd skip both and grab a clean AP2 S2000. If you're going to keep it factory/stock, get the 2008/2009 CR version for a firmer, stiffer suspension and crisper handling.

08-09 CR?