I'm having trouble deciding between these 3 Bimmers...

[benner410]

I'm 20 and looking into my first BMW. I have narrowed it down to 3 different models. I've driven all except the E92 and am having trouble.

1. 2005 E46 M3 Coupe w/ SMG, Link --> ************/kt99lh


2. 2007 E92 335i, Link --> ************/lznmnu


3. 2007 E90 335i, Link --> ************/n4ol5s


Here is my impression with each car...

1. The M3 is GREAT. It has a virtually flawless interior/exterior. It's fast, and the insurance is surprisingly not too much. I love the black interior as well. The red exterior is nice.

2. The E92 335i (coupe) is nice, BUT it's a "Lemon-Law Buyback". It still has a warranty, but I'm not sure if I want to deal with that. The interior is mediocre too. I'm not too big on the "leatherette", especially the light color. Otherwise, it's a great car.

3. The E90 335i (sedan) is right now #3 on my list, simply because of...

A) The sedan factor
B) The gold color

...I'm not sure why, but I can't decide if I like the platinum bronze or not. A part of me wants to think it's "classy" and "luxurious" but another part of me thinks "older crowd" and "camry color". Out of all 3, however, the interior on this car is the nicest. The walnut woodgrain, real leather seats, solid feel, everything on the inside just screams "class".


Mileage:

M3 - 63k
E92 - 37k
E90 - 53k

The more I think about it, the M3 is just more "me" due to it's sportiness and thrilling nature. I start thinking about that, but then the e9x's come back into my mind and make me reconsider. I'm in college, and use my car for going out to eat, dating, work, class, etc. No long distance trips or anything. That being said, the M3 is out of warranty, and I can't afford to be replacing everything.

In the end, I'm aware that it's going to be my decision, but I would like to hear what others think.

Thank you!

[Defeater]

E90. Tune. Waste people in a champagne gold car. If you're that concerned about it, a contrasting stripe or wheels can make it look much better.

You definitely do not want a lemon law buy-back. What good is the car going to be to you if it's consistently in the shop for warranty repairs?

[Lantz]

E90. Tune. Waste people in a champagne gold car. If you're that concerned about it, a contrasting stripe or wheels can make it look much better.

You definitely do not want a lemon law buy-back. What good is the car going to be to you if it's consistently in the shop for warranty repairs?

What is it a lemon buy back for?

And more importantly is it fixed?

[benner410]

What is it a lemon buy back for?

And more importantly is it fixed?

Not sure, I was going to go checkout the car this weekend and ask them about it. In the AutoTrader it says it has been fixed and has a warranty.

[Ron97M3]

I don't like torque converters ... I advise you get a M3 without one of those.
But if you must have a Torque converter the M3 is still the car!

Go figure:)

[benner410]

I don't like torque converters ... I advise you get a M3 without one of those.
But if you must have a Torque converter the M3 is still the car!

Go figure

The M3 doesn't have a torque converter.... It's a hydraulic clutch.

[2pur2ride]

M3 without hesitation whatsoever.

[Ron97M3]

The M3 doesn't have a torque converter.... It's a hydraulic clutch.

OK if no torque converter I am in all the way. Can I test it please:)
My left foot might get bored:confused

I say if you choosing something and the choice is between the BEST (aka ?M3) and the lesser (aka 335i?) ALWAYS go for the best. You will be smiling for years having the MOST zoom .....

[misswin]

i figure if you're gonna spend a phenomenal amount of money, why not spend for quality as well as something you love? go m3. do it. do it now.

[benner410]

E90. Tune. Waste people in a champagne gold car. If you're that concerned about it, a contrasting stripe or wheels can make it look much better.

You definitely do not want a lemon law buy-back. What good is the car going to be to you if it's consistently in the shop for warranty repairs?

The more I think about it, the champagne e90 grows on me :)

[gary88]

I was in the same situation not too long ago deciding between an M3 and a 335i, and well you can see what I went with ;) No doubt the M3 is a phenomenal car, but once I drove a 335i it was game over.

If I were you I'd just hold out a little longer and find an E92 with a clean title. It'll be worth the wait.

[jibaholic101]

M3 FTW, but however, your selections are missing a pedal, you need a CLUTCH!

[Ron97M3]

M3 FTW, but however, your selections are missing a pedal, you need a CLUTCH!

Can it be the same or better without my left foot doing something?
I too wonder! :)

[1flossedm3]

Tough choice, I would go with the M3 probably, they are great cars. Make sure all maintenance was done.

[cablehaze15]

Wish i had this decision to make! I just love the E46.... that gets my vote

[fernandos1]

If the E93 has 57K miles, then it's also out of warranty. I would probably not buy a lemon law car unless I could make sure the problem was fixed and it wasn't a major one.

So, between the E93 and the M3, the M3 is going to be a lot of fun, but the E93 seems more luxurious and far more practical if you want to have friends ride with you. Depends on how you plan to use the car.
Also, the M3 in bright red looks like a cop magnet, the E93 has plenty of power but no one will notice it.

[apollo322]

I'd go with the M3 every time. In fact i did!

[Phore]

M3 with 3 pedals

[e28forlife]

I would buy the m3, but the 335i is likely a better decision considering your age. The m3 must have higher insurance (some insurers have deignated it as an 'exotic' car) despite being older.

Either way, I would get the best maintained, lowest milage car you can afford. A high milage, poorly maintained e46 m3 is asking for trouble. I've also heard of turbo issues with the 335i. An out of warranty 335i that needs new turbos will be quite the headache, plus a big hit on your wallet.

[Codeman]

Personally I'd get the M3, but if you want something that looks 'current' and newer get the E90 or E92. Most people will look at the M3 and think that it's just an old normal 3 series.

[shakez]

i say go for the M3 . . . seems like an easy choice to me !! :d

[bigjoe87865]

Is it just me or is that 335 sedan DIRT cheap? $22995

[kineticimpulse]

your explanation of the cars says it all. your most interested in the m3. i personally would find an m3 with a manual unless you are ok with smg or that is what you wanted. i would then follow my decision with the 335i coupe. find out what the lemon law buyback is and go from there. also, never settle for certain options on cars. for example, if you want a white car with red interior you wait till you find that white car with red interior. i have found i am never happy till i find what i am truely looking for.

[SlimKlim]

m3 ftw, but however, your selections are missing a pedal, you need a clutch!

+1,000

[spear///Mint]

M3 with 3 pedals

I agree, go with the M3...I just wish that it had three petals.

It definitely is a hard decision but what are you planning on doing with the car primarily? daily drive? track???

[phathom]

I'm 20 and looking into my first BMW. I have narrowed it down to 3 different models. I've driven all except the E92 and am having trouble.

I'm in college, and use my car for going out to eat, dating, work, class, etc. No long distance trips or anything. That being said, the M3 is out of warranty, and I can't afford to be replacing everything.


With this said, I would save some money and get a E46 330. Save yourself some money and have money left over for mods, repairs, maintenance, etc.

This is assuming all the models above besides the lemoned one don't have a warranty. If the gold 335 has a warranty and is great inside and out + you can afford it, then do that. Otherwise if your going for a non warranty car, I would get something that saves you money for other things for it. Not to mention the insurance might be cheaper on it than a 335 or a M3.

Just my 2 cents

[ianturner]

e92....but you can buy mine!

[weenstan]

I don't like torque converters ... I advise you get a M3 without one of those.
But if you must have a Torque converter the M3 is still the car!

Go figure:)


Wat.


Get an M3, world of difference.

[E36BMW3series]

I would go with M3. I just met a guy today who tracks his SMG M3 and he says its far more reliable than everyone cracks it out to be. He loves driving it and says it's great.

Just don't drop it and I'm sure you won't have any problems.

If you go the M3 route I believe it's getting close to time for Inspection II? Make sure you have that done, they adjust the valves and do a lot of little things, it is pretty expensive if you have to go out and do it yourself.

[Daedalus34r]

ewww, don't do gold... i didn't know bimmers came in that color.

Hold out and you will find the car that you REALLY want. You will have to live with this car for some time so dont settle on any car that you have doubts about.

[ddsski]

Mileage #s nice but put pricetags next ti o mileage along with remaining warranties etc. Need to see the whole picture.

[Ron97M3]

ewww, don't do gold... i didn't know bimmers came in that color. Hold out and you will find the car that you REALLY want. You will have to live with this car for some time so dont settle on any car that you have doubts about.

I agree NOT gold ... you don't want to be seen as a "Gold Digger" or Midas do you?

I think a nice red-maroon would be great. Not bright red to attract police but a velvet-red maroon. Had a camaro in Laquer red-maroon of just the right shade ... very nice. Assuming no great maroon is available (I don't know) I favor a good off shade nature color if possible, not a common color like silver, black or white for sure. Just dreaming with you :)

I DIY so I fear not the BMW inspection 2, otherwise it would scare me for sure.

Do newer M3 have valve adjusts? I don't think so! Inspections are change fluids, replace a few simple things ... but most important for the dealer FIND
other things that ARE NOT PERFECT to charge the customer lots for IMHO.

There is a reason why the first 4 years or 50,000 of service is free, it's because if the customers had to pay for it up front they wouldn't want to buy the cars.
The BMWs are designed not to have any major issues until just after 50,000 so go figure on that one.

I say buy the high end model with the nicest paint color. Figure out what would be your ideal BMW in the ideal color ... find the car, have it inspected.
Don't just buy what a given dealer has to offer ... find the one that will be special to you!:buttrock

[RocketJohn]

What ever you decide, make sure it has a proper manual transmission... the SMG might be great for an M5 or large vehicle, but for a 3 or smaller, row the gears...

oh and metallic colors on BMWs are the best... sure the alpine white looks good... but the silvers, charcoals, beiges, blues... they just can't be beat...

[bimmerdriver99]

1st let me say that you are one lucky 20 year old. Congrats on that.

Next Idk I've driven both the e46 M and the 335i only in a sedan though.

Both have awesome power. I would also take in consideration practicality. Seeing your in Houston you don't need to worry about snow, ect.

I think since the M3 is an 05 I would go with that. I used to own an e36 M and just loved it and I almost traded it on an e46 before it got wrecked.

I love the fact that the M is NA motor and can rev till infinity and just the feel of that NA motor just does something for me. M3 might have a bit more maintenance, and as far as the 07 335i you still would have a little bit left on the warenty from BMW.

Also, with like 500-1000$ you can make the 335i quicker than the M but I think you still don't have that M sporty feel.

I'm in the same boat but for me I need more of a seasonal Daily driver. For me I would go with the 335i. Even though I would get an e46 in a heartbeat, I think the 335 is more practical in daily use, but still being fast and fun.

[tybrones87]

Gotta say 335i, but thats just me personally. The car is so much easy to make go faster than the M3.

[bowmang]

wait til a 335 coupe that you can afford, and want comes along. with less than $500, you can mod a 335 to destroy a stock M3.

my 335 was the second most fun car i've ever driven (1st is my 135) and i've driven plenty of M3s.

you say you can't afford the M3 maintenance... and you are probably under estimating it.

[chet31]

I will be in the minority and recommend the E92 w/ the warranty, given that you are in college. For 13K miles, you will spend nothing additional on the car. Depends on the buy-back, of course, but BMW is generally good about making sure their buybacks are fixed before reselling them.

Previous poster recommended an E46, not a bad idea. You are 20, you buy an M3 or 335 now, what do you have to look forward to? Believe me, the chicks will dig you w/ an E46.

[bowmang]

keep in mind guys, the E92 and E90 most likely have the CPO warranty, which is up to 100k