BMW M3 vs BMW 335d Coupe

Lack of consumer confidence has pushed late versions of the previous-model BMW M3 into a dangerous area. It now competes with the first of the new 335d Coupes launched in late 2006. So what, you might say, that’s a diesel for heavens sake. Which means that not only does it officially return 38mpg (since increased to 42), but it boasts over 200NM more torque than the M3.

The effect of two turbos on BMW’s already muscular diesel six-cylinder is to produce a blast of pure thrust whenever you want it. Yes, the M3 is faster from standstill to 62mph by over a second, but the penalty is a steep fuel bill at the official 24mpg and a £400-a-year tax demand for post March 2006 cars. You’d also be hard-pressed to feel any difference in pure accelerative force. M3 residuals are already suffering; not only is the 335d far cheaper to run, but you can be fairly sure it won’t have seen a trackday either, unlike the M3.