I finally made my choice (335is –vs- M3) after test driving both… REVIEWS & PICS HERE

Quasimodem · 06-04-2010, 01:53 PM

Right, I am sure you adhered to your checklist and it didn't just decide on one because of the color.

Php · 06-04-2010, 01:59 PM

I would've picked the same, awsome car.

Personally I don't like how the current M3 sedans look. Gotta buy the coupe. If talking E36 M3 coupe vs sedan, then I might have went either way, or maybe even sliding towards the sedan as they don't look too much different, and more useful when sitting more than 2 people.

Geonator · 06-04-2010, 02:07 PM

A+++++ Write up.

M3 FTW indeed.

roadkillrob · 06-04-2010, 02:10 PM

Fuel economy is going to be more like 19 on the 335 and 14 or 15 on the M3 in real world driving conditions - my car just says 19 all the time and my buddies M3 said 12 for the first couple months until he backed off the throttle and now sees 14-15 most of the time. Straght highway you can get in the high 20's with the 335 and a bit over 20 in the M3, but in the end neither are good on gas and their certainly wouldn't be enough of a differnce to be much of the decision equation.

Great write up!

WestTexas335 · 06-04-2010, 02:28 PM

Really, with either car is fuel economy really the deciding factor? If I had the extra $14K I would have an M too. Great write up, good choice, enjoy!

bavarianboar · 06-04-2010, 02:37 PM

Great Write-up. Congrats on the M3! Looks like you finally made a choice in the light of everything available and how you felt about the car. If I has $14k lying around spare, I would do the same!

Post some more pics!

Go Autobahn · 06-04-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestTexas335

Really, with either car is fuel economy really the deciding factor? If I had the extra $14K I would have an M too. Great write up, good choice, enjoy!

Yes, I had already done my homework and calculated (actually, other people on this forum helped me calculate) that it would be $42 more per month in gas for my 12,500 miles per year average. I went into the decision knowing this would be the case, and was willing to swallow that figure.

Jason4486 · 06-04-2010, 02:56 PM

Thnaks for taking the time...Great review!

Go Autobahn · 06-04-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quasimodem

Right, I am sure you adhered to your checklist and it didn't just decide on one because of the color.

Actually, I'm not very much of a fan of flashy, red cars. I usually try to avoid them because they attract the attention of police and stupid yahoos wanting to race. Furthermore, there are those people that will say that I am going through mid-life crisis, or trying to over-compensate for some other inadequacy with the expression that driving this car "shouts".

However, in the end, I had to shut out what I think everyone else is thinking about this car or what they think about me for driving it, and just focus on what makes me happy.

ArabianSensation · 06-04-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Go Autobahn

Actually, I'm not very much of a fan of flashy, red cars. I usually try to avoid them because they attract the attention of police and stupid yahoos wanting to race. Furthermore, there are those people that will say that I am going through mid-life crisis, or trying to over-compensate for some other inadequacy with the expression that driving this car "shouts".

However, in the end, I had to shut out what I think everyone else is thinking about this car or what they think about me for driving it, and just focus on what makes me happy.

+1000000000000000000000

congrats on your new M3!

be1ieve1111 · 06-04-2010, 03:10 PM

Awesome review! Pics after tint!

tim818 · 06-04-2010, 03:40 PM

Let's see...

Shoulder devil: 1

Shoulder angel: 0

M3 OTD price: an arm

Insurance/gas: a leg

Put that big grin on your face: priceless!

Nice writeup and enjoy your new whip!

Tim

marcel b · 06-04-2010, 03:42 PM

I am a bit surprised you didn't try the manual mode of the DCT.. as this is the best part of the transmission IMO. In addition, the sport button in the 335 doesnot make that much of a difference, pushing the gearlever to the left in smode makes a much bigger difference. Did you try that?

No doubt the M3 is a better car, especially in the handling area. Enjoy the ride!

Go Autobahn · 06-04-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim818

Let's see...

Shoulder devil: 1

Shoulder angel: 0

M3 OTD price: an arm

Insurance/gas: a leg

Put that big grin on your face: priceless!

Nice writeup and enjoy your new whip!

Tim

Actually, I just got the email from my insurance agent with the binder for the new M3, and it is only $4 more per 6 month policy than the 535i that I gave to my wife as a result of this exchange. I was afraid it would be astronomical, but it really wasn't. I'm 48 years young, and no accidents as far back as I can remember (many years).

Bakeme521 · 06-04-2010, 03:48 PM

nice write up, enjoy the beast. Post up some more picks.

Go Autobahn · 06-04-2010, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcel b

I am a bit surprised you didn't try the manual mode of the DCT.. as this is the best part of the transmission IMO. In addition, the sport button in the 335 doesnot make that much of a difference, pushing the gearlever to the left in smode makes a much bigger difference. Did you try that?

No doubt the M3 is a better car, especially in the handling area. Enjoy the ride!

I'm just not much of a paddle-shifter fan. I grew up driving manual shift cars, and the paddle shifting just doesn't deliver the connected feeling that I am used to, so I don't bother with them. Maybe I'll give it a try after I break her in.

I had completely forgotten about the "S" mode with the 335i shift lever to the left. DAMN! That makes me want to go back and drive it once again, just for the heck of it to see if that eliminates the throttle response lag! Thanks for the info!

smaxon1 · 06-04-2010, 04:00 PM

Thanks for the write up, but the 335is is superior to the m3......
Just kidding of course, if money was no object I would have gotten the m3 in a heartbeat.
The important thing is that you picked the red one!

Go Autobahn · 06-04-2010, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smaxon1

Thanks for the write up, but the 335is is superior to the m3......
Just kidding of course, if money was no object I would have gotten the m3 in a heartbeat.
The important thing is that you picked the red one!

That's funny, that's the same thing that my son said!

ss134 · 06-04-2010, 04:10 PM

More pics of both cars please!

OC Guy · 06-04-2010, 04:14 PM

Nice writeup. It's nice that you had a dealer that allowed you to take your time and make your decision. Looks like you made the right one (ultimately the one that made you happy).

BCA · 06-04-2010, 04:18 PM

As everyone else has said: great job on the thorough write-up and nice choice on the M3!

I'm puzzled by the issues you had with the black E90, though. My guess is that there's absolutely nothing "wrong" with that car. Anyway, enjoy your red coupe!

John 070 · 06-04-2010, 04:28 PM

Are there any Cliffs notes? And which car did he get and why?

06-04-2010, 01:53 PM	#23
Quasimodem Colonel 147 Rep 2,383 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335d US [0.00]	Right, I am sure you adhered to your checklist and it didn't just decide on one because of the color. __________________ Speakers: CDT Audio HD-42 comps--front doors (RAAMmat deadened), CDT ES-06 6.5" woofers--kickpanl Pods, Hertz EBX202R dual 8" ported trunk sub. Amps: Phoenix Gold RSd 500.4 (comps & pods). PG RSd 600.1 (sub). Power & Ground: 4AWG Streetwires w/RockFosgt RFDB1 distro blocks. Input: HU lineout--Kicker KISL RCA adapters--RockFosgt RFIT-6 cables--Audiocontrol Matrix--Monster cables--RSd 500.4--lineout Monstr Cabl to RSd 600.1.
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06-04-2010, 01:59 PM	#24
Php Captain 13 Rep 631 Posts Drives: CaymanS, used to be e92 335 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	I would've picked the same, awsome car. Personally I don't like how the current M3 sedans look. Gotta buy the coupe. If talking E36 M3 coupe vs sedan, then I might have went either way, or maybe even sliding towards the sedan as they don't look too much different, and more useful when sitting more than 2 people.
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06-04-2010, 02:07 PM	#25
Geonator Captain 35 Rep 985 Posts Drives: E92 335i JB Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ca 818 iTrader: (8)	A+++++ Write up. M3 FTW indeed. __________________ 2006 330i E90 Sparkling Graphite- 2007 335i E92 JB ->2008 135i Montego Blue
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06-04-2010, 02:10 PM	#26
roadkillrob Major General 863 Rep 5,448 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	Fuel economy is going to be more like 19 on the 335 and 14 or 15 on the M3 in real world driving conditions - my car just says 19 all the time and my buddies M3 said 12 for the first couple months until he backed off the throttle and now sees 14-15 most of the time. Straght highway you can get in the high 20's with the 335 and a bit over 20 in the M3, but in the end neither are good on gas and their certainly wouldn't be enough of a differnce to be much of the decision equation. Great write up! __________________ 2022 X3M Brooklyn Grey 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
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06-04-2010, 02:28 PM	#27
WestTexas335 BMW CCA member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 335i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: El Paso, Texas iTrader: (0)	Really, with either car is fuel economy really the deciding factor? If I had the extra $14K I would have an M too. Great write up, good choice, enjoy! __________________ 2010/E90/335i/manual/MSport
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06-04-2010, 02:37 PM	#28
bavarianboar Lieutenant Colonel 332 Rep 1,771 Posts Drives: 2020 540i, 2020 430i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	Great Write-up. Congrats on the M3! Looks like you finally made a choice in the light of everything available and how you felt about the car. If I has $14k lying around spare, I would do the same! Post some more pics!
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06-04-2010, 02:56 PM	#30
Jason4486 First Lieutenant 37 Rep 390 Posts Drives: 2011 335i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Miami, Fl iTrader: (1)	Thnaks for taking the time...Great review!
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06-04-2010, 03:10 PM	#33
be1ieve1111 Thread Killer 20 Rep 930 Posts Drives: 2014 EB M235i Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana iTrader: (9)	Awesome review! Pics after tint!
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06-04-2010, 03:40 PM	#34
tim818 Private First Class 13 Rep 110 Posts Drives: way too fast Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	Let's see... Shoulder devil: 1 Shoulder angel: 0 M3 OTD price: an arm Insurance/gas: a leg Put that big grin on your face: priceless! Nice writeup and enjoy your new whip! Tim
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06-04-2010, 03:42 PM	#35
marcel b Lieutenant Colonel 132 Rep 1,898 Posts Drives: F31 340i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	I am a bit surprised you didn't try the manual mode of the DCT.. as this is the best part of the transmission IMO. In addition, the sport button in the 335 doesnot make that much of a difference, pushing the gearlever to the left in smode makes a much bigger difference. Did you try that? No doubt the M3 is a better car, especially in the handling area. Enjoy the ride!
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06-04-2010, 03:48 PM	#37
Bakeme521 Some say... 239 Rep 4,296 Posts Drives: Fresh Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Baton Rouge n NOLA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [8.24]	nice write up, enjoy the beast. Post up some more picks. __________________ I have exhaust and an intake...
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06-04-2010, 04:00 PM	#39
smaxon1 Private First Class 2 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 335is Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the write up, but the 335is is superior to the m3...... Just kidding of course, if money was no object I would have gotten the m3 in a heartbeat. The important thing is that you picked the red one! __________________
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06-04-2010, 04:10 PM	#41
ss134 Brigadier General 230 Rep 3,899 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Germany/UK iTrader: (1)	More pics of both cars please!
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06-04-2010, 04:14 PM	#42
OC Guy General 539 Rep 18,123 Posts Drives: AW 335D E90 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irvine/Aliso Viejo, CA iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Nice writeup. It's nice that you had a dealer that allowed you to take your time and make your decision. Looks like you made the right one (ultimately the one that made you happy). __________________ Current: 2010 Alpine White 335D LCI l 19" BBS LMs l KW V2 Coilovers l BMW Performance Grilles l MSport Front/Rear l Karbonwerke Trunk l F1 Pinnacle Tint 35% Former: E92 Space Grey 335i Latest pics
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06-04-2010, 04:18 PM	#43
BCA Captain 21 Rep 793 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1)	As everyone else has said: great job on the thorough write-up and nice choice on the M3! I'm puzzled by the issues you had with the black E90, though. My guess is that there's absolutely nothing "wrong" with that car. Anyway, enjoy your red coupe! __________________ 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S 2019 Porsche Cayenne Past BMWs: 2015 M3, 2014 550i, 2013 M3 ZCP, 2012 535i, 2011 E90 335i, 2009 E90 M3, 2008 X5, 2006 330i, 2004 330i
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06-04-2010, 04:28 PM	#44
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	Are there any Cliffs notes? And which car did he get and why?
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