The BMW E46 M3 SMG vs the BMW E90 335i Steptronic
I used to own a BMW E46 M3. It is not an exaggeration to say that it was my dream car. Silver with red leather, xenons, nav, 19?, SMG, the works. So why don’t I have it still? SMG.
SMG is a blessing and a curse. It does very well at keeping a high level of involvement with the driver, while giving the ability to switch gears automatically if need be, say to grab a drink of water to dial on a cell phone. Ideally, this sounds perfect for me. In some ways, it is. But the reality of SMG for me is that while it is perfectly possible to produce smooth shifts, the level of effort and concentration required is equal to (and even occasionally greater than) the concentration required with a standard manual. It’s just that instead of involving both feet, it’s just your right foot. But the position of the throttle, and how that influences when the clutch engages and how rapidly it engages, is so precise that it always has to be on your mind, similar to how shifting smoothly with a clutch requires you to be aware of engine speed, car speed, and other factors. And small changes in throttle make larger changes in behavior, making it easy to send passengers heads snapping back when you get too excited an really put your foot down.
And while I will not advocate not paying attention in a car, there are genuine times that you don’t want to focus on shifting a car. Say, on the way home from work. Or in traffic. Which is usually the same thing.
Earlier in my life I vowed that I would never own an automatic transmission. Obviously I was wrong. But I think the key here is that while it’s true that my priorities have changed, the bigger change for me is actually the quality of automatic transmissions now. They don’t immediately suck all of the fun out of the car. Even though steptronic type ideas have been around for a while, it’s not until this latest generation of cars that these transmissions can changes gears with that RIGHT NOW mentality that I demanded. The steptronic in the 335i feels nearly as fast as the M3, sometimes even faster, and definitely smoother and easier to operate.
The ride quality of the 335i is an excellent compromise as well. It’s amazingly good at absorbing bumps on the freeway, while still feeling fun and responsive while going around corners. BMW still sets the standard here, and anyone who has ever driven one can tell you.
The M3 handling is also a great compromise, though more in the sports direction. However, no car I’ve ever driven was so beautifully balanced. You could really feel like a driving hero with the traction control switched off, allowing the back to come out just enough to enjoy yourself before regaining traction and blasting off ahead. That feeling is something I miss in the 335i.
In the looks department, I’d still have to give the nod to the M3. Not just because it rises above all of the more common 3 series, but because the E46 is a car of classic proportions. The short front overhangs, flared fenders, hood bulge, and oft copied side vents all look the racer part, but in a way that stays classy. It’s like wearing an Armani suit without a tie. The E90, while decidedly more modern, is not quite as timeless. Though it’s a prettier car than all of its current rivals. And it does look quite a bit sexier with the M-Tech aerodynamic kit installed, as on mine.
Performance wise, it’s an interesting contrast. The M3 feels like you have to push it a bit harder, but it’s more rewarding. The M3 felt wrong going slowly. The 335i feels perfectly at home at any pace, cruising around in a parking lot searching for a spot or tearing down the freeway. The torque of the 3.0 liter twin turbo is amazingly satisfying in normal traffic, but I do miss the crazy machine gun/sportbike/turbine wail of the 3.2 liter six in the M3. You could often turn someone’s head just by revving to the magic 4500 RPM where the raspy wail would come out and wake up the neighbors. And the M3 was definitely faster when you really, really were on it 10/10ths. Just not below that.
Either of these cars could make an enthusiast happy. But I’ve found out which one I’d rather live with, and that’s the 335i. I just wish my 6’4? frame would have fit in the coupe.