Ok so i have been reading up on these fixed up 335s puttin down something about 380whp. My Q for you guys is....1) How much $ would it take to put a 335 in the 380whp range, and 2) What is the point of a 65k M3 if you can mod the 335 for lil cost and get it to burn an M? I konw I konw you say with some mods the M can be a beast, but its a N/A V8....there is much more room for improvement for the 335 in my eyes.

 

an M is an M, and basically thats that - handling i would say is the main department, and the other thing is that, we all now know that M stands for marketing, so many people will buy it based on the fact that its an M3

Also the amount of cars that are sold and the percentage of people who mod... very very small, most people buy the car as is and drive it as that - the 335 is a pretty common mans car (yes an expensive one, but its much more attainable then an M3), modded or not, an M3 (although its quite the ugly machine) is not the common mans car, its a supposedly hardcore (not) track mans, racing machine

brakes, handling, brakes, handling, handling are the main strong points i believe - i think a differential has something to do in there as well, lots of exterior bits, that make it look better then a 335 which is SO plain, i think its SO PLAIN, ugh, to the point i get bored looking at it, the interior has its touches, and mainly its an M3

 

I'm curious about this as well, I know that a chipped 335 + exhaust and intake can make some decent power. lets say it puts down 380 rwhp. doesn't the new M3 put out about the same rwhp??? and the new M3 is also lighter than the 335. so I think the 335 would need to put out about 400+ whp to surpass the M3. and when you are talking about that much power, it gets expensive with BMW's. but probably still cheaper than the M3. however, the M3 will still have the upperhand in the suspension/brakes/driveline departments. so even more modding is required to get the 335 to "smoke" the new M3: coilovers, sways, struts, brakes, lsd...

at the end of the day I think it will cost the same to buy a 335 and mod it to M3 level, or to buy a M3. but I could be wrong...

 

Stock 335 engine puts down 290 on the dyno (more or less), stock E92 M3 dynos close to 380hp, when you tune the 335i to pump Hp close to 400 you are risking reliabilty and most likely voiding the warranty, let's not forget the risk of blowing the engine or turbo's. The E92 will spank the 335i on the highway, after all it does rev to 8400. I am sure there will be mods for the E92 that will increase hp to the 400hp region.

 

Call it the difference between a Turbo and GT3.

Sometimes the overall package is more important than just more peak power....

 

This should give you an idea of cost:

http://www.vishnutuning.com/bmw_335i.htm

Definitely a bargain for the hp gains.

 

The first and only question is have you owned an M car?

If so, it explains itself, the difference between an M3 and a 335 is night and day. You may get the 335 as fast in a straight line but it will never be as rewarding to drive as an M.

 

I would think if i had the M i would still get coilovers/BBK. But in the end you are correct, it is much easier to just get the M and be happy where your at.

 

I don't really track my car, and where i live you can't really have too much fun without getting in trouble....so the straight line test is the only test for me. And yes i have driven an M. My brother owned a e46 for a year, and so did his best friend before switching to a 335i ....so i guess to him the M was no too rewarding.

 

Perhaps so, I've got both an E46 M3 and a E92 335 at the moment, I can tell you which one is getting the flick first! And it's not the M

 

This is basically asking the difference between the e46 330ci and the e46 M3

 

Psych!

 

 

If you don't track your car, then why bother with coilovers and a BBK? That just doesn't make any sense to me. Going to corner balance your daily driver? 1st pothole and there goes $300 out the window. Driving straight is boring. Go out to the track and get some enjoyment for all the $ you're putting into the car.

 

I own an E46 M3 and an E92 335i Coupe (Steptronic/ Sports) currently. The 335 is a clumbsy feeling car to me where as the M3 feels alot more stable at speed. In a straight line the 335 is a decent running car. I routinely run in the 13.5 1/4 mile range at 102mph bone stock on the RFT's. The potential for more power in the 335 for a decent bargain is definitely there!

When it comes down to the 335 vs new M3...if you have to ask the question. The 335 is most definitely for you!