335 v. 340 v. M3

[Wyldstyle]

Hi all - This is my first post here, although Google has often led me here for various questions over the last several years, so I have benefitted from your collective wisdom anonymously.

My lease is up in January, and I am trying to decide on my next car (which 99% will be a purchase, not another lease). I am currently in a loaded 2014 335i, which I have truly loved; spotting it in a parking lot makes me smile, and my commute is one of my favorite parts of my day. I also have a really great local dealership, making my whole ownership experience excellent so far, beyond the car itself. (This was my first BMW.)

Nonetheless, I am considering other makes as well as BMW, because I am an obsessive researcher and go for the best product (for me) over brand loyalty. For context, here are the other cars I am considering beyond the BMWs listed in the thread title:

• Audi S3 (still have to assess how well my kid fits in the back)
• Audi RS3 (as above)
• Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti (all but eliminated, after reading on multiple reports of issues)
• Tesla Model 3 (have a cancellable reservation due in Apr-Jun)

I'm posting now to get feedback on a couple of questions I have about the 335, 340, and M3. I am looking at either a new vehicle (preferably 2017, for the discounts) or recent, low-mileage CPO. I love (driving) cars, but I do not have the know-how (or time) to do my own repairs, maintenance, etc, so I want something new enough that it shouldn't have a lot of issues.

1) What is the consensus on the current 340 vs the ~2015 335? I know the 340 has a new engine, and I have seen posts & articles that go either way as to which is superior.

2) How practical is the M3 as a daily driver? I have a decently long commute every day on the highway; mornings are OK, but evenings tend to be in stop & go traffic. All the M3s I have seen in my area have manual transmissions, which I would prefer except... not awesome in stop & go traffic. I have not driven an M3 yet... because I am afraid of falling in love. (I had a loaner M240i a couple weeks back and had a blast in that, and I'm sure it's not even that close to the M3... but probably closer than my 335.)

Any and all advice welcome.

[pbonsalb]

The only two I would look at are the M3 and RS3, but I am into performance. The 340i or S3 might be the more comfortable commuter car and get better mileage. For traffic, I would get the DCT or automatic. For performance, I would get the DCT or automatic -- they are faster than the manuals. If you must have something to do with your left foot and right arm while driving get the manual but as you know, a manual can get old in bad traffic.

[Kevlar]

I'd go for the 340 over the 335 because it's newer and built on the newer architecture of that engine design.

As for the M3 as a daily... I daily an M3 without a problem. It does suck though and I think the car cries a littel every day because it is built to run and when it is sitting in traffic, it is not as happy as it would like to be.

[NC540]

340 ftw