Which one would you choose?

"E90M3" (e90m3)
06/20/2016 at 13:38 • Filed to: None

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is tired of his 328d xdrive wagon and is looking to get something different. My slight obsession with M3s might have skewed him toward these, and he wants a convertible because LA. He’s looking at both of these, you got an thoughts oppo? Which one would you buy? I like them both, I have an E90 M3 and my father drives a 135is coupe.

DISCUSSION (39)

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 13:46

That’s a big change coming from a wagon!

He might not like the 1 series because it’s very small, especially compared to his wagon.

Also I’m a sucker for a hardtop Convertible

d15b > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 13:48

Most people who buy a convertible...never use it.

Tripper > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 13:48

Having owned an E90 M3 that ate all my money, I would have to say the 135. The 135 is plenty quick and I think it’s a safe bet to say that the maintenance will be cheaper.

Dsscats > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 13:49

M3 all the way.

Sneaky Pete > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 13:50

The 1 is a convertable, thus by default the M3.

Tripper > Sneaky Pete
06/20/2016 at 13:52

The M3 is a vert as well

Matt Nichelson > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 13:52

Why don’t you talk him into buying your 1 series?

Aaron James > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 13:55

These aren’t even close to the same price range are they? If he has the extra 20 grand for the M3 then I would go with that.

GolfR Guy > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/20/2016 at 13:56

I actually drive a golf tdi coupe too. So I like compact cars! The wagon is just too slow, plus i dont really use all the space like i thought i would.

Future next gen S2000 owner > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 13:56

1 series.

d15b > Tripper
06/20/2016 at 13:57

Seriously though, how “bad” is it? My friend just purchased an E92 that is coming out of warranty soon.

GolfR Guy > Aaron James
06/20/2016 at 13:57

135is, $27,998: https://www.carmax.com/cars/bmw/135/2…

M3, $34,998: https://www.carmax.com/cars/bmw/m3/20…

Sneaky Pete > Tripper
06/20/2016 at 13:59

Eww, none of the above then.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > GolfR Guy
06/20/2016 at 14:02

I had a Civic sedan before my C30 and its funny how rarely I miss the space of the Civic. Every once in a while I wish I had four doors, but otherwise I had no need for a car that big!

It’s a hard choice. I love the color combo on that 1 series. But hardtop convertibles make me feel special

GolfR Guy > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 14:02

Side note! I drove the 135is already and loved it of course. Drove it around with the top down the whole time, plastics did make noise quite a bit (i assume from convertible frame flex+LA shitty roads). Hopefully driving the M3 this weekend. I will also be going the DeMuro route and getting the maxcare warranty for the car i pick once I sell my 328 and VW buys my TDI golf.

GolfR Guy > Sneaky Pete
06/20/2016 at 14:03

What’s the reason behind not liking the convertible?

Sneaky Pete > GolfR Guy
06/20/2016 at 14:05

Weight, rigidity, noise, extra (expensive) stuff to break, eventual leaks, etc. etc.

Cherry_man1 > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 14:14

If I had to pick I would go M3 but in reality it’s coupe or nothing for me.

E92M3 > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 14:21

M3 no question. Has he heard an S65?

FromCanadaWithLove > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 14:22

I’d go for the M3. I’m willing to bet the prices between the two aren’t a whole lot different, but the M3 has a lot more car.

GolfR Guy > E92M3
06/20/2016 at 14:23

Yes, but not in vert form yet!

E90M3 > Matt Nichelson
06/20/2016 at 14:50

I’ve tried, I also tired to convince my other friend to buy it, not even my friends want a 128i.

E90M3 > d15b
06/20/2016 at 14:51

I’ve had exactly one problem with mine, the throttle position actuator went out and needed to be replaced.

E90M3 > E92M3
06/20/2016 at 14:52

I told him to get an E90 with a DCT when he was looking last fall and didn’t listen.

Textured Soy Protein > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 15:01

Here’s my comparison of my old 135is DCT coupe and E93 M3 6MT.

(I now drive an E92 335xi because I went down to 1 year-round car in Wisconsin, and I kinda prefer the more room of the 3 series.)

d15b > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 15:06

My friend’s just spent about a month at a dealership to fix an issue with a gas tank sensor.

Tripper > d15b
06/20/2016 at 15:08

It really depends on the car. A lot of people dog the E46M3 for reliability, but I’ve had one for almost 10 years and its been a gem other than a few minor things.

There are a few other guys on here OP included that have E9x M3's, and have had little or no issues. Nothing major happened with my E90, but that is what was so scary about it for me. In 15 months/17k miles I replaced the rear tires twice for around $700 a shot. Lost a throttle actuator (CPO covered $1100). Replaced the battery and got a great deal...$450 (inde) down from $700 (dealer).

Even if you don’t have any failures, a round of brakes is well over 1k, it gets 15mpg, and mine needed a $15 qt of oil every 4 fillups.

All of that said, it’s kind of worth it lol. Definitely PPI, and service it yourself/at an independent shop.

I bought mine similar to your buddy. 4.5 years old, two previous owners, and 50k on the clock. I was lucky to have the throttle actuator fail in the 6 months that it was still covered under the factory warranty. I bought an extended warranty through Zurich that I didn’t need but would recommend on a car that can be so expensive.

Hopefully he does not have any issues and is ok with spending a few dimes to keep it running tip top. My Audi sounds like a wet fart compared to that V8!

E90M3 > Textured Soy Protein
06/20/2016 at 15:10

Damn that’s a good review, I love the exhaust note on both cars. The 135is also convinced me that a DCT would be alright, although I do enjoy the manual in my E90.

Tripper > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 15:12

lol I’m pretty sure Davesaddicition is the only E9x owner that I know that has not had to replace a TPA.

d15b > Tripper
06/20/2016 at 15:12

I think the way to play this game is to have a daily driver and leave the E9x to weekend duties.

Tripper > d15b
06/20/2016 at 15:18

Yea unless you have a real short commute, gas and tires will get ya. That is a lot of the reason that the E46 is my weekender and not my DD.

GolfR Guy > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 15:20

Hey now... The vw was a good choice, considering I drove to see my parents in GA and in FL a ton (5hr+ trips) and got ~600 miles a tank. and now i get money for it thanks to vw’s fuck up!

d15b > Tripper
06/20/2016 at 15:21

He has a E92 with the DCT and his commute is about 6 miles one way. I think that is short enough where the car never really fully heats up and is probably not that great for the car.

Thoughts?

Textured Soy Protein > E90M3
06/20/2016 at 15:25

One other thing I can tell you is the 135is definitely feels like it’s got more than 20 hp over the 335xi. But part of that is probably down to noise as the 335xi is a lot quieter.

The big downside of the 135is compared to the M3 is the rear end. M3 has much stiffer subframe bushings and the LSD, so the rear end feels much more planted. 135is can get a bit squirrely. That can be partly fixed with subframe bushings but that doesn’t stop it from lighting one tire fires.

Also if the 135is still has run-flat tires on it, plan on buying tires, because the run-flats are awful . They do have nice turn-in response from the stiff sidewalls but they have terrible ride quality, and the rubber compound is so soft that on hot days they feel greasy just putzing around town, and they only lasted 17k miles for me.

Proper summer tires are a huge improvement. Most folks do the Michelin Pilot Super Sport but I’m really happy (so far) with the Kumho PS91 that I got for my 335xi, and they’re much cheaper.

Tripper > d15b
06/20/2016 at 15:25

It’s probably enough. If it we’re me I would just take the long way to work. Easy to do in that car. My commute is 10 miles one way, that was enough for me to want something else to daily haha.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper
06/22/2016 at 13:31

Still true, approaching 90k miles.

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/22/2016 at 13:36

That’s awesome! I hope you never have to.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper
06/22/2016 at 13:40

Me, too. Unfortunately, my car is not completely problem-free. I am trying to diagnose some warning lights that came on after a recent alignment. Still drives fine, so it’s sensor-related somehow. Hoping that a re-alignment takes care of it!

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/22/2016 at 13:44

Are you up for a battery by any chance? My E90 did crazy things when the battery started to go, including not warning me about low oil!