[jagdeepj123]

So I thought I'd share my views on recently test driving a 2011 DCT M3.

I own a remapped N54 335i 6MT with 378bhp and 390ftlbs dynoed and was keen to experience the 'daddy' of the E9x line up in the M3. No doubt the M3 is great looking car and I was looking to 'trade up' from my 335i (which I've enjoyed plenty), but wanted to test drive first to see what I was missing.

Before this turns into an M3 vs. 335i thread, it's worth considering my criteria - I don't track my cars and instead want something I can use on daily roads with exhilarating acceleration. Cornering is important but not as important as 'kick in the back' speed for quick and safe overtaking.

I took the DCT M3 to a stretch of open road and gave it a few runs at WOT.
Compared with remapped N54.... I was disappointed.
M3 engine climbs very quickly through the rev range up to around 5-6k RPM but without any of the 'thrust' I'm used to with the N54 (which begins a wave of torque after 2.5k). After 6k, the M3 engine begins to thrust noticeably but it's then soon time for the DCT to change gear and engine has to start again.
It took noticeably longer to overtake a car at a regular spot compared with my N54 - seems the M3 engine only really performs in a tiny rev band.

Summary - I'll be sticking with my tuned N54. If your looking for daily kicks when driving, M3 does not compare with surge in any gear when you go WOT in N54.
Suspect the M3 will come into it's own as an overall track car package, but it didn't put as much of a smile on my face as my 335i.

Recommendation - if you're looking for a fast 3-series, test drive both a tuned 335i and M3 to reach an educated conclusion - don't assume the M3 will be more fun.

Eager to hear from others if they've reached same conclusion...

[Saintor]

Recommendation - if you're looking for a fast 3-series, test drive both a tuned 335i and M3 to reach an educated conclusion - don't assume the M3 will be more fun.

It is not only about "fast", it is also how you make it. With a V8 growl and a 8200rpm, the M3 will always be more fun. By a margin.

[Smokey]

Lol. Did you drive it with the power button on? What settings did you use for the dct, eg d4, d5, s3, s4, s5? Did you use the sport plus mode? How did the car perform with those settings? There's nothing wrong with choosing the 335i over the m3, but a well balanced review should've included all that info.

[Carrera24]

Can I ask what all you have done to gain that hp.

[CombatNinja]

As if some combination of button pressing would've magically transformed the M3 into some kind of torque monster. The OP is obviously a torque junkie and the M3 doesn't satisfy his criteria for what makes a car "fun". Nothing wrong with that.

[ns2000x]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

As if some combination of button pressing would've magically transformed the M3 into some kind of torque monster. The OP is obviously a torque junkie and the M3 doesn't satisfy his criteria for what makes a car "fun". Nothing wrong with that.

Agreed the M3 isn't a torque monster. A C63 is. But I you don't think the "settings" make a significant difference I'd guess you haven't spent much time in an optioned M3.

[ns2000x]

Originally Posted by ns2000x

Agreed the M3 isn't a torque monster. A C63 is. But I you don't think the "settings" make a significant difference I'd guess you haven't spent much time in an optioned M3.

PS: I agree there is nothing wrong with the OP's preferences.

[Wiles]

I owned a 335i manual, no mods, and drove a M3 manual no mods. I loved the button on the M3 which transformed the steering and wow it was a nice "Track" ready car. I took my 335i to the track and had fun but the pkg was not on par with the M3 in that respect. The high rev V8 was interesting but when I drove my N54 afterwords I thought I liked its power delivery better.

Track only or main purpose then the M3 is the car.
Daily driver with some spirited drives. 335i, was more to my taste.

1M might have been the ticket, but I opted to do a Z4- 3.5i M-sport.

Track days are fun, but there are 365 days a year, and I was only tracking about 9 days a year.

my .02cents

[fatass]

woah easy, not a big deal if people misread. seems like you own both the m3 and the 335is so why don't you tell us what those buttons do

[Smokey]

Where in my post did I say the buttons will transform the m3 into a torque monster or say there was something wrong with loving more torque? This is clearly an instance where ignorance isn't bliss. The settings in the m3 do affect how the car performs. To keep things in perspective, if you drive a stock 335i with step in d mode the car might not seem fast, but putting it in ds mode changes the throttle response. So, it would be interesting to hear op's thought on the different setting. This whole thread is funny anyways. Why is op comparing a tuned n54 to a stock s65? You need to compare your tuned n54 to a supercharged m3.

[Q4P]

I felt very similar, the M3 sounded heavenly and that 8400 redline was amazingly addicting but in everyday circumstances the down low thrust of the 335i served me just fine. This doesn't take away from the fact that the M3 handles amazingly and grips the road like glue.

[Smokey]

Originally Posted by fatass

woah easy, not a big deal if people misread. seems like you own both the m3 and the 335is so why don't you tell us what those buttons do

You posted before I could delete and repost. You're right, it's not a big deal. To answer your question: the m3, like I stated in my repost, with dct is similar to a 335i with step. If you drive a 335i in d mode, you might not get the wow factor, but if driven in ds mode, the throttle response becomes sharper. The dct in the m3 has 11 different settings-- 5 in d mode and 6 in s mode. The settings affect the throttle response, so if you drive in d1 or d2, the car appears very slow and sluggish. Activating the power button and sport plus mode, if you've the nav., further sharpens the car's throttle response. So, you don't get an accurate picture of the car's performance if you just drive around in d1 or 2. That's is why I asked the op about what he thought of the settings.

[CombatNinja]

You can push buttons all day in a DCT M3 and it will not address the OP's misgivings about the car: it does not have enough low end grunt to suit his needs. I'm not here disputing the fact that pushing sport this and power that won't have some result. If you read his post, even the most diehard M3 fanboi would have to admit that no setting in the car would rectify what he perceived as a dearth of torque and a (relatively) narrow power band.

[Smokey]

No M3 fanboi here, just someone with real world experience with both cars. Nobody says the torque in the m3 can satisfy the op, but a review that fails to really give readers an accurate picture of the m3's performance is inadequate, imo. The op is entitled to his opinion, but as an enthusiast, I like to read reviews/ opinions that are well balanced.

And oh, I didn't know the m3 could be referred to as having a narrow power band, lol

[M340i Pride]

OP, thats why N54 335i is an amazing car for the money. its almost impossible to find such combination of speed, torque, handling, luxury and tuneability for low price in 335i's price range. i dont see any other car that's close. however, M3 that is pushed has earned a reputation as the "best car in the world". it has to be pushed hard. then it is amazing.

[SteveC]

For me, remapping is the equivalent of duct taping the waste gate valve.

All you need to do to make a turbo car go faster is the increase its boost. but....
Brakes?
Gearbox?
Transmission?
Cylinder head seal?
Extra heat?

BMW add 20bhp to the 335i and feel the need to add an oil cooler and extra water cooling.

Tuners add 50 bhp and do nothing other than mess with the ECU.

Tuning a turbo is easy, tuning a turbo and maintaining reliably is a different kettle of fish.

[eamon]

Originally Posted by SteveC

For me, remapping is the equivalent of duct taping the waste gate valve.

All you need to do to make a turbo car go faster is the increase its boost. but....
Brakes?
Gearbox?
Transmission?
Cylinder head seal?
Extra heat?

BMW add 20bhp to the 335i and feel the need to add an oil cooler and extra water cooling.

Tuners add 50 bhp and do nothing other than mess with the ECU.

Tuning a turbo is easy, tuning a turbo and maintaining reliably is a different kettle of fish.

I wish more people would understand this. I don't care how many people say the car is "detuned" from the factory. Any car has modding potential, but they're not meant to be.

Oh and to OP there's also plenty of these threads
325i>238i>330i>335i>>>>>>>M3
M3=Kia Forte

But I do appreciate you voicing an honest opinion.

[KG3356MT]

Thank you. Best post ever. I have been having so much issues with my 335i since

[KG3356MT]

Sorry for double post. Stupid iPhone. What I meant to say was that a tuned 335i can be a headache. At least with the m3 you don't have to keep going through fuel pumps lol.

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by KG3356MT

Sorry for double post. Stupid iPhone. What I meant to say was that a tuned 335i can be a headache. At least with the m3 you don't have to keep going through fuel pumps lol.

This Bimmerpost app is useless isn't it! I've done that many times!!

[KG3356MT]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

This Bimmerpost app is useless isn't it! I've done that many times!!

Yes it is lol.

[achien]

you can modify any car (i.e. Subaru WRX STI) to a point that it will be faster than any factory tuned car (yes, even a Porsche).

if you are really only going for straight line speed, torque, and hp, there are cheaper alternatives (i.e. Mustangs, Challengers).

Originally Posted by jagdeepj123

So I thought I'd share my views on recently test driving a 2011 DCT M3.

I own a remapped N54 335i 6MT with 378bhp and 390ftlbs dynoed and was keen to experience the 'daddy' of the E9x line up in the M3. No doubt the M3 is great looking car and I was looking to 'trade up' from my 335i (which I've enjoyed plenty), but wanted to test drive first to see what I was missing.

Before this turns into an M3 vs. 335i thread, it's worth considering my criteria - I don't track my cars and instead want something I can use on daily roads with exhilarating acceleration. Cornering is important but not as important as 'kick in the back' speed for quick and safe overtaking.

I took the DCT M3 to a stretch of open road and gave it a few runs at WOT.
Compared with remapped N54.... I was disappointed.
M3 engine climbs very quickly through the rev range up to around 5-6k RPM but without any of the 'thrust' I'm used to with the N54 (which begins a wave of torque after 2.5k). After 6k, the M3 engine begins to thrust noticeably but it's then soon time for the DCT to change gear and engine has to start again.
It took noticeably longer to overtake a car at a regular spot compared with my N54 - seems the M3 engine only really performs in a tiny rev band.

Summary - I'll be sticking with my tuned N54. If your looking for daily kicks when driving, M3 does not compare with surge in any gear when you go WOT in N54.
Suspect the M3 will come into it's own as an overall track car package, but it didn't put as much of a smile on my face as my 335i.

Recommendation - if you're looking for a fast 3-series, test drive both a tuned 335i and M3 to reach an educated conclusion - don't assume the M3 will be more fun.

Eager to hear from others if they've reached same conclusion...