[DirtyD]

Hey guys, I currently am rolling in an e92 08 328xi. And I feel I am in kind of a pickle. I have been debating on either modding this car a bit more, exhaust, intake, coilovers, m3 bumper/skirts and mtech rear bumper + more. I can do all of that and make the car how I'd like but as all of you know, is quite expensive. OR I could wait about a year and just save up my money and put it towards something I have grown to love, an m3. I would probably be looking at an 09-10 m3. The way I see it is I would hopefully be paying around 40-50k for a loaded one. Reason being is that with the new body style out, I am hoping that their price will decline a bit within the year wait period. If I got the m3 the 328 would be my daily driver. I'd just appreciate some insight on my situation, considering it is a 328 and kinda slow, modding wouldn't do that much IMO. So might as well go big. Leaning towards the m3, what do you guys think?

[Bimmer84]

Get the M3 if you can afford it. Depending on what your mod plans on for the 328, they usually tend to be more of a looker over performance, so if it is performance you are after, it's a clear choice. Or, get rid of the 328, get a 335i, and have a daily driver you can mod the hell out of since the M3 won't be a DD.

[iBeech]

Originally Posted by DirtyD

Hey guys, I currently am rolling in an e92 08 328xi. And I feel I am in kind of a pickle. I have been debating on either modding this car a bit more, exhaust, intake, coilovers, m3 bumper/skirts and mtech rear bumper + more. I can do all of that and make the car how I'd like but as all of you know, is quite expensive. OR I could wait about a year and just save up my money and put it towards something I have grown to love, an m3. I would probably be looking at an 09-10 m3. The way I see it is I would hopefully be paying around 40-50k for a loaded one. Reason being is that with the new body style out, I am hoping that their price will decline a bit within the year wait period. If I got the m3 the 328 would be my daily driver. I'd just appreciate some insight on my situation, considering it is a 328 and kinda slow, modding wouldn't do that much IMO. So might as well go big. Leaning towards the m3, what do you guys think?

You won't regret waiting for the m3

[E90Company]

M3. Nuff said

[cipher5]

I loved my M3, but it gets expensive quick. You'll want to mod it and boy is that a thirsty car. If you can afford it, shit go for it, you will love the car.

[328skidpad]

I put coils on my 08 335 and it drives soo much better, have a few other performance mods and I love this car. I have driven a lot of bmw's 3, 5 7 series and my 3 is overall the best.

BUT- After modding, I was dreaming that my 335 now should feel very close to a m3 due to suspension, alignment (m3 specs) and decided to hold off buying one. I thought ok my car "should" have 80-90% of the feel a m3 has

DREAMING
I drove a friends 2011 m3 sedan last month and felt insulted because the car is very different than what I had expected or thought it would be like.

Overall, the car felt much smaller, agile and fun to drive than my car. I got back into my car and felt I was driving a sports lexus es330 or es350...

So my recommendation, save up for the M3.

If you have to wait 3-4 yrs then get a coilover suspension..



Good luck---

[monza2t]

Its not really worth modding up the 328. If you aspire for M3 performance, then it would be cheaper to just get an M3 than to modify. I have learned over the years that mods end up costing more in the end than just buying the thing you are trying to achieve.

[AddictedToBavarian]

Well here's how I look at it.

Even buying an 09-10 you'll still be a generation back in whats current very soon. The M3 is as expensive as it is to mod it. The 328 is a great looking car and you could mod it any way you'd like for A LOT cheaper than a M3. When comparing it to cars like a M3 it is "slow", but what I did from stock to now I'm loving it more and more. It's becoming quicker and quicker while keeping it's insane reliability.

I'm saying all this because I'm back in love with the E36 and the E9X is becoming blah to me. Lol

[AddictedToBavarian]

Originally Posted by monza2t

Its not really worth modding up the 328. If you aspire for M3 performance, then it would be cheaper to just get an M3 than to modify. I have learned over the years that mods end up costing more in the end than just buying the thing you are trying to achieve.

Yes, BUT a 328 w/ a 3 stage manifold ($700), tune ($250-500), exhaust ($900), intake($550), and etc is no slouch and does not come close to M3 pricing. Lol

By the way those are ballpark figures.

[kdphan]

Originally Posted by AddictedToBavarian

Yes, BUT a 328 w/ a 3 stage manifold ($700), tune ($250-500), exhaust ($900), intake($550), and etc is no slouch and does not come close to M3 pricing. Lol

By the way those are ballpark figures.

it doesn't come close to M3 performance either

328i stock is 230hp? I'm sure all those mods won't equate to an additional 40hp.

[Hisam135i]

if m3 makes sense financially, most definitely take that route I know I would!

[AddictedToBavarian]

Originally Posted by kdphan

it doesn't come close to M3 performance either

328i stock is 230hp? I'm sure all those mods won't equate to an additional 40hp.

K I never said it would equate to it? Wtf.

And all that would be about 40hp. People have dyno results to back that up.

[RnmEvo9]

It depends on what you prefer in terms of modding. If you are after looks, then I would mod the 328i but if you are into performance, save up for the M3.

[ParisF3]

I have also decided not to mod my 335i and waiting couple months to save m3...

[mashimarho]

Mod, then part out before the M3.
Yeah?

[AlterZgo]

M3!

[Gator328i]

OP, you and I are basically in the exact same predicament. I, too, am debating whether I should modify my 328 or simply bite the bullet and buy a 335.

The more I think about it the more I am leaning towards modifying the 328i simply because I feel I would get more satisfaction knowing that the car is exactly how I want it and would have my signature on it.

I've also looked at the M3, but even a used '07 model is $40k right now. For them to get down to where I could afford it will take at least 4 or 5 years.

[positiveions]

get an M3.
I was faced with the same dilemma when i had an E36 325is. Spent bunch of money on it, and still, it was not even close in the E36 M3 arena.
Thus I traded that car in for an E36 M3.

[DirtyD]

Originally Posted by Gator328i

OP, you and I are basically in the exact same predicament. I, too, am debating whether I should modify my 328 or simply bite the bullet and buy a 335.

The more I think about it the more I am leaning towards modifying the 328i simply because I feel I would get more satisfaction knowing that the car is exactly how I want it and would have my signature on it.

I've also looked at the M3, but even a used '07 model is $40k right now. For them to get down to where I could afford it will take at least 4 or 5 years.

I'm guessing that they will significantly go down in price within the next year due to the new f series coming out. I mean I could upgrade the 328 but I've been thinking about it and I just feel like I'm kind of throwing money out. I could do cosmetics, but what's the fun of cosmetics with no nuts? Gettin beaten by a Lexus the other day off the jump by a ghetto bastard kinda got me pissed and leaning towards the m3. If I got an m3 I really would do minimal modding to it. Probably exh itake etc. I think I will end up saving for the year and get one next year. Now to decide on options! I'm thinking another AW e92. Cf roof, maybe hood as well. Akrapovic exhaust is going to be thrown on after hearing henris exhaust At the first TSE event over here! It was magical. So I've got time to think my goal will be the m3 before I'm 24. Man seems so far away!

[adriang]

M3 for sure!

[N55]

If you can afford the gas, maintenance, and repairs on the M3, I would go with that. Just consider how much of a warranty will be left on a 09-10 car in 2013, maybe look for a CPO.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Should I go for a mansion on a hill, or continue to patch the leaky pipes in my suburbia home?

We don't know your financial situation, debt, or salary. I would seek out a financial advisor to flesh out the financial big picture for you.

If you can afford to get the M3, factoring in ALL of the extra gas, upkeep, and long term true cost to own, then god bless and go for it.
If not, live within your means.

I see so many knee-jerk reactions in life where people just go out and get whatever they want at the moment, never thinking about fully or even considering the long term consequences of their actions.

Too many people out there that are "car rich", and work to just barely keep up their rides and just out of reach of the repo man. Just something to think about.
Good luck.