Help Me Decide!

[FalconBMW]

First of all, let me give you a little bit of background on myself. I'm 16, and I really love cars. I have an automatic '89 525i that I'm fixing up, and I've done nearly all of the work on it myself ( see thread (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=880472)).

While I really love my car, I'm trying to decide my goal in terms of my car for the next couple years. I'm looking to make a lot more power than the stock 170HP my M20 is putting out (:(). I'll be getting a job soon, and hopefully I can make my dreams come true. I'm having a hard time choosing what platform to go with though. Whatever car I choose (only BMW though, of course :D), I'd really like to go with some form of FI.

So, here are some of the things I'm considering.

1) Keep my '89 525i and turbo it with a TCD kit

2) Buy a newer E34, preferably a manual M30, and turbo it with a TCD kit

3) Buy an E36 (non M3) and turbo/super it

4) Buy an E36 M3, go N/A

5) Buy an E36 M3 and go FI (very expensive?)

6) Other?

Thanks for the input!

[AwesomeIsLuke]

If you're considering F/I, you'll want a manual. The older auto transmissions tend fail pretty quickly when subjected to the increase in power.

That said, I'd go with 3, drop a s/c in there.

[gregmm6]

This is the type of decision that you need to make for yourself.

[FalconBMW]

If you're considering F/I, you'll want a manual. The older auto transmissions tend fail pretty quickly when subjected to the increase in power.

That said, I'd go with 3, drop a s/c in there.
I talked to Todd from TCD, and he told me that the transmission in my car (ZF, not a Getrag) will hold up to the increase in power. I agree that manual would be better though, and I would probably do a trans swap if I kept this car.


This is the type of decision that you need to make for yourself.
I agree, but I'm just looking for a little bit of input from other people to help me along. The final decision will of course still be up to me.

[Codeman]

I'd go with 1 or 3 depending on how much room you want. Plus your car is probably already paid off.

[MIMI1]

5 no bias

[GottagetaE36]

maybe idk shit caz im a noob but option 5 is what id be doing

[AwesomeIsLuke]

Just another thing, if you're going to go with 5, I'd wait a few more months. The value of the E36's (including the M3s) will be dropping.

[FalconBMW]

Just another thing, if you're going to go with 5, I'd wait a few more months. The value of the E36's (including the M3s) will be dropping.
Yeah, it will be a while before I do any of this, but I just wanted to decide early so I don't make the mistake of putting too much money into a car that I won't be keeping. Plus, I'll be working my ass off this summer to raise the money. :D

[MIMI1]

If you have the money of course and things are paid off do whichever you can afford.... you dont want an m3 with a car payment believe me:(

[edisapimp]

I didn't read your thread where you fix your car so I don't know the extent of your experience, but if you have enough technical knowledge to build up the periphery of an engine, I would go with option #3 - instead of placing yourself into a large one-time investment like an m3, that is going to inevitably end up costing you more and more as you go. Pick up an e36, maybe one with some engine difficulty or blown motor, and prep the motor (or a new motor) out of car for FI. Do your research, pick your parts carefully, use the forums and the experience of others to help you take the correct path once you make the initial decision. When you have the finished product, I would guess that you'd have 1.) Saved money buying a plain jane e36 versus an e36 m3, and 2.) Have created a setup that could rival anything you may or may not have done with both an n/a m3 or an FI m3.

[FalconBMW]

I didn't read your thread where you fix your car so I don't know the extent of your experience, but if you have enough technical knowledge to build up the periphery of an engine, I would go with option #3 - instead of placing yourself into a large one-time investment like an m3, that is going to inevitably end up costing you more and more as you go. Pick up an e36, maybe one with some engine difficulty or blown motor, and prep the motor (or a new motor) out of car for FI. Do your research, pick your parts carefully, use the forums and the experience of others to help you take the correct path once you make the initial decision. When you have the finished product, I would guess that you'd have 1.) Saved money buying a plain jane e36 versus an e36 m3, and 2.) Have created a setup that could rival anything you may or may not have done with both an n/a m3 or an FI m3.
Never thought about it that way, thanks!

[AwesomeIsLuke]

If you have the money of course and things are paid off do whichever you can afford.... you dont want an m3 with a car payment believe me:(

Try having an E38 and not having it paid off :eek:

[Eurospec328]

E36 M3 S/c!

[FalconBMW]

So, I'm down to either an E36 M3 and eventually turbocharging it (after I get enough money for the kit, or build my own), or an E34 540 with an ESS supercharger system. They would both be making about the same HP (~410-450). I really like the E36 styling though. Hoping to find a manual black on black E36 M3 for a good price.

[shawnyknoxville]

go for an e46

[FalconBMW]

go for an e46
I'm in highschool and I'm also trying not to go in to debt. :shifty