[drv62]

It's time to move from my 06 Boxster and I have three cars that I like:

06 M3 Red/Grey Leather/6MT only 33,000 miles, 1 owner, from a dealer $29K

08 335i Coupe Grey/Black Leather/Sport/Premium/CPO/6MT with 56000 miles - 2 owner, very clean, HPFP replaced for $24K private sale

08 335i Sedan Grey/Black Leather/Sport/Premium/Comfort Access/6MT with 24000 miles - 1 owner, some rim rash, HPFP and injectors replaced for $28K private sale

Plus the BMW CPO's with the $1500 first three payments offer seem not to far away.

I've driven the 335i's and then are very similar - nice. I did find the handling not as good as the Boxster, brakes a bit grabby and my feet and the pedals need some adjustment to avoid catching my toe on something down there.

Test drives are good - but not owning the car. Factors I'm considering are:

- resale value 2-3 years from now
- maintenance costs
- I have a mix of long and short drives - with my commute to work just 4 miles (any worries with the turbos)
- Black interior in the summer (in NC)
- Coupe looks vs occasional easier access to the back seats
- CPO+higher miles vs $4k difference and lower miles
- M
- wait ... something better always comes along and the Boxster is nice in the spring

Thoughts and opinions very welcome....

[Express]

id go for one of the 335's. the m3 is an 06, and its dated in my opinion. maintenance costs for an m3 i feel will be more in the long run. (about 15 a quart for oil..)

[Tortfeasor 335xi]

I would go for the 335 as well, especially as a daily driver. The reason being that the old M3 and the 335 make similar power, but the 335 has better low down torque which makes daily driving easier. I think if you were looking for a track car the M3 would be the better choice, but on the street I think a 335 makes more sense.

[IFX]

I have an 05 M3, mom has a 335.

335 would definitely better if you want a softer DD. With some power.

I'm 20, so i haven't hit that phase yet, I love the rawness.


Considering your variables, you'd be better off in the 335.

[Black Gold]

I had the same choice and although it was a super tough decision, I went with the 335 because of the turbo engine and fact that it was newer and had lower maintenance costs. The tuneability of the 335 was a big factor for me.

Though sometimes I miss the m I can't lie.....that throttle response was superhuman....

[mikey23]

Is the 06 m3 the e46 or e90? Don't know the official year it changed over and don't know about pricing in the states.

[J02 335i]

Originally Posted by mikey23

Is the 06 m3 the e46 or e90? Don't know the official year it changed over and don't know about pricing in the states.

06 M3's are E46. OP I had an E46 M3 and loved it but sold it because I needed a four door, so I bought an E90 335i, I have to say I like the 335i better for many reasons, the power is easily accessible vs the M3, cheaper to maintain, easily tuned for incredible power for very cheap, plus I rarely tracked the car and thats were it would really shine, so for me the 335i was where its at.

[drv62]

The 06 m3 is e46.... seeing most opinions favor the 335i... is it worth $4K to get one with 24K miles vs 56K miles...?

[mikey23]

Then I would take 335 and I think 4k is worth 32k miles

[mikracer]

Originally Posted by J02 335i

06 M3's are E46. OP I had an E46 M3 and loved it but sold it because I needed a four door, so I bought an E90 335i, I have to say I like the 335i better for many reasons, the power is easily accessible vs the M3, cheaper to maintain, easily tuned for incredible power for very cheap, plus I rarely tracked the car and thats were it would really shine, so for me the 335i was where its at.

I have to mimic everything said in this post. I had an E46 M3 and it was a great car, but the maintenance on it costs at least twice as much as the 335. I needed a 4 door as well and with the turbos, its easy to make decent power. HPF turbo kit for the M3 starts around 15k! Granted, you will have about 550hp, but still, 15k!

[rothwem]

If I only had a 4 mile commute, I'd take the m3 all day every day and 6 times on sunday. The ONLY thing I dislike about the m3 is the gas mileage. It does everything else better than the 335i.

[Verbiage]

335 sedan brah! Its good for everything!

[ihvabmr]

M3 hands down. Yes, the maintenance is going to cost slightly higher, but do you really want to deal with the HPFP and turbo issues down the line? Turbos are extremely expensive to replace, and who knows whether you will be needing to replace HPFP again.

[malter2.0]

Been there, done that.

Get the M3. 335 will plummet in value. M3 depreciation will be at a MUCH slower rate.

Maintenance will be MORE on 335, NOT LESS. . Turbo system is complex and what you gain in part prices on 335 you will lose 3x over in labor time. There are more parts, shields, aero pieces, underbody panels to take out on the 335 than on M3 in order to get to the problem. Not to mention that indy shop mechanics are way more versed to work on previous generation cars than on current more electronically complex models.

People that are scared of m3 maintenace typically blame it on valve adjustments. They are done every 30k (you can go more ...it is not going to be a big deal. This is not as important as for example interference engine timing belt changes) and this is $500-800 at indy shop. That's the price of two good 19" rear tires installed.

If you go 335 route, get the CPO car. These cars are owned only with warranty.

[Lucky13]

M3 for sure. Owned a 2002, 2003 and 2004 and wish I never sold my 2004. The engine is rock solid, good gas milage and more fun to drive. Yes it's dated but in another year the new 3 series will be out and all of our 335's will be dated.

[mmm def]

I had an 07 335 and now I have an 05 M3. The M3 is so raw and nasty and loud and fun, I love it. I do miss my 335 a lot..the low end torgue, the features, I am a sedan lover so for me the looks. I use my wife's Honda Fit as my DD, so in this case I would prefer the M3. If I had to drive the BMW everyday, I would prefer the 335, it's just more comfortable and easy to drive. The M3 makes you work harder, but rewards you more.

Don't be scared of the maintenance on the M3, it's not that expensive. Inspection II every 30k is not a big deal, plus you drive 4 miles to work?

I say M3, and it will hold its value much better.

[hipnotic]

m3

[Acepilot01]

You should make this a poll

[stressdoc]

When in doubt wait. Porsche will sell well in spring.

IMO the E90 335 with a few mods is a classic; near supercar performance, 4 door practicality, great DD and long distance cruiser. Best car I have ever owned.

[capaladj]

335...i had the same decision but opted with the 335 because it is newer, and with a few hundred bucks it will be faster than the E46 m3. I agree that you need a CPO though. My vehicle doesn't seem to have the problem with the HPFP, starts just fine. with 31k miles. i checked the records and the the pump has never been replaced.

[Kayani_1]

I think you should look harder and find a CPO 335i coupe with lower mileage then the one you found. The E46 M3 is amazing but it is dated and will cost a lot more to maintain.

Get a CPO 335i coupe and save $1500 like you said plus less worries since it will be covered by BMW until 6 years or 100K.

[bumere90]

06 M3 Red/Grey Leather/6MT only 33,000 miles, 1 owner, from a dealer $29K