2009 135i Coupe or 2008 M3 Coupe

[uofmtiger]

If money was not an issue, I would get the M3. I did discuss the M3 with a local CA and he said that the M3 would be a very frustrating car to drive under the speed limit. However, I would find a way to live with that problem.:biggrin: I should mention that I love my 135i...but the M3 is one of my all time favorites.

[future135i]

Originally Posted by 3to1

Syncros,

I've been here. I was going to get the 135i, and then the current economy came along(and a realization that I should get a 4 door with my 2 kids). I was able to payoff my wifes car with the down I was saving for the 135i, put zero down on an M3 sedan and end up paying less on it than the payments on my wifes car and my prior car. But realize that there are other costs. Gas is more (about 18 mpg on the M3 vs about 22? on the 135i). Insurance is more (for me about $100 or so every 6 months for the M3 vs the 135).

If you can afford that, go for it. I am absolutely loving this car!! The V8 power, the handling, the sound of the engine is great (I can't wait to finish the break-in so I can really get the rpms up), and heck I get my 1200 mile oil change/etc covered by BMW. It's an amazing car!

I am confused... so you have a M3. Please update your 'Drives' in the profile because it still says 325i. Your avatar has a 1er also...

[Robert]

M3. If I am looking at cars around M3's price range I would not care for $150 bucks more a month. But I don't lease, it comes down to having extra 20k in my pocket then it's 135i

[MVF4Rrider]

Things to consider. Just because the M3 costs more now doesn't mean you'll loose that much at the point of resale. It'll hold its value far greater than any 135i. You have to consider the residual value as well, which helps justify the up front price difference. The M3 is a very easy car to drive and can be just as docile as a 135i in everyday traffic. With the M3, you can get M-DCT and a host of other toys which separate it from all others, such as electronic damping. You can also put 19" BMW forged wheels on it for only US $1200! That's a steal.

Ultimately, the M3 is superior in every way except fuel economy and if you just want a smaller less expensive car. Guys in our local M car club with new M3s say they get about 16 mpg on average. But then again, we tend to use more horsepower around here on average.

[sethchan]

Think about the value you actually get (as opposed to could theoretically get) for the money. There is no doubt that the M3 is a superior car. But are you actually going to get 150 dollars more per month -- plus the extra fuel and insurance costs -- of value given the kind of driving you do? You might, but it's a lot of money when you do add in fuel and insurance.

Also, make sure you have space to park it.

[3toM]

Originally Posted by future135i

I am confused... so you have a M3. Please update your 'Drives' in the profile because it still says 325i. Your avatar has a 1er also...

My bad. You are correct. I just got the M3 about 1 1/2 weeks ago, and hadn't yet updated. It is now correct. Thanks for the heads-up.

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by josh

For me, going from an E36 M3 to a 135i has been a huge letdown, particularly in handling. If you're at all used to an M3, a 135i will seem like a step-down.

I'd jump on that '08 M3 in a heartbeat.

I went from a E36 M3 to a 135i and it was not a let down, the E36's are down on power too much, unless you have a euro engine


personally I dont like the 08 M3's, they are too big, I never considered a 335i or m3 as a option for myself because of the size.

[Displacement]

Talk about an unfair comparison - the M3 would beat up the 135 from any angle but raw money. I would never suggest that anyone live beyond their means but the M3 is one of those "if you can, you must" kind of cars and you'd be crazy to pick the 135i over one.

[imported_mega]

I disagree I have the money for either and I choose the 135i mostly because it feels so much smaller

I hate big cars


now if they were brand new E30 M3's well I would choose the M3 for sure, but not that E9x thing

[Displacement]

Originally Posted by mega

I disagree I have the money for either and I choose the 135i mostly because it feels so much smaller

I hate big cars

When I saw and drove the 135i I thought it was still a pretty big car. Why didn't you go for a Boxster S or an M Coupe?

[gio]

Originally Posted by Displacement

When I saw and drove the 135i I thought it was still a pretty big car. Why didn't you go for a Boxster S or an M Coupe?

Cayman S!

[Displacement]

^^^ Boxster S is cheaper and probably just as fun (can't say because I've never driven a Cayman, only been driven in one)

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by Displacement

When I saw and drove the 135i I thought it was still a pretty big car. Why didn't you go for a Boxster S or an M Coupe?

back seats, I have 2 kids that I have to put back there at least once a week

[ky_soldier]

I can afford either and have a 135 and 335 after selling my E60 M5. The M5 simply DRANK gasoline, and got about 150 miles on a tank. The M is always nice, but the 1/335 is a little more useful as a daily driver in terms of comfort / economy. Personally I'd pocket the extra $300 a month (yeah gas + insurance will go much higher than a 135) and save it for your next ride. :-)

[adc]

Originally Posted by jlee

But I did track the 135i last Friday and that was the first time I had some regret on not getting the M3.

Tell us more, please.

[TagMan]

This is a good topic. I remember thinking a lot about the same question when I finally just faced the fact that the 135i was the car I really wanted. It wasn't about the price. It was about the car.

Quite frankly, I just love the 135i, and as great as the M3 truly is, I have no regrets getting the 135i. It's one of my favorite cars of all time.

[VFX]

Originally Posted by mega

I hate big cars

But drive an X5?

Anyway back on topic...

I'd choose a 135i & $300/month in my pocket over the M3.

I like it's size, it's looks & the performance is plenty.

Buy a used M3 3 yrs down the line when you've gotten bored with the 135i.

.

[syncros]

Hello all.

I'm back from the dealer where I test drove a 08 M3 Coupe for about an hour. The car is a jewell way to crazy. No way to exploit it on the street, but it remains a M3. The dealer offer is amazing... Only 50$ extra per month for a 08 M3 Coupe with almost no option. No joke. I still can believe it. They are proposing their 08 M3 at their cost with very low interest lease rates.

I will sleep on it and verify my insurance, but I should get the M3 instead and will get it this Friday... not at the end of november.

Will I be able to sleep??? I still can't believe it.

Please remind that the 135i Coupe that I ordered was well equiped with many extra BMW Performance parts that the dealer at to install in at my request...

Still
Can
Believe it

Thanks for all your comments. Please feel free to send more. I will post a picture when I get the car this weekend...

Good night,

[AtoB]

Originally Posted by mega

I disagree I have the money for either and I choose the 135i mostly because it feels so much smaller

I hate big cars


now if they were brand new E30 M3's well I would choose the M3 for sure, but not that E9x thing

X2 ... give me a 135 cab.

[MatthewDFW]

Originally Posted by Displacement

^^^ Boxster S is cheaper and probably just as fun (can't say because I've never driven a Cayman, only been driven in one)

IMO, Boxster S suspension is very stiff. Terrific fun for short drives on very good roads.

I said goodbye to my old Boxster (trade-in) when getting my new 135, and I think my 1 is every bit as fun as the Porsche - and much, much more comfortable, especially on longer drives. I test drove an '08 Cayman this year, and found it wicked fast and very comfortable. Although the Cayman wasn't really what I was looking for, I would rate it a good notch and a half above the Boxster or Boxster S in both performance and comfort.

Still... there's something about a ragtop I will definitely miss.

[MatthewDFW]

Originally Posted by VFX

I'd choose a 135i & $300/month in my pocket over the M3... Buy a used M3 3 yrs down the line when you've gotten bored with the 135i.

Dang. This is great advice - taking the long view. With the economy a little crazy right now (okay, A LOT crazy), a new 135 makes good financial sense (consider factory warranty, much better fuel economy than M3, etc.). Unless you drive the wheels off a new 135, the warranty will still be in effect a few years down the line, making re-sale all that much easier. In three or four years, an M3 purchase might not carry as much sting.

Then again, Syncros sounds like his mind is made up. Can't really feel "sorry" for a guy about to bag an M3, can we? Maybe this was a Win-Win situation all along...

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by VFX

But drive an X5?

Anyway back on topic...

I'd choose a 135i & $300/month in my pocket over the M3.

I like it's size, it's looks & the performance is plenty.

Buy a used M3 3 yrs down the line when you've gotten bored with the 135i.

.

Why not just buy a E46 M3 then (to save money today)? It drives better, sounds better, looks better, and its size is perfect. Price is about the same and there's more aftermarket stuff available for it than about anything else on the planet. I'm kicking myself for not realizing this a year ago. When I get back to the States next summer, finding a mint condition, bone stock E46 M3 cabrio is high on the list (wife's car).