Well, first off nothing was timed so I have no hard numbers to show you. I'm just going off of feel and how fast the speedometer appeared to shoot up. Both cars had the SMG tranny and about 80mph was the fastest I could get them up to.

The M3 was the first car I drove. I took it about 8 laps around a half wet half dry course. It had a good stretch to launch the car up to about 80. That I tried in both full auto and SMG shifting. It was fun has hell drifting that car and it handles so much better then a C55.

The 335i I drove next about 7 or 8 times around a fully dry course that had a lot more turns. This also had a long stretch at the start to launch the car that was probably just as long as the course the M3 was on the only difference is that the turn at the end was harder. I tried this car in full auto, sport mode and manual traction was also off the whole time.

The verdict. Well, the 335i is fast, handles really good and is pretty comfortable. However, in terms or quickness and flat out straight line acceleration its no M3. The M3 from a stop and a roll felt simply faster much more of a snap to it. Plus the handling comparison is no contest M3 all the way. The 335i did have a little lag too, not much, but enough to feel it when you punch the car.

As for how the 335i felt in comparison to the C55. Well, good news it felt slower. Now it wasn't dramatically slower, but if I had to guess I would say maybe at most a 3 to 4 car difference in a race. So if you have a C55 no need to worry if you line up with one. If you know how to drive your car you will win. Also if the 335i is not in sport or manual mode the C55 will eat it up like nobodies business. The 335i though does handle just about the same as a C55 if not a little better.

Nice writeup. Thanks.

nice review, must have been nice to be able to compare the 2 cars back to back like that...

I don't think the 335i has SMG yet..

it will.. but not during its first year run.

However, SMG vs Automatic.. the SMG should be able to shift faster.

From a roll I would give the edge to the 335. From a stop, the SMG.

As far as a manual 335i vs C55.. it would be closer (less hp loss due to manual trans and better launch)

eitherway at higher speeds (based on trap speed) the C55 should win.. but not by a whole lot.

Was this a BMW sponsored event?

I guess your right, but the 335i did have the ability to shift it. The M3 regardless felt faster all around. From a roll the M3 speedo shot up faster and had more pull then the 335i too. I drove both cars super hard so I got a really good feeling for what they are capable of and simply the M3 is faster not by much but its faster.

Yes this was the BMW Performance Drive. I also drove the M6, 650i, Z4, 325i and 330i.

The new 6sp Auto is very fast shifting and it also has a paddles as an option.

There have been a few magazine test that have showed the 335i faster from 30 to 50 / 50 to 70 (top gear pulls) than the M3. However those 335's were manuals.

But the M3 will always feel faster since the shifts are much harder, the suspension is much stiffer, sits lower and that wicked noise of the engine and exhaust.

I was there for the FONTANA MB event and I have seen those M6's run on the track. What a great car!

How did you confuse smg and auto? Especially when you just drove an SMG M3?

nice writeup-- that's pretty neat you were able to drive these all back to back. what was your impression of the 650? How did it compare to the 335/ m3/ c55?? also, was it a 6spd or auto??

I thought if you put the auto into manual mode it would perform just like the SMG.

It felt slower then all those cars, but still pretty fast. The 335i was just maybe a 10th or two of second quicker. The M6 though was the **** it just takes a lot of practice to be launched right of the line. If traction is on you lag big time with it off you do a big burn out. Once you hook up and shift into second man that car slams you back into your seat.

The Z4 by far was the best handling car no contest. The car had like zero body roll taking 60mph 90 degree turns.

nice review! Just read on one of the BMW forums about a chipped 335i...puts down about 345whp, not bad at all.

I have driven the 6 speed 335i And I own a M3. My M3 is the better car but I really have to give it up to the 335 for pushing limits. its really impressive. the torque blowsmy M3 away. the handling was ok but still no M3. I really like the 335 tho. Must say I would rather have the Sedan 335i than My C32. But I would take a C55 hands down over the 335i anyday. Geez , I'd consider the C55 over my M3. actually , no I wouldn't But i do really like the C55. classy mule for sure.

also: take into consideration that the M3 is NA and the 335 is F/I - I'm not to big on turbos or superchargers any more, but I bet if someone would lower the compression on the M3 and put 2 little turbos on it, it would be out of control. But over all I just hate the feeling of F/I for now.

I personally like the coupe over the Sedan. Now that I have another 4 door, a 2 door coupe would fit well.
However I do prefer FI vs NA. I have the modding bug and it won't go away.

Vic32, 2 weeks ago I was at the Hyatt at Indian Wells with the family. I have been to the Palm Desert Marriott a few times before, but the Hyatt is a bit nicer I think.

Any other good spots for week-end get aways?

correct...

the Vinshu project is about 33x to 34x to the wheels..

with a XEDE module that connects to the ECU

2 sport CATS

and custom exhaust piping and some after market mufflers.

the car puts down 275 to 285 to the wheels stock (340hp to the crank)

and with the mods mentioned 33x to 34x to the wheels or (400 hp to the crank)

I would definately say... it probably can hit low 13 and high 12's with that set up alone. That would place on par with a Stage 1 C32, but the 335 should have a higher trap speed due to its better launch (manual) and 1 extra gear.

Thanks for the review. I can't wait to drive the next gen M3.