E90 M3 vs. B8 S4 vs. F30 335i

[bodonx]

Hi Folks,

I'm currently driving F10 535i. Although it's a nice car, it's too heavy and too big for my 4 mile daily commute.

Therefore, I am looking a smaller fun car to replace it.

These 3 cars are in my radar. I have test driven 2 of these.

I just want to hear your opinions especially from people who have owned all three.

Thanks in advance

[Black Gold]

The s4 and 335 are much more similar than the m3

You should drive them and decide

The power delivery is very different, and th s4 and 335 are much more cruiser oriented than the m3 which is sharper and rougher than those cars.

Depends what you like. I greatly prefer the m3 driving experience.

[Jaymax85]

tell us this, other than ur 4 mile commute to work, what will u use the car for? Any track time? What is ur budget like for maintenance?

[bodonx]

I don't go to track. I only bring the car to mountain drive in the weekend sometimes.

Maintenance budget is not an issue. I don't mind purchasing $3-5k extended warranty as necessary.

Originally Posted by jawwadh

tell us this, other than ur 4 mile commute to work, what will u use the car for? Any track time? What is ur budget like for maintenance?

[Jaymax85]

Originally Posted by bodonx

I don't go to track. I only bring the car to mountain drive in the weekend sometimes.

Maintenance budget is not an issue. I don't mind purchasing $3-5k extended warranty as necessary.

Well they are different beasts.. the m3 is somewhat of a track car for the street....I don't think you can wring it out on the street safely. It has very high limits. Also the lack of torque compared to the f30 335i hurts it as a DD. I personally am looking to retire my m3 as a DD next year (keep it for the weekends) and buy a used 335i.

I think it will come down to a test drive for you. The f30 335i may be a better option for you.

[kdphan]

I've owned an e92 M3 before my current B8 S4

e92 was a beast and I couldn't use it to its limit since I never tracked it. Like you, I took it around the mountains for fun.

S4 is like a 335i. S4 felt more powerful IMO. But these 2 are meant as sports touring cars and can perform fine around the mountains.


S4 has better resale value compared to the 335i though.

[bodonx]

Originally Posted by kdphan

I've owned an e92 M3 before my current B8 S4

e92 was a beast and I couldn't use it to its limit since I never tracked it. Like you, I took it around the mountains for fun.

S4 is like a 335i. S4 felt more powerful IMO. But these 2 are meant as sports touring cars and can perform fine around the mountains.


S4 has better resale value compared to the 335i though.

Thanks for the input.

• Do you think M3 is too uncomfortable for daily driving?
• Is S4 more fun to drive than F30 335i? Is it worth extra few grands?

[mjposner]

Do you think M3 is too uncomfortable for daily driving? Not to me, and I commute 22 miles plus I am 52.

Is S4 more fun to drive than F30 335i? heavier

Is it worth extra few grands? unless you need all wheel drive you are always lugging around 200 extra unneeded pounds, plus extra complexity

[F1Venom]

E90 M3

[Ezio]

The m3 is going to have a way better engine note, and better driving experience. every bit of the car will feel better.

i think the m3 makes a great daily driver. I love driving mine everyday.

[radiognome]

Get yourself an E93 M3. You'll enjoy it, I promise! =)

[slicer]

You will find a huge bias on this forum (which I'm sure you expected). I prefer the M3 over those other options by a huge margin. I have daily driven 2 M3's over the past 5 years. The M3 is a great DD especially with the stock suspension and exhaust. Once you change those two things it can get a little harder to live with every day. I have not owned the other options you are considering but I have driven them. If you want the sportiest, sharpest, most aggressive option then the m3 is your best bet. You live in LA so you don't need all-wheel-drive. Both the S4 and the 335i can produce some big power with the right modifications. I have heard about some very high-powered S4's that could easily beat an M3 in a straight line - like 600-700 hp levels. I owned 4 separate Audi's in the past and every one of them had surprisingly bad reliability issues. At the end of the day, the M3 is an unbeatable package for practicality, fun, and value IMO. Test driving all of them will help you make your decision.

[Atombyte]

I don't think there's any difference in comfort between a 335 and M3 (I've had both), but if you're primarily just doing a 4 mile urban commute, you'd be wasting a M3 IMO. If you can swing it, get a M3 for fun and a small, efficient car for your daily commute. If you can only get one and are only considering what you listed, I'd recommend the 335. It has great performance and will have much better gas mileage.

[bodonx]

Originally Posted by Atombyte

I don't think there's any difference in comfort between a 335 and M3 (I've had both), but if you're primarily just doing a 4 mile urban commute, you'd be wasting a M3 IMO. If you can swing it, get a M3 for fun and a small, efficient car for your daily commute. If you can only get one and are only considering what you listed, I'd recommend the 335. It has great performance and will have much better gas mileage.

How do you compare DCT vs. 8sp sport auto?

How do you compare the steering wheels?

[Atombyte]

Originally Posted by bodonx

How do you compare DCT vs. 8sp sport auto?

How do you compare the steering wheels?

My 335 was 6MT, my M3 is 6MT. I have driven DCT M3s and my 535 has the 8AT. While I can comment on how really good the 8AT is, my time with the DCT was somewhat limited, but in that context (track), I didn't care for the DCT. I would think for a 4-mile urban commute, the 8AT would probably be the better transmission.

If my M3 has a different steering wheel than my old 335 (other than the leather wrapping), I wouldn't even notice. I think they're the same.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by Atombyte

I don't think there's any difference in comfort between a 335 and M3 (I've had both), but if you're primarily just doing a 4 mile urban commute, you'd be wasting a M3 IMO. If you can swing it, get a M3 for fun and a small, efficient car for your daily commute. If you can only get one and are only considering what you listed, I'd recommend the 335. It has great performance and will have much better gas mileage.

Who needs gas mileage when the commute is only 4 miles? All the more reason to get it. My commute is 3 miles but on the weekends i refuse to drive any other car. Its a DD and only has weekend car miles. Perfect id say.

[klammer]

Originally Posted by Atombyte

My 335 was 6MT, my M3 is 6MT. I have driven DCT M3s and my 535 has the 8AT. While I can comment on how really good the 8AT is, my time with the DCT was somewhat limited, but in that context (track), I didn't care for the DCT. I would think for a 4-mile urban commute, the 8AT would probably be the better transmission.

If my M3 has a different steering wheel than my old 335 (other than the leather wrapping), I wouldn't even notice. I think they're the same.

You didn't like the DCT on the track? I think that's where it shines! And all this lack of torque bullshit is killing me! (You know that the torque to the wheels is similar to a vette with the m3's gearing) I find the high revving engine perfect for city driving. I never use the brakes and drive like the city is laid out perfectly for me. This car is about driving, not commuting (although my wife DD's ours). It's like a 600 or 750 sport bike, sounds like most people want a hayabusa though. If you're not going to track the car, believe you will miss a lot of what this car has to offer. Either of your other options would more than foot the bill.

[jdogg2000]

For you, gas mileage is less of an issue... other than gas mileage, the M3 would be the PERFECT do everything car. Stick the DCT on auto and everything in comfort mode and it feels kind of like a 335i, except for sounding much better (I've had both). Switch it to M Mode when you're ready to have fun, and the entertainment level goes SO much higher than the 335i.

[Sapper_M3]

Originally Posted by klammer

You didn't like the DCT on the track? I think that's where it shines! And all this lack of torque bullshit is killing me! (You know that the torque to the wheels is similar to a vette with the m3's gearing) I find the high revving engine perfect for city driving. I never use the brakes and drive like the city is laid out perfectly for me. This car is about driving, not commuting (although my wife DD's ours). It's like a 600 or 750 sport bike, sounds like most people want a hayabusa though. If you're not going to track the car, believe you will miss a lot of what this car has to offer. Either of your other options would more than foot the bill.

Admittedly, I'm not offering much value added to this thread, but I will +1 on klammer's comment regarding the E92 M3's torque.

All too often people recalibrate their butt dynos based on spec sheets ("The E92 M3 only has 295 lb-ft of torque!"), without even understanding the first thing about torque curves or the impact of gearing on torque to the wheels.

Back to specifically addressing the OP, this can only be solved by more test drives. Get out there, and find a car you love!

[ridin135]

To be completely honest the M3 is a totally different feeling then the other two cars. It just feels special the moment you get into it. I will have to say if your main commute is just straight line city driving and you don't plan on tracking the car just get the 335i. You won't need the Awd of the S4 and personally I don't find the s4 attractive (just my personal opinion). The new 335i is really nice looking especially if you get the m sport package. It's not anywhere as good as the m3 but for your purposes it's better. It's easier to have fun on the streets with the 335 then the M3, unless of course you live near some really nice curvy roads. The low end torque of the 335 is better for daily commute as it gives you the feeling that your accelerating alot faster then you are. I am not one saying the M3 is really lacking in torque but you do have to wind the car out to really enjoy it, which on the public streets isn't the best thing. You can't deny the gas savings either.

[budski]

I traded in m 535i E60 for the m3 that I use as a DD (and my only car). Even though my commute is short, it's nice to have some fun winding out a couple of gears before work. The m3's 8400RPM > Starbucks to get your juices flowing

[lockeed]

I've owned an B8 A4 with Sport Package (Sport seats, lower stance, 18" wheels etc...)for 3 years before switching to the E90. The A4 is firmer than M3. Suspension and comfort is superior on the M3. No questions.

Although I loved the A4 (test drove the S4 and apart from the power difference, found it very similar), the E90 is on another level in every aspects - except traction of course.

That's said, I'd choose the S4 over the 335, but the M3 is the one to get if you can - based on your requirements. No doubt here!