That has been the best comparisson put in paper so far. The M3 has a lot of HP but low torque, the BMW 335i has tons of torque and it is OK in power.

Simple plug and play piggyback units are adding 120hp and 150lt/tq to the crank on the 335i so which such power and torque it is even superior to the M-3 however the M-3 will have rear LSD and better tires.

You can join the guessing club for now. . Everyone is wondering the same thing right now.

Carlos

 

Thanks for the insight. I have to admit, I'm slightly underwhelmed by 420 bhp in the new M3, real progress would've been to push the crank output past 500 bhp (so that the M5 can follow it up with at least 600 hp). Cars like the Merc CL65 AMG were already past 600 hp in 2005 with immense torque (courtesy of a twin turbo V12) that the current gen M5 drivers can only have wet dreams about. And I'll bet the new M5 will still fall short of the ceiling set by the two year old Merc.

(OK, I know the monster Mercs fill a slightly different niche, that of the rich fat executive who wants to play angered god among the peasants (including M5 drivers) on the public roads. The roadcourse would be anathema to the Merc, but perfect for the Bimmers. But I digress.)

Back to the Bimmers, I'd rather take the 335i. FI is easy to modify to get loads more hp/tq. Handling mods are easy, and the real ******* can even do the bodykit to mimic the ///M (god knows what floats the boats of some people - there are a few fake M3s running around where I live). On the other hand, the N/A M3 is tough to mod, and FI kits are a big step toward destroying the warranty and longevity of the engine.

Short version : if I'm happy to mod, I'll go with the 335i over the new M3.

 

+1

New M3 is going to be hella expensive!

 

"Back to the Bimmers, I'd rather take the 335i. FI is easy to modify to get loads more hp/tq. Handling mods are easy, and the real ******* can even do the bodykit to mimic the ///M (god knows what floats the boats of some people - there are a few fake M3s running around where I live). On the other hand, the N/A M3 is tough to mod, and FI kits are a big step toward destroying the warranty and longevity of the engine.

Short version : if I'm happy to mod, I'll go with the 335i over the new M3.[/quote]"


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With the exception of some sick ba$tard$ for the most part we are a vast majority of normal people with normal jobs and normal bills and budgets.

I don't think there will be a single person here that wouldn't take a stock new 08 M-3 over a new 07 BMW 335I, hands down the M-3 is far superior in all aspects. That would be the ideal conditions but unfortunately not eveyone has a spare $55k-60K that the M-3 is probably going to cost.

That leaves you with the choice of the BMW 335I sedan for under $40k and the upcoming 135I which looks very promising (should cost in the low to mid $30k).

So.. yea, I do agree with you, the 335i perhaps is the more affordable "people's car" and the M-3 will be for those sick ba$tard$ that make 6 or 7 digits a year.

Botton line, the M-3 suppose to be a race car ready, no need to get bigger tires, bigger rims, better suspension, etc.

Carlos

 

[quote=Turb0flat4;4493383]Thanks for the insight. I have to admit, I'm slightly underwhelmed by 420 bhp in the new M3, real progress would've been to push the crank output past 500 bhp (so that the M5 can follow it up with at least 600 hp). "Cars like the Merc CL65 AMG were already past 600 hp in 2005 with immense torque (courtesy of a twin turbo V12) that the current gen M5 drivers can only have wet dreams about. And I'll bet the new M5 will still fall short of the ceiling set by the two year old Merc"
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Hold on cowboy!! not so fast. The M department of BMW truly could make a whole lot more HP on its vehicles.

You mentioned the Mercedes CL 65 AMG and even the previous CLK with suprcharger from 3 years ago making 468hp. Yeah but BMW is making nearly the same power and no supercharger or turbo.

A CLS 63AMG and puts down 507hp with a 6.3l, the M-5 puts down same power(500hp) with 1300cc less motor.

What I am saying is that yes Mercedes made some sick AMG model with massive power and torque but BMW can also walks over water.

Carlos

 

[QUOTE=fromWRXtoEVO;4493817]It's all about the torque, my friend. FI gives you gobs and gobs of torque, and BMW has finally "admitted" it with the 335i.

Torque is overtaking power. Torque allows you to destroy someone else's self-esteem and inject instant buyer's remorse into the other bloke after a brief stoplight encounter. Torque is what catapults you out of a track corner and puts the smile on your face.

The "FI is cheating" attitude never made sense to me, so if a manufacturer was able to clean up with a good, reliable FI engine, I'd take that in a heartbeat over a competitor who wanted to do it all N/A and could never quite match the torque of the FI rival.

BMW may be able to walk on water - after their owners put on aftermarket FI kits and void the warranty in the process. Mercs can part the Red Sea from the factory.

There is no question that the Bimmers are far better driver's cars, that they provide a much more engaging experience. But for sheer straight line supremacy, nothing touches the monster Mercs.

 

You can bump the power in the 335i all day long - bottom line is the M3 will hand it its **** all day long in the twisties

 

LMGDAO.....

Funk m3's

 

Good for you.


Now, go get a life.