[Kians313]

Figure this might be an interesting choice that we could get good feedback on... and its been killing me... so much so I started looking at other makes around the $55k to $60k price range.. makes the choice worse.

Anyways, these cars are very close in price (+/- $2000) but what I reckon is potentially very different drive/feel, equipment, considerations that affect potential resale (eg. last of the N/A M cars possibly?). Here are the specs:

2013 F30 335 with M Sport
New
8Speed Auto with Paddle shifters
Prem Pkg.
Tech Pkg (HUD)
Harman/Kardon
BMW Apps
High gloss black kidney grills
CF Side mirror caps
20" wheels
M Performance Brakes
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/ProductDet...nterId=2674702
M Performance Exhaust
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/ProductDet...nterId=2674702

OR

2011 E90 M3 Sedan with Comp Pkg DCT
Built 04/10, but in service around 09/10
36,500miles but CPO till 6yrs/100m
Tech Pkg
Prem Pkg
Decent paint condition (few minor scratches touched up)

Any thoughts highly appreciated!

[sean10mm]

The 335i is not in the same performance class as the M3, even if you slap on every M Performance upgrade they've got. If you want M3 performance get the M3.

And out of curiosity, why do you want 20" wheels? They're just going to make the ride worse and be more prone to damage without any performance benefit in return. Nothing wrong with getting them for looks, but if you want function then super-light 18" wheels are a better investment.

If you want more bang for the buck I'd go with a sport line with the staggered wheel option, or an M Sport with the standard staggered 400M wheels and sink the savings into the M Performance suspension and/or the M Performance power kit.

[SamS]

As someone who owned a '12 E92 M3 with Competition package + ordered a F30h w/M-sport (delivery in 5 weeks), I can offer you probably the most unique perspective. Not sure of anyone else going from E9x to F30?

You can substitute my experience with the E92 for the E90 you're considering, as they drive/perform virtually identically.

The M3 is raw and often noisy, but in a good way. The rawness is personal preference, some people may not be used to it. The two main knocks against the M3:

1. It drinks gas like nobody's business. At 14mpg, it will dent your wallet quickly. Some people will tell you they get 16mpg, and that might be true. But you'll want to drive it to get the most excitement, and that means <15mpg, which is almost comically embarrassing for something that is not a 1-ton dually.
   
2. The tech is outdated, compared to a F30. Sure, the Navigation is similar, but the F30 gets a much nicer instrument panel, and you get HUD. If you enjoy tech, the F30 feels about 10 years newer than the M3.

An F30 335i is a wonderful car. You must get the dynamic handling package. Skip the 20" wheels IMO. Unless you plan on tracking the car, the F30 with DHP is plenty sporty for around-town driving. The torque is quite nice! The M3 does not feel short on torque, until you drive around from 30mph->60mph in a 335i. It feels pretty effortless with the F30, the M3 needs to get wound up a bit more.

What you're really missing on the F30 is of course the S65 motor. A true masterpiece! But you pay dearly in gas, and often the lack of opportunity to get it above 5000rpm during normal driving.

For me, it boiled down to recently needing the addition of 2 more doors, and the frustration with the lack of mpg in the M3. I have a heavy-traffic commute. I'm expecting my ActiveHybrid 3 to offer 40mpg, more torque than the M3, and tech that is substantially better (AH3 has the next-gen BMW Navigation).

Do I miss my M3? Sure. But it can't do everything quite as well as the F30 can, for my needs and situation.

[Roki_014]

Originally Posted by sean10mm

The 335i is not in the same performance class as the M3, even if you slap on every M Performance upgrade they've got. If you want M3 performance get the M3.

And out of curiosity, why do you want 20" wheels? They're just going to make the ride worse and be more prone to damage without any performance benefit in return. Nothing wrong with getting them for looks, but if you want function then super-light 18" wheels are a better investment.

If you want more bang for the buck I'd go with a sport line with the staggered 18" wheel option and sink the savings into the M Performance suspension and/or the M Performance power kit.

I have 403s right now and if i had known that the ride would be this comfortable i would have gotten 20s

[Kians313]

Originally Posted by sean10mm

The 335i is not in the same performance class as the M3, even if you slap on every M Performance upgrade they've got. If you want M3 performance get the M3.

And out of curiosity, why do you want 20" wheels? They're just going to make the ride worse and be more prone to damage without any performance benefit in return. Nothing wrong with getting them for looks, but if you want function then super-light 18" wheels are a better investment.

If you want more bang for the buck I'd go with a sport line with the staggered wheel option, or an M Sport with the standard staggered 400M wheels and sink the savings into the M Performance suspension and/or the M Performance power kit.

Thanks for the feedback.. i might be mistaken on the 20"s and they could be 19"s. Its something the dealer kitted the car with. Not my choice.

[jrob]

Also, the resale on the M3 is probably going to drop once the new ones start coming out shortly so I would wait to buy one until after that point to avoid losing a bunch of value in a short period of time. SamS brings up some good points between the two, but personally I'd go with the F30.

[UhhItsANT]

OP is getting a M3 sedan. Those are even harder to come by. But yes the tech on it is outdated compared to the F30. Plus a tad bit more room in the F30.

[mikew2069]

I basically went through the exact same dilemma as you. I opted for the new body style, better fuel economy and the ability to mod to the same WHP as a stock M3 w/ a couple grand.

Edit: Oh, not to mention a brand NEW car w/ warranty. Until the mods I guess.

[utenigma]

I had the same choice - I was shopping used M3's and ended up going with a new F30 335

The S65 motor is a masterpiece-but like SamS said, it's a thirsty masterpiece. Winding it out to 8k is a real motoring experience, but at the end of the day, I think the rational old man/dad in me convinced the stupid kid in me that my back didn't need suspension that tight, a motor that raucous, or transmission that neck-snapping - I really didn't need a super sedan, and if I got it I would end up doing something stupid in it

As concession - the F30 335 (with dynamic handling and Sport auto 8 speed)

It can ride like a limo when I feel like it, then flick a switch and it takes a few steps toward the M3 (doesn't get all the way there obviously, but the change is noticeable and entertaining). The comment on the tech is right on target - I came from a 2001 E46 330, and the E90 M3's tech seemed like it was just a year or two newer than my '01. The F30 feels like a space ship - and I geek out on tech like that. The 8speed sport auto is AMAZING - fast like a DCT when you want it to be, and buttery smooth when you don't. And it never seems to have to hunt for gears - Almost every gear can be instantly changed to from every other gear (unlike a DCT that has to flip back and forth between the two gear sets-the ZF 8speed can go from 8th to 2nd in 100ms, it's just stupid good). The N55 motor makes gobs of torque right off the line, gets great gas mileage (combo of the tranny, motor, all the power saving features (electric steering, regen braking etc)) and (just a feeling) the S65 felt too much like a race motor to me - felt like it was constantly on the edge of tearing itself apart - the N55 seems like it's just loping along in it' s butter zone, not straining at all

Then there was just the new vs used factor - there's a little something about being the first and only owner of a car

Their both great cars - I wouldn't think anyone was stupid to pick the E90 M3 over an F30 335 - they just do different things and get them done in different ways. If you like the way the M3 gets it done - go for it. I liked the F30

[Jamesons Viggen]

If I had to have just one car, an E90 M3 sedan would have been it except for the thirst.

Even my boosted S52 with 500ish at the crank still returns in the 20's on the highway and 200-220miles on it's tiny tank.

I will be interested to see what the new M3 does in terms of efficiency, but I have a feeling the engine is a glorified N55 and worlds away from the sex that is the S65. Can't have it all I guess.

[G3333]

M3 M3 M3 M3 M3 M3, coming from an f30 335i owner

[stactum]

Get youself S4

[Who?]

Originally Posted by stactum

Get youself S4

[MickeyM3]

Originally Posted by stactum

Get youself S4

Always get a kick out of Audi advocates on the forum, many having never had an Audi. In any case I solved the dilemma by going F30 335 and I'm very satisfied...with $$ saved you can enjoy a very capable E30 track car.

[s1k0ne]

Had the same dilemma as you. Current roommate has the e92 so we switch sometimes if we want a different feel. the M3 is as you know is more RAW power and it just feels... right. However, the 14mpg killed my decision when i was looking to upgrade to a car with more mpg and has the necessary speeds. The f30 is nice and i've had my car for almost 3 weeks now. I have regrets whenever i drive my roommate's car but when i get back into my car, i forget about those regrets ... it's just that nice.

He likes my 335 and loves how comfortable and large the car is compared to his car and when the turbos kick in, how there's no lack of power.

I would get the new 335 if i were you

[Koca]

As others have said before, nothing drives like an M3. But unless you're planning on having a lot of track days, the F30 is a better option for an everyday car. It's bigger, has a smoother ride, uses less fuel, plus you don't know how a second hand car has been treated - was it crashed, the way it was taken care of...

Just my 2 cents

[Meeni]

Two completely different animals. One is practical commuter, the other one is extreme performance car (with all the issues that go along, including abysmal MPG, maintenance cost out of control etc). If money was free, I'd get the M3 no question asked.

[Monkeycmonkeydo]

Has anybody that is dissing 20" wheels actually driven in a f30 with them?

My 20s weigh slightly less than my 18s did with RFTs and the ride is SUBSTANTIALLY improved. Road noise is lessened, bumps are smoother and cornering feels tighter. And it is possible to pick tires that are not rubber bands with 20s so you are not going to lose much of your sidewall height.

The m3 is a great car, but it is out-dated technology so for the same price get the new car and mod it as needed.

[schnell13]

As others have said, buying new and being the first owner of a brand new car is pretty cool!

I also agree about how different the 335 and the M3, or any M car, for that matter, are. At the start of my deployment, I considered an M3 sedan or M6 upon my return to the States. However, went with the F30 due to the amazing pricing through BMW Military Sales. Just can't beat the deals, and I'm sure I'll be very happy with the car once I get home. Also, all M cars are consumers of very expensive oil, gas, and tires, and are not the most-maintenance free vehicles out there. The new car warranty, with four years or 48,000 miles of no-cost maintenance is quite a nice perk.

So, basically if you want a race car for the road, and maintenance and fuel costs aren't much of a concern, go with the M. You'll love it! If you want a road car for the road, with better fuel economy, better tech, better ride and the new car warranty, go with the f30. Chances are, you'll love that too!

[Meeni]

Originally Posted by Monkeycmonkeydo

The m3 is a great car, but it is out-dated technology so for the same price get the new car and mod it as needed.

That is just so wrong. The M3 is a better car in all directions you look, except maybe the iDrive gizmos. Better chassis, better engine, better steering by miles, the interior is just gorgeous and looks still very current (beside the new interior is not the best, with the plastic center console, but that's all a matter of personal taste I guess...).

There is no way you can mod an F30 into an M3. You'd get close in pure HP with aggressive mods, but you would be miles away in term of handling, except by replacing everything in the suspensions. We'll talk again when the F30 M3 is here, but if the F10 M5 is an indication, the "old" technology could very well keep the crown.

[Monkeycmonkeydo]

Originally Posted by Meeni

[
That is just so wrong. The M3 is a better car in all directions you look, except maybe the iDrive gizmos. Better chassis, better engine, better steering by miles, the interior is just gorgeous and looks still very current (beside the new interior is not the best, with the plastic center console, but that's all a matter of personal taste I guess...).

There is no way you can mod an F30 into an M3. You'd get close in pure HP with aggressive mods, but you would be miles away in term of handling, except by replacing everything in the suspensions. We'll talk again when the F30 M3 is here, but if the F10 M5 is an indication, the "old" technology could very well keep the crown.

Not denying that the m3 is a beast and a great car but in 9 months or so a new m4 (lol) will be on the road and you will have an outdated car chewing through gas. And yes I am guessing the OP is planning on using this car regularly probably as a daily driver and in that case the new and improved goodies in the f30 also outdate the m3. If you are that sold on an m series I am saying simply wait until the new one comes out.

[mynycbimmer]

If it were a choice between a new E92 M3 and the F30 335i, I'd take the M3 in a heartbeat, old generation or not, it is still more impressive in every way except gizmos's and I'm not a big gadget guy.

My preference tends to be for new cars although I'd wait for the M2 or 4 series over getting a new F30 335i now. If the 4 series production car is anything like the concept, the 335i is going to look very dated a year from now.