yea thats true...and obviously that was what turned it around for me, but additionaly, i dont like change (who does?), and it took me time to realize that the new e9X chasis is far superior to the e46 one whether its the 330 or the m3. i mean the new m3 simply obliterates the e46 m3 stock for stock...not even close.
dont worry, ill have an m3 for low 50s in a yr and a half should i decide to buy one. i mean hell, i can have a 3 year old m5 for 40K less than what it was new. i dont see the m3 holding value well for more than 6 months, when they will be flooding the market in that time. they plan to sell 100K of them (which isnt going to help values)...and about 60K in the US...prob will sell for 5 years, youre talking 12K m3s in the US per year!
the rs4 will hold its value, as it has since it came out much better due to much more limited production numbers. youd be hard pressed to find an rs4 for less than low 60s still.
the M3 is bmws cash crop. they priced it to sell as many as possible, as they are more about marketing than anything else these days. if they dont decide to CPO the m3s, like they have with m5/m6'd, count on m3 values to drop that much more.
btw-what did u end up buying? i hadnt seen anything from you in a while.

 

Of course the new M will obliterate the old one.. New gen's always do.

Haven't picked anything yet.. I'm too picky and still looking for the right thing. As per page 1, I almost bought a 335i this week but we were about $1500 off in price. I can't help it, I'm Jewish.
Thinking of E46 M3, too.. I know it's inferior, but they're a bit cheaper and still a special car to me.
Who knows. Good luck with the 335! What software do you have planned?

 

I went out in the E90 M3 today and though it was great, I have to say its hard for me to justify it over a 335 (esp. for a daily driver). Its really hard for me because I get a great BMW employee lease on a 335 coupe and there are no incentives on the M3... We'll see, but I think I am going to be leasing a 335 coupe in the next couple months as my new car!!
Evan

 

Evan,
more please. how's the new M drives? compare to the 3 of course.

 

Why not compare it to the 135? That car comes with an M-tuned suspension, short shifter, and M-body kit. Same engine and it's even lighter than the 335. It'll cost around $42K nicely equiped. It has a pseudo limited slip; who know's maybe it'll work as advertised. If not, here's a Quaiffe diff for $1700 shipped: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70397

You can get a JB2 tune for less than $400. Some catless downpipes and a simple intake have produced almost 400 HP AT THE WHEELS!!

 

Isn't the 335 about 200 pounds lighter than the new m3? The bmw website states that the new m3 is 3700lbs vs the 335i weighing 3500lbs. That's just sad for their "Motorsport" model... especially if you mod the 335 with track suspension and a chip.

 

I'm actually considering a 335 sedan, the lease prices are nice, and the car is easy to mod. It's hard not to like it (seriously)...

 

Well I went out in the M3 sedan and it was raining so I couldn't do much in it, but....
-Accelleration feels very similar to E60 M5 (Stock)... Not quite as quick of course, but same power curve feel
-Handling is very nimble and it does feel lighter than it really is, but again it was raining so I didn't get to play too much
-Brakes feel good like my M5, but again rain hindered the performance a bit
-Exterior really has pretty subtle differences from a 335... Front air damn is ok, but not great, side skirts and fender holes are nice, rear valence and quad exhaust looks nice and the little lip spoiler on the trunk is a nice touch. Wheels are VERY similar to the E46 M3 19's.
-Interior is a 335 interior with a few M logos and some additional buttons (Power, EDC, and DSC). Really no change on the interior besides the CF leather weave trim...

Hope this helps! I do like the M3 better than the 335, but like I said with the lease I can get on the 335 its hard to justify the M3 (M3 would be more than double the monthly payment for me!!!).
Evan

 

great points! i agree. imagine how heavy the m3 would have been had they not used the cf roof with no sunroof, and all the other aluminum and cf weight saving items? prob would have been 4000 lbs. the 335 is lighter and we all know weight is the enemy and with chip, down pipes and intake will pull a stock e9X m3 and with coilovers and the 200 lbs less weight i wouldnt be surprised if it actually felt better.
the m3 is too much about luxury these days and electronic gadgets that do very little, which is ok, but dont play it up with telling us you did all this **** to save weight and the car end up being ~300 lbs heavier than the e46 m3 and the 335 which doesnt have this weight saving stuff is still 200 lbs lighter!...the electronic dampening, apparantly the softest setting is too soft, the hardest setting is too rough and the middle setting is just right, so why not just make the one 'middle' setting from the factory? it doesnt make sense.

 

Geez Arling, we both have the same dilema right now... I can place an order for an 08 E92 M3 or 08 E92 335 to arrive same time (May/June) and I can't make up my damn mind!!! I am driving the E92 M3 and 335 back to back tomorrow morning when I get into work to try and help make up my mind!!! A White M3 with the ACS Lip, my wheels from my M5, suspension and an exhaust would be awesome... But then again for much less money a 335 tuned with some body parts will smoke an E92 M3... I am even thinking about transferring my nitrous to the M3, but I would have to wait for Active Autowerks to crack the DME and tune it which could take awhile...

Such tough decisions in life haha
Evan

 

yep same problem. prefer the M3 because the DCT. is it gonna be delayed?? u have some insider info? i don't want 6sp for DD nor a regular auto.

 

Nah no insider info, I will ask around tomorrow tho...

 

A drivers race aye... From a dig or a roll?

 

335 > M3..

I priced out a 335 with a decent amount of options for 47k!!

You can mod that SUBSTANTIALLY and still come out way ahead of the M3..

 

Lost the value of mods upon resale, and similarly optioned out M3s are only $67K.

Yes, $20K difference. But for a 335 to compare equivalently (LSD, BBK, Wheels, Coilovers, Engine work, Aero kit), it will be $20K to never see again.

In the end, the 335 might win.. the exclusivity of the M3 (I dont care if they are making 100K of them - - they are going to make 200K 3 series probably) matched with the heritage, high revving V8 will ignite my senses.

Why didn't people supercharge and modify E46 330ci?