Need Opinions On Upgrade-ability Of E46

[AutoCAD Guy]

Hello all,
New to the board but look forward to chatting with you.

My wife and I would like to buy a 02 E46 and I am just wondering about hp and what I can do to upgrade it.

See, right now I drive a Twin Turbo 3000GT that has about 400 hp. It will run the 1/4 in 13.4. Here is my problem.... How much will I
I have to put into the BMW to make her a 14 sec car? How much to handle well?

Over the course of 5 years, I put about $17,000 into the 3000GT (mostly suspension) to make it a better car. Am I about to buy the same kind of car.... one that needs to be completely reworked?

Also, are you guys happy with the stock performance of your cars?

thanx very much..

[crazyro]

Well, I'm happy with my stock 328i. It has just enough HP for me and I love the torque amount. However, I'm not into racing or anything like that. With all that said, I'm thinking of upgrading the exhaust (probably Borla), adding a CAI, and sharking the software. All this might give me an added 12-15 ponies, but that won't come even close to the amount of HP you'd like. If I were you and had the money, I'd start with something like an M3. I test drove these and while they have the power you may be looking for, to me it was too stiff for a daily driver.

Bimmer magazine had a great article in last month's issue re: the Hartge-tuned M3 - rather impressive.

Also, there's a guy in Turkey who has tuned him M3 to some incredible levels - http://www.da-motorsport.com/

Hope all this helps.

[jkloese]

I have a 2002 325Ci and it has an AA Supercharger, AA Gen 3 Exhaust, AA Tuned ECU, 3.46 Diff, UUC Short Shifter, UUC Big Brakes, KW Variant Coil Overs, AA Rear Camber Kit, Dinan Front/Rear Strut Braces, Racing Dynamics Sway Bars and not to mention all the interior and exterior mods, about $25k. Good Luck with it though.

[crazyro]

Originally posted by jkloese@Dec 29 2004, 03:40 PM
I have a 2002 325Ci and it has an AA Supercharger, AA Gen 3 Exhaust, AA Tuned ECU, 3.46 Diff, UUC Short Shifter, UUC Big Brakes, KW Variant Coil Overs, AA Rear Camber Kit, Dinan Front/Rear Strut Braces, Racing Dynamics Sway Bars and not to mention all the interior and exterior mods, about $25k. Good Luck with it though.

[snapback]260424[/snapback]

Sorry for the thread hijack, but that's an awesome looking car! I still miss my black E46. Love the blacked-out grills also - thinking of doing the same - maybe black out the slats and painting the outside same color as car. Dunno yet...

[AutoCAD Guy]

thanx guys,

start with an M3 eh? Do they make a 4-door M3 or do i have to go to the M5 for that?

[jefft325i]

Originally posted by AutoCAD Guy@Dec 29 2004, 03:45 PM
thanx guys,

start with an M3 eh? Do they make a 4-door M3 or do i have to go to the M5 for that?

[snapback]260449[/snapback]

E46 M3 was/is only offered as a coupe or convertible. The closest thing is a 330i with the performance package, or jumping to a 5 series like you mentioned.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?se...8&page_number=1

[crazyro]

Originally posted by AutoCAD Guy@Dec 29 2004, 04:45 PM
thanx guys,

start with an M3 eh?* Do they make a 4-door M3 or do i have to go to the M5 for that?

[snapback]260449[/snapback]

Well, not necessarily. If you want an E46 M3 sedan, forget it (which you did say you wanted an E46). But if you're happy with an E36, there are quite a few nice M3 sedans out here. Here's a shot of one:

[Team Perfect Line]

Well it depends which 02 you get. If you buy a 02 BMW M3 you will already beat the 14 second mark.

Perfect Line