Advice on Which Model to Get??

[ruswilliams]

Hello Everyone, I was looking to get some advice from you guys with BMW's already.

I am selling my '95 3000GT that had right around 230HP and was an automatic. I am looking to get into the BMW world, as they have more room, look awesome, are loaded with features, well I'm sure you all know why I'd want to.

My question is which model BMW should I be looking at to be comparable in Acceleration/Speed for the 3000GT. I definetly can't go too much slower, but I would like to get into BMW's like I said.

I'm looking to spend between $15 and $20. Mileage ideally around 60k.

So what model should I look for, and what type of upgrades can be made for a decent price to make it a little quicker, should I have to get a little bit slower vehicle to begin with.

Thanks,
Russ

[CiscoKid]

97-98 M3 and itll be faster

[Silver4evr]

Here's a 1998 M3 on usedcars.com for about 20k with 62k miles.
Click here.

[ruswilliams]

I was actually looking at those, however I was hoping to get a newer style body. I'm really not a fan of how the pre-2000 fronts look.

-Russ

[doughboyea]

I was in the same boat as you, I wanted to get a 230HP+ car and in the exact same price range. I also wasn't too fond of the E36 body style. I settled for the 1999 328i. Only 193 HP and most likly not like the 3000GT, however, it does go from 0-60 in sub 7sec. It's body is the E46, which is probrolly what your looking for. However, if you really want that 250HP, go with what Ciscokid said, the E36 M3's would have that HP and be in your price range, finding an M3 for that amount in the E46 body style would be near impossible, unless you find one salvaged (seriously banged up).

Just as an additional note, M3's are a bit more higher maintanence than more run of the mill Bimmers and from what I understand, you can only truly appreciate one with a manual. Then again i'm no mechanic.

Dough

[ruswilliams]

Well if I went with the 328 could I just have say an Intake Added as well as exhaust to get that extra ~20hp or so? Also I have heard something about Chips that can be installed to boost HP. What is this all about?

Thanks,
Russ

[spiff325is]

An exhaust will give you extra horsepower, but I think +20 is a little mucher, maybe 15hp if your lucky. And a chip will gives you some good extra HP, but depends on whatkind you get. You could get an E36 M3, and get a E46 M3 front end grill, the good think about any M3 is that it has a huge aftermarket.

[ruswilliams]

An exhaust will give you extra horsepower, but I think +20 is a little mucher, maybe 15hp if your lucky. And a chip will gives you some good extra HP, but depends on whatkind you get. You could get an E36 M3, and get a E46 M3 front end grill, the good think about any M3 is that it has a huge aftermarket.

What prices are we talking about to switch from an E36 to an E46 Front End. What all would I need and how difficult are they to do? Would I need to get new Headlights and how much would we be talking with those?

Thanks,
Russ

[///M Power]

it will nvr truly look like the e46 here is one


I love the e36 body style, especially the M3. and as you are out to mod it, they can come out nice as pics below this one

[///M Power]

message blah blah blah look pic

[///M Power]

i change ur midn yet?

so sexy

[ruswilliams]

Haha, actually yes you do have me convinced. That last pic, was there anything done to it besides the wing?

-Russ

[woobiee]

im pretty sure a 330 (225hp 214tq) will be in the performance range of the 3000GT..remember that the 3000GTs are very heavy...

ive raced my friends 3kGT auto and i actually beat him in my 323 5spd. (twas both stock at the time)

[peterkulesza]

330i performance package. 235 hp, stumpy rear diff ratio, spectacular handling (better than m3 imho).

new: 42 large.

[woobiee]

even a standard sport 330i would be fast..i think the 330 is your best bet