What to buy: E46 M3 or 335i?
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thats if you do a full diff like i have. if you do just a ring and pinion 4.10, youre only looking at about 1500-2000, which isnt bad.
the car is def a whole new animal. in gear acceleration is much better. the car stays in the powerband more and mated with all my other mods and software, the car pull HARD all the way from 3K up to 8200 rpms!
honestly wyatt, i researched A LOT about the 4.10s and i dont really see much compromise. with my 8200 rpm redline, i still hit 60 in second gear, and my gas mileage on the highway with the 4.10s is in hte 25-27 range, and city is 18-20 and i get an city/highway mix of 21-23 mpg.
this is really the way the car should have been geared from the get go.
the car is def a whole new animal. in gear acceleration is much better. the car stays in the powerband more and mated with all my other mods and software, the car pull HARD all the way from 3K up to 8200 rpms!
honestly wyatt, i researched A LOT about the 4.10s and i dont really see much compromise. with my 8200 rpm redline, i still hit 60 in second gear, and my gas mileage on the highway with the 4.10s is in hte 25-27 range, and city is 18-20 and i get an city/highway mix of 21-23 mpg.
this is really the way the car should have been geared from the get go.
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I saw someone mentioned the 135. Has anyone heard what the pricing on the 135 is supposed to be? How about the physical size of the car compared to the 335? I'm definitely going to look at the 135/335 and M3 again when I get closer to my next car. Hopefully sometime next year.
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I saw someone mentioned the 135. Has anyone heard what the pricing on the 135 is supposed to be? How about the physical size of the car compared to the 335? I'm definitely going to look at the 135/335 and M3 again when I get closer to my next car. Hopefully sometime next year.
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I'm considering a 3.92:1 differential, but I don't know... there was a huge thread on it at M3forum with exact data. I think the "feeling" is more powerful than the actual translated results. If it was superior in every way, the car WOULD have had them from the factory IMO.
I went from a 4.11:1 to a 4.56:1 diff in my S2000 and was not very happy with it, even though S2ki.com swears by them just like m3forum does.
Maybe I'll find a local with them and get a ride. I wouldn't spend the dough before that.
I went from a 4.11:1 to a 4.56:1 diff in my S2000 and was not very happy with it, even though S2ki.com swears by them just like m3forum does.
Maybe I'll find a local with them and get a ride. I wouldn't spend the dough before that.
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So many choices. What the hell to do right?
When are the new M3's arriving here anyway? I know the first batch here will be absurd in pricing. I have been reading on the Bimmer forums and it seems like a lot of people are disappointed with the new M3. That is sad to hear.
On another note, I have gone through quite a bit of cars in my mind lately. Carrera, S5, 335i, M3, C6 etc. It seems to be a sickness!
Luckily my father and I have a very similar mindset with cars. 
When are the new M3's arriving here anyway? I know the first batch here will be absurd in pricing. I have been reading on the Bimmer forums and it seems like a lot of people are disappointed with the new M3. That is sad to hear.
On another note, I have gone through quite a bit of cars in my mind lately. Carrera, S5, 335i, M3, C6 etc. It seems to be a sickness!
Luckily my father and I have a very similar mindset with cars.
Last edited by Chris G; Oct 7, 2007 at 07:58 PM.
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I'm considering a 3.92:1 differential, but I don't know... there was a huge thread on it at M3forum with exact data. I think the "feeling" is more powerful than the actual translated results. If it was superior in every way, the car WOULD have had them from the factory IMO.
I went from a 4.11:1 to a 4.56:1 diff in my S2000 and was not very happy with it, even though S2ki.com swears by them just like m3forum does.
Maybe I'll find a local with them and get a ride. I wouldn't spend the dough before that.
I went from a 4.11:1 to a 4.56:1 diff in my S2000 and was not very happy with it, even though S2ki.com swears by them just like m3forum does.
Maybe I'll find a local with them and get a ride. I wouldn't spend the dough before that.
In my case how I drive, fuel economy IMPROVED when I installed the 4.10s.
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Thought I would chime in here, since I'm kind of in the same boat.
You might want to consider looking at the new M Coupe. Dealers are giving HUGE incentives right now ($11k off MSRP or something ridiculous). Since you have a 350z I imagine the lack of a rear seat isn't a big deal to you. It's kind of the best of both worlds - M3 performance, but 335 interior and tech.
You might want to consider looking at the new M Coupe. Dealers are giving HUGE incentives right now ($11k off MSRP or something ridiculous). Since you have a 350z I imagine the lack of a rear seat isn't a big deal to you. It's kind of the best of both worlds - M3 performance, but 335 interior and tech.
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Thought I would chime in here, since I'm kind of in the same boat.
You might want to consider looking at the new M Coupe. Dealers are giving HUGE incentives right now ($11k off MSRP or something ridiculous). Since you have a 350z I imagine the lack of a rear seat isn't a big deal to you. It's kind of the best of both worlds - M3 performance, but 335 interior and tech.
You might want to consider looking at the new M Coupe. Dealers are giving HUGE incentives right now ($11k off MSRP or something ridiculous). Since you have a 350z I imagine the lack of a rear seat isn't a big deal to you. It's kind of the best of both worlds - M3 performance, but 335 interior and tech.
Wonder if the dealership is allowing test drives on any?
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4.1 Diff vs Stock Vbox graphs - M3Forum.com Discussion Boards
I changed the final gear in my S2K when everyone raved about it. It was built up and ended up disappointing me. I think it's going to be a similar experience here. 4.10:1 is too extreme for me, so I was considering the 3.91:1 ratio... Which would give even LESS of a lead than this:
4.1 Diff vs Stock Vbox graphs - M3Forum.com Discussion Boards
I changed the final gear in my S2K when everyone raved about it. It was built up and ended up disappointing me. I think it's going to be a similar experience here. 4.10:1 is too extreme for me, so I was considering the 3.91:1 ratio... Which would give even LESS of a lead than this:
4.1 Diff vs Stock Vbox graphs - M3Forum.com Discussion Boards
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Thanks for the response! I have been reading a lot about this on the BMW forums but can't understand why they are going for so cheap. I think they may have a "chick" associated stigma to them but I think the Z4M is ridiculously sexy looking with a beautiful interior to match. You also can't beat the performance! I haven't had the opportunity to drive one but I think they could be a kickass little toy like car! Wonder if the dealership is allowing test drives on any?
Wonder if the dealership is allowing test drives on any?
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some would def diagree with you. i mean no offense to anyone when i say this, but the z4m coupe AND roadster are two of the worst looking cars on the road, and the interior is horrendous at best. dealers are giving 8-11K off msrp because NO ONE WANTS THE CAR! its that simple. you can easily go find tons of 2007 leftover z4m's because they dont sell well, thus the discount. usually youre lucky to get 1500 off a bmw, and thats if youve bought several at that particular dealership. if you can get over the looks and the interior of the z4m coupe, go for it, its quite a deal. i woudldnt want ot be caught dead in it. there ARE a few things i like about them tho, the steering wheel and seats and obv its gonna have good performance.
My local dealership has a whole section devoted to the Z4 / M and they never seem to even get touched; it's a shame.