[Keebs64]

I have an existing 2006 330i 6MT that used to be my DD (100k miles). I recently took it off the road for the winter, and bought a new DD. So, my plan is to have a project/fun car for the fair-weather months.

The two options I'm considering are:

1: Keep the E90 for my project car- The biggest downside to this is the engine. With every mod that is proven for this engine, I can only squeeze about 250whp out of it. The other big downside is the computer… I’m not into coding/programming, and it seems like every time I want to work on any part of this car, the computer gets in the way.

2: Sell the E90, buy an E30, and plan an LS engine swap- The biggest downside to this is the upfront time/effort. It would take me 2-3 years of weekend wrenching to get this car to the same drivability (engine, suspension, fit & finish) as the E90.

So, the E90 is a great car that is ready to go, and the E30 is a great car that will require more time, but will also be more fun & unique. I’ve been going back & forth on this for months, so give me some input that I may not have thought of.

Thanks!

[AWSB328iM]

If your only goal is more power find another car. Does the E90 need maintenance, cosmetic restoration, etc?

[smass]

After owning an E90 for 10 years, I could never go back to an E30. I owned a couple of E30s in the 90s and liked them a a lot. But never as much as my E90s which are near perfect cars. But I live in FL and the E90 is at its best on perfect roads.

[Keebs64]

As a DD, the power was fine, but as a project/fun car, I think it would make sense to have more. Is 10-15% more enough to keep me happy?... that's my dilemma.

I've always kept up on maintenance, and I just refreshed the suspension (B12 kit & M3 front bits). Cosmetically, the car is in great shape inside & out (it even has a LCI front end swap after a minor accident).

Originally Posted by AWSB328iM

If your only goal is more power find another car. Does the E90 need maintenance, cosmetic restoration, etc?

[delmarco]

The advice I can give having owned an E36 and E46 and my E90
(also playing around with and modding out my neighbor's cherry red E30)

E30 would be project/fun cars that will NEVER age or bore you.



E90 are to me daily driver disposable cars DESTINED to be riced out by your neighbors tweens or for the trash compactor in no time at all.

Granted if you are looking for buggati veyron speed mods to wake your neighbors and impress your high school buddies with no concern of engine longevity or stability the go the E90 route!

But if you want a timeless piece of art that you can actually keep and watch the value balloon over time then get an E30 and work on it.

This is me explaining why the BMW E90, with it's outrageously costly maintenance fees and poor design intelligence is the first true-disposable 3 series since the beginning of the 3 series!

[Keebs64]

New York roads are horrible in the winter (That's the reason I finally dropped it as a DD. It would have been destroyed by this past winter).

I like a well built E30 just as much as I like my E90... That's why I cant decide!

Originally Posted by smassey321

After owning an E90 for 10 years, I could never go back to an E30. I owned a couple of E30s in the 90s and liked them a a lot. But never as much as my E90s which are near perfect cars. But I live in FL and the E90 is at its best on perfect roads.

[rick100]

Originally Posted by Keebs64

I have an existing 2006 330i 6MT that used to be my DD (100k miles). I recently took it off the road for the winter, and bought a new DD. So, my plan is to have a project/fun car for the fair-weather months.

The two options I'm considering are:

1: Keep the E90 for my project car- The biggest downside to this is the engine. With every mod that is proven for this engine, I can only squeeze about 250whp out of it. The other big downside is the computer… I’m not into coding/programming, and it seems like every time I want to work on any part of this car, the computer gets in the way.

2: Sell the E90, buy an E30, and plan an LS engine swap- The biggest downside to this is the upfront time/effort. It would take me 2-3 years of weekend wrenching to get this car to the same drivability (engine, suspension, fit & finish) as the E90.

So, the E90 is a great car that is ready to go, and the E30 is a great car that will require more time, but will also be more fun & unique. I’ve been going back & forth on this for months, so give me some input that I may not have thought of.

Thanks!

you are a bit wrong on point 1, 250 whp is basic bolts on , however there is still the supercharger option on top of the bolts on which should easily bring you above 300 whp , then we are talking about a whole different car. Also all those mods can be accomplish by you , which would save you a lot of money

I m also assuming you will be upgrading suspension , and doing a lot of weight reduction

[CTinline-six]

Neither.

Sell the E90 330i and buy an E90 335i. Best of both worlds since you will have the power/project you want but it won't take 2-3 years to be drive-able.

[Keebs64]

I agree with everything you said, and when I see the nice E30, it catches my eye every time. E90's are a dime-a-dozen, and E30's are a BMW classic.

Any E30 would be A LOT more work (engine swap, suspension, repaint, interior restoration...). So, besides the potential engine power, I guess my decision really comes down to instant driving gratification vs. 2-3 years of work for a classic/unique head-turner...

Originally Posted by delmarco

The advice I can give having owned an E36 and E46 and my E90
(also playing around with and modding out my neighbor's cherry red E30)

E30 would be project/fun cars that will NEVER age or bore you.

E90 are to me daily driver disposable cars DESTINED to be riced out by your neighbors tweens or for the trash compactor in no time at all.

Granted if you are looking for buggati veyron speed mods to wake your neighbors and impress your high school buddies with no concern of engine longevity or stability the go the E90 route!

But if you want a timeless piece of art that you can actually keep and watch the value balloon over time then get an E30 and work on it.

This is me explaining why the BMW E90, with it's outrageously costly maintenance fees and poor design intelligence is the first true-disposable 3 series since the beginning of the 3 series!

[Keebs64]

I've been following the supercharger development since it was announced, and then again when BPC worked their tuning magic on it. I'm still not sold on it, due to price & reliability/support.

I was always hopeful for the potential, but I can't justify spending the equivalent value of the vehicle just to get an another 50-75hp.

Originally Posted by rick100

you are a bit wrong on point 1, 250 whp is basic bolts on , however there is still the supercharger option on top of the bolts on which should easily bring you above 300 whp , then we are talking about a whole different car. Also all those mods can be accomplish by you , which would save you a lot of money

I m also assuming you will be upgrading suspension , and doing a lot of weight reduction

[4 Doors]

As said above,

Either E30 or sell your 330i and buy an E90 335i! Big difference and immediate gratification for driving now! Also, simple mods for more!

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by Keebs64

...
2: Sell the E90, buy an E30, and plan an LS engine swap- The biggest downside to this is the upfront time/effort. It would take me 2-3 years of weekend wrenching to get this car to the same drivability (engine, suspension, fit & finish) as the E90.

E30's are currently gaining value. But only cherry/restored/original condition ones. An LS swap into one will torpedo the value.

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by delmarco

E90 are to me daily driver disposable cars DESTINED to be riced out by your neighbors tweens or for the trash compactor in no time at all.

You mean, precisely what the e30 is right this moment??

OP - Option C: Buy an e30 and S50/52 swap it. 400hp has been known to be too much power for the e30 chassis. The short wheel base and dated rear semi trailing arms have been notorious weak points on the e30 when going above the 250whp mark.

Or... Option D: As others have said, trade to a 335. Power + updated chassis = win/win.

[BravoJohny33]

e30.. its not full of crap that will break and easy to work on.

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by BravoJohny33

e30.. its not full of crap that will break and easy to work on.

Yes but no. You're dealing with 30 year old rubber hoses/bushings, cracked wiring and RUST (stay away from midwest e30's!). Good news is that you can always do a restoration. This is all it takes...

http://mybuildgarage.com/2015/01/ama...e-of-the-best/

[Keebs64]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

E30's are currently gaining value. But only cherry/restored/original condition ones. An LS swap into one will torpedo the value.

Value/resale isn't a factor for me. This is something I'm doing for fun, definitely not an investment.

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

OP - Option C: Buy an e30 and S50/52 swap it. 400hp has been known to be too much power for the e30 chassis. The short wheel base and dated rear semi trailing arms have been notorious weak points on the e30 when going above the 250whp mark.

I've looked into this. Most of the weak points can be reinforced/upgraded. I just love the LS platform for it's value, power, & support.

Originally Posted by BravoJohny33

e30.. its not full of crap that will break and easy to work on.

Big positive in my opinion. Back to the electronic/computer/coding issues... It seems like everything in the E90 is wired/integrated & doesn't make mods easy unless you're a BMW A-Tech.

[jeddo45]

Originally Posted by smassey321

After owning an E90 for 10 years, I could never go back to an E30. I owned a couple of E30s in the 90s and liked them a a lot. But never as much as my E90s which are near perfect cars. But I live in FL and the E90 is at its best on perfect roads.

I agree with this. Going from the E90 to the E30 is a definite step back. Maybe an E46 but definitely not an E30.

OP, I think getting a 335i is going to be your best bet. No engine swap necessary, you won't have to deal with the computer. It sounds like you would be happy with the stock turbos and basic FBO mods because those will get you close to the 400WHP mark.

It will make for a fun car with the option to further upgrade it if you want because of the amazing engine block.

Or, you could always bite the bullet and find a clean E46 or E9x M3.

[mike@x-ph.com]

I have always wanted an E30 project car, but i would not pick it over the E90

[smallseafishie]

LS swap the e90.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...e90-build.html

[galahad05]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

E30's are currently gaining value. But only cherry/restored/original condition ones. An LS swap into one will torpedo the value.

Exactly this. Modded cars rarely increase resale value. In fact, they dramatically do the opposite. Maybe if you're modding your car and your last name is Petty or Hamilton.....

[Eddien123]

Keep the e90 and do weight reduction on it and maybe consider a SC in the future. E30s are cool but E90s are a lot more modern and look much better

[Socket]

+1 to E90