[Koalway Kid]

Hi Guys, I’m considering changing/part ex’ing my fully loaded 335D for a nearly new M3… I’ve not driven the new m3 yet so will pop down the stealers and see if I can take one out for a spin…. has anyone done this change?…. My main concerns are fuel returns & servicing costs as I drive 20k + per yr....

[dxb335d]

Overall The M3 is a far more complete Driving machine. On track its sublime. I think you will love the car, but miss the torque.

Your a track man so therefore you can appreciate the car when you need to. As long as you do enough track work, it will be worth the extra fuel cost.

Overall though it wont eat the miles and UK roads as easily and as quickly as a 335d.

[Koalway Kid]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Overall The M3 is a far more complete Driving machine. On track its sublime. I think you will love the car, but miss the torque.

Your a track man so therefore you can appreciate the car when you need to. As long as you do enough track work, it will be worth the extra fuel cost.

Overall though it wont eat the miles and UK roads as easily and as quickly as a 335d.

mmm... cheers Carl, I'm sure I'll like it way too much and would make me do more car track days and less bike track days... but if I go for the change will I miss 35mpg and no spark plugs?

[beemerbird]

Having owned the 'big D' and had a lengthy test drive in the M3 personally I would say they are different animals both with their pros and cons as always.

Big D - effortless, smooth, that seemingly never ending wave of torque, mile muncher with ease, good handling despite the slight weight disadvantage over the front wheels and bit of oversteer imo, very good mpg returns for the power on tap, general very good all rounder.

M3 - Smooth and more raw and alive than the big D, lacks torque especially for a V8 and requires 'work' to get the most out of it which means hitting below 20's mpg - the price to pay for your fun but on your annual mileage. Sounds very nice when revved! Feels solid and connected to the road and very competent, could do with more feedback through the steering imo but you can guess what other car I'm comparing that with. Found it easier to 'set up' for corners than the big D - everything flowed more.

If you're a track man then yes, you'll thoroughly enjoy the M3 but if you're talking motorbike fun, nah, as good as the M3 is it won't be the same feeling which only a bike can give imo. Choices eh!

[Koalway Kid]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

Having owned the 'big D' and had a lengthy test drive in the M3 personally I would say they are different animals both with their pros and cons as always.

I like the idea of a lenghy test drive... I will need to do a proper job on the sales man! he he... many thanks for advice beemerbird... by the way the porker is my dream motor but just not practical for my work!

[M3-FAST]

I haven't driven a 335D so my opinion may be a little biased, I came from a lowly 325i 'vert

I have driven the 35d engine tho in a 6 series so fully appreciate the amount of torque you guys have.

The M3 however is a different beast altogether. I have never driven a car more planted on the road, so connected through the wheels and with such a great amount of driver feedback. With a DCT box fitted you get the 'lazy auto' if you want it, pulling away in second in traffic jams and city traffic, but revving to 8,000RPM + when you allow it to!(and want it to!!!!!!!! )

The biggest downfall you are going to have is the mpg's!!!! Round town I am getting 15 ish and on a run low 20's - a HUGE difference from your derv burner. But the car is also a HUGE difference from your derv burner. My mates that have driven mine cannot believe what an awesome car it is. The feel of it through country roads, using the DCT box in manual mode, M button depressed, is sublime. You can literally balance the car on the throttle pedal hearing the V8 roar at high revs.

Yes, it has its faults. The DCT can be a little clunky at times (but so can an auto) and the V8 needs some work to get the best from it. MPG is poor and servicing costs will be higher (it will eat it's softer tires quicker, etc..)

If you can take all this into account and live with it, go for it! I only do small mileages and with a 3 month old baby, need the 4 door practicaity. I am not sure if another car on the road could match what I have with the M, it really is a great car....but so is a big D!!

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

Having owned the 'big D' and had a lengthy test drive in the M3 personally I would say they are different animals both with their pros and cons as always.

Big D - effortless, smooth, that seemingly never ending wave of torque, mile muncher with ease, good handling despite the slight weight disadvantage over the front wheels and bit of oversteer imo, very good mpg returns for the power on tap, general very good all rounder.

M3 - Smooth and more raw and alive than the big D, lacks torque especially for a V8 and requires 'work' to get the most out of it which means hitting below 20's mpg - the price to pay for your fun but on your annual mileage. Sounds very nice when revved! Feels solid and connected to the road and very competent, could do with more feedback through the steering imo but you can guess what other car I'm comparing that with. Found it easier to 'set up' for corners than the big D - everything flowed more.

If you're a track man then yes, you'll thoroughly enjoy the M3 but if you're talking motorbike fun, nah, as good as the M3 is it won't be the same feeling which only a bike can give imo. Choices eh!

gud review!

[paul_in_Norfolk]

Servicing on my Z4M was £725 a pop, and that was the cheapest i could get localy. Not sure what it is on the new M3 having a V8. In you're case that would be about every 10 months.

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by paul_in_Norfolk

Servicing on my Z4M was £725 a pop, and that was the cheapest i could get. Not sure what it is on the new M3 having a V8. In you're case that would be about every 10 months.

£725 a go for a service??? Bloody hell!

[Koalway Kid]

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

Round town I am getting 15 ish and on a run low 20's

Ouch!

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by Tony Morgan

Ouch!

Petrol light came on yesterday afternoon - done 179 miles since last fill, although the light does come on quite early and I reckon £55 will fill it back up.

[Neil McRae]

so it will definately be more expensive fuel wise, to get the most of the M3 you really need to use Super Unleaded but surprisingly my M3 costs lets to insure than my E61 (wtf?). Serving I expect that there won't be much difference to be honest. I assume like the 535d the 335d has bigger discs and pads so brakes are more expensive anyway and closer to the M3 price. Buy your own oil and other expensive parts when you need servicing and you can save hundreds. Having driving both I can safetly say there is no debate. The M3 is by far a superior car, the 335d and 335i are awesome cars but the M3 is a big step better overall. Do it and you'll be glad you did.

[Neil McRae]

Originally Posted by paul_in_Norfolk

Servicing on my Z4M was £725 a pop, and that was the cheapest i could get. Not sure what it is on the new M3 having a V8. In you're case that would be about every 10 months.

Mate you are getting ripped off.

Oil service around 200, then inspection 1, 500 quid odd, oil service 200, I2 800-900 depending on what is needed, plus pads and if you hit 40K discs at around 350 per corner.

[Koalway Kid]

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

Petrol light came on yesterday afternoon - done 179 miles since last fill, although the light does come on quite early and I reckon £55 will fill it back up.

30 pence per mile?... mmm i get 40 pence per mile on my expenses... but only when on company business.... around 10k miles per year the other 10k is commuting and wkends.

[paul_in_Norfolk]

Originally Posted by Neil McRae

Mate you are getting ripped off.

Oil service around 200, then inspection 1, 500 quid odd, oil service 200, I2 800-900 depending on what is needed, plus pads and if you hit 40K discs at around 350 per corner.

First service was at 1000 mile and that was an oil change. 19k was the next inspection 1 service. Dealer said all 6 cylinder M cars have the VANOS system re-adjusted, 4 - 5 hours labor charge. At over £110 an hour labor cost, plus parts, plus oil change. Seemed about right to me.

I phoned several dealers and the cheapest quote was £695 but he was not local.

As i said not sure what it is on the V8 M3, as it is a newer engine design it might not need the adjustment.

[Neil McRae]

Mate I hate to say it but thats just not right, I had a Z4M

1200 mile service that should have been free, this takes out special running in oil and replaces it with regular TWS, mine was free. They do not adjust the servicing interval at this stage. So if they reset the oil service indicated then THEY FARKED UP BIG TIME.

Next service is around 10-12K miles depending on how heavy your foot is, cost me 170quid for an oil change, air con filter and handbrake adjustment.

Next service is another 10-12K miles, Inspection 1, depending on how heavy your foot is again, cost me about 500 quid plus £160quid for new front pads.

Next service is another 10-12K miles and its an oil service again. around 200quid.

Next service is I2, which I had flogged the car by then but prices I was quoted was around 1200 quid, they do spark plugs, the vanos, engine spacing or something (they need the car overnight).

Pre variable service cars (E46 3'er, First Z4, X3 etc) servicing always goes oil, i1, oil, i2 oil, i1, oil, i2.

M cars they add the 1200 mile oil service but that doesn't affect any of the above.

Regards,
Neil.

[Neil McRae]

incidentally the same schedule applied to my 2 E46 M3s. Although again I never kept them long enough to hit I2.

Neil.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Neil McRae

to get the most of the M3 you really need to use Super Unleaded

To get the most of ANY modern performance, turbo or N/A petrol engine, you need the super juice!

Let alone an M3.... if that V8 could speak, it would shout 'AHHHHHH - TIGHT BASTARD ALERT' at any heathen who dared to put regular in its hallowed tank!!

[MEGA]

Z4M service costs really aren't what this topic is about?




Re: the m3. If you can afford to atleast double your yearly fuel costs (Work it out on paper) - then really this is the ONLY downside. In every other department you will preferr the M3. The way it drives, the way it sounds x 1000000, the ride, the handling, the gearing, the looks.

If you can justify the fuel costs, and won't resent the car for the lightness of the wallet, then do it - now, today, and don't look back. You'll love it.

[Neil McRae]

oops double post.

[Neil McRae]

I don't think its as bad as double. Road Tax is double though. (sorry about the Z4M talk but it always worries me to see fellow members getting ripped off).

The point is that I don't think the servicing of M3 will be massively more than a 335d.

Regards,
Neil.

[Neil McRae]

Originally Posted by doughboy

To get the most of ANY modern performance, turbo or N/A petrol engine, you need the super juice!

Let alone an M3.... if that V8 could speak, it would shout 'AHHHHHH - TIGHT BASTARD ALERT' at any heathen who dared to put regular in its hallowed tank!!

Yes but you don't need super in a diesel though.