I have 2800 miles on my 335i coupe now and it keeps getting better and better. Now that I have learned to trust the the car will hold on, on steady state corners I go as fast as the S with more stability. The various stability programs do wonders! I have also added a tuning device for more power.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=499574

 

I did not know that. My buddy at work bought a 335xi and got the "Sports package". I assumed that included suspension.

 

I have an 01 S2000 an 03 M3 6MT coupe and an 07 335i sedan and they're all very different cars but if I could only keep one of them it would be the 335. It's power is effortless...it's extremely comfortable and it's the most practical of the bunch. I get over 30mpg on highway cruising and it has available thrust anywhere in the rev range. It's got creature comforts like bluetooth, heated seats, Navi etc. and a good looking. Of course it doesn't handle like a 2,800 lb. roadster...you'd be an idiot if you thought it did but it handles very well and provides a very comfortable and quiet ride on top of it. If you're looking at a used M3 and it's not CPO'd then understand that maintenance and anything that breaks will be expensive to fix...that's not to say they're prone to issues, mine has 75K miles on it and hasn't given me any issues. I wish the 335 offered the Nappa leather that my M has but other than that I don't think I would change anything...it's a fantastic car. If you're trying to decide between a newer used (ie. CPO'd) M3 and a 335 then you really need to drive both...they're very different cars. The S54 in the M3 is very much like the F20C...high strung and it seems like it's always working very hard. The N54 in the 335 is pretty much the opposite...it silky smooth and efforless but has a nice enough exhaust note that you know something's going on under the hood.

 

In the section for "Sport Package", the sedan brochure says that sport suspension is not available for 328xi and 335xi. The coupe brochure does not mention sport suspension at all.

It seems that for the xi and coupes, the sport package includes:

Three-spoke, leather-wrapped multiple-function sport steering wheel,
paddle shifters for automatics,
Larger (read Heavier) wheels,
Run-flat performance tires, and
Eight-way adjustable front sport seats.

 

Thanks for the write-up. I have the same reservations about the M3. I was deciding between going the CPO route with an 05-06 which seems to be in the same range as a 335i with some options. My reservations about the m3 are pretty much the same that you brought up - I'm not too excited about inspections 1&2 and by the numbers the 335 seems to have have significant advantages in terms of economy and comfort as well as not yet being "dated" looking. You brought up the handling between the s2000 and the 335; what are your opinions on that of the m3 versus the 335?

 

My M3 is pretty modified but stock versus the stock the M3 has a slight advantage which is to be expected considering the cars are really aimed at slightly different audiences. The 335 carries more body roll than the M3 does and it has a softer ride but it's a very capable car. My M3 came with stock 19's and PS2's versus 18" wheels and run-flats on the 335 but if you put 19's and better tires on the 335 then I believe that it will be very close to the M3 in terms of things like skidpad, etc. I believe the 335 has better brakes in stock trim and it's a bit lighter than my M3 was stock but it's a very well-mannered car even when pushed hard.

 

e90 335i owner here also. Best overall car I've ever owned. Do I miss the s2k? Hell yes, but when it comes down to it I'd still rather have the 335. Of course the handling doesn't come close to the s2k but honestly I think the handling/ride balance is perfect for an aggressively driven 4 door daily driver.

 

I'll probably be selling my S in the next couple of weeks (it's a great car but it's hard to justify a 2-seater DD when you're a father of 2-month old twins )

I'm not sure what your reasoning is but it must be similar. S is just not the most practical daily driver out there. One the aspects of of practicality is cost to own. For me, 335 is out because its too darn expensive.

With reasonable options, pricing goes like this
- My S2000: 22-24k
- 3yo 330 ZHP (off lease): 26-28k
- 3yo M3: 33-36k, 2 doors, poor gas mileage
- New 335: 43-45k

so you can guess which one i'll be getting. Horsepower isn't everything.