Tunability - United Bimmer Community

**Izdatpaliboi** · 05-25-2005, 02:40 PM

Hey guys, Im looking for a new car for me and I've viewed a few. I have my eye on some here and there and I've also had my eye on the e46 323 and 328 sedans. I'm a bit curious about these bavarian beauties and I'm wondering if you guys could answer a few questions. Do they usually give any problems or is it just the schedule timing belt // waterpump. Also, the error with the vanos is that only on the 328 or the 323 as well because that kinda scared me a bit. What is the tunabilty on these thing performance wise. Can there be more done than the intake//exhaust upgrades. Also can there be parts pulled from the m3 area and put onto the sedans. I hope with these answers I can make my decision between the bimmer's or the nissan 240sx (s14) k's. Thank you

-Out

**Izdatpaliboi** · 06-12-2005, 04:59 AM

*Bump* ?

**Spieluhr** · 06-12-2005, 05:27 AM

hey man, I'm really glad you chose to check out some bimmers!

as for some of your e46 questions, I can't help you very much, I am mainly an e36 kinda guy. As for tunability however, from what I have heard, the e46 is considerably more expensive than the e36. But I can't say that for sure as I have never taken the time to research. If I were you I would get the 328, or if you really wanna be badass get the 330. Anyway, take your time, research the topics, and I hope you choose the BMW. I can promise you that it will last you a LONG time with enough TLC.

**Izdatpaliboi** · 06-12-2005, 05:43 AM

Yeah an e36 4 door m3 would be nice

, but they are extremely hard to find. Right now Im on vacation and I was checking autotrader and I saw a 2003 BMW 325i, with 53k miles, 4 door, stick, for $11,500. I tried to reach home but nobody was there when I called. It sold in one day. Ill keep looking, although I may get an e36 32- something as well, they are nice also. Do some of the e36 m3 parts fit on the regular 3 series? Thanx for the help

Thanx.

**Antiburn** · 06-12-2005, 06:17 PM

Well for E46 to get more power expect to pay some $ out beucase BMW pretty much gets as much as they can out of the engine w/o using forced induction. Exausts are easy, same with intakes. Body kits and rims are also a common thing to do on E46's. If your looking for some more power but for around the same price, check out some used E34 M3's. You can find them all over the place for $10-20k.

Also just a FYI E46 engiens dont have timming belts, they have chains. Water pumps are cake to do on these, same with thermostat. I wouldnt worry about the Vanos. I rarely see them being replaced at work, and dont let the vanos be the deciding factor on buying this car.

Please dont get the 240, my friend got one and its slow as hell. If its in the same price defentaly go for the E46.

**doughboyea** · 08-05-2005, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antiburn

I wouldnt worry about the Vanos. I rarely see them being replaced at work, and dont let the vanos be the deciding factor on buying this car.
.

I would worry. A vanos fuck up can cost you alot. I got lucky. My dealer was the cheapest that I've found.... read below. The other links are other money issues that I had to deal with. Mind you that I'm a college student on a highly limited income. $200 is my gross weekly income at this point. So I consider all of these large payouts.

Double Vanos

Electrical Problem?

Inspection 2 Service

Front Brake Job

Hope it gives you a better understanding of the monies involved with a 1999 BMW 328i, not that it's a bad car

.

Dough

**doughboyea** · 08-05-2005, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antiburn

I wouldnt worry about the Vanos. I rarely see them being replaced at work, and dont let the vanos be the deciding factor on buying this car.
.

I would worry. A vanos fuck up can cost you alot. I got lucky. My dealer was the cheapest that I've found.... read below. The other links are other money issues that I had to deal with. Mind you that I'm a college student on a highly limited income. $200 is my gross weekly income at this point. So I consider all of these large payouts.

Double Vanos

Electrical Problem?

Inspection 2 Service

Front Brake Job

Tires

Hope it gives you a better understanding of the monies involved with a 1999 BMW 328i, not that it's a bad car

.

For tunability, your not going to get much out of any E46 unless your going forced induction. Stock figures are 193hp and 206lbft in the E46 328i. The largest advertised claims are from Powerchips. They claim they'll add 11hp I think without an intake. Pricy though at $500 a pop. Then you can add an intake, tack on another $300++, exhuast, and money money money. In the end, you would've spent an addition $2000 for a lousy 20hp (+/-) at best. If you want a car that you can really tune, best bet is factory forced induction. Ex. Audi S4, 250hp bi turbo V6, one chip, now at 310hp, or even a VW Beetle (girlfriends car), 150hp stock, one chip, at 199hp.

For a bimmer, suspension, (flywheel if you have a manual) and appearence are the really only things you can do without going F/I.

Now of course, I could be wrong. I'm no expert.

Dough