it's hard not to like 335...
 

A loaded 335 will be less than 55k while my spec M3 is @ 70k. damn trying to figure out how to justify it for a daily driver... :p

Agreed. Im in a similar situation. It hard to ignore the 335. Also i think the 335 lightly modded is faster...

it comes down to whether or not you will exploit the depth of performance in the m3. the differential, the suspension, the feel of the m built v8, etc. the feel that is added by the m treatment may be worth it to some. a good example... i'd be willing to bet the clutch feel (weight, takeup, etc.) and gearbox on the m3 will be far superior to the 335, which i can hardly stand.

as a dd, it's pretty hard to justify the extra $15K over a very capable 335, however.

For a DD, 335i is the better choice.
For your only car, M3 is still superior.

Even with software, exhaust, filter, downpipe, and intercooler, the cars should be a driver's race with leads trading places from 0-150.
Those mods are $5K at least.
LSD? $3500
Coilovers? $2000
Aero Kit? $1000
Wheels+tires? $3000+

Now the cars will perform similarly. Drive very differently, but perform similarly. The M3 will hold it's value more (you wont get mod money back), and look better.
Oh, and at this point, the 335i is +$15K, or $70K on your $55K MSRP.

With the E46, the 330ci didn't stand a chance in hell stacked against the M3. So in that regard, the 335i has closed the gap with it's upgraded sibling.. but it's still an upgraded sibling.

Arling, I'm sure you've calculated this all up as well, and know the differences each part makes.. But I added the math for others in the same boat to see. ;)

DCT was ordered. :p

at least 2 clutches. :D

Yeah. this thread is just whining for Mark the Controlit. hilarious

still a tough call though.

I'd go M3 sedan. Its out now, costs a little less than the coupe, and will perform stupendously as a daily driver. Then, you mod out that car :)

^^+1

Also, for a DD

-either get a sport package or a coupe 335. Both come with the sport suspension, nice feel.
-whichever tuner you go with, 400hp,400ft/lbs torque on stock motor is no problem with an exhaust.
-LSD, sure, 3K, but get a 3.64LSD as opposed to what's in there now (AFAIK 3.38) and you'll be even further along dusting M3's.
-Stock rims are still selling for 1200-1500 as takeoffs. 2-3K ontop of that and you got DPE's, HRE's BBS's, whatever.

I'd probably get a used 335 as a DD. No advantage to buying new if you're gonna mod right away and void your warranty.

for 70k, you can have a used 996TT X50 or a used 997S. the 996TT without x50 will embarass an m3 and the 997S is still a bit of a better performer.

those would be my choice. and to the guy who said the m3 is gonna hold its value, not when they plan to sell at least 100K of them. and also, look at how bad the m5/m6 are, they are terrible and still dropping. bmw wont stand by its M cars and wont CPO the new m cars, which makes values that much worse.
i looked at an 06 recently but the problems with them arent anything i want to mess with.

^ Interesting how you always flamed the E92 and claimed the e46M was the perfect car.

I almost bought a used 07 335i coupe this week. Montego/Black Dakota, Gray Poplar. 6MT, heated seats, NAV, PDC, CA, ZSP, full aero kit... $51K MSRP. It was ordered in June, picked up in July. Has 8,000 miles on. We were a few grand off (I offered $38K), but he's down to $40K (still a good deal). He's in San Mateo (Bay Area). Nice guy, pleasure to deal with. He's getting married and owes $44K on the lease. For any interested:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=236126916

$40K for that car makes the M3 more questionable. No changes were made for '08 models so this is basically brand new, and optioned out PERFECTLY IMO.

use your R8 as the daily:D

Seems to me he hasn't changed his tune. He still didn't recommend a 335i in his post.

I'm of a similar frame of mind. I like the N54-powered cars as daily drivers/second cars, but if I had to go down to just one car, I'd either trade the M Coupe in towards a new E90M3 or spend a lot of money converting a 2003+ 325i into a M3 sedan.

Come to think of it, I'm actually driving my M Coupe as my only car; my other car is my old Z4 roadster, which I'll be selling towards the end of the month. Once the weather starts to turn cold again, I'm thinking of getting a used 325xi or X5.

after i drove the e92 335...i realized how much of a better chasis the e9X chasis is than the e46. ive said before, my m3 stock never really did much for me and as it sits stock right now, still doesnt!
the new m3 actually obliterates the e46 m3 in everyway, whether its handling, slalom, grip, etc. it does EVERYTHING better from a numbers standpoint. and i will see how fun to drive it is when i test drive one in a month or two when it gets to my dealership. then ill decide if i want one or not.
as for recommending a 335 or not, if youre going to buy an m3 or 335, that a decision that i cant say what id choose as i havnt driven the m3. but id sure as hell recommend a 335 to anyone looking for one. to be honest, i think i like the 335 stock for stock better than the m3...the tq is better, the fit and finish and quality is better (when i had initially thought it wasnt), and things like the steering and gearbox feel much more well thought out than the e46 m3. and it matches or beats the e46 m3 in all performance areas.
but if youre def going to spend 70K on a car, the new m3 would be low on the list. for 70K you can buy so many more cars that can embarrass the m3 in everyway, save for a big trunk.
i only plan to keep the 335 for 12-18 months at that point a used e92 m3 will be into the low 50s which makes it a very good deal. still want to see it in person and drive it to decide. as most of you do, my mind changes daily. for right now im enjoying the 335 and have a good amount of mods already lined up and ready to go over the next month or so.
also, the 335 is about 150 lbs lighter than the m3.
the m3 and 335 are two different cars...the m3 you have to rev the **** out of to get an type of admirable performance...on the street in everyday driving, after 1st or second gear, the chances of running to redline (unless on an empty road which isnt going to happen much if its a daily driver) are slim. so the 335 i think is easily a better DD. if you want a car that is a wanna be sport cars/track car, get the m3. granted its a faster car and better, its still a watered down car...ive come to accept that which is why i kinda like it now. that said, if you dont need the space, the 997S or 996TT are still better choices. and thats what its all about: choices.

yes it definately is hard to not like the 335..
i just got one last week..have yet to step on it, but the low-end torque is just amazing..

PorscheC4 - No need to defend your decision to me. I expressed support for the 335i from the get-go. So the moral of the story is, I guess, drive the car before you criticize it.
And good luck @ E92 M3 for low$50ks in 1-1/2 years.