[mcramen]

I enjoyed driving F10 535i xDrive, actually first BMW I owned.
(came from G35 and 350Z)
After two years driving, I want the car more fun to drive with more aggressiveness.

535 is very comfort and surely not week car, but I want something more.
And didn't like the fact that 535i xDrive is kinda heavy car.
And I regret I didn't get the car with sport of M-sport package.

So I came down to considerations
Go with F30 335i xDrive with M-sport line and DHP.
OR
E92 M3 CPO (but I still doubt this move yet)

Is this wrong way to move since I'm down from 5series to 3series?

I'm not considering to go up to 550i or M5... (sorry mis type!! :edited

so if you have any advices, let me know.
and thanks for the great info on this forum.
I really get lot of info and idea from it.

[Frank_NJ]

I drove a 2013 335ix sedan yesterday and the car is a rocket. Quick as all hell with the automatic. Drive one and then make the decission. I was originally going to get a 550ix but decided to go with the 335ix instead and plan to order a 2014 next month for July production which will have the new NBT Navigation.

[Alan l.]

For a loaded up 335 I rather get a CPO M3 hands down

[hyperboost]

I would prefer RWD BMW

[JNoSol]

The F30 mSport is a good looking car. If it's brand new, then configure the car the way you want it. As for an E92 M3, they're nice but not as practical as a 4dr. If you're bored with the F10, I personally would take the F30 335i mSport (RWD). The N55 has tons of potential and is great on gas. You can mod the crap out of it and still get 30mpg+ hwy.

The M3s are insane to maintain, M5s even more. A qt of oil is $15 for the Ms, let alone how much a brake job will cost you.

[hyperboost]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

The F30 mSport is a good looking car. If it's brand new, then configure the car the way you want it. As for an E92 M3, they're nice but not as practical as a 4dr. If you're bored with the F10, I personally would take the F30 335i mSport (RWD). The N55 has tons of potential and is great on gas. You can mod the crap out of it and still get 30mpg+ hwy.

The M3s are insane to maintain, M5s even more. A qt of oil is $15 for the Ms, let alone how much a brake job will cost you.

yep exactly.....
335 msport rwd is a great choice. some people say the interior size is not that much different.
This "new" gen xdrive system is an improvement over the last, but it still drives funny sometimes. i really wish my car is a RWD car. if you worry about snow, snow tires would help you out. besides, 9 out 12 months we don't have snow.

[ManiacGT]

Originally Posted by hyperboost

I would prefer RWD BMW

I guess that depends where you live and the terrain.

[Terpinator]

Definitely test drive all the cars you're considering. I was looking at a 335ix, 535ix and 550ix and test drove all before opting for the 550. The 335 was a lot of fun and handled great. However, after sitting in the 5 series, I knew I wouldn't be satisfied with the F30 interior. IMO, the 5 interior is way nicer/higher quality than the 335. The comfort seats in the 5 are amazing. The sport seats in the 3 are nice, but on a different plain than the comfort seats in the 5. And while I liked the 535 and the gas milage would have been better, the power delivery of the 550 was intoxicating. That, combined with a price delta of only $4000 (in US spec) between my 535 and 550 builds put me over the top for the 550.

All that said, I cannot deny I repeatedly built an M3 online and had to tell myself over and over "I am a family man with two growing kids. I drive in the snow a lot. I need a bigger car." Especially when the dealer had a Lime Rock edition sitting in the showroom....

[omaralt]

why not wait for the 435? not much difference in sport between a 4 door 5 series and a 4 door 3 series. you'll just be stepping down in luxury and shedding a few pounds

[williamb]

It seems like what you want is a sports car and 3xx or 5xx is not going to give you that experience... 3xx and 5xx are great daily drivers with sporty undertones but you may need the M badge to meet your needs

[The X Men]

You said the 535i is too heavy for you and you are considering the 550i and the M5 ??????????

[Rbembas_M3]

I’m having the same dilemma; currently I’m driving a 2011 535i with jb4 stage 2 and 6mt
It is loaded except for M-package  it was a dealer special and I got a great price on her.
I must say I do love the comfort and the sportiness, but it does handle heavy around the
turns. So now I’m going to test drive a 2011 M3 and I’m also going to test drive a 550i
If I could afford a M5 I would go that route, I did test drive 2008 M5 the car is awesome
but I’m gun shy on the maintenance cost on the V10 engine. I came so close in buying that
2 years ago, what a car that thing is sick fast…. So that is one reason why I’m looking for a
550i loaded with m-package and there are several tunes that Dinan offers.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by rbembas535i

So that is one reason why I’m looking for a
550i loaded with m-package and there are several tunes that Dinan offers.

The F10 LCI - 550 should receive the new N63Tu, 445hp and 4mpg better on the hwy.

[mcramen]

sorry I mistyped... I'm not considering 550 and M5..

[mcramen]

Originally Posted by omaralt

why not wait for the 435? not much difference in sport between a 4 door 5 series and a 4 door 3 series. you'll just be stepping down in luxury and shedding a few pounds

I'm considering that too. but 4 is not here yet...
should I wait?

[mcramen]

Originally Posted by williamb

It seems like what you want is a sports car and 3xx or 5xx is not going to give you that experience... 3xx and 5xx are great daily drivers with sporty undertones but you may need the M badge to meet your needs

can't justify me on sport car...
I liked 350z when I had it, but I need to put the practical consideration into the car choice as well... so I need to choose the car that meets performance, luxury and practical. I know I can't pick the car that satisfy 100% all three subjects in certain price range...

[williamb]

Originally Posted by mcramen

can't justify me on sport car...
I liked 350z when I had it, but I need to put the practical consideration into the car choice as well... so I need to choose the car that meets performance, luxury and practical. I know I can't pick the car that satisfy 100% all three subjects in certain price range...

Get a sports car and have a daily driver? I've been down your road and I really could not get the best of both worlds at least to my liking. I realized I needed both so now I have 2014 cayman S ordered and A4/range rover sport as a daily driver... will be picking up a 2014 LCI 550xi as a daily driver in December when A4 lease is up...

[Rbembas_M3]

yes, that make sence i like the 911

[cchrono]

I just had my 535xi serviced and had a 2012 335i coupe as loaner car. The 335 def felt like it had more power but the sport seats were crazy uncomfortable and I felt crammed. When I got back in the 5 series the power difference is not huge it is just so much smoother then the 335 and it is way more comfortable and nicer inside. I would stick with a 5 series and mod it to make it more fun to drive.

[Ti335]

The 335i should be noticeably faster and lighter. The downside is that it looks ugly from the front (IMO) and feels cheaply made when compared to the 5-series (cheap interior materials, scratch-prone chinese glass, rusting seat braces, etc.)

BMW used to pay the same attention to detail in respect of all of their cars, regardless of whether it was a 3 series or a 7 series. Unfortunately, this is no longer true, if the F30 is any indication.

[mcramen]

My 535i isn't loaded with options.. Just premium and heated seat...
So I won't lose any features and compare to 3 series.. I guess its about same.
Same dakota leather and same head liner.

I agree F10's interior is nicer but I don't feel the same way with current non-loaded one.
Especially I don't like the position of cup holder which blocks climate control when in use.

Also my main mistake made was financing the car...
Not upside down right now. But it is like paying lease payment.. Neither lose or earn...
I will definitely lease next one.