[chrisjohodge]

As one of the most indecisive people in the world, I have had a very annoying dilemma between what my next BMW should be with my ultimate decision changing every other hour it seems. So... I decided to turn to some fellow enthusiasts for some outside opinions.

A little background information for my current debacle: I currently have a 2015 428i with the M-Sport package and have absolutely loved the car but it is starting to just not be enough for me and my desire to have another manual kills me every time I get in the car. Ultimately I intend on getting the new 2021 M4 in a manual but plan to wait and get a used one sometime early-mid 2022 but want something to hold me over till then-

Arises my debacle. The two best options I have picked out are a 2016 or so 435i M-Sport or an E92 M3, both manuals. I am leaning slightly towards the E92 in general because I am in love with the naturally aspirated V8 in it but the sense of interior downgrade from my current car is holding me back. I love newer interiors and feel like I would be dissatisfied with the "downgrade" of sorts. The interior is important for me because after all that is where you do the driving from. The 435 would obviously have the same interior as my current car.

Sure, I admit this is a sort of stupid debacle but I just need some other opinions to come to a final decision. Let me know what ya'll would do!

[///M4 F83]

E92 M3

I wouldn't consider it much of a downgrade in interior either

[nyc_dude]

The most important distinctions are the BMW F3X LCI models changed the engine for 2016-present and you have a Grand Coupe option.

The 2016+ LCI 440i coupe has the B58 engine, which is better than the N55. 330 HP and better designed. No more electric water pump/thermostat junk.

Pre-LCI models are 335i and 435i with the N55 engine. The 340i and 440i models have the B58 engine.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1751617

The 440i is a coupe, but you have the option of a 4-door 440i Grand Coupe. It is a 4-door, but has the shape/swoop of a Coupe. Look for a 4-door 4 series with the fender gills, like on a coupe. That tells you it is a GC...along with a GC sticker on the side glass.

The LCIs also have an LED headlight option, which is super nice. LED taillights are out there too.

The only drawback is the suspension on F3Xs is garbage. Never get the Adaptive M suspension option. Also the diamond cut wheels tend to corrode around the BMW center cap and can have gashes on them. Diamond cut with diamond bit on the surface and then is clear coated. Not very durable and has to be refinished.

Here is a new option....2018+ BMW X3 M40i has the B58 350 HP+ and is roomy if you have a family or a large dog. The new 2020 X3M Comp has the same S58 engine (based on the B58) as the G80/G82 M3/M4. Modern interior....

M2 Comp is also highly regarded with the S55. Fits a smaller dog.

I also own an E90 M3 with the S65 V8. Great car and the interior is not so dated. The nav is not much better than a F3X pre-LCI. Beautiful leather and dash details. Use your smartphone for any tech you want. Lots of mechanical defects in the S65, so get a low mileage (<70k miles) used car. Only get the Comp Editions (2011 E90 M3 or 2011-2013 E92 M3). Twice as many coupes as sedans out there. Tons of BMW E9X M3 mods available.

Both car models can have an upgraded nav installed using the BimmerTech Retrofit kits.

There is a big difference between an M-Sport (aero package) model and a true ///M car (streetable track car).

Never get a new BMW...price drops by 40-50% within 3 years. Need a long warranty too...like at CarMax. BMW warranties are garbage...lasting only 3 yrs now.

A used F3X or E9X M3 cost about the same: $28k-35k.


Cheers

[yco]

if you re ready for possible reliability issues E92 M3 for sure..

[PYE46M3]

how exactly are you going to find your ideal spec M4 used WITH a manual transmission ~1 year after the car hits dealer lots? Most of these will still be under a lease and hardly any will be manual. If you are lucky enough to even find a 6 MT, they will probably ask a pretty penny for it. better just order a brand new M4 to begin with, it wont be that much cheaper 1 year used. 3-5 year old CPO is more realistic

[Germanauto]

I will surely own an E92 M3 one day....just not as a daily driver.

E9X chassis was the opposite of reliable and easy to own. They are best relegated to weekend duties now.

Maybe try for the M2, it feels like the spiritual successor to the E92 M3.

[JP10]

I daily my e92 m3, maintenance is easy if you're half decent with tools. Only preventative maintenance I didn't want to attempt was the rod bearings which was costly, but I factored this into the overall cost of the vehicle when I bought it (I'd recommend the same or roll the dice that is on you). No experience which the 435i, but often see people with f80/f82 m3/m4 coming back to the e90/e92 m3. Car is more special in a sense.

Maintenance cost through 3 yrs, roughly 20,000miles (of the top of my head):
Throttle Actuators - $600 for both (refurbished with lifetime warranty)
Alternator - $250 I think
Battery - $100
Engine Oil/filters - $840 (two oil changes a year)
Spark Plugs - $150
Diff/transmission fluid - $200
All labor done myself

Preventative:
Rod Bearings - $3,000 (like I mentioned I took this into consideration with the overall cost. It is not mandatory but there are some horror stories in which I'd rather avoid hence my decision)

Mods:
This is where the car gets a little scary lol. With the amount of time they have been released there isn't much on the car that hasn't been modded by others. I don't want to add up all the numbers because I'm sure it would make me sick to an extent!

Regardless goodluck with your choice!

[smrtypants44]

Originally Posted by nyc_dude

The most important distinctions are the BMW F3X LCI models changed the engine for 2016-present and you have a Grand Coupe option.

The 2016+ LCI 440i coupe has the B58 engine, which is better than the N55. 330 HP and better designed. No more electric water pump/thermostat junk.

Pre-LCI models are 335i and 435i with the N55 engine. The 340i and 440i models have the B58 engine.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1751617

The 440i is a coupe, but you have the option of a 4-door 440i Grand Coupe. It is a 4-door, but has the shape/swoop of a Coupe. Look for a 4-door 4 series with the fender gills, like on a coupe. That tells you it is a GC...along with a GC sticker on the side glass.

The LCIs also have an LED headlight option, which is super nice. LED taillights are out there too.

The only drawback is the suspension on F3Xs is garbage. Never get the Adaptive M suspension option. Also the diamond cut wheels tend to corrode around the BMW center cap and can have gashes on them. Diamond cut with diamond bit on the surface and then is clear coated. Not very durable and has to be refinished.

Here is a new option....2018+ BMW X3 M40i has the B58 350 HP+ and is roomy if you have a family or a large dog. The new 2020 X3M Comp has the same S58 engine (based on the B58) as the G80/G82 M3/M4. Modern interior....

M2 Comp is also highly regarded with the S55. Fits a smaller dog.

I also own an E90 M3 with the S65 V8. Great car and the interior is not so dated. The nav is not much better than a F3X pre-LCI. Beautiful leather and dash details. Use your smartphone for any tech you want. Lots of mechanical defects in the S65, so get a low mileage (<70k miles) used car. Only get the Comp Editions (2011 E90 M3 or 2011-2013 E92 M3). Twice as many coupes as sedans out there. Tons of BMW E9X M3 mods available.

Both car models can have an upgraded nav installed using the BimmerTech Retrofit kits.

There is a big difference between an M-Sport (aero package) model and a true ///M car (streetable track car).

Never get a new BMW...price drops by 40-50% within 3 years. Need a long warranty too...like at CarMax. BMW warranties are garbage...lasting only 3 yrs now.

A used F3X or E9X M3 cost about the same: $28k-35k.


Cheers

Some corrections here:

B58 change on F32 is 2017
LCI change on F32 is 2018
Gran coupe was always available (not LCI only)
F32 has always had LED headlights available (not LCI only)
LCI f32 has LED headlights standard (projector) and Optional Adaptive LED (reflector).

Keep in mind on the E92- no backup cam available, has CIC (which is not near as good as NBT or especially NBT evo). I also found the comfort access on my e82 (same gen) to be pretty buggy.