[WTLetu]

Lately with the arrival of all these new sporty cars, I've been feeling a little down with my E90 328i. I guess you could say that I'm not as excited about it as I used to be.

It used to be unimportant to me whether my car was an automatic transmission or manual, but now I feel a craving for a manual transmission. Not only that, you guys know that the this 328i won't gain as much performance with aftermarket parts unless I spend some serious cash, which I don't have because I am a full-time student. So far I've only spent money on an axle-back exhaust and window tints.

I kind of want to spend a little money on the exterior cosmetic look, but then again what's the point if it's an automatic with a noticeable lag in acceleration, mismatching with the looks?

I guess I want to ask you other automatic 328i owners on how you enjoy your car on a daily basis. Is it worth sprucing up the looks even though it's an automatic? How do you mod your 328i and is it worth it? Or do you guys think my priorities are out of line, and that I should wait for the future to buy a car more to my liking?

[EDM92]

There's always going to be a car out there that trumps the car in your driveway. Enjoy it for what it is! Many people would LOVE to trade cars with you. I understand what you're saying though. It's easy to take what we have for granted.

I say save your pennies and get the car you want. Do small cosmetic mods that are cheap and have good resale value, until you're ready to get into a new cars. Wheels, for example, are quite easy to sell online. You can even pick them up used to begin with, in order to minimize losses. Hell, I usually MAKE money buying parts used, and selling them when I'm finished.

[Taaaaaam]

I have an auto 328... Just appreciate what you've got and save up and upgrade when the time is right. Leaving mine stock besides the sunglasses tray change and plasti dipping my chrome trimming.

[N55]

INB4SOMEONESAYSUSHOUFOFBOUGHTA335


Just get a tune for it and it will spice it up a little.

[speedfan]

Try driving in DS or M mode & enjoying it for now.
Worst case scenario is you can easily trade in your car for a manual 1 down the road.

Over here is always having bad traffic in the city, so people believe that luxury cars like BMW have to be automatic. So, 99.9% of BMWs here are auto. So, No phocking choice for me!

[dd243372]

Put it in DS mode and floor it...

[CanadianDriver]

Originally Posted by speedfan

Try driving in DS or M mode & enjoying it for now.

+1 on manual shifting (+/-). you get to hear the revs at it's sweet spot

you may wish to consider paddle shift retrofit, to make it more fun

[username604]

Your focusing too much on straight line performance. You still have a 50/50 weight distributed rear wheel drive car, that handles better than most other cars on the road.
If I were you I would probably get firmer lowering springs that would liven up the drive.

[Speedwagon]

Originally Posted by Verbatim

Your focusing too much on straight line performance. You still have a 50/50 weight distributed rear wheel drive car, that handles better than most other cars on the road.
If I were you I would probably get firmer lowering springs that would liven up the drive.

+1

[Tim M]

Muffler Delete.
Headers.
Remap Engine.
Throttle Delay Delete Chip.
3 Stage Intake Manifold
Air Intake.

These cars can be made to go faster, you just have to know what to do. Trust me. Ever since I started modding my E90 325i, it's been a blast.

[///Mandy]

Only drive it in heavy traffic?

If you enjoy your car right now, make the best of what you have. Do some subtle cosmetic mods.

[theblackmamba]

bms sells a chip for your car.

buy it.

[nycbr]

Go out to your car right now and put the transmission in M mode. Find an open road or on ramp. Start in 1st gear, let the car shift from 1-2 for you and then do subsequent up shifts @ 6K. Report back if you had any fun.

[rbtamms]

How long do you have your car? If the mileage already pass your warranty, I say it's time for you to upgrade.

I know the 328i lacks power when accelerating but I enjoy the automatic transmission because I don't drive that fast & I share the car with my wife. Whenever I'm entering the freeway, it's the only time I use the steptronic to give me more power so I can merge lanes faster & then I switch to back to automatic.

It really depends on personal preference. Some likes to keep the car looks stock but wants to gain more power. I prefer to make the car look more good but I want to keep the mechanical & electrical stock to avoid any issues.

Do what you think is best for you because it's your car & you're the one paying it.

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by rbtamms

How long do you have your car? If the mileage already pass your warranty, I say it's time for you to upgrade.

Im really surprised that's the attitude alot have on this forum, Like they have
no faith in the car lasting past the warranty.

I use to have a G35 if you navigate to the forums there, Nobody talks about warranty. If you maintain it yourself ( the minor basics )
its not that expensive at all. There are tons of vendors on here and lots of great info.

If you like your car keep it, do some minor mods.. Even if 328 and Auto its still a great handling quality car.

If you want to mod for looks its the same across the board, If speed is your only concern there are some nice bolt on mods just dont expect the power levels the turbo guys see.

A 328 can be a very enjoyable car and its the last we will probably see of BMW's legendary NA I6.

[Joe-]

Originally Posted by WTLetu

Lately with the arrival of all these new sporty cars, I've been feeling a little down with my E90 328i. I guess you could say that I'm not as excited about it as I used to be.

It used to be unimportant to me whether my car was an automatic transmission or manual, but now I feel a craving for a manual transmission. Not only that, you guys know that the this 328i won't gain as much performance with aftermarket parts unless I spend some serious cash, which I don't have because I am a full-time student. So far I've only spent money on an axle-back exhaust and window tints.

I kind of want to spend a little money on the exterior cosmetic look, but then again what's the point if it's an automatic with a noticeable lag in acceleration, mismatching with the looks?

I guess I want to ask you other automatic 328i owners on how you enjoy your car on a daily basis. Is it worth sprucing up the looks even though it's an automatic? How do you mod your 328i and is it worth it? Or do you guys think my priorities are out of line, and that I should wait for the future to buy a car more to my liking?

Look at this this way.

You own a BMW and are a Student, nuff said, you'll have plenty of time when you are done with school to spend boat loads of money for fun

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by Joe-

Look at this this way.

You own a BMW and are a Student, nuff said

Exactly what more could you ask for? I finally earned ( was able to buy ) a newer BMW after a house and turning 30.

HS / College etc I drove basic cars and even those I bought. Jetta / Sentra / CRX / 1 nice E30 etc.

[roundle]

If your car is feeling weak, come to Europe and drive a few 316i and 318i sedans...

If I were you, I'd ditch the 3-series, buy a new Civic SI sedan (manual!), and take some classes.

[MattMD]

How can you say a 328i sedan is boring? Boring and E90 shouldn't even be in the same thread. My AT E90 is extremely fun to drive. I haven't not used DS for months and always have the windows down and my music on blast. Music and open windows make any car more fun. But, why are you complaining? You drive a $45,000 car as a student, what do you think your classmates in their 1995 Accords are thinking? Most kids get $5k and a trip to the used car lot.

I'm a student too and I plan to really only do cosmetic mods. I'm going to buy Vossen CV3s and a set of ExtremeContact DW tires with the money I have saved from working. I also want some new angel eyes and a few other cosmetic things. I think my car has plenty of power, but I'll probably buy a BMS PB to see how the throttle remapping works out.

My enjoyment in my AT 328i is only limited by the slow people in front of me on double solid roads.

[Taxvictim]

Originally Posted by speedfan

Worst case scenario is you can easily trade in your car for a manual 1 down the road.

Which is what I had to do. In my case, the auto-tranny in my 07 328xi was horrible and unpredictable. The auto in my wife's 03 325i had been a joy to drive, so the miserable behavior of the auto in the xi was a real disappointment.

[QC335]

Sell car...buy what you want. Done.

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by The Low Key OG

How can you say a 328i sedan is boring? Boring and E90 shouldn't even be in the same thread. My AT E90 is extremely fun to drive. I haven't not used DS for months and always have the windows down and my music on blast. Music and open windows make any car more fun. But, why are you complaining? You drive a $45,000 car as a student, what do you think your classmates in their 1995 Accords are thinking? Most kids get $5k and a trip to the used car lot.

Exactly, Mine was a 3k car and I had to save the money for it.. Until then it was borrow the parents car if it was avail and it wasnt anything special.