[pmmcbl]

I got an M3 for a week and I have decided that I must get one.

But I must say its not worth the money when you compare vs a late 335i.
My old 335i only had 30k on the clock and yes the M3 is faster but costs 3 times my old car. Don't get me wrong I'm loving this car but not at £65k. I can ish justify it for £40k.

Here is a pic of it.

[AWSAWS]

Fully understand mate!

I want one but couldn't justify the cost either. My modified 335i should currently be a bit faster than an M3/M4 in a straight line. Does it look as good. Most would probably say no but I think it's subjective. I prefer the front of my car over the M3/M4. They do look and sound awesome. Will it feel as nice and special as an M3/M4 nope. Will it corner as well. Nope.

However throw about £5k to £6k at the car for stage 2+ Turbos, clutch, port injection and suspension mods and it should leave most M3's/M4's behind.

The M3 and M4 do have awesome tuning potential themselves though!

[Dace64]

I do like that! Spot on above comments, however there is something about the M.....

[pmmcbl]

I agree with you both. With the M3/4 people know what you are driving, the 335i is more undercover, which I like a lot.
The big problem is that BMW are selling loads of these and I hope the market will drop so I can get one cheap.
the one thing I must point out is the ride on the M3, is much better than my old E91. I was expecting the worst when setting it into sport plus but it's good. Setting the suspension into comfort is like driving an SE. If only they did a M3 touring.

[fastmonkey]

^^^ second to that an M3 Touring is the answer. I've just bought an E91 335i manual and will gradually try and improve it to handle more "m" like and try and have the best of both worlds to about a 6th of the cost..........

[BMW Steve]

Got to agree with "pmmcbl" comment about a M3 Touring, I would defiantly purchase one, But I will stick to my current ride's at the moment as my f11 535d touring is a bit of a weapon,,,,,

[djgandy]

Main problem for me with the new M3/M4 is the exhaust. It just sounds shite. Worse than the 335/M135i. Not sure how they managed that from an M car.

It's a capable car for sure, but for me it lacked that sense of theatre and the drive train is just not that different from a DCT 335i.

They are ten a penny too. Does low CO2 mean that people can run these through business with lower costs? There are so many up for sale used that the residuals can't be looking good once three years comes by. By comparison look at the M135i where you will barely find any under £20k, and that car sells for under £30k brand new.

This generation of M just feels too much like the rest of the line up to me. You can get a brand new 435i/440i for £20k less, with a ZF8 which is not far off DCT in performance, and it will come with a decent exhaust note out the back.

Enjoy the car though. I'd definitely buy one someday, perhaps when they are £20k.

[MattOz]

It's a tricky one.

Since selling my E91 335i, I've been thinking about a number of options. F80 M3, F10 M5, Alpina D3/5. Something a bit special in other words. However, only the F80 is available with a manual 'box. Which is something I really, really want. However, the F80 is still expensive and having been in one, perhaps not quite special enough. If I'm spending £50k+ on a motor, it's got to feel special. I'd rather get a used M6GC.

IMO, BMW should make an F31 340i manual. They don't. You can still get an F30 340i manual, but I would want a touring. Don't get me wrong, the 8-spd Auto is great, but I want to be the one changing gear, heel and toe-ing etc. I don't want a gearbox doing that for me.

I'll wait for something in San Marino blue to come up at a reasonable price and jump on it. Probably!

[Ao1]

The depreciation in the 1st 3 years on any M car is horrific. Better to wait 2 to 3 years and get a low millage one at half the price.

Edit: The M4 look is growing on me but I still think the E90 Series M3 is better. Build quality is better as well.

[djgandy]

Originally Posted by Ao1

The depreciation in the 1st 3 years on any M car is horrific. Better to wait 2 to 3 years and get a low millage one at half the price.

Edit: The M4 look is growing on me but I still think the E90 Series M3 is better. Build quality is better as well.

When you look at how many of the F8x series they have sold, I think they could be really cheap! Reg figures suggest there may already be more F8x M's than E9x, and it's only been on sale 2 years!

[AWSAWS]

Originally Posted by djgandy

When you look at how many of the F8x series they have sold, I think they could be really cheap! Reg figures suggest there may already be more F8x M's than E9x, and it's only been on sale 2 years!

Wow that's interesting!

[mjn77]

Originally Posted by pmmcbl

I got an M3 for a week and I have decided that I must get one.

But I must say its not worth the money when you compare vs a late 335i.
My old 335i only had 30k on the clock and yes the M3 is faster but costs 3 times my old car. Don't get me wrong I'm loving this car but not at £65k. I can ish justify it for £40k.

Here is a pic of it.

I'm still gonna buy one

[pmmcbl]

I will when they get down to £30k, which will be in two years time. Just need to find something between now and then.

[Dace64]

Originally Posted by pmmcbl

I will when they get down to £30k, which will be in two years time. Just need to find something between now and then.

They will be at that price long before then. Some already at £37k now

[abeardo83]

It's missing a v8

[pmmcbl]

Now that I have had the car for nearly a week I have a better understanding of what it is, a killing machine!

Tonight I went for what I call a drive. There are a few good roads near me and some good and wide roundabouts.

I no longer can compare vs my old 335i.

Ride - even in sport plus is better than my old 335i. Yes better. Turn it into comfort it feels like an SE spec in comparison.

Handling - wow the grip is immense and even when all systems are off you can still feel and control the car so well. Feels like te palm of my hands are touching the road. In a few occasions I got into drift mode and it's so easy to control and maintain if you wish.

Engine - yet again a great power plant from BMW. The power is always there when you need it. The engines sounds great at higher revs.

Auto box - lovely and very smooth. Instant changes when in sport plus.

Exhaust - mmm not what I personally like. Sounds fake in some occasions but in comfort mode you don't hear it at all.

Fuel economy - it's amazing on fuel vs my old 335i. I'm getting 36mpg on the mix drive with motorways and 22mpg in town and with tonight drive. I think it's very very good.

Overall I think it's a great car, yes it has a few drawbacks like no V8 engine, exhaust noise a little artificial, no much drama on the interior. But it performs like an M car should.

[Redguy]

Great post.

As a 330i owner, a friend of mine has an M3. Last Monday he let me drive it!

Fully agree it's a monster. It felt amazingly quick - although I could easily get used to it.

The grip is indeed a revelation. He insisted I ground to a halt, and then put my foot to the floor. Conditions were excellent, but even so, it took off like a space rocket!

[mjn77]

Went to my local dealer today and had a sit in one. Even my "large" 15st frame fitted in the seats properly. Very nice place to sit.

Think i'll have to buy one next year. Gotta celebrate my 40th somehow