[NSE92M3]

I'm in the market for a new car. I was initially set on an E92 M3, but because my commute is 80 miles round trip, I'm thinking it might make more sense to go for a 335/435 instead. I wasn't previously really worried about MPG as my last car got 13 MPG, but I'm now in a situation where I can fix this. I'm just afraid I won't be excited to wake up on Saturday mornings and drive along PCH like I would if I had that glorious S65 in the M3. Has anyone gone through a similar thought process? I'm also not sure if I can wait until the 435's start rolling out so I might have to go with the 335.

[chrisv_335EBII]

If you got the money get the M3. YOLO

[metrickid]

I can't see why people even consider a 7 year old car when there is a new one out...
I wouldn't even consider the E9x M3 now that the F3x is out.

[KevRyd]

If mileage to performance is your criteria then you would be best off in a 328i both in economy and purchase price. If you want something in-between then go for the 335i. If you want an all out performance version go with the M3

Kevin

[300hp]

Since you are comfortable with the E92 platform, 335is may be the way to go.

[AWF30MSPORT]

My only concern is that as nice as the E92 M3 looks, it's starting to look a bit outdated and very soon will be an "old" car when the F80/F82 is released. It's hard for me to get over paying "new" prices for what is essentially an "old" car. If that isn't a problem for you, I would go for the E92 M3. Have you considered a Cayman S or a pre-owned 997 Carrera S?

Regarding mileage, since installing the PPK, my F30 335i average is 18.8MPG (90+% highway) with very spirited driving. The gas mileage isn't terrible...but it's not that great. There was a brief time that I worried about gas mileage while I was in grad school full time with a 100 mile round trip daily commute and a slightly tighter budget, but now, I just care about enjoying the drive.

[nicknaz]

Isn't first shipment date of F80 something like January 2014?

I would hold out unless the E92 M3 deal is CRAZY good

Also, if new E92 M3 is in budget, you should check out Boxster S / Cayman S for sure before purchasing

[yemenmocha]

M3 if you can afford it. It's my first choice but I've given up looking for reasonably priced e90 M3's so I'm probably going to just order a 335 M sport and be happy with that.

[buildbright]

Hard Decision.

On another note. No grown man should say YOLO doing so should be a bannable offense lol

[Pauleebe]

This topic has been debated so frequently ...

Expect higher maintenance and gas costs with the M3, but if money is of no question, then obviously you've already answered your own question.

[edward.b.mendez]

Originally Posted by KevRyd

If mileage to performance is your criteria then you would be best off in a 328i both in economy and purchase price. If you want something in-between then go for the 335i. If you want an all out performance version go with the M3

Kevin

Well said - I own a 335i F30 and I get both the performance and the fuel economy that I want. You can never open up the M3 stateside unless you are on a country road somewhere or in Deutschland. I only added the MPPK to it to add a bit more flavor to it and I am content!

[JamesMA]

I can say this, overall functionality played a part for me. I like having a back seat hat I can get adult men into comfortably. F30 with PPK installed still has good mileage but power when you need it.

That said, my dealer had a black Comp Pack M3 on the lot recently which would have been tough to walk away from if they had it last year hen I was buying!

[imyopusha]

Originally Posted by lukeb817

Regarding mileage, since installing the PPK, my F30 335i average is 18.8MPG (90+% highway) with very spirited driving. The gas mileage isn't terrible...but it's not that great. There was a brief time that I worried about gas mileage while I was in grad school full time with a 100 mile round trip daily commute and a slightly tighter budget, but now, I just care about enjoying the drive.

Something went terribly wrong. There is no way you should be experiencing that MPG. I have a Stage 1 and still get well over 30 MPG when driving highway (even when 85+ MPH)

[AWF30MSPORT]

Originally Posted by imyopusha

Something went terribly wrong. There is no way you should be experiencing that MPG. I have a Stage 1 and still get well over 30 MPG when driving highway (even when 85+ MPH)

I'm talking about the overall average since the day the MPPK was installed, Sport/Sport+ at all times, aggressive acceleration and fun driving every day. Not the mpg just "when driving highway." The EPA rating for the 6spd 335i is what, 20 city / 30 highway / 23 combined? 18.8MPG overall with hard driving and always in sport/sport+ isn't "terribly wrong." IIRC, C&D magazine's observed MPG was 22mpg from their tests and my overall average pre-MPPK was in the 21-22mpg range.

[shivaswrath]

i had the same debate.....the MPG on the 335i M Performance is pretty amazing on highways for my commuting, I get about 425-450 per tank. I'd get half of that in an M3.

Decision was easy, and the M performance mods make it pretty track worthy IMO...

[imyopusha]

Originally Posted by lukeb817

I'm talking about the overall average since the day the MPPK was installed, Sport/Sport+ at all times, aggressive acceleration and fun driving every day. Not the mpg just "when driving highway." The EPA rating for the 6spd 335i is what, 20 city / 30 highway / 23 combined? 18.8MPG overall with hard driving and always in sport/sport+ isn't "terribly wrong." IIRC, C&D magazine's observed MPG was 22mpg from their tests and my overall average pre-MPPK was in the 21-22mpg range.

You did say 90% + highway. Not sure how you pull off that MPG even in sport and "agressive" driving unless something went wrong. I highly doubt C&D drove 90% + on the highway.

[AWF30MSPORT]

Originally Posted by imyopusha

You did say 90% + highway. Not sure how you pull off that MPG even in sport and "agressive" driving unless something went wrong. I highly doubt C&D drove 90% + on the highway.

90% is an estimate, but it can't be too far off. Here's a hypothetical weighted average: (90% hwy x 20MPG) + (10% city x 8MPG) = 18.8MPG Gas mileage comes down to driving style, I'm always in Sport/Sport+, accelerate hard, full throttle every chance I get, rev high through each gear and stay in 1st and 2nd in the city, and often use 3rd and 4th on the highway to pass and 5th to cruise, rarely using 6th. And I certainly changed my driving style a bit post MPPK, which likely accounts for most of the change from my previous 21/22ish MPG overall average to my current 18/19ish MPG average now.

[300hp]

I drive 80% stop and go, 15% sport+ aggressive highway driving and 0-60 runs, 5% highway normal driving. My average is 23mpg, with PPK and x drive. Something is weird with your mpg.

[TACA A320]

I was in a similar position last year when I was deciding between a used E90 M3, E90 335i, or F30 328i. The problem that I had with the M3 was that my budget only really allowed for a 2008 model which would have most likely been out of warranty and I didn't want to have to foot the bill for expensive repairs. With that being said, my dream car is the E92 M3 and nothing will take that away from me. I look forward to owning one (or the F80 M3) as soon as my wallet can handle it.

I ended up going for the F30 because I loved the looks of the M-Sport and because it was a brand new car. I special ordered and the car puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. I average 20 MPG with the BMS Stage 1 tune and about 90% city driving, which I think is pretty good considering that I drive like a complete maniac. lol