In comparison, a base M3 coupe starts at $71,700, but with a similar level of features, it would end up costing over $82,000. Rivals include the $59,900 Audi S5 (354 hp), the $69,900 Mercedes-Benz E550 Coupe (382 hp) and a $62,800 Porsche Cayman (265 hp).

For $13,000 less, you get a car that performs almost as well as the mighty M3. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com)

So with the 335is, you end up with a sports coupe that performs almost as well as the mighty M3, and off a racetrack, the difference is pretty negligible. But for me, a 335i offers more than enough performance and costs less. I wouldn’t miss the extra 20 horsepower; I wouldn’t miss the black mirrors; and I wouldn’t miss the aluminum cockpit trim. I would miss the dual-clutch transmission, though. Oh well.