BMW choices, which and why

Looking at the E46 M3 vs the E90/E92 335i, both choices would be black, manual and RWD.

Which would you pick and why?

If you can find an '05-06 e46, thats what I would go for.

I never driven a 335, but I drive an e93 M3 and owned an e46 M3. I always liked the feel of the e46 over the e9x series. I rather have the naturally aspirated inline 6 of the e46 over the twin turbo engine.

aussiesmg wrote: Looking at the E46 M3 vs the E90/E92 335i, both choices would be black, manual and RWD. Which would you pick and why?

Man - That's a tough choice for me. Both are neat cars and ones I would like to own. I guess my answer would depend somewhat on what I planned to do with it. Just a highway missile? Then I'd probably go with the 335i, add a tune to get to close to 400hp, and go. More of a track-oriented approach? The e46 M3.

Either way, I think each would be fun!

This would get a LOT of miles, mainly DD type duty, highway cruising.

Not for track use, the plan may be to replace the Elantra.

In that context, neither one sounds like a particularly good idea. For a weekend, occasional DD, track toy........E46 M3 all the way.

Neither...

To get the full enjoyment of the E46 M3, you should track it occasionally. The 335i will be overkill.

If I was in your boat, I'd look for a 330i ZHP with the alcantara/sport package and call it a day! Those can be had for a little less than E46 M3 money..

335i would fit the bill from the sounds perfectly.

I would have to think the E46 would be wound up a bit too much for long high way travel in comparison to the E9x

Don't for get the 135i if a smaller car is not out of the realm.

335d

Maintenance on the 335i scares me for the kind of use you're talking about. I think an E46 330i or ZHP would be ideal for that type of work.

I love the idea of an E46 M3, but I'd have to think it would be less fun just racking up a ton of highway miles.

135i. Also an earlier twin turbo car is a chip away from around 400hp.

135i is just better than the 335i IMO unless you NEED a bigger car. I'm considering getting one myself. All the same pluses as a 335i but lighter.

I wouldn't buy one if i'm going to be putting a ton of miles on it. I would get a low mile car with a very good extended warranty and sell it before it's up. Later twin scroll turbo cars are supposedly easier and more reliable but i've never seen concrete evidence.

I have a friend who bought a 330i about six months ago. Loves the car. Or rather, he did love the car until he drove his friends M3. Now it bugs him that it's not quite as good as it could be.
My suggestion is (always) to get the car that makes you say "berkeley yea" when you see it in the morning. Being happy with a car seems to have significant correlation with being happy with a car.

E46 M3 will likely have a better resale value over time. They appear to have levelled off depreciation wise around here. Prices are increasing for low mileage cars. Plus LSD.

I've been day-dreaming about one of these since I learned of their existance a couple of weeks ago:

535xi Touring; 6 spd.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=19021&endYear=2015&modelCode1=5_SERIES&showcaseOwnerId=49294070&startYear=1981&makeCode1=BMW&transmissionCode=MAN&transmissionCodes=MAN&searchRadius=0&bodyStyleCodes=WAGON&mmt=%5BBMW%5B%5D%5B5_SERIES%5B%5D%5D%5D&listingId=365138349&listingIndex=2&Log=0

Why? Because as I get older, I'm starting to grow tired of the "small car" thing and wouldn't mind having a bit more room. The main maintenance issue with the #35 engine seems to be the intake coking.

I bought an '07 335i coupe with the sport package and of course a 6-speed. It's an awesome car. I have driven an e46 M3 once, and that is a little bit more nimble and definitely more track oriented. With a tune and sway bars though I think an e90/92 335i could be just as fun on the track, plus be a better daily driver.

As mentioned earlier the maintenance is a little scary. I had the ECU replace in September due to a terrible misfire. Luckily it was under CPO, and luckily BMW had no idea what the issue was and replaced plugs, coil packs, injectors, and HPFP before they saw the TSB that indicated a certain model range had ECU issues. So in a sense I got lucky and had all the major issues taken care of. The injectors and HPFP are covered under waranty for 10yrs/120,000 miles if I remember correctly. The other issue that I have had is the wastegate rattle. Again BMW extended the warranty for this to 82,000 miles (not sure of the years) if it causes driveability issues. I'm trying to get "driveability issue" within the next 8,000 so I can get a new set of turbos. Currently it just rattles and sounds bad when you let off the throttle, but no issues. The Burger Motorsports JB4 tuner helps with this issues and doesn't sound as bad.

I always like to let people know that you are down pipes, intake, and a tune away from a pretty conservative 400hp. Plus the thing just eats up miles and I can squeeze high 20s on the highway with it.

What about a 128i? Cheaper, normally aspirated straight six goodness with less plumbing, parts and problems... a six speed and nice seats.

Smaller is not an option, it will be a work vehicle

Not too worried about resale, I will rack up plenty of miles to kill the resale anyway

Do you need two or four doors? Heck, i'd go snag up the 535xi that Ian posted. That is a perfect hauler right there..

aussiesmg wrote: Smaller is not an option, it will be a work vehicle Not too worried about resale, I will rack up plenty of miles to kill the resale anyway

OK, E90 328i then. Not sure of the years/options but I'd always take the NA option over the puffer.

Did they make the manual 535i wagon in RWD?

Not in the US. You could get a manual rear drive sedan, but all of the 5 series wagons of that generation were all wheel drive.

+1 on the 335i or a 328i. The E46 M3 is just too stiff and too maintenance expense heavy for a highway cruiser.

I keep trying to convince my mom to sell her E46 M3 as I am tired of trying to keep up on maintenance with it when I already have my own project car, race car, and truck to maintain.

335D & 330i ZHP both push all of the right buttons for me.

I'm a big fan of the turbo diesel, absolutely love our little TDI and it's only 236 lb-ft of torque, I can only imagine the 450 lb-ft from the 335D. No manual in the US though, still think it would be the perfect commuter for me.

The 330i ZHP for obvious reasons, 90% of an M3 without the M3 price/insurance and you can get it with 4 doors. There's a guy that works at our favorite local pizza/bar who drives a red sedan ZHP, I drool over it often. Make mine a white 4 door manual.

• Lee

Don't discount the smallest 3 -- I am a big fan of our 323i -- it is smooth, quiet, and torquey enough to be useful on the highway. If this is strictly a work vehicle, with no possibility for track or other competition, you probably don't need the 335. Not like 400hp will get you there any faster in bumper to bumper traffic, or on clear roads unless you really push your luck.

We are getting off track here, RWD manual either 335i or E46 M3.

I am going that route or I will stay with the Elantra, it does a wonderful job but 12 hours a day at the wheel meas I am ready for something more my style

I know you essentially drive for a living, but exactly is it you do? I'm guessing people-hauling isn't part of it?