Am I crazy to trade my E82 135i with high miles E9x M3?

[CL 19]

Guys, I just got my car two months ago but I don't know why I feel I need more power. I know that my car which is '11 N55 E82 135i provides enough power actually but I just feel it isn't enough. So, here's the story, I plan to trade it or sell it to get 08-09 E92 M3 with high miles. I'm sure I can afford the maintenance etc but the problem is am I crazy enough to trade in my 11,7xx miles with 40K+ miles? It's that really worth it.

By the way, I got the DCT on my car and looking for another DCT for the E92 M3. I really need your advice here since I don't really have enough time to enjoy my 135i since its just two months old. Please correct me if what I'm thinking is wrong. I tried to make up my mind but it seems I can't get clearer vision. I do have a plan to do some mods on my 135i and I tried to convince myself to enjoy it and do some mods rather than go with high miles E92 M3.

Any of you experience this kind of feeling? Appreciate any comment and opinion guys. I know it's kind of silly topic but here I am in that silly situation. Thanks guys!

[golf_234]

Bad move imo. At least drive the car until the warranty is up. You are overlooking one of the best machines bmw has produced in the last decade. A 135 isnt slow... don't be naiive.

[golf_234]

Just queue up the e9x M as your next car.. but at least get some use out of your existing car. 50k minnnnn. take the money you would spend and get it invested in real estate or mutual funds or something. the grass is always greener....

[cooler2442]

Why not start modding the N55? Just doing the JB4 will give you a minimum of 30hp / 40 torque. It can also easily be removed and be undetected by the dealer.

[RoadRunner///M]

The 135i will feel faster than the M3 in everyday driving. Just put a tune in it.

[splitsecond]

+1 to all of the others. If your issue is with power, then M3 is the wrong way to go. Put a JB4 on your 135i and you'll have more power than an M3.

Now, there's no question that an M3 will have better general handling/response than a 135i. And if that's what you want, then I think it's a reasonable trade. But if you just want power, the 135i is a better platform than the M3.

[Tee-Dub]

A high mile out of warranty M-car will wreak havoc on your bank account. Like others have already said, do a flash/tune on your car and some bolt ons and you're reliably at almost 400hp (or more).

[CL 19]

Yeah, thank you guys for knocking my head! I'll for sure put M3 or M4 whatever it is as my future car and from now on I'll just do some mods and get use to my car. I think that really bothers me is that I can buy an extended warranty, I know it costs around 3K, but what I think is that 40K miles car is not that worth it even though it's an M3, am I right? I mean it's 4 times more than my current miles. After all, M3 has become my dream car since I was 10 years old, lol. Right now I don't think I will do any tune but there is some mods in my head

Thanks guys!

[Tee-Dub]

A tune is the cheapest way to make power and most power mods wont do much without a tune. For around $500 and up, depending on tune, you get about 100 more hp!

[golf_234]

Originally Posted by CL 19

Yeah, thank you guys for knocking my head! I'll for sure put M3 or M4 whatever it is as my future car and from now on I'll just do some mods and get use to my car. I think that really bothers me is that I can buy an extended warranty, I know it costs around 3K, but what I think is that 40K miles car is not that worth it even though it's an M3, am I right? I mean it's 4 times more than my current miles. After all, M3 has become my dream car since I was 10 years old, lol. Right now I don't think I will do any tune but there is some mods in my head

Thanks guys!

lol .. i think we all go through these things on some level or another it's easier when it isn't you lol

[tuco44]

I had a 2009 M3 DCT Sedan, I now have a 2012 135i MSport DCT. The 135 is faster in town, where most of my driving occurs. Plus, cost of running an M3 exceeds the 135 by quite a bit.

I would NOT trade back for the M3.

[808@702]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

The 135i will feel faster than the M3 in everyday driving. Just put a tune in it.

I have driven both extensively. The 135 does NOT feel faster than the M3 in daily driving. Not even close IMHO.

[lastMleft]

I always wanted an e92 M but man I can't justify the fuel cost, and that would be the deal breaker for me, good luck though

[1911A145]

Be smarter with your money...


put 2500 into the 135i and see if your concerns are not addressed before commiting to a car that is bigger, and has terrible bottom end power for daily driving....

[RoadRunner///M]

Originally Posted by 808@702

I have driven both extensively. The 135 does NOT feel faster than the M3 in daily driving. Not even close IMHO.

A chipped 135i is faster than and E9x M3 in real world driving. That's just a fact. I have also driven both ... the M3 being a NA engine needs to build revs, where as the 135i has torque really low down. On the track or open road the M3 would be better.

[Stohlen]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

the M3 being a NA engine needs to build revs, where as the 135i has torque really low down. On the track or open road the M3 would be better.

While this is true for the M3 vs. the 135i, that logic doesn't really work for any other car. Usually turbo engines need to build revs and N/A engines have torque down low. It just so happens that the twin turbo N54 was designed really well as a turbo motor (enough stroke to keep torque while not suffering high end flow/boost targets.) and the M3 was built more for the track than street driving

[CL 19]

Again, fuel economy won't be a problem for me since usually I drive my car 3 or 4 times a week. Using 135i usually I visit gas station pnce every two week. What I'm concern is about the mileage itself, I'm looking the one that has 40K miles plus and is it still reliable? I know I can buy an extension for the warranty of the car eligible for it but it's not about the warranty as well. It's more to how old the car is and miles on the motor itself that might end up make me unsatisfied. If in case I pull the trigger, that would be my first M3 and that's the reason why I don't want to be dissappointed

[lastMleft]

Originally Posted by CL 19

Again, fuel economy won't be a problem for me since usually I drive my car 3 or 4 times a week. Using 135i usually I visit gas station pnce every two week. What I'm concern is about the mileage itself, I'm looking the one that has 40K miles plus and is it still reliable? I know I can buy an extension for the warranty of the car eligible for it but it's not about the warranty as well. It's more to how old the car is and miles on the motor itself that might end up make me unsatisfied. If in case I pull the trigger, that would be my first M3 and that's the reason why I don't want to be dissappointed

Its only going to be reliable if the previous owner took care of it, pay for a PPI to see.

[DemolitionJim]

I'm kind of in the same boat as you, CL.

I bought my car brand new in late January, but I may be needing more room with a new job I might be getting. I'm debating on whether or not to get something with more room, or to try and squeeze all my stuff into the 1er (hockey bag, work stuff, etc). I'd like an m3, but it would be used with around 30k miles or so.

You should just do what you think is the best option for you, it's really the only opinion that matters. Easier said than done though. I can't make up my mind about my situation either

Sorry to thread jack, just sharing my dilemma as well and could use some help.

[CL 19]

We're exactly the same Jim. Probably I will enjoy my E82 first and while saving money and looking for the market. When the time comes I believe there will be a car that fits me. If not, then M3 is my future destination, not now. It is quite simple but I don't know why I make this thing hard. It might be because if I bought an M3 it will be my first M3, that also my dream car back when I was 10 years old.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by 808@702

I have driven both extensively. The 135 does NOT feel faster than the M3 in daily driving. Not even close IMHO.

I beg to differ. You really have to wind out an M3 to feel the power but the low end torque in a tuned 135i will feel significantly faster and be much more practical and efficient.

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I beg to differ. You really have to wind out an M3 to feel the power but the low end torque in a tuned 135i will feel significantly faster and be much more practical and efficient.

And I have owned both.