[DrewKo]

Insideline compared the 3 BMWs: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...09#post2867509

The results are not too surprising: M3 is quickest around a track (due mostly to its tight suspension); next is 135i, which was only .1 slower than the m3; and finally the 335i finished third. 135i was quickest to 60 and through the slalom, though the 335i was quicker to 60 and through the slalom than the 2002 m3.

I have never been a fan of the 335i's handling. The car feels a little bulky and the body roll is frustrating.

Regarding price, the 2002 M3 is pretty compelling. Insideline said it purchased the M3 for $30k.

Driving on the streets, however, is not much fun in an M3 in my opinion. During my many drives in one, I have always considered the M3 far more jarring over bumps than my 335i, which is part of the reason I purchased the 335i, since I drive much more often on the streets than the track. This vid makes me want to get the Bilstein system with sport and nonsport settings.

[5soko]

the 335i didnt have sports package during testing, i have already asked edmunds about this, also check the spec page.

[canesr1]

Originally Posted by DrewKo

Insideline compared the 3 BMWs: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...09#post2867509

The results are not too surprising: M3 is quickest around a track (due mostly to its tight suspension); next is 135i, which was only .1 slower than the m3; and finally the 335i finished third. 135i was quickest to 60 and through the slalom, though the 335i was quicker to 60 and through the slalom than the 2002 m3.

I have never been a fan of the 335i's handling. The car feels a little bulky and the body roll is frustrating.

Regarding price, the 2002 M3 is pretty compelling. Insideline said it purchased the M3 for $30k.

Driving on the streets, however, is not much fun in an M3 in my opinion. During my many drives in one, I have always considered the M3 far more jarring over bumps than my 335i, which is part of the reason I purchased the 335i, since I drive much more often on the streets than the track. This vid makes me want to get the Bilstein system with sport and nonsport settings.

I'm not a big fan of the 335's handling either. Coming from an '05 M3 and a 3.0 Z4, the handling of the 335 is a bit dissapointing... but still pretty fun. My car may take the M3 but it still won't handle like one.

[DrewKo]

Originally Posted by 5soko335i

the 335i didnt have sports package during testing, i have already asked edmunds about this, also check the spec page.

Honestly man, I doubt the sports package would make much difference. It may make a little, granted, but not enough of a difference in my opinion. I think it is more marketing than performance. For example, when I upgraded my car, first thing i did for autocross was dump the "sports" wheels for lighter 17" wheels. 17" wheels come standard on the nonsports package. The reduced weight is better for purposes of track performance. The "sports" suspension is not competitive on the 335i compared to the M3's suspension, so it really is a nonfactor.

[Vince@ V K Motorwerks]

I wasn’t a fan of the 335i's handling either, so i did something about it. I added an LSD, KW3's, and UUC sway bars. I lowered the ride height and stiffened the suspension up a bit. Its awesome at the track and not too terrible on normal streets but I have to admit I’m always looking out for potholes and speed bumps. But I guess there is always a trade off!

The E46 is a great car but I feel if handles are what your going for the E36 M3 is even better!

[canesr1]

Originally Posted by Vince@ V K Motorwerks

I wasn’t a fan of the 335i's handling either, so i did something about it. I added an LSD, KW3's, and UUC sway bars. I lowered the ride height and stiffened the suspension up a bit. Its awesome at the track and not too terrible on normal streets but I have to admit I’m always looking out for potholes and speed bumps. But I guess there is always a trade off!

The E46 is a great car but I feel if handles are what your going for the E36 M3 is even better!

I didn't want to put all that $$ into this car. I would rather trade it for an E92 M3.
How much did all those mods cost btw???

[Vince@ V K Motorwerks]

About 5k. Totally worth it to me.

[leftcoastman]

Yeah I agree that stock, the 335i is a little soft in the suspension department. But it's really great if you're a beginner. I've seen more than one newbie on track with a stiffly sprung 335i (coilovers or even just shocks/springs), get in way over his head. When you increase the limits of the car, when it bites you, it bites all the much harder.

With LSD, coilovers, camber plates, piggyback and tires/wheels (~10-12k), you will absolutely bitchslap an E46 M3 around the track and given equal drivers, you'll slap an E92 M3 around. You'll generally be equivalent to an R8 on most road courses.

This car is truly amazing, as a base. I bet you can do the same to a 135i, but my experience (only as passenger) is that isn't nearly as predictable. I was trying to teach a student in a 135i how to steer with his foot without using the steering wheel and it went from not working to working waaaaay too well within a split second. The 335i is much smoother with attitude changes.

[5soko]

255 wide rear and wider front sticky performance tires make a big difference, it would have most likely gave the 335i the edge to eclipse both the 135i and m3 in all performance categories and on the track.
i give credit to the e46 esp since it has so many miles on it aswell

do what were you saying, the 1er likes to push wide and understeer i have been hearing

[Dan335i]

I would love to be the driver of the M3 in a heads up race against a 135i.Drag racing,road ,auto X etc.I,d bet the conclusion would be much different than the video.

[StarrDlux]

the 335i sport (sedan) feels a little sketchy doing 100mph around a corner you should be doing (35mph speed limit) especially with road bumps etc. but man it just keeps tracking. one of the first cars that i've not had to immediately throw a rear sway bar on. and man its nice how well the suspension aborbs bumps that the ole audi would make you butt hurt

for non-track its a great balance imo. sport. I can't imagine a bmw without sport.

[E82tt6]

They balanced the 1er wrong for track driving IMO. Too little rubber up front, and rear to soft/roll soft relative to the front.

225/245 setup made a difference in balance. If I'm still not happy after an auto-x or two, I'll make some suspension changes.

Given the compromises BMW had to make to keep the car behind the e90 M3, I'm pretty satisfied. The brakes will work well for even relatively serious track work, which is much more than what one can usually ask for. BMW had to keep the E90 M3 in mind when tuning the suspension of the 335 and 135, and given that they did a decent job. IMO they could have gone with a setup on the 335 that was a BIT more agressive, and maybe a "track pack" option for the 135, but they had to keep marketing in mind.

As it stands, both are pretty good for touring cars, and with minor tweaks work well for the enthusiast.

My BIGGEST gripe is no sun-roof delete. Some of the Euro guys without a sunroof have weighed in at just above 3200lbs wet in the 135, and all the US cars seen to be right around 3300.

Originally Posted by leftcoastman

Yeah I agree that stock, the 335i is a little soft in the suspension department. But it's really great if you're a beginner. I've seen more than one newbie on track with a stiffly sprung 335i (coilovers or even just shocks/springs), get in way over his head. When you increase the limits of the car, when it bites you, it bites all the much harder.

With LSD, coilovers, camber plates, piggyback and tires/wheels (~10-12k), you will absolutely bitchslap an E46 M3 around the track and given equal drivers, you'll slap an E92 M3 around. You'll generally be equivalent to an R8 on most road courses.

This car is truly amazing, as a base. I bet you can do the same to a 135i, but my experience (only as passenger) is that isn't nearly as predictable. I was trying to teach a student in a 135i how to steer with his foot without using the steering wheel and it went from not working to working waaaaay too well within a split second. The 335i is much smoother with attitude changes.