Turbo BMW 330xi advice?

[GuchiGuh]

The current Roundel (May 2005) has an exciting article about the latest xDrive vehicles, the X3, X5, and the 530xi wagon (this one's got me wondering if I'm reading about an eventual replacement for our 4-WD MBZ wagon). ...

Yep, I read great stuff about the new AWD tech from BMW, too!
and Yep, you won't be able to do corners like an M3 can. However M3 won't be able to do what you can do when it snows or even when its wet?

Plus the 330Xi you were looking at on ebay looks fine in condition. Except...the...wood...inlays!! Rip 'em out, brushed aluminium instead please!

[Kooldino]

Who's the somewhat blurry cutie in the avatar under YOUR nick in the other forum eh, EH?

No comment.

I know nothing about BMW's, but the model your looking into is nice. What year is it?

I think that one in particular was an 02.

[Kooldino]

You can easily get a lot more performance out of a 330. The issue is - do you really WANT to?

Of course.

I mean, an M3 is nice and all - but it's a sports car. It's high strung and breaks down a lot.

You think? They really don't rev very high, so I wouldn't call them high strung, if that's what you mean. And I've never known them to be unreliable...only the one year that they had the E36 with the plastic water pump impellars were there known issues.

The 330 is more than enough car for most, especially after a few performance mods. Beef up the suspension a bit, tweak the computer, better intake and exhaust...

Meh. 225hp + intake & exhaust = not nearly enough power. I currently have a 2700lb car with 330hp now. There's no way I'd go and get a 3500lb car with 100hp less.

heck, you could get an M3 body kit and make it LOOK like an M3, but that's pretty lame IMHO.

Bite > Bark. Performance before looks.

[Kooldino]

Why do you want all wheel drive? (So you can do inverse donuts?)

Because I have issues with both rear and front drive on street cars.

I think its a great idea, but I am sorry for all your money. Looks like its going to cost you half a neck and house!

haha, If you only knew how much I have wrapped up in my Mazda.

Anyway man, I'd like to be updated if you go ahead with this project!

You know I will. But if I decide on it, it won't be for some time.

[GuchiGuh]

faster!! faster!!! join the Gumball rally!!

[xortam]

Ok. I'm open to correction, when appropriate.

I'm still reeling from this concession. I don't know how to respond. This may be one for the MURCy quotes.

[xortam]

... They really don't rev very high, so I wouldn't call them high strung, if that's what you mean. And I've never known them to be unreliable...only the one year that they had the E36 with the plastic water pump impellars were there known issues. ...

Where does it begin to be high-revving? It's certainly higher than a non-M and one of the first thing tweakers do is remove the rev limiter (part of DME mods, e.g. Sharked). The plastic water pump in the early days definitely bit people. This is the first thing people replace when buying a used old E36. There have been problems with people removing the rev limiter on the E36 M3 and missing the 3-4 shift and therefore over-revving the engine in 2nd. Ouch! The E46 M3 owners have had quite a bit of problems with blown engines without mods. I hear the resale value on these models really plummet after warranty. I got my E36 M3 at the end of the model run so that especially contributes to it's reliability as they've worked out the kinks by then. I plan on having this car for a long time ... though the new model M3 looks to be really nice.

... Bite > Bark. Performance before looks.

I kind of like stealth performance (though my M3 certainly isn't stealth). Easier on the speeding tickets.

[cjolley]

Here is a time saver for you.
And it would save you from any problems the 6s have too


[edit]
oops. RWD only
Oh well.....
[/edit]

[xortam]

... I currently have a 2700lb car with 330hp now. There's no way I'd go and get a 3500lb car with 100hp less. ...

Which reminds me of all these folks telling me about some "hot" car that has such-and-such HP. You then ask them about the torque figures or how much the car weighs and all you get is a blank stare. Of course than I have to enquire about its handling and braking and all they got to go back on is "it looks great" and "it's got such-and-such HP".

[GuchiGuh]

sweeeeettttt M3 with M5 engine!!!