View Poll Results: what is better Evo 8/9 or a BMW 335i(2 door)
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EVO 8/9 vs. BMW 335i
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Richmond VA
I test drove a 335i about two months ago and I liked as a luxury car with a lot of power but that's about it, I don't think you can even compare that car with an Evo too many differences, Evo's have cool sport seats 335is have seats that feel like a very expensive sofa, the BMW also has a bunch of features like blue tooth all types of seat adjusters etc... Evo's you can barely move your seat from one position to the other, but it's a lot cheaper to mod and easier to work on your own car, try that on a 335i(good luck getting passed all those plastic covers). Comparing to my Evo IX i felt the BWM to be too big therefor not very practical. If you are a person on the market to buy a BMW might as well go with a M3
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From: Raleigh, Transplanted from Toronto, Canada
Once you start comparing the used EVO IX to a 335i you might as well put a E46 M3 in there...and both used and the body style....and hell while we're at the Pontiac G8 (How much longer will Pontiac be around) and the Lexus IS-F.
too many variables. Once you figure out what you want out of a car, and how much want to spend then the decision will be glaringly apparent.
too many variables. Once you figure out what you want out of a car, and how much want to spend then the decision will be glaringly apparent.
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iTrader: (33)
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From: Raleigh, Transplanted from Toronto, Canada
A friend of mine was trying to convince me to get a M3 (I think he was just trying to live vicariously through me).
It wasn't practical for me. I've always had 2 doors or hatchbacks. My 10 is gettng bigger and even though the EVO isn't exactly know for its space....at least is a 4 door.
Last edited by SmurfZilla; Jun 11, 2009 at 04:45 AM.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,815
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From: Davidson, NC
This has been hashed out multiple times. It comes down to what is your version of "better". If you are looking for raw performance it's the Evo. If you are looking for a refined reasonably quick car it's the 335.
I went from an Evo to the 335 and I don't regret it. It was time for a change and I'm pretty happy with it. At that time the Evo was the most practical car we had (wife had a Mini) and it was still a bit of a PITA to take on a long trip and I got tired of the idiot street racers always trying to prove something when they saw an Evo. It basically came down to sure the car was plenty fast but, I just didn't use it's potential enough to justify the downsides.
That said I'm getting close to being ready for another change and since we now have another comfortable car for trips I'm thinking of going back to something a little less civilized. I just don't know what yet.
I went from an Evo to the 335 and I don't regret it. It was time for a change and I'm pretty happy with it. At that time the Evo was the most practical car we had (wife had a Mini) and it was still a bit of a PITA to take on a long trip and I got tired of the idiot street racers always trying to prove something when they saw an Evo. It basically came down to sure the car was plenty fast but, I just didn't use it's potential enough to justify the downsides.
That said I'm getting close to being ready for another change and since we now have another comfortable car for trips I'm thinking of going back to something a little less civilized. I just don't know what yet.
I realize where I am...(IX thread) but you guys are all on crack. The 335i coupe is HOT and I would definitely take one over a nine. For starters, the 335 is faster then the IX and no it's not really comparable because its a coupe but I'm sorry I'll take the 3 all day everyday, especially with the aftermarket support that has grown. AMS making parts for a bimmer!!?!?!?? Wow who would have thought they would see that day? But yea, they have up to 500 rwp in those joints now. COME ON, be real you wouldn't trade your 8/9 for something that is more luxurious just as sexy or more and can have navi or all wheel drive as well and make just as much power?????? This, to me is a no brainer even though I'm an evo fan for LIFE, you can't ignore what other companies are doing and just walk with blinders on.
flame suit on!
flame suit on!
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Chicago Suburbs
A review from a person who has respect for, has driven all 3, and even owns 1 (E46M, 335I, EVO IX):
335I: No doubt that these cars are great and making big noise everywhere: there are 335I Vs. XXX threads on almost every forum. The one thing that people need to understand is that a 335I WAS DESIGNED TO BE JUST A REGULAR 3 SERIES and it is only because of the turbo that this car is getting hyped up. I have driven one before and it doesn't feel like a sports car in anyway, more like a luxury cruiser. No doubt that the car is fast in stock form, but now days almost every car is pretty fast stock form like it or not. The 335i to me feels heavy and doesn't have the nimble steering feel of the E46 M or EVO, tbh at the end of the ride I couldn't wait to jump back into my E46 M. Though the aftermarket entry for the 335I is getting big, you really have to consider prices to begin with. The only heavily marketed parts for this car are ECU tunes with a few exhaust and intake pieces flowing around and these are very very pricey, not to mention they provide minimum gains compared to simple parts for EVO. Not to mention that a lot of the aftermarket exterior parts for this car are based off, if not directly copied, E46 M parts.
E46M: I currently own a slightly modded E46 M, so I can give a more in depth review. For starters, this car is amazing and drives ridiculously well considering it is a cruiser loaded with many options. First of all interior: In comparison to the EVO, it makes the evo seem like a joke. During my test drive of the evo, the buttons, knobs, gauges seem so obsolete, ugly, and gaudy. The seats are very wide and actually feel liek bucket seats vs the 335i in which the seats are too small and leather feels as if it is cheaper, not to mention the seats don't hold you in the same way. Exterior: The exterior of the E46 M is amazing and is preffered by most enthusiast over the E90-current m3; without a doubt, I think the E46M is the best in this category. Not sure on exact specs, the E46 M seems far wider and much more agressive that the 335I. In terms of the ride quality/performance, yea the 335I is slightly faster in a straight (though this argument has gone back and forth on M3F), the M3 has the sports car feel to it while the 335i doesn't. The E46 M literally feels like a go-kart to begin with and after a coilover install, I would almost have to say it handles just as good as an evo. When you get up in that pwoer range, the M3 just screams and thought it lacks torque (like a scooter), it makes up for in handling, quality, and overall sports car effect. On the highway, after 80 MPH- the E46 M will continue to walk away from the evo or 335i mainly because of its gearing and upper rpm ability. I know we are not dealing with the CSL model, but there is a reason why that car is one of the most wanted cars in the world, not to mention in the top 100 best sounding cars in the world as well. One huge negative to the E46 M world is the aftermarket realm, which is extremely ridiculsoly beyond pricey. For those talking about a 16k dollar upgrade for a 335i, get ready for a 30k+ upgrade to boost your E46M to 800+hp. But what it comes down to is that there is yet a 335i to reach that power lever, and chances are slim that there maybe- there are already a massive number of engine, turbo, wastegate failures in that car within the first 2 years. In comprasion to the Evo, there really isn't any- the EVO modding potential and aftermarket availability straight rape the E46 M or any other BMW for that model.
Evo IX MR: I had a chance to drive this car for around a half and hour. My first impressions were that man this car looks amazing. It has a very mean stance to begin with and the body lines look amazing. I like the agressiveness and the feel that car has, but I feel the interior can do alot of work with the exception of the Recaro seats which are amazing IMHO. The handling of the car is amazing in stock form and I can only imagine what these things will feel like with a good suspension set up. Though I haven't ever driven a heavily modded Evo, I have driven in a FP Green evo 8 MR, and that thing was a rocket. There is no way an E46 M or 335I can keep up with that car in the straights or turns given the same spending amount on each car. I am confident that the EVO will be able to outperform the 335I or E46 M in a track or straight setting even if all 3 were modded. Another advantage the EVO has that it is AWD and a lot more practical.
I may not end up getting a IX (though I did have a few people, who I believe are on the forum, who wanted to trade me a silver ix mr or a modded silver ix) and probably end up selling my modded E46 M for a simple, snow-doable DD, my bottom line is this:
Would I trade my E46 M for a E9X 335I: Hell no!
Would I trade my E46 M for a Evo IX: Yes, as I feel they both have their advantages and disadvantages.
I'm really not just trying to defend E46 M's because I have one, but have you ever driven one? The car is hailed as one of the most "straight from the factory" refined cars, as is the evo. I know the market is bad, but you can't act like it is taking a hit on the EVO. Generally speaking, the E46 M holds value far far better than any U.S. Spec evo even if it was more widely produced. In terms of track experience, I can't review personally but I have heard that E46 M is able to keep up with an evo. Keep in mind that the E46 M is continuing to hold its value a lot better than then the E9X 335I and even the E9X M. And for those saying that BMW is unreliable, especially the E46 M clearly don't have any experience with these cars. Maintanence costs aren't the same as reliability- if you upkeep with the maintanence these cars have proven to run for a very long time- I am easily willing to bet that there are far more 120K+ mile on stock motor E46 M out there than EVOs (there are even some E46 M with 200k miles). The above quoted comment can be used for any car, give the state of the economy so why single out the E46 M. If you are looking for a car that looks aggressive, gets attention, puts down decent power, and still functions to maintain elegance with a variety of amenities then there really isn't much of a comparision in the price range.
For those who don't have an idea of what a Modded E46 M really looks like, here are links to two amazing examples.
A more typical, cleanly modded example:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=269437
A more vivid, on the edge example:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=269134
On the street, yea a slightly modded, bolt on 8 or 9 would wreck these. But when it comes to looks, these will put any evo to shame.
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8888/jon013.jpg
335I: No doubt that these cars are great and making big noise everywhere: there are 335I Vs. XXX threads on almost every forum. The one thing that people need to understand is that a 335I WAS DESIGNED TO BE JUST A REGULAR 3 SERIES and it is only because of the turbo that this car is getting hyped up. I have driven one before and it doesn't feel like a sports car in anyway, more like a luxury cruiser. No doubt that the car is fast in stock form, but now days almost every car is pretty fast stock form like it or not. The 335i to me feels heavy and doesn't have the nimble steering feel of the E46 M or EVO, tbh at the end of the ride I couldn't wait to jump back into my E46 M. Though the aftermarket entry for the 335I is getting big, you really have to consider prices to begin with. The only heavily marketed parts for this car are ECU tunes with a few exhaust and intake pieces flowing around and these are very very pricey, not to mention they provide minimum gains compared to simple parts for EVO. Not to mention that a lot of the aftermarket exterior parts for this car are based off, if not directly copied, E46 M parts.
E46M: I currently own a slightly modded E46 M, so I can give a more in depth review. For starters, this car is amazing and drives ridiculously well considering it is a cruiser loaded with many options. First of all interior: In comparison to the EVO, it makes the evo seem like a joke. During my test drive of the evo, the buttons, knobs, gauges seem so obsolete, ugly, and gaudy. The seats are very wide and actually feel liek bucket seats vs the 335i in which the seats are too small and leather feels as if it is cheaper, not to mention the seats don't hold you in the same way. Exterior: The exterior of the E46 M is amazing and is preffered by most enthusiast over the E90-current m3; without a doubt, I think the E46M is the best in this category. Not sure on exact specs, the E46 M seems far wider and much more agressive that the 335I. In terms of the ride quality/performance, yea the 335I is slightly faster in a straight (though this argument has gone back and forth on M3F), the M3 has the sports car feel to it while the 335i doesn't. The E46 M literally feels like a go-kart to begin with and after a coilover install, I would almost have to say it handles just as good as an evo. When you get up in that pwoer range, the M3 just screams and thought it lacks torque (like a scooter), it makes up for in handling, quality, and overall sports car effect. On the highway, after 80 MPH- the E46 M will continue to walk away from the evo or 335i mainly because of its gearing and upper rpm ability. I know we are not dealing with the CSL model, but there is a reason why that car is one of the most wanted cars in the world, not to mention in the top 100 best sounding cars in the world as well. One huge negative to the E46 M world is the aftermarket realm, which is extremely ridiculsoly beyond pricey. For those talking about a 16k dollar upgrade for a 335i, get ready for a 30k+ upgrade to boost your E46M to 800+hp. But what it comes down to is that there is yet a 335i to reach that power lever, and chances are slim that there maybe- there are already a massive number of engine, turbo, wastegate failures in that car within the first 2 years. In comprasion to the Evo, there really isn't any- the EVO modding potential and aftermarket availability straight rape the E46 M or any other BMW for that model.
Evo IX MR: I had a chance to drive this car for around a half and hour. My first impressions were that man this car looks amazing. It has a very mean stance to begin with and the body lines look amazing. I like the agressiveness and the feel that car has, but I feel the interior can do alot of work with the exception of the Recaro seats which are amazing IMHO. The handling of the car is amazing in stock form and I can only imagine what these things will feel like with a good suspension set up. Though I haven't ever driven a heavily modded Evo, I have driven in a FP Green evo 8 MR, and that thing was a rocket. There is no way an E46 M or 335I can keep up with that car in the straights or turns given the same spending amount on each car. I am confident that the EVO will be able to outperform the 335I or E46 M in a track or straight setting even if all 3 were modded. Another advantage the EVO has that it is AWD and a lot more practical.
I may not end up getting a IX (though I did have a few people, who I believe are on the forum, who wanted to trade me a silver ix mr or a modded silver ix) and probably end up selling my modded E46 M for a simple, snow-doable DD, my bottom line is this:
Would I trade my E46 M for a E9X 335I: Hell no!
Would I trade my E46 M for a Evo IX: Yes, as I feel they both have their advantages and disadvantages.
For those who don't have an idea of what a Modded E46 M really looks like, here are links to two amazing examples.
A more typical, cleanly modded example:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=269437
A more vivid, on the edge example:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=269134
On the street, yea a slightly modded, bolt on 8 or 9 would wreck these. But when it comes to looks, these will put any evo to shame.
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8888/jon013.jpg
Last edited by C M3 FLY; Jun 12, 2009 at 01:19 AM.
Evolved Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 24
From: Davidson, NC
I realize where I am...(IX thread) but you guys are all on crack. The 335i coupe is HOT and I would definitely take one over a nine. For starters, the 335 is faster then the IX and no it's not really comparable because its a coupe but I'm sorry I'll take the 3 all day everyday, especially with the aftermarket support that has grown. AMS making parts for a bimmer!!?!?!?? Wow who would have thought they would see that day? But yea, they have up to 500 rwp in those joints now. COME ON, be real you wouldn't trade your 8/9 for something that is more luxurious just as sexy or more and can have navi or all wheel drive as well and make just as much power?????? This, to me is a no brainer even though I'm an evo fan for LIFE, you can't ignore what other companies are doing and just walk with blinders on.
flame suit on!
flame suit on!