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Tags: m3, 335i, m5, bmw
Tag Links: m3,
335i,
m5,
bmw
Why do you have to buy a BMW M3 to get the performance of a BMW 335?
Since the S5 against 335i thread Agent001 posted not long time ago, I figured it out I have a question myself. A better question, if I may.
Why do you have to buy an M3 to get to the performance of the 335i chipped (procede v2)??
If you guys don't know, the 335i chipped with the second version of the software is right on par on all test (0-60, 1/4m, etc) with the BRAND NEW M3, it's actually staying right there with the M5 also. No stories, there are videos being taken up to 150mph, where the 335i (only chipped, no turbo swap or other hard core modifications) can be neck to neck against the M5.
The chip itself will run you about $1500 less than an hour to install, the 335i is 20k cheaper than the M3, so obviously it's a good question. Why the 335i with a few thousands in mods (swap suspension for the better track ride=$1-2k, swap exhaust for a close to V8 sound=$1k, even include a rear differential for $2k, maybe tires ..) can so easily match the M3, on the street or on the track? Any track. But make sure you understand it: with just the chip alone the 335i will match the 0-60 and 1/4 time of the new M3.
The same question was on the bmw forums not long ago. Since we compared the S5 vs 335i (both stock, same performance, about 8-10k USD difference) I really think we should see people opinions about what BMW did here. $20,000 is a huge difference for the same performance), one that I would NOT pay over the 335i since the exterior of the new M3 is really close, probably 99% of population won't even notice the difference (you can buy a M body kit for the 335i).
Is the 335i a mistake? I mean, who owns an M5 (close to $100k) should feel a little bad about BMW releasing a $45k+$1500chipped car with same performance as their mighty M5 - at least to 120-130mph, nobody really goes over that speed anyway). What about the new M3, people will pay $20k more I would feel really bad to buy an Audi R8 (120k) to be just on par with an Audi TT (40k), right?
On the other side, the 335i owners are really happy, they got a lot of performance (specially chipped) for their money. But we can't say the same about the M3/M5 owners, at least not when comparing to the BMW 335i. The nicest thing I saw on other forums about this discusion was: one 335i guy writing to an M5 owner who was already pissed off on the 335i: "it's ok, you still have an M5, go kiss the M badge now ..."
Again, the question is:
Why do you have to buy an M3 to get to the performance of the 335i chipped (procede v2)??
I think it's a better question cause the S5 vs 335i are two totaly different cars, one Audi - one BMW. Yes they can and should be compared, still so many thing are different: engines, chasis, INTERIOR, EXTERIOR, etc. There people can choose one car over the other for quite a few reasons, depending on their preferences. But when we compare the 335i against the M3, it is only about performance upgrades. Otherwise the M3 looks (and is) a 3-Series, exactly the same interior with just some cosmetics on the outside.
Feel free to make appropiate comments. Please don't come with the M3 V8 sounds better, since it's so easy to get a nice gurgle from a new exhaust, still much much cheaper than the M3.