Purchase advice. E46M3 vs 335i coupe

[SR20_Guy]

Hi everyone.

Looking for some advice please. In the market for a new daily drive and considering a 335i or an E46 M3. I'm new to BMW so please bear with me. Hoping you guys can advise me on the following questions:

Which one would make a better daily drive?
Which one has better fuel consumption?
What does the average service cost on these once motorplan has run out?
Aside form SMG issues, is there anything else on the M3 to look out for?
What should I expect to pay for a clean E46 M3 coupe, manual?

thanks!

 

[thireshan]

hi
check this link,should answer some of your questions

e46 m3 vs 335i

 

[nasser*]

Hi everyone.

Looking for some advice please. In the market for a new daily drive and considering a 335i or an E46 M3. I'm new to BMW so please bear with me. Hoping you guys can advise me on the following questions:

Which one would make a better daily drive?
Which one has better fuel consumption?
What does the average service cost on these once motorplan has run out?
Aside form SMG issues, is there anything else on the M3 to look out for?
What should I expect to pay for a clean E46 M3 coupe, manual?

thanks!

think it comes down to personal preference
if you do decide to buy the E46 M3 get a manual especially for a daily drive, i think the smg is just to harsh as a daily (my opinion)
im not sure what maintenance is like on a 335i out of plan
my e46 m3 is out of plan for the past year, havnt really had any major issues
had a service done with independant workshop
replace all pulleys and belts came to R2500.00
alternator packed up replaced it R3800.00
i do oil service every 10k kms

 

[cyberdemon]

i've driven both and the 335i is a much nicer daily drive. i guess with time came a little more refinement.

+1 nasser, the smg box is very harsh for a daily drive, plus less fun :rollsmile:

 

[calypso]

For you, I would say 335.

 

[maddox]

I would say go for the 335i. Is a great daily driver but still has awesome performance.

 

[Ephraimramodike]

335i bro.....

:thumbs:

 

[Seether]

Cant go wrong with either

As I say to everyone - Test drive both and the decision will be easier.

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

335i as a daily

 

[Xack]

For you, I would say 335.

:roflol:....dont know why, but i like the way you put it Calypso... "for you, i would say 335. but i agree

 

[calypso]

Its just that if you need to ask then teh 335 is probably a better chance. You will know if you want an E46 M3.
Less risk in the 335 purchase.

 

[Sankekur]

Its just that if you need to ask then teh 335 is probably a better chance. You will know if you want an E46 M3.
Less risk in the 335 purchase.

My thought exactly.

 

[SR20_Guy]

I should probably mention that I'm in JHB. So give or take 15% loss at altitude the E46 will make ~214kw up here vs the 5% loss on the 335i which puts it also at 214kw, with a little bit more torque.

Things I like about the E46 M3:
Cabin, being an M its just as if bmw don't compromise on much
Aspirated engine and tone, revs, fun factor

Things I don't like:
Styling getting a bit dated
Hard to get a clean one
Theft/Risk factor


335i coupe likes:
Easy to find one
styling is nice, although more sleek and grown up
easy power upgrades

335i dislikes
more common
cabin less "special"
sometimes expensive for a nice one

 

[Legacy]

I should probably mention that I'm in JHB. So give or take 15% loss at altitude the E46 will make ~214kw up here vs the 5% loss on the 335i which puts it also at 214kw, with a little bit more torque.

That being said I have NEVER heard of an E46 M3 in GP even keeping up with a 335i, they all pretty much get humiliated by the twin turbo's.

Mostly the M3's make around 170-190wkw where with just some SW the 335i should make around 250wkw.

 

[Seether]

I should probably mention that I'm in JHB. So give or take 15% loss at altitude the E46 will make ~214kw up here vs the 5% loss on the 335i which puts it also at 214kw, with a little bit more torque.

That being said I have NEVER heard of an E46 M3 in GP even keeping up with a 335i, they all pretty much get humiliated by the twin turbo's.

Mostly the M3's make around 170-190wkw where with just some SW the 335i should make around 250wkw.

+1

 

[SR20_Guy]

Yeah the nm on the twinturbo would do that I'd imagine. Although I must say when I drove the 335 it didn't feel super fast....

Something no one has commented on so far. How does the fuel consumption compare on these cars? I know a lot of people will say it's a performance car, and if you want consumption buy a picanto, but this is the real world, and with petrol creeping to R11-R12l it has to be taken into consideration.

 

[griffen]

Yeah the nm on the twinturbo would do that I'd imagine. Although I must say when I drove the 335 it didn't feel super fast....

Something no one has commented on so far. How does the fuel consumption compare on these cars? I know a lot of people will say it's a performance car, and if you want consumption buy a picanto, but this is the real world, and with petrol creeping to R11-R12l it has to be taken into consideration.

I agree 100% I didnt expect it but I normally avg at least 9km/l and at least 11 on long journeys and that is with me over taking alot when I take it easy or keep my speed constant I normally get around 11.5-12 km/l. I imagine the E46 M will be better on fuel than the E36.
The only thing I dont like is that in a straight line the 335 is quicker. Other than that E46 M3 all the way especially considering the price tags! The other thing is with some mods I am sure the E46 M will also be very quick?

 

[SR20_Guy]

Found a clean, grey e6 manual' 04 model 111k kms. 19" OEM wheels. But R280k seems a bit steep no?

 

[calypso]

E46 is heavier on fuel then the E36. Mine sits around 14l/100km. But thats nearly all town driving.

 

[maddox]

For this prcie you will be able to get a 335i still with a year of motorplan, maybe 2 and much lower km's.

Not sure if this will make a difference in your decision.