[reeltime]

Hey guys so I recently sold my E90 330i and am looking to buy a new car.

I\'m looking at a couple (2007) E92 335i, and at a couple of (2004-06) E46 M3s.

I\'m worried about the whole issue with the turbos failing on the 07 335i...whats the possibility of it failing? Are they covered under warranty??

Or should I go with an E46 M3.

I know every person has their own opinion, but I honestly don\'t know which way to go.

I love the new e92 bodies but I\'ve always loved the e46 M3 body.

Anyways I wanna see your opinions!!

[GetSomeE92]

I would go with the 335i. It is newer and will likely have less miles. You may be able to find one for a good price with some CPO warranty left on it. While I don't know from personal experience, I've always heard that the M cars have really high maintenance costs. If the E46 M3 has the SMG transmission, I've heard those to be problematic at times and very expensive to fix.

[GmoBmw]

335i with CPO so you Won't worry about anything.

[Php]

That's a tough one. I was facing the same situation 2 years ago. I got the E92 335 at the end, but that was mainly because I came from an E46 330ci and wanted the new bodystyle + interior at the time. I don't regret my choice one bit. But now if I'm in the market for one and had to choose between the two again, I'll probably try to find a well maintained M3. Gotta love NA high rev engines. I want that Laguna Seaca Blue (discontinued after 04 I believe), 6 speed, and throw in some mods, BBS rims, and that will be a hell of a car. Plus no worries about HPFP so you can have a peace of mind during cross country roadtrips.

[N54B30A]

I have a e92 335i with procede, dps, exhaust, and intake , and my brother had an 05 e46 m3 with supersprint mufflers, M3AN headers, intake, and shocks and springs. I loved to drive the m3 for that small racecar like feel but for DD it just does not have enough torque for example when I'm passing someone on the free way i have to downshift to 3rd or 4th gear!! I enjoyed driving it but at the end of the day it doesn't come anywhere close to the torque and power of the 335i. The m3 did however sound like a god, this is a vid of his:

AND DONT GET SMG!!!!

[reeltime]

Thanks guys for your input!

I really want an M3 but I don't wanna go down from driving a newer body to an older body.

I love the new E9x bodies...I think I'm gonna go that way. I hate when I hav to make decisions like these!

Both are great cars....

[Nalod]

I went thru this 2 years ago.

I ended up with a 328i MT sport.

Because I put so few miles on, and no garage.

I crossed out the Turbo for all the obvious reasons. CPO makes little sense when you only put 8-9k miles a year. I moved from twisty fun road horse country to urban driving speed limit of 35mph.

So a low miles in warranty for two years 328i was great for me.

My decison started off between the two you mentioned.

my first choice was the M3 but MT with a proper clutch.

Plenty of performance.

Im more about the dynamics of the car than raw speed. my 328 was a more practical choice for me. Same as the beloved 335 but not as fast. Sport is sport.

e46 is a great car, and the M3 is wonderful. I have some days of few regrets.
Its the real deal. Nothing poser about that one!

[electro-house]

The m3 is going to be two generations old very soon. It's a touch choice though. An e46 m3 in top condition with low mileage is very nice, especially the CSL, or at least an 04-06 facelift model with the 19" wheels.

If it were me, I'd take an e46 m3 with MT if I owned another car along with it. The 335i might be a better daily driver if it is your only car, and a better overall option at this point. You can't go wrong either way. I think most people now in 2012 would pick the e92, but a real enthusiast would go for the e46 m3.

[FCBuff]

I own both, E46 M3 and E91 328xit. BOth are great. I think if you are like me, and always wanted to own an M3, then go for it. The maintenance costs are over exagerated imo if you find a nice one that hasn't been abused. This is especially true if you do any wrenching yourself. I just completed the inspection II with all fluid changes myself (except for valve job). Be patient. The E9x is very nice and cushy, definately a better DD, but again, the M3 isn't bad in that regard.

[Eric335]

I sometimes wish i had an E46 M3 actually a lot lol but still, the 335i is better in most respects

[Wild Squid]

I made this decision last year and I chose the 2011 E92 335i. Easy decision. E46 M3 will be 2 generations old soon like someone above said. It's not that exclusive of a car to keep around as it ages. Now a Mark IV Supra Turbo on the other hand, one of only 2 cars I can think of that I would still buy today if in tip top condition.

[bubbahead]

e46 m3 just looks too old and outdated

Originally Posted by e90driva

Hey guys so I recently sold my E90 330i and am looking to buy a new car.

I\'m looking at a couple (2007) E92 335i, and at a couple of (2004-06) E46 M3s.

I\'m worried about the whole issue with the turbos failing on the 07 335i...whats the possibility of it failing? Are they covered under warranty??

Or should I go with an E46 M3.

I know every person has their own opinion, but I honestly don\'t know which way to go.

I love the new e92 bodies but I\'ve always loved the e46 M3 body.

Anyways I wanna see your opinions!!

[roundle]

Originally Posted by FCBuff

I own both, E46 M3 and E91 328xit. BOth are great. I think if you are like me, and always wanted to own an M3, then go for it. The maintenance costs are over exagerated imo if you find a nice one that hasn't been abused. This is especially true if you do any wrenching yourself. I just completed the inspection II with all fluid changes myself (except for valve job). Be patient. The E9x is very nice and cushy, definately a better DD, but again, the M3 isn't bad in that regard.

Nice rides!

@ OP: Check this out:

http://everydaydriver.com/episodes/b...on-e46-vs-e90/

[lennon31987]

e46 m3 for a toy and a fun car, 335 for DD duties and still fun. cant go wrong either way but personally I'd stick with (I did this when the e90 came out in 06) the e46 m3. I drove a bunch of early 335's, nice cars but didnt have the same SOUL as the e46 m3, at the time I was all about the drive and the experience, which the e92 didnt do for me. Times changes and so do opinions but the e46 m3 is a timeless vehicle that will always command road presence.

my 0.02, cheers

[reeltime]

Ahhhh man you guys have good arguments. I know the e46 m3 is almost 2 generations old and looks outdated. But I don't know...I love those cars.

This will be my DD so the 335i might win that category. It's a hard decision. I know myself and no matter which way I go, I'll probably end up having some regrets on some days.

It seems like most of you had the same dilemma and went with the 335i. I might follow the same path. It seems to be more practical for me :

Again thanks for all your opinions!!

[Axelfuzz]

335i. I think the turbo issues are blown WAY out of proportion here. It's important to remember the exaggerated"epidemic" of E46 M3 motor issues a few years ago. Pick a car with low miles (preferably CPO) and enjoy.

[Beemw335]

335i looks newer and better, is faster, has less expensive maintenance and is more tunable.

Your choice

[Eric335]

OP lets put it this way: ive been doing some # crunching to find out how much id lose if i went with an E46 M3 and sold the 335i

[roberts5831]

honestly bro i would NOT go with the M3... i loved her when i had it. but honestly i spend $12K in a year on fixing it, go with with the 335i and with all the upgrades u can blow that m3 outta the water!! good luck

[J3NGOe90]

335i! no doubt!

[reeltime]

i think im going with the 335i. just gotta find someone selling it for a good price.

Everyone's hating on the M3 here haha!

[BMTroubleYOU]

e46 of course.
110%
(bmw mechanic's opinion)