Hey guys, I've been lurking around this forum for a bit but I finally finished graduate school and am looking into getting something with a little more performance than I've had before. The closest thing I had was an s2000 which I had to trade in after graduation for something with a bit more room. Anyway its been about 4 months now and I do want something newer and nicer. My choices are a brand new build to order 2011 135i. I am aware of the changes from the 2010 model year. I love the 1 series and the BMW's apr on new cars is nice. My other two choices would be an 08 e90/e92 M3 or 08 RS4. These would probably be in the 42-45k mileage range with similar pricing. I'm not sure but there are a few CPO at the 45-46k price range but its just a tad higher than the 135i. Performance wise I'm sure the 135 will have tunability once they figure out how to tune the n55 engine. The M3 / RS4 I would not modify, they are great out of the box or should I say factory. I however do intend on owning two out of these three cars in the future as part of my line up so its just a matter of whether or not I should wait. I only have a 5 mile commute in the mornings but I do drive 60-70 miles on the weekends and there are a few areas around here with bends and twists I can drive on for fun. Otherwise I do intend on going to the track but probably not right away. I've driven the 135i and RS4 but not the M3 yet. There really doesnt feel like a downside to getting either one. I'll post both on this forum and the BMW forums but I'm sure I'll get some biased answers either way. So any opinions / suggestions / comments?

 

Transmission preference? As I'm sure you already know, you only have the option of a dual clutch with the M3.
You say you're not modding now, but everyone changes their mind eventually Assuming I'm correct, I'd go with the RS4 or the 135. FI so much easier and cheaper to make faster.

 

Oh definately 6 speed. As all of my cars have 3 pedals. Except my first two anyway...right now I have all 3 pedal cars. The M3 comes in 6 speed...at least that's what I've seen with them...

 

Wait for the 1 Coupé M sport to arrive It will put a lot of cars to shame with an extra software tune

 

Yeah I saw the teaser. Its so tempting to get the 135i though...its 90% of what the 1M will be which will make it hard to pay that much for a 1M...except its an M

I have personally have alot of appreciation for the 1 series. Dang it decisions decisions...

 

I'd steer away from the 1 series, it lacks presence imo. It's so small and tiny, it's hard to take it serious..

Go m3.

 

I prefer the RS4s overall package. The M3 motor is worth the price of admission. If ultimate power is what you want then get the tune-ability of the boosted 135.

 

Problem with the RS4 is the sludge build up on the valves because it's direct injection. It's pretty nasy.

 

Yeah thats a factor I'm taking into consideration.

 

Go with an M3. You will never pull up to a stoplight and look over at a 135 and think "I wish I would have got that!"...

 

This isn't the right answer for performance, but you can get an M5 for the money. Just throwing it out there...

 

135i wont be anything close to a 1M, M cars suspension geometry and tuning makes it a complete different beast. having the M wide body + LSD is already worth the extra money already.

I'd get M3 with M-DCT.... 6MT is slow as a pig

 

+1. Slightly used M5s are a good deal right now. If thats what one is looking for.

 

how about a 2010 or 2009 335is DCT? just had one as a loaner and the thing was AMAZING

 

ONLY dual clutch with m3? am i missing somethig? is this new for 2011