F30 335xi M Sport vs F80 M3 - which would you go for?

[MvMcool]

I've gone up and down the board but couldn't find a poll or discussion on an old argument: If you could afford either, do you buy a loaded F30 335xi M Sport or an F80 M3?

I am waiting for my birthday in September to purchase an F30 335xi M Sport but should I just wait a little longer (a bloody lifetime!) for the M3?

In life, its not often that you have the option to make a selfishly fun decision of blowing your money on a car... but from lots of hard work and luck I have the means. The question is - which to buy?


Car to be used as following:

- Daily commute.
- Used in Canadian winters in city for client visits.
- Used in Canadian winters out of city to get to remote cottage and ski slopes.

Perhaps this isn't really a question - I think the M3 is the way to go - I am just looking to vent my frustration since I want the F80 now!

Hope to hear some good thoughts!

MvM

[m630]

What is your time frame? No one knows when the new M3 may be coming out, it may still be a year or more which has to be considered. Im not sure how remote you may be speaking about, but I dont see the M3 as a car to take to the slopes on remote snow covered roads, so Id carefully consider the conditions of the roads you are planning and ensure that the ground clearance will not be an issue, along with a dedicated set of snow tires and rims.

[mkoesel]

At this point, I would not plan to be able to put an F80 M3 in the garage for about two years. It may happen sooner than that, but most rumor suggests late 2013 or early 2014.

You may be best off leasing the MSport 335xi in July when it arrives, and then planning to upgrade to an M3, or perhaps even M4 GC, later.

[Uli_HH]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

At this point, I would not plan to be able to put an F80 M3 in the garage for about two years. It may happen sooner than that, but most rumor suggests late 2013 or early 2014.

You may be best off leasing the MSport 335xi in July when it arrives, and then planning to upgrade to an M3, or perhaps even M4 GC, later.

Right ... the current informations say this ... but look here:
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=681057

[mkoesel]

I had just noticed your thread, Uli_HH. I can accept that it may be an M3 concept, but I would be much more inclined to believe it will be E92 M3 related. See my post in your thread.

I do not think we will see an F80 M3 debut before the end of the E9x M3 run mid next year. Think about it - they are most likely going to want the new car to sit alone in the lineup as the beginning of a new M3 era. They won't want to release it with the older generation coupe/convertible still on the scene. This is especially true if, as rumored, the new M3 sedan will take over the M3 designation on its own with the coupe moving to the M4 nameplate.

[Uli_HH]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I had just noticed your thread, Uli_HH. I can accept that it may be an M3 concept, but I would be much more inclined to believe it will be E92 M3 related. See my post in your thread.

I do not think we will see an F80 M3 debut before the end of the E9x M3 run mid next year. Think about it - they are most likely going to want the new car to sit alone in the lineup as the beginning of a new M3 era. They won't want to release it with the older generation coupe/convertible still on the scene. This is especially true if, as rumored, the new M3 sedan will take over the M3 designation on its own with the coupe moving to the M4 nameplate.

Sounds not like an V8!

[BootyBlizzard]

If i were you, i would purchase a cheap 4wd vehicle for your ski trips/winter driving and wait for the f80 M3.

[as7920]

M3 would be my personal choice however m335xi or whatever it's going to be may be a better option/fit for your needs.

Question is when will this will be available too.

[JulieDriving]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

You may be best off leasing the MSport 335xi in July when it arrives, and then planning to upgrade to an M3, or perhaps even M4 GC, later.

This.

There is also the rumored M335i (or M340i?) coming, although we don't know when. We also don't know if that will replace the M Sport version or be an additional level between the M Sport and the new M3.

If what they've done with the first "M Performance" line of cars is any indication, they could also offer it with x-drive.

[pokerface]

That is a very good question. I've always wanted the V8 E90 M3 and do a Euro Delivery on it. Alas now out of production, the only other "it" car would be the C63 sedan right now.

I would have to see how the M335xi turns out. The AWD would be a plus.. but I'd have to see what the F80 M3 sedan turns out to be and make a decision then.

I am hoping either car turns it around for me. My brother just picked up an F30 328i today but I still prefer the E90 body.

[as7920]

M335xi will sit between M sport and M3, as with the M550xd in the F10 lineup.

A step up in power over M sport, some additional M spec tuning and visual enhancements with the benefit of AWD.

I'm mulling over the same options.

[Kuwen]

For what it's worth, I had the same decision to make myself and as it stands now, I'm patiently waiting for the F80.

It will be used for my daily commute and our primary family vehicle; it will be a manual transmission and driven year round in Canadian winters.

[Blip Bavarian]

will the M335 cars have DCT?

[m630]

Originally Posted by Blip Bavarian

will the M335 cars have DCT?

no idea, but I would think so as it was offered in the e92 and other non-ms..real question though is, will any of these cars make to the US, it will be interesting to see if BMW NA and the M community cry fowl to protect the brand so to speak. I hope they do make it over, but I can see some from certain "m" communities that will over it

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Blip Bavarian

will the M335 cars have DCT?

It's hard to say. BMW has yet to even acknowledge this as a product so we are likely far away from getting any specifics such as transmission options.

The 335is, whose place in the lineup would presumably be taken by an M335i (though the sedan would be a new addtion as the 335is is coupe and convertible only), has a DCT option. However, according to this information:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=679209

The M135i will have an "automatic", which in theory could still allow for DCT, but usually refers to a traditional planetary transmission with a torque converter.

[mweisdorfer]

Lease the m sport and when the lease is up. Buy the m3

[Poor Knight]

M3. I had the E 90 and it's awesome. I have the 335i sedan on order now leased to get me thru 36 months then on to the new M3 sedan. Best everyday sports car ever.

[kueks29]

Interesting article about an interview with the Nitschke by PMA and M -> Click here!

Particularly to emphasize is the following section of the interview:

BMWBLOG: What are some of the things that M does to keep a lower weight of future cars?

Dr. Nitschke: This is one of the most important things for us: reducing weight. In the new M5 and M6, we reduced the weight quite a bit, but dramatically weight savings will be seen in the new M3. We are using not only parts made out of aluminum, but we are also at the the front of our industry to use carbon fiber across many models. We will bring additional parts made out of carbon fiber.

[mweisdorfer]

Canadian winters. First, you are gonna drop 1k on some top of the line Michelin winter tires for the m3 or Just not drive it when it is crappy out.

For your situation I think the x drive is the way to go given your climate.

[cged14]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

It's hard to say. BMW has yet to even acknowledge this as a product so we are likely far away from getting any specifics such as transmission options.

The 335is, whose place in the lineup would presumably be taken by an M335i (though the sedan would be a new addtion as the 335is is coupe and convertible only), has a DCT option. However, according to this information:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=679209

The M135i will have an "automatic", which in theory could still allow for DCT, but usually refers to a traditional planetary transmission with a torque converter.

which is interesting considering they just released details on the 135is...thoughts?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by cged14

which is interesting considering they just released details on the 135is...thoughts?

My thoughts on that are that they are reserving the M Performance brand name for newer FXx models. Also, with the 335is still on the market, they probably don't want to confuse the naming system. Once the "is" models are gone (which probably won't happen until the E82/E88 is retired), you will see M Performance products start to show up in the US.