Compared to my new M4, my 435 drives like a Lexus!

[snareman]

I just got back from 1,175mi worth of driving my new M4 over in Europe during my ED. I had been wondering how much different it was going to be compared to the 435 I've been driving for the past 3 years. While I was over there I thought there was a decent difference in the feel of the car, but I really realized how significant it was when I came home and got in my 435 to go to work the next day. I immediately thought, wow, this drives like a Lexus compared to my new M! The exhaust is obviously drastically different, but I was amazed as just how smooth and docile ride and steering (which I had previously thought quite sporty) on the 435 suddenly felt. It just feels like I'm floating down the road in comparison. I can't imagine how floaty a real Lexus must be.

I do like the easier shifter on the 435 with just being able to go forward and back and pressing P for park as opposed to going over and up for reverse and having to make sure I was in D every time before I turned the car off so it wouldn't yell at me that it couldn't put itself into P. The seat belt extender arm is handy for us short people, but I'm happy to put up with reaching back for it for the pleasure of driving the M.

[BMWFanatic2008]

Congrats on the new car, looks great!

I actually MUCH prefer the DCT shifter we have in our Ms. You just have to get used to it, takes a bit of time.

I do agree on the seat belt extender feature which M cars lack. Found it very useful on my E92.

[minn19]

Congrats on the car! I've driven a few IS 350s I think they feel more buttoned down than the regular 3/4 series cars. I've never driven a newer track pack equipped F3X one though so it could be different now.

[ASAP]

I have been saying over and over that the regular 3/4 series and the M cars have almost nothing in common and don't drive remotely similar... I believe in the prior gens that may have been different as the E92 335i and M3 were a lot closer to each other in terms of the drive... this generation, they went to 2 extremes and I think it was to gather maximum share of the market (part of which was that lexus crowd).

[snareman]

Originally Posted by BMWFanatic2008

Congrats on the new car, looks great!

I actually MUCH prefer the DCT shifter we have in our Ms. You just have to get used to it, takes a bit of time.

I do agree on the seat belt extender feature which M cars lack. Found it very useful on my E92.

Yea, I'm sure I'll get used to it with time. What do you prefer about the DCT?

[JoeFromPA]

I have an M235i Dinan today as my loaner from my BMW dealership (Yes, a Dinan Car is a loaner). It really makes me question my m3

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I have been saying over and over that the regular 3/4 series and the M cars have almost nothing in common and don't drive remotely similar... I believe in the prior gens that may have been different as the E92 335i and M3 were a lot closer to each other in terms of the drive... this generation, they went to 2 extremes and I think it was to gather maximum share of the market (part of which was that lexus crowd).

this seems obvious, but you're right, it hasn't been this extreme if ever.

i've put a lot of miles in 328i's and 335i's with m sport, and it is not even close in feel, handling, not remotely.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

I have an M235i Dinan today as my loaner from my BMW dealership (Yes, a Dinan Car is a loaner). It really makes me question my m3

Wow, both a 2 and a Dinan. I think my dealer just has 328's.

[KevinM]

Congratulations on the upgrade!

[Need4spd28]

I would have to agree. I just came out of a 2015 335i myself, which I have to admit I really liked, and like the OP, felt was fairly "sporty." That said, it truly is a night and day difference.

[F83]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I have been saying over and over that the regular 3/4 series and the M cars have almost nothing in common and don't drive remotely similar... I believe in the prior gens that may have been different as the E92 335i and M3 were a lot closer to each other in terms of the drive... this generation, they went to 2 extremes and I think it was to gather maximum share of the market (part of which was that lexus crowd).

+1000

The way I put this is; the ~$30k premium paid for an M vs. a base 3/4 is the best value in automobiles. EVERYTHING is stepped up massively. The engine, the suspension, the interior, the sound system, the fit and finish, the cooling systems, the....

I'll never buy another non-M BMW every again. Full stop.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by F83

+1000

The way I put this is; the ~$30k premium paid for an M vs. a base 3/4 is the best value in automobiles. EVERYTHING is stepped up massively. The engine, the suspension, the interior, the sound system, the fit and finish, the cooling systems, the....

I'll never buy another non-M BMW every again. Full stop.

Other than the part where it artificially pipes the exhaust sound into the car, the sound system is the exact same HK system I have on my 435. And other than the trim now being CF with nicer leather seats compared to the Dakota in my 435 I don't think the interior is significantly different. The engine and suspension are drastically different on the M however. I would have thought they would have offered an optional better stereo system than you can get on even the 428 for half the price.

[F83]

Originally Posted by snareman

And other than the trim now being CF with nicer leather seats compared to the Dakota in my 435 I don't think the interior is significantly different.

Every 3 or 4 I get as a loaner looks like a POS on the inside compared to the M. To your point - start with leather quality and the seat design. Massive massive difference. Add to that the steering wheel, leather in additional places (particularly if you have full leather), contrast M stitching...

[DS_BMW]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

I have an M235i Dinan today as my loaner from my BMW dealership (Yes, a Dinan Car is a loaner). It really makes me question my m3

In what way?

[Jockey]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

I have an M235i Dinan today as my loaner from my BMW dealership (Yes, a Dinan Car is a loaner). It really makes me question my m3

I had a Dinan 228i as my loaner recently. A whole bunch of nopes, couldn't wait to get my M3 back.

[sandwi54]

Originally Posted by F83

+1000

The way I put this is; the ~$30k premium paid for an M vs. a base 3/4 is the best value in automobiles. EVERYTHING is stepped up massively. The engine, the suspension, the interior, the sound system, the fit and finish, the cooling systems, the....

I'll never buy another non-M BMW every again. Full stop.

M3 is not 30k more than a 335i. Equally equipped it's only about 14k more. I can't for the life of me not ever get a M3 anymore, when it's only a small premium over a 335. Interior-wise, they are both exactly the same now that 2017 340 and 440 can be speced with individual full merino leather. I should've waited a year to order my wife's 2016 435i had I known the individual full leather would become a configurable option...

[XsltAnalyst]

Congrats on the car, it looks great!
Maybe it's just me but I prefer the way the DCT stick operates, similar to a manual transmission car. Left and up for reverse is very similar to manual transmission, and so is leaving it in gear before turning off the car.
Also, if the car yells at you for being in neutral, just press the ignition button once more (no foot on the brake). It'll put it in park.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by XsltAnalyst

Congrats on the car, it looks great!
Maybe it's just me but I prefer the way the DCT stick operates, similar to a manual transmission car. Left and up for reverse is very similar to manual transmission, and so is leaving it in gear before turning off the car.
Also, if the car yells at you for being in neutral, just press the ignition button once more (no foot on the brake). It'll put it in park.

Thanks. Probably the fact that I've never really driven a manual affects my love (or lack there of) for the DCT shifter. I just need to get used to it.

[JoeFromPA]

In regards to the M235i Dinan I had, it was an extremely fun tossable car but ultimately the price is not that much different. I paid $60k (before tax) on my m3 brand new. The m240i (x-drive) equipped with navi would be about $54k + dinan tuning costs.

...

In regards to the 3-series vs. M3: The M3 is a massive step up in engine, braking, suspension/chassis, steering, and drivetrain (i.e. M-Diff). I also think the exterior is fantastic looking. I think the exhaust on a regular 335i sounds better, and I think the interior of the M3 can be dressed up in leather but is still a low-end interior in terms of materials quality for $60k+ (and often $70-80k).

I'm not belittling the fact BMW focused on performance. But I can get into a $53k cayman and get a far nicer base interior. While I love my m3, and I like it's interior, it is only a mild step-up from a 328i with sport package.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

In regards to the M235i Dinan I had, it was an extremely fun tossable car but ultimately the price is not that much different. I paid $60k (before tax) on my m3 brand new. The m240i (x-drive) equipped with navi would be about $54k + dinan tuning costs.

...

In regards to the 3-series vs. M3: The M3 is a massive step up in engine, braking, suspension/chassis, steering, and drivetrain (i.e. M-Diff). I also think the exterior is fantastic looking. I think the exhaust on a regular 335i sounds better, and I think the interior of the M3 can be dressed up in leather but is still a low-end interior in terms of materials quality for $60k+ (and often $70-80k).

I'm not belittling the fact BMW focused on performance. But I can get into a $53k cayman and get a far nicer base interior. While I love my m3, and I like it's interior, it is only a mild step-up from a 328i with sport package.

I agree on the interior. I don't really have any complaints about it , but you might expect slightly more for 80k. Perhaps at least extended leather and a better sound system than I can get on the 328/428

[m4282]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

In regards to the M235i Dinan I had, it was an extremely fun tossable car but ultimately the price is not that much different. I paid $60k (before tax) on my m3 brand new. The m240i (x-drive) equipped with navi would be about $54k + dinan tuning costs.

...

In regards to the 3-series vs. M3: The M3 is a massive step up in engine, braking, suspension/chassis, steering, and drivetrain (i.e. M-Diff). I also think the exterior is fantastic looking. I think the exhaust on a regular 335i sounds better, and I think the interior of the M3 can be dressed up in leather but is still a low-end interior in terms of materials quality for $60k+ (and often $70-80k).

I'm not belittling the fact BMW focused on performance. But I can get into a $53k cayman and get a far nicer base interior. While I love my m3, and I like it's interior, it is only a mild step-up from a 328i with sport package.

I completely disagree with your last part joe, the 53k Cayman does not have a better interior and good luck finding one that low with low miles ( not the base version- that's crap) an s. The fit feel and finish in the M3/4 are nicer than the Cayman in every way.

And btw if you would spend all that money on a 235+tune why not get a m2.

Your argument is completely subjective (as I suppose is mine) but I would say to stick to the title of this thread and not derail it.

Having said that yes the standard four series does feel like it floats next to the m3/4

[Xtabi]

The 3/4 series were night and day by every measure for me too. The price difference was 10-12k for the M. It was an exreamly easy call for me to make. I drove them back-to-back and there is no way I was going to select the 335i.

My M was 70,800 MSRP negotiated down to a 64,000 sales price. Totally worth it.