[rondocap]

No doubt the 335 is a very capable performance car, and some aspects of it are compared favorably to the M counterparts. (fuel mileage, low end torque, ease of tuning, etc)

But regardless, I always feel that we end up being slightly less special - you know, that deep down magical feeling you get. Maybe it's just one's psychology, the M brand comes with it a high pedigree, and an even sharper performance edge versus the 335.

Part of it is price - but part of it is hard to explain. I recently drove an e60 m5, worth roughly what my 335 is - and it just felt so much more special. It has a strong identity and purpose.

What's my point here? I think this explains why the 335 is also so heavy with tuners: we try to create a strong identity with it and bring it up closer to an m performance level.

Wishful thinking: it'd be great to have pedigree identities to upgrade to: I.e turning your car into an Alpina, or a Dinan car - etc. unfortunately Dinan has failed to impress the community here due to price and lower performance, but that's been debated ad nauseous already. But you see my point. BMW performance parts is an idea; but mostly not extreme enough for most enthusiasts.

[#Tee]

Its the cost, if the 335i was over 100k and looked better and out handles the M3 then theres no shadow.

[avocet]

i think you are in the shadow of M cars.

i drive around in my 328i, and am not in the shadow of anyone.

[CamelBiscuit]

Originally Posted by avocet

i think you are in the shadow of M cars.

i drive around in my 328i, and am not in the shadow of anyone.

Except every Prius.

[bmwauug]

I like my 335 - don't feel the shadow thing.

M is the flagship - there will always be more one can want...

[335iN54]

Different cars for diffent purposes. I do not believe that is the case. The M3 is a blistering track car, and the 335i is more for road use. JMO.

[fun2drive]

Cost was not a factor to me when buying my 335 but when the M was available was a factor. I already owed two M3's so it was no big deal to me. I like the M's but I like the 335 too.
I actually prefer the older E36 M3 as my favorite car. The E30's which all the purist rave about were just not that terrific a car if you drive it everyday which I did so a lot of this is just hype.

I do plan on getting a new M3 but have passed on the E90 model and will see how the new M turns out with triple turbos and inline 6. Current M3 gas mileage just sucks too bad to buy it. It is not a cost thing but a personal burning gas thing.

I think few BMWs are so modified as the 335 for HP. The design was very robust allowing for huge HP increases. I think BMW knows this since in F1 they got 1000HP out of 2L engine...

[HTran]

Originally Posted by CamelBiscuit

Except every Prius.

Omg I can not stop laughing

I concur with the OP, but the 335s are pretty much an entry level car so the M3 will always have that pristine title.

[cstmx_ryder]

M= track cars

335= everything else

Don't feel like I'm in the shadows of any Ms(don't get me wrong, M cars are fantastic!)....Especially with a properly tuned N54, the only competition is a blown M3, everything else (speaking about M3s) will be in OUR shadows.....lol.

IMO, reason why tuners chose N54s is because it yields better results than the NA M3s, best bang for the buck, until the new M3 comes out, then it's game over......

Also, N54 motor is a good motor, if it's good enough to be used in the 1M, then it's good enough for me......

[HTran]

Originally Posted by cstmx_ryder

M= track cars

335= everything else

Don't feel like I'm in the shadows of any Ms(don't get me wrong, M cars are fantastic!)....Especially with a properly tuned N54, the only competition is a blown M3, everything else (speaking about M3s) will be in OUR shadows.....lol.

IMO, reason why tuners chose N54s is because it yields better results than the NA M3s, best bang for the buck, until the new M3 comes out, then it's game over......

Also, N54 motor is a good motor, if it's good enough to be used in the 1M, then it's good enough for me......

The M people over on m3post doesn't qualify the 1M as an actual "M". I wonder why..

[ndog14]

///M=marketing. To me it stands for nothing BMW makes. Glory be to the NA Engines!

[straightcashhomie]

Originally Posted by ndog14

///M=marketing. To me it stands for nothing BMW makes. Glory be to the NA Engines!

na for now

[str8rcn]

There is definitely a prestige to owning an M car. For me it was a teenage dream to someday own an M.
That being said I sold my e46 M3 back in feb of this year and now have an e90 335 and I must say I prefer the e90 especially as a daily. It's really hard to take full advantage of the M on public roadways. I do like the "sleeper" quality of my e90 since I'm running Cobb stage 2 koni's with h&r's but totally stock exterior for now.
I will own more M cars for sure but most likely only e30/36/46.

[ken1137]

Different cars and the M is definitely more prestigious. That said, the 135i is a better track car w/ mods; M3 rear sub-frame bushings, LSD, M3 front control arm kit, M3 sway bar, coilovers, appropriate tires, stop tech brakes, and a tune. The 335 is a better daily. It is what you think it is, not what others think of you.

[quattrosaint]

The M3 is a great car with a sweet sounding V8, but for me I prefer a twin turbo. I have driven Audi's for over 10 years, I love my turbo's. The next Gen M3 though will have everything I dreamed of

[cstmx_ryder]

Originally Posted by HTran

The M people over on m3post doesn't qualify the 1M as an actual "M". I wonder why..

Let me take a stab at this one.....It's probably because it's not a 'S' motor and it's force induced.....IIRC, all M cars up until this point has been NA.....

Oh but I'll bet that the next M3 out WILL be considered a M car, with its tri-turbo and all......So F what they think, lol.

[Kayani_1]

The answer is No and Yes. It all depends on the owner. If you bought a 335i thinking it is cheaper M3 then Yes. If you bought the 335i knowing what it is capable of and that it is not an M3 then the answer is No.

I know my car is no M3 and I don't pretend that it lives under the shadow of any M3. Because M3 is better in few things while 335i is better in other. So they each have there own place.

I like my 335i for far more usable torque specially with Cobb tune. It is a a lot better daily driver due to tones of extra torque and much better gas mileage. It is also more cost effective with initial price and over the year s maintenance.

That being said M3 is bad ass performance machine. It is a average daily driver at best due to lack of huge torque down low and poor gas mileage and higher cost of maintenance.

[ndog14]

Originally Posted by gunnnnzzz

na for now

128i is the last one

As much as N54 fan bois bash the N52 for not having a bazillion horsepower, it is the last NA engine BMW is offering to the United States, not sure about the rest of the world but I'm guessing it is for the everyone else. As the last NA I6 BMW engine and the last NA engine at that, it does deserve honor here even from the twin turbo tuners.

[328i M-Sport]

To each his own. I chose the 3-series because it has a good balance of everything and is a great daily driver. If I were to spend over $60,000 for a sports car, it would not be a BMW and would have 2 seats.

[Slow_335i]

Who cares, as long as you like your car who cares if you're in the shadows or the spot light!

[username604]

high revving v10 felt more special than your 335? hahaha c'mon you can't be serious

[Vegetable]

This thread sadly reminds me of this..