Help me modify my car...

[CassiesMan]

Alright everyone, I just got a new job, that pays pretty well (bout 250-300 before taxes a week), and I've decided to put a little but more cash into my car. The AA Supercharger or APT Turbo are still out of the question till mid next year, but some minor enhancements are possibly comming this summer. I'm also planning on getting a UD pulley set by the end of the year. However, I'm thinking more current, and I'm going to ask ya'll for your opinions.

Idea one is to redo my intake (ditch the Carbonio and get a Dinan Intake) and Software. This will be staged, however, seeing as the Dinan intake costs $500, so I'd probably get the software first, then get the intake and up the software (which my Dinan place does for free). Only problem for this is the over all cost (its gonna be about a grand when all is said and done).

Idea two is an exhaust. However, unless I get the RE IKON Exhuast, I doubt it would be a brand name, and would just be some wider pipes (2.25) comming from the cat, running through a muffler of sorts. Only problem I can see with this is, unless I get the RE IKON (which I've already heard on a car, another E46 325i with steptronic), if I don't like the sound, I'm just SOL. I would like to know your opinion that if I go with this, and I get the "custom" exhaust...should I go with regular tips or some DTM style tips. I know the first goal of the exhaust is performance, but I think the overall look is important as well.

The final idea is to get a set of lowering springs and a sway bar, the springs from BavAuto and the sway bar from Dinan. I think lowering the car just a touch would look good, but at the same time, I dont really track race or go to driving schools, so I'm not sure if I would really reap the cost benifits of this. However, the bonus is that, it will be substantially cheaper to do this than the other two ideas. But, I would also like another set of wheels, becuase IMHO, the only cars I've see that look good lowered with stock wheels are Audis. I like my wheels, but I would also like a new set.

So, drop your opinion in the poll, and tell me what ya'll think.

[clawhammer]

Wait for FI.

[CivRacer95]

I say splurge it all after every paycheck and buy everything week after week. Screw everything else. Insurance? Don't need it. Car payments? fogetaboutit. Food? Cereal for life. That's my advice for you. Take it or leave it...

[-The Stig-]

Get the ///M3... go big or go home.

[CivRacer95]

Forget it all, just go home Cassie

[Right_LiRrr]

Originally Posted by RedNeck383

Get the ///M3... go big or go home.

Hahahaha, word.

[Zgringo]

I think you should forget moding your car, save your money, and I have just the ticket for you and it's only $50,000 turnkey.
Like RedNeck383 says,"go big or go home".

[chevytrucks92]

That's a pretty sweet looking Cutlass. I always did think those cars made pretty racecars.

And Cassie, get the one that will give ya the most ponies for your dollar--duh! LOL.

[mason_RsX]

How rich you you think he is? Sorry redneck, he doesn't make Moderator salaries!! cause I know AF gives you mods a free 3KGT VR4 and a $300,000 salary

And I think you should get the software first, then work on the intake later cause its a lil steep and I assume you engine breathes pretty well as it is

[CassiesMan]

Regarding the issue of FI or getting an ///M3-Either are big possibilities...in a year. Right now, going with FI or just getting the ///M, even a used E36, is flat out not going to happen. What I'm waiting for is the 01ish-02ish E46s to get enough used ones out to brign down the price, becuase even if I save up, right now, between insurance and car payments, there is no way I could spend 600 a month on a car. Also, the 325i is still on the lease, and will be till next year, so for the sake of peace of mind, if I decide to keep it after the year is up, then I'll start looking into FI.

Right now, I'm just looking for basic bolt ons that will jump up the performance a bit, and keep me happy till the year is up, and I can make the ///M3 or FI decision, based on the finacial situation at the time.

[BullDog71ss]

If you go with exhaust get something from UUC (their chambered mufflers sound awesome). Just look around on their site for the one you want. Might as well go with a UUC intake, instead of the uber expensive and oh so not worth it, Dinan intake. Hell, just get all your stuff from UUC, they kick ass and the price is right. I highly recommend the RK Shadow shift knob from them as well, my buddy just got his in and it's beautiful.

www.uucmotorwerks.com

[CassiesMan]

Appearently, we know two very different dealers. I went to a UUC/Dinan dealer near my place,and they said they will not sell me a UUC exhaust or anything else, as thier expierience is that the UUC build quality is far beyond subpar, the pieces never fit right, and they have a horrible customer service reputation. Also, I'm not gonna pay $1500 for a TSE3, when I can get an RE DMS, which is the exact same thing, for $600.

If I dont get a Dinan intake, I'm gonna get the AFE powerflow. I've herad one on a 330ci (non ZHP), and it sounded awesome, plus I've herad from more than one E46 owner that the motor really responds well to it. That, or I could get the near $1,000 GroupeM intake...

[BullDog71ss]

A dealer that deals UUC equipment refused to sell you UUC items they carry? Whats the point of being a UUC dealer then? Personaly, I have not experienced either of the two complaints your dealer has made about them, oh well.

And I didn't know you ment an actual intake, I figured you were talking about a cai. Why go with an intake? You will spend a grand and get 15-20 hp at most. Very cost ineffective if you ask me. If you're going that route, do a set of cams and be done with it. Larger valves wouldn't hurt either. But cams would cost less than an intake and give way better gains, and hell, since you're going with some sort of an FI setup later just get a set that's a good grind for a blower while you're at it. That way you'll have some power gains right now, and have cams that'll work great with your blower/turbo.

Not trying to shut you down here buddy, only trying to help out a bit. Just my oppinion, take it or leave it

[CassiesMan]

They used to sell UUC, and they will sell you UUC parts if you want them, however, they make you sign a contract before hand saying that, if you dont like the part, we warned you, and you cant blame us. Also, I was joking about the GrouppeM intake. I currently have a Carbonio CAI, but it doesnt fit right, and a guy around here just hydrolocked, and he said, that becuase he had a Dinan CAI, that Dinan replaced the engine. I know a coupla E46 ///M3 owners that swear up and down by the GrouppeM intake, saying it'll get you into low 12s/high 11's with nothing else and that it sounds great (which it indeed does), but I think they are trying to justify buying an intake for a grand. I've herad about the complaints that Dinan is overpriced, and not really worth it, but at the same time, all the parts are designed to work together. I'm about to head down to the BMW place where I got my car, and is certified to sell Dinan, and see how much just the software is gonna cost. They said that, when I get the Dinan CAI, they'll jump me up to the stage 2 software for free, but we'll see about that.

[BullDog71ss]

Don't get me wrong here. I do understand that Dinan is the premier tuner for BMW. Dinan for BMW is what Lingenfelter is for Corvette. Only I'd say more so. How much are they charging for the Dinan cai? Cause if you get software for free, then do it. But when you get your blower that software will most likely need to be wiped out to do a custom tuned software.

And as for the intake manifold, I'd hold off on that one untill after you get your blower setup, it's just not worth the 600+ for that at the moment. That money could be put towards a new set of wheels.

Also, if you're really thinking about doing an E46 M3 within a year or two, then why the heck are you bothering with ANYTHING more than a cai for this thing???