330i or M3

[bimmerguy82]

Just a question: do you guys think it would be more reasonable (considering all things equal. ie: mileage and year) to buy a 330i and mod it out to have the same HP as an M3, or just pay more for the performance of the M3 itself?
I mean if I got the 330 I would supercharge it, redo the fuel management system,, ignition system, lighten flywheel, exhaust, stage 2 suspension, plus a few more. what do you think? any feedback is appreciated.

BMW Crazy

[drz]

Are you saying e46 330i vs e36 m3, or vs e46 m3? I would suggest that you go with the m.

[SpooldUp]

If you would rather work on your car and/or have a unique car, go with modding a 330. If you just want to drive it, go with an m. If you have the means to work on a car while not driving it everyday, you are fortunate. And in this case, I, myself would choose the 330 project car route. It can be better than an m3, while being unique as well. Note* this may cost more than a comparable m3, but your insurance will not be m3 insurance... :-) Alternatively, if not done right your 330 car will not long under boost.

Tradeoffs...

[drz]

^^ I read somewhere that a 328 may respond better to engine mods than would the 330. Ask about this in the e46 forum and do some more research.

[Furious]

ok for the record no non-M E46 is faster than a E36 M3, so performance wise id go E36, the E36 M3 has a great platform to work with for speed. the E46 is newer and has a more updated look so with that said id go E3 M3

[SpeedInfusion]

Originally Posted by Furious

ok for the record no non-M E46 is faster than a E36 M3, so performance wise id go E36, the E36 M3 has a great platform to work with for speed. the E46 is newer and has a more updated look so with that said id go E3 M3

+1 for the e36 m3

[///M Power]

I think he's talking e46 3 vs e46 M3

It sounds like you are pretty serious about mods. You WILL be disappointed by the lack of power in a 330i, BUT I would tell yo to go with a 330i SEDAN. 4 doors would be sick. Then supercharge it. No doubt in my mind that after you supercharge it that you wouldnt be able to walk on stock e46 M3's, mainly because of the lack of torque in e46 M3's.

[93 325i]

Through a financial perspective the E46 M3 would be about 10-15 grand more than the 330i. All that work you listed would go far beyond that difference (to supercharge alone would be 10K right there)..And since you said your goal was to get to the same HP as a M3 I think you know the answer then. Get the M- keep the reliability of a non heavily modded engine and search for a good deal. I have seen E46 M's in the low 30K range..

[///M Power]

I dont think a supercharger would run you 10K to get into an above M numbers. Like I said, M3 power in a sedan is a godsend. Then you can pop on CSL front bumpers and do what you want with the rest of the body. I believe renntech motorsport or somethign did a project 330ii. Supercharged. Molded on larger fenders, creatd a pwer bulge in the hood, and did CSL body work around. It looked rather sick.

[thekid]

I am going to treat the question as though he is asking about an E46 330i and a E36 M3 (which is the only reason I can see for him putting it in the E36 forum).

In my opinion it really does depend on what performance you want out of the vehicle. You can get the E36 M3 in a four door variety, which gives you the M performance but with the 4 doors. If you are not really about performance as much then go with the 330i. If you are into performance that you made as opposed to what it does stock, then you may get more of a feeling of accomplishment with going with the 330i and building up to and beyond stock M performance. I do kinda like this way because it does give you a great feeling of accomplishment. However, there is definite magic about any M car and there is nothing I would rather have (except an E46 CSL) than an E36 M3 4dr.

[///M Power]

Im pretty sure he just posted in the wrong forum. A mdo shud move it to e46 or M3. He said he was goign to mod the 330 to get the same horsepower as the M3, thus we may assume he means e46 M3. He also stated about paying mroe for an M3, and as far as I know a e46 3.0 costs more than a e36 m3.

[bimmerguy82]

Hey guys, sorry I posted my question in this forum. I am so used to posting in the e36 forum I forgot i was talking about the E 46 cars. anyways thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

[4evrwyntr]

e46 or e36, why the hell hasn't anyone mentioned the suspension differences between the two? Sure, an engine modded e46 can be as fast as an e46 m3, but you got to start putting in the suspension and the rubber. IMO, you might as well start out with the m3, and use that as a higher baseline. You can always earn more money in the future to mod the ///m and make it unique.