Whats better to SC, e46 328 or e36 328

[ding]

Hello I’m am planning to start a SC project on a 3 series that I will be purchasing in the spring. I have found that best bang for the buck is a e36 328, but have been debating the e46 328. What are the pros and cons between the two, I know the intake manifold and vanos is different, I would do the swap to the m50 on the e36, is that on par with the m54. The dyno numbers seem to be better on the e36 c38, why is that. Bottom line is the e46 328i worth the extra 2k, for a daily driven SC beast.

[ding]

someone has to have some input.

[BMWManiac]

I think it depends on what you like to be honest. I, personally, prefer the E36, but I do like the styling of the E46 coupe.

Either is going to make similar power so go with what style you like best

[silence]

why buy a car with this intension?

it seems it would make a lot more sense to buy a more powerful car

I could understand if you already owned the car and wanted more

[Remonster]

Because tuning cars if you're into it can be a really cool experience and rewarding in ways other than just the resulting performance. If it's what he wants to do then it's what he wants to do...

Personally I love E36s (the only BMW I like more is the E34 M5) all I have is a 318is but even still it's a riot it's just so much fun to toss it around. I like the styling of the facelifted E46 coupe (with the LED tail lights) but other than that one I'd take an E36 every time.

[GG///M3]

e36 FTW

[ding]

why buy a car with this intension?


I've owned a few e36s, I have yet to find a car that matches its driving feel, and for the price of a 328 and AA supercharger, what am I going to get thats faster other than a stang.

[silence]

it's not that i'm not into tuning cars... or don't get it. I spend every minute i'm not working or with my girlfriend researching or working on my two fi cars or other automotive projects.

why not spend a little bit extra on the front end though and go fi when you can afford it with a faster vehicle?

i don't understand modding a lesser version of a model when the better versions is widely available at a fair cost...

what i'm saying is- e36 m3 just isn't that costly relative to 328 and would make a much better base.

[silence]

I've owned a few e36s, I have yet to find a car that matches its driving feel, and for the price of a 328 and AA supercharger, what am I going to get thats faster other than a stang.


the point is why 328 over m3?

you could also have my Mercedes... if you could find the parts just as an fyi (but not with a stick... which sucks)

there are many japanese products that will go faster for less money, albeit with less glamour as well. My winter beater will more than keep up with performance for the dollar (particularly when you start modding it). If you don't like subaru how about going fi with a rsx or si?

[ding]

well if I could get a decent m3 for 2k more than a decent 328 that is what I will do, other nice thing about the 328 is it has cheaper insurance, I'm not rulling out m3s, I would love to get a nice 4 door and make a real sleeper

[silence]

I think in the end the extra money you spend initially will be well worth it.

if you actually go fi any m3 will be a sleeper in my book- most people with newer cars def. assume they are faster than any e36 era car

[silence]

i was responding to the post- He asked what cars other than a mustang can go faster for cheaper. I obviously would prefer a rwd car as would any sane person!

as far as the wrx goes- I have $2400 into my bugeye engine performance wise and it lays down 322 awhp from a stock baseline of about 170 and it is LIGHT. Mind you this is in a car i picked up with tasteful exterior and suspension modifications, in excellent condition for under $10,000 with 80k miles on it. The $2400 included a pro-tune and it's not going to blow up either, ever.

where are you going that your seeing high dollar subaru set-ups blowing up?

Your lying if you'd rather have a 328 than an M3 even if the 328 is "as fast"- that's ridiculous. Like i stated before even the M3 has enough of the "sleeper" to it in this day and age. Just about everything is better about the M3. Even if a 328 were made faster it will still take thousands more in modifications to upgrade the rest of the car to the same level.

[camshaft]

The M3 and 328i are more than just an engine apart.

[ReiheSechs]

For a DD, I'd go for the e46...

[silence]

The M3 and 328i are more than just an engine apart.


i should have just said that

[hot wheels]

The M3 and 328i are more than just an engine apart.

+1