Speed / Power Mods

[JLBecerra5]

I know the E90 just came out here in the US, but anybody have any tips on how to start modding the car to make it faster? Not sure were to start, any tips will be appreciated, thanks

[res_ipsa]

I haven't really seen any power/speed mods out for the car yet but there are plenty in development. Dinan will for sure have a chip out for the car, along with other stuff. Bimmerworld is drawing up cams designs and will have software for the E90 and also working to crack valvetronic.

Also, I just saw the thread on the clutch delay valve (CDV) which if removed will give the clutch (if you have manual) a faster engagement and should give you a better launch.

Give it some time and we'll see all sorts of intakes, exhausts, chips, etc... can't wait!

[Gnosis]

Don't.... There will soon be a 335i and then a new M3. Save your money and buy one of those if you want more power. Nothing will be more cost effective in the long run.

[res_ipsa]

Don't.... There will soon be a 335i and then a new M3. Save your money and buy one of those if you want more power. Nothing will be more cost effective in the long run.

"in the long run" is the key word here. Some of us just don't wanna wait (or can't afford) until the rumored 335i or M3. I personally just want a little more grunt to my 325 so I'll be looking for mods. :thumbsup: Plus it's fun as hell to mod up your car a little bit... a bit of personalization which gives you better performance.

[CC 330i]

"in the long run" is the key word here. Some of us just don't wanna wait (or can't afford) until the rumored 335i or M3. I personally just want a little more grunt to my 325 so I'll be looking for mods. :thumbsup: Plus it's fun as hell to mod up your car a little bit... a bit of personalization which gives you better performance.

I agree with Gnosis. What I think Gnosis means is that if you wanted more power on your 325i, a safer, more cost-effective way to get it would have been to buy a 330i. If you got a 330i and want to mod out for more power, you should have waited until the 335i.

Aftermarket "upgrades" usually end up costing more for the same hp output as buying the extra power from the factory. Plus, a modified car will likely compromise the warranty. All that being said, I still want to do a few mods to my car. (Exhaust, CDV, suspension, maybe a chip). Probably the thing I want most is adjustable shocks. The 330i Sport suspension is great, but if you could control damping a little better, it would really make it sweet!

My posts discouraging engine mods always seem to get deleted from other message boards, probably becuase they are supported by aftermarket tuners, and I can understand that, but it makes me MAD! :mad:

I think modifications are cool, if done right. Mostly, I think that mods should be done to help differentiate your car, and make it unique. If you have the money and courage to tear open your engine and mod it, then you have my respect.

[Gnosis]

"in the long run" is the key word here. Some of us just don't wanna wait (or can't afford) until the rumored 335i or M3. I personally just want a little more grunt to my 325 so I'll be looking for mods. Plus it's fun as hell to mod up your car a little bit... a bit of personalization which gives you better performance.

*Sigh* :BS:

And why didn't you just just buy a 330i then? You'll never get back the money you spend upgrading your 325i. But if you trade it for a 330i you can sell it at a 330i price later.

And then you'll be able to afford buying your next car the same way - with a stronger engine - since you didn't spend $4000 modding your current car.

Don't get me wrong - I like modded cars but I really wouldn't recommend anyone else to upgrade the engines of their 325i or 330i. If you have a M3 and do it - then it's a different story. Because then you already have the top model in the series.

But If you're in the position where you start engine modding your brand new E90 then you really have picked the wrong car. You should have bought a second hand RS4 or something like that instead.

[res_ipsa]

Good points fellas. I'm not planning on doing much engine mods. Like I said I just want a little more grunt so so hopefully a chip and intake or exhaust will give me that. I didn't get a 330i cuz i couldn't afford it at the time, but eventually I'll be making more money in my job and will be able to spend some money on a few mods. Plus I never said I was gonna spend $4k modding my car. :) And just cuz you don't agree with what you originally thought my post was saying doesn't make it "B.S." ;) It's all cool tho.

[CC 330i]

Good points fellas. I'm not planning on doing much engine mods. Like I said I just want a little more grunt so so hopefully a chip and intake or exhaust will give me that. I didn't get a 330i cuz i couldn't afford it at the time, but eventually I'll be making more money in my job and will be able to spend some money on a few mods. Plus I never said I was gonna spend $4k modding my car. :) And just cuz you don't agree with what you originally thought my post was saying doesn't make it "B.S." ;)

For the record, I didn't think your post was B.S. :respect:

[brewer]

I know the E90 just came out here in the US, but anybody have any tips on how to start modding the car to make it faster? Not sure were to start, any tips will be appreciated, thanks

Suspension mods might not give you "power" but it might make you faster in that it gives you even higher handling limits and reduces wheel gap which makes the car look better. There's already plenty of aftermarket suspension options avaialble. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=613

[Gnosis]

Ok - sorry. The :BS: maybe was a bit over the top.

But I just think it's so sad that many people get trapped in this "evil downward spiral". They don't have the money to buy the better model because they didn't have the money to buy the better model of their previous car. And then they thought they had to upgrade it - money the'll never get back. And so it continues...

[brewer]

I'm really hoping that a chip and intake/exhaust can squeeze some power from the car. I did a search and came across this chip from Upsolute for a 630 and they seem to have gotten a few more ponies from the car

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=377&highlight=chip

[CC 330i]

While we are on the subject, one often overlooked thing that will make your car faster is high performance driving school. That is probably the best bang for your buck in terms of enjoying your car and being able to drive faster more safely. My friend reminded me of this lately.

I know none of us like to admit it, but the weak link for most of us when it comes to "performance" is us!

[vivid]

Don't.... There will soon be a 335i and then a new M3. Save your money and buy one of those if you want more power. Nothing will be more cost effective in the long run.


Even better, when are the mods coming for the M3? :bonk:

[HRC]

Anybody know the price range for the Dinan Chips?

Danny

[Gnosis]

While we are on the subject, one often overlooked thing that will make your car faster is high performance driving school. That is probably the best bang for your buck in terms of enjoying your car and being able to drive faster more safely. My friend reminded me of this lately.

I know none of us like to admit it, but the weak link for most of us when it comes to "performance" is us!

Amen! :clap:

[Femme]

BHP Motorsport in Germany is also offering chip tuning for all current E90 models:

320i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1761) (150 -> 168hp)
325i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1762) (218 -> 244hp)
330i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1763) (258 -> 290hp)
320d (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1764) (160 -> 199hp)

[quackman]

BHP Motorsport in Germany is also offering chip tuning for all current E90 models:

320i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1761) (150 -> 168hp)
325i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1762) (218 -> 255hp)
330i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1763) (258 -> 290hp)
320d (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1764) (160 -> 199hp)
Those hp claims seem a little excessive, no?

[RichReg]

BHP Motorsport in Germany is also offering chip tuning for all current E90 models:

320i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1761) (150 -> 168hp)
325i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1762) (218 -> 255hp)
330i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1763) (258 -> 290hp)
320d (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1764) (160 -> 199hp)

Actually it brings up the 325 to 244 hp, not 255, but regardless, I guess I was wrong. It doesn't seem to be too difficult to get more hp out of either engine.

But I don't get it.....were these types of gains possible with the E46 in the U.S.? At least with Dinan I remember that the E46 330 barely got anything, maybe 10 hp, and with a LOT of mods.

Is European tuning drastically different from U.S. tuning? Or do the European version engines just lend themselves much more easily to updating? :confused2

[HRC]

If there is a difference, it could be related to smog issues. Here in the states, it's very restrictive. I remember when I was tuning Hondas, the JDM versions always had more power than the USDM ones.

Danny

[djfreex]

or wait for the new M3 :) jk

[Socom]

While we are on the subject, one often overlooked thing that will make your car faster is high performance driving school. That is probably the best bang for your buck in terms of enjoying your car and being able to drive faster more safely. My friend reminded me of this lately.

I know none of us like to admit it, but the weak link for most of us when it comes to "performance" is us!

So true...just spent last saturday @ BMW's 1 Day school and it was great.

[hunter399]

BHP Motorsport in Germany is also offering chip tuning for all current E90 models:

320i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1761) (150 -> 168hp)
325i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1762) (218 -> 244hp)
330i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1763) (258 -> 290hp)
320d (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1764) (160 -> 199hp)

Is there a way to get this site in English?

I would love to order one for my 325...

[romeo26]

hmm...to tell you the truth if dinan gets things right i think they might/could make there own three stage intake manafold and chip for the 325 and youll still keep the warrenty(dinan warrenty is same as bmw)!!!

[skimo]

Doesn't the 325i have the same engine as the 330i (with few differences)? Maybe thats why the 325i has more room to grow through mods than the already "maxed out" 330i.

[Tierfreund]

BHP Motorsport in Germany is also offering chip tuning for all current E90 models:

320i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1761) (150 -> 168hp)
325i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1762) (218 -> 244hp)
330i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1763) (258 -> 290hp)
320d (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1764) (160 -> 199hp)

Those numbers are :BS: (There, finally proper use of that icon)

It´s impossible to get those gains with chip only out of N/A engines. On the turbo-diesel they´re possible, but they´ll seriously compromise longevity, emissions and consumption.

IT´s so damn easy to claim perfomance gains. But IRL they´re really difficult to achieve. The N52 engine is pretty strung out. Without changes to the hardware, there´s little to be gained from tinkering with it. The only version that might be "tunable" is the US 325.

[YYimports]

I agree those numbers seem much too optomistic! No chip for the e46 was ever to get those increases.

[RichReg]

I agree those numbers seem much too optomistic! No chip for the e46 was ever to get those increases.

That was my recollection......
which is why I remain clueless about all of this
"Hey, let's turn our 325s into 330s!" hoopla.

[CC 330i]

hmm...to tell you the truth if dinan gets things right i think they might/could make there own three stage intake manafold and chip for the 325 and youll still keep the warrenty(dinan warrenty is same as bmw)!!!

That's great, but BMW already developed a 3 stage manifold, and it's in the 330i. Plus with the 330i, you get a lot more standard equipment. I have to believe the 255 hp in the 330i would be more cost effective than 255 hp in a Dinan 325i.

I'll be honest and say that I love Dinan's stuff, and will probably get some of their stuff for my car, but if you couldn't afford a 330i, you wont be able to afford a Dinan 325i with 255 hp.

I bought a 330i, and I can't afford a Dinan 325i!

[blackE90]

sorry this is a lil off topic but I'm curious how much will the 335i cost and what kind of numbers will it be putting up. In my experience with bmw you have to pay to play, i.e. more hp more dinero

[HRC]

sorry this is a lil off topic but I'm curious how much will the 335i cost and what kind of numbers will it be putting up. In my experience with bmw you have to pay to play, i.e. more hp more dinero

You mean the Dinan 325i? We don't know yet b/c Dinan hasn't released any engine products yet. Cherck the website dinanbmw.com

Danny

[Athos]

While we are on the subject, one often overlooked thing that will make your car faster is high performance driving school. That is probably the best bang for your buck in terms of enjoying your car and being able to drive faster more safely. My friend reminded me of this lately.

I know none of us like to admit it, but the weak link for most of us when it comes to "performance" is us!

You know, this is really an excellent point that CC 330i makes. The truth is a really skilled driver in a 325 would outperform a pretty good driver in a pumped up 330. The best mod you can make is improving your skill level (bonus--it's transferrable) The passion for gear often outweighs the passion for driving.

[noflash]

That's great, but BMW already developed a 3 stage manifold, and it's in the 330i. Plus with the 330i, you get a lot more standard equipment. I have to believe the 255 hp in the 330i would be more cost effective than 255 hp in a Dinan 325i.

I'll be honest and say that I love Dinan's stuff, and will probably get some of their stuff for my car, but if you couldn't afford a 330i, you wont be able to afford a Dinan 325i with 255 hp.

I bought a 330i, and I can't afford a Dinan 325i!

I got a chip and CAI from Dinan installed for $1000 for my 328i. Air intake and engine management are the main performance differences b/t the 325i and 330i. It could be cheap. Even if it isn't cheap from Dinan, there are certainly comparable tuners who do similar mods for substantially less cost than Dinan's.

I am optimistic, but at this point it is all speculation.

[CC 330i]

I got a chip and CAI from Dinan installed for $1000 for my 328i. Air intake and engine management are the main performance differences b/t the 325i and 330i. It could be cheap. Even if it isn't cheap from Dinan, there are certainly comparable tuners who do similar mods for substantially less cost than Dinan's.

I am optimistic, but at this point it is all speculation.

You may get to 255 hp for less than $4-5000, but then you don't get bigger brakes, wheels, Xenons, etc.

One more time:

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE COST EFFECTIVE TO MAKE A 330i OUT OF A 325i

[Socom]

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE COST EFFECTIVE TO MAKE A 330i OUT OF A 325i


Soo true!! :bonk:

[RichReg]

You may get to 255 hp for less than $4-5000, but then you don't get bigger brakes, wheels, Xenons, etc.

One more time:

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE COST EFFECTIVE TO MAKE A 330i OUT OF A 325i

I still want to install a modified clutch-delay valve, though. :smoking:

[CC 330i]

I still want to install a modified clutch-delay valve, though. :smoking:

Me too. I think the CDV mod is a great idea.

And I think mods are cool, but I am just tired of the whole "make a 330i out of a 325i" debate. Sorry if I got too excited. :drink:

[ogrady]

I mostly agree with you guys, but think about the case where a 325 owner puts a supercharger (assuming a supercharger will be available) in the car for $4-5k and gets performance better than a 330. Sure he just spent more than he would have on a 330 but he gets better performance and he can sell the supercharger and recoup a lot of the cost of modding when he sells the car. I don't plan on doing much engine-wise to my car (have a 330) but just thought of that situation where it's not so cut and dry "it's not going to be cost effective to make a 330i out of a 325i. :D

[CC 330i]

I mostly agree with you guys, but think about the case where a 325 owner puts a supercharger (assuming a supercharger will be available) in the car for $4-5k and gets performance better than a 330. Sure he just spent more than he would have on a 330 but he gets better performance and he can sell the supercharger and recoup a lot of the cost of modding when he sells the car. I don't plan on doing much engine-wise to my car (have a 330) but just thought of that situation where it's not so cut and dry "it's not going to be cost effective to make a 330i out of a 325i. :D

So lets say that the 325 owner spends 6 grand making 270 hp out of his 325i. That means a 330i owner only has to spend 1 grand to match the 270 hp which is easily done. (15 hp can be made with an exhaust in some cases).

When you say you can sell the supercharger and recoup the cost, sorry, but I have to disagree. You will RARELY if ever recoup what you spend on a mod, and most likely you will also hurt the value of your 325. Most of the time the price paid for mods disappears at the time of the car sale. I had an opportunity to buy a used 2005 S4 with $4000 in downpipes and exhaust and labor for the same price as another 2005 S4 with the same number of miles. The guy was having a terrible time selling it because it had downpipes which can void the warranty of the engine. (yes, trust me when I say downpipes CAN void your engine warranty).

I would never even buy a heavily modded car. And I shudder to think what a used supercharger kit would bring on ebay.

Let me put it this way: In 4 years, would you spend $6,000 more for a used 325i with a supercharger (knowing it had been basically torn apart and then likely driven hard at every opportunity)? Or would you rather spend $3000-4000 more on a 330i with the same horsepower and CPO warranty?

[CC 330i]

While we are on the subject:

OK, I get where everyone is getting all these ideas of turning a 325i into a 330i. Since they have the same block, everyone thinks they will just have to bolt on a new top end and voila, they just "pulled one over on BMW". :rolleyes:

The reason I think we never heard this one before is that the 325 and 330i used to have different displacements. As if that is some barrier to horsepower or something! A WRX STI makes 300 horsepower with 2.0 liters. So it isn't about displacement, it's about tuning. It was always possible to make an E46 325 faster than a E46 330i, and it still is, but so what? Speed costs money. Now how fast do you want to go? (in other words, how much money do you have?).

While you are thinking about all this, think about reliability, drivability and longevity of the engine, and what the "costs" are there.

It's cheaper to buy the horsepower from the factory. It's cheaper to buy the horsepower from the factory. It's cheaper to buy the horsepower from the factory. It's cheaper to buy the horsepower from the factory. It's cheaper to buy the horsepower from the factory. It's cheaper to buy the horsepower from the factory. It's cheaper to buy the horsepower from the factory. It's cheaper to buy the horsepower from the factory. It's cheaper to buy the horsepower from the factory. It's cheaper to buy the horsepower from the factory. It's cheaper to buy the horsepower from the factory. It's cheaper to buy the horsepower from the factory. It's cheaper to buy the horsepower from the factory.

[CC 330i]

More supporting evidence:
That's just it - no-one will pay a $5,000 premium for a heavily-modified 323, and in fact, if he tries to sell his car with extensive modifications, there's likely to be a price penalty, as buyers sensibly speculate as to what sort of muppet did the work, and the number of miles before the car grenades on them.

Now consider that a 323 with $5,000 of engine work is worth either no more - or a lot less - than a stocker. Aside from people who want a dedicated track car (and maybe not even them, since they want to pay for new tires, not new engines), and 17 year olds from Pasadena backed by their parents' bank accounts, how many potential buyers will want to roll the dice on someone else's Rude-Boy-mobile?

After asking my mechanic so many many many times about how to find more horse/Torque out of my 323ci, I am kind of give up on that. I have put into a Conforti CAI, Shark ECU ugrade, Turner light weight flywheel, and the light wheel pulley set. A slight improvement is found but not significant. About cat-back or exhaust, it will improve the exhaust note, but not really on engine power. Putting a turbo/supercharger is the most effective way, but I can't (at least for myself) believe myself driving a Non-N/A Bimmer.

Most efficient method, without being trite about it, is to sell the 323ci in spring and buy a 330ci or an E36 M3 coupe. Probably cheaper than a s/c kit installed, and less likely to go pop. Also a better investment since the 330/M3 will retain part of whatever additional value you put in to do the trade, whereas a s/c kit isn't likely to retain much or any of its value.
From this thread:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86090&highlight=Exhaust+Valve

[ward]

WRX STI has a 2.5 liter engine, not 2.0

[CC 330i]

WRX STI has a 2.5 liter engine, not 2.0

That's right, sorry. I forgot Subaru cheated and dropped in a 2.5L to stack the deck. The euro versions get almost 300 hp out of 2.0L though. The Lancer Evolution is about 270 out of 2.0L. Either way, 2.5L is still smaller than the new 325i engine, and that was my point.

[HRC]

CC 330i - Just take a deep breath!! I agree with you re alot of mods. I did it and now I'm having a hard time trying to sell my car even though I take excellent care of my car. Other people don't know, don't trust me and some don't care. I respect the help your trying to give others to try to save the money and do something else with it, but I learned long ago that people will do what they want. What else explains some of the cars you see on the road? I mean my god, some of these cars look like they have wings fit for an airplane to take off and a muffler with an opening the size of a grapefruit!

Danny

[CC 330i]

CC 330i - Just take a deep breath!!

Here's me... :drink: :smoking:

[RichReg]

I mostly agree with you guys, but think about the case where a 325 owner puts a supercharger (assuming a supercharger will be available) in the car for $4-5k and gets performance better than a 330. Sure he just spent more than he would have on a 330 but he gets better performance and he can sell the supercharger and recoup a lot of the cost of modding when he sells the car. I don't plan on doing much engine-wise to my car (have a 330) but just thought of that situation where it's not so cut and dry "it's not going to be cost effective to make a 330i out of a 325i. :D
Yeah, I have to agree with CC.
I have gotten a few calls while trying to sell my 323Ci, but no one seems to give a damn about the $1500 worth of Dinan equipment I added. Or for the Alpina spoiler, A.C. Schnitzer mirrors & Momo Twin design wheels for that matter....

Incidentally, speaking of Dinan, I talked to one of their reps about two weeks ago and he said that mods for the new engines won't be available for about a year. :bellyroll

[RichReg]

sorry this is a lil off topic but I'm curious how much will the 335i cost and what kind of numbers will it be putting up. In my experience with bmw you have to pay to play, i.e. more hp more dinero
blackE90;

In consideration of all the 'deals' people seem to be getting on these E90s, I would expect no less than an equivalent E46 ZHP mark-up, if and when a 335i ever comes along. :(

[CC 330i]

I would expect the 335i to cost somewhere around $45-47K (base) when (and indeed if) it comes out. The real cost will be over $50K though. Figure it would be less than the M3, which WAS costing about $55K.

I'll bet the E90 M3 will be about $60K base.

[noflash]

You may get to 255 hp for less than $4-5000, but then you don't get bigger brakes, wheels, Xenons, etc.

One more time:

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE COST EFFECTIVE TO MAKE A 330i OUT OF A 325i

I understand your frustration -- wasting your money on a 330i when you could've gotten the same performance out of a slightly modified 325i :D

Just f-ing with you.

The 325i I ordered doesn't have all the standard features, but I ordered Xenon and have never worried about the performance of the 325i's brakes. I'll drop $1500 in a CAI and chip when they're available.

So, now I'll have a fast sport sedan for $450/month instead of $650/month which I really can't afford. Why does that piss you off so?

[CC 330i]

I'll drop $1500 in a CAI and chip when they're available.

So, now I'll have a fast sport sedan for $450/month instead of $650/month which I really can't afford. Why does that piss you off so?

It doesn't make me mad at all. I applaud you for making a decision that suits you, and buying the car you can afford right now. The 325 is a great car, and if I hadn't been looking at an Audi S4 (a car I couldn't afford) I would perhaps have considered a 325. But since I was hoping for 340 hp, I felt like it was bad enough to "settle" for a 330i. $40K was my price range, and I would rather have a 330i brand new, than an S4 a year old.

Plus, the big brakes and Logic 7, bigger clutch, better exhaust, etc. WERE important to me (I can understand if they weren't important to you). Understand that I DO value performance and I wanted the most performance that I could get RIGHT NOW for $40K. So I got a pretty stripped down 330i with Sport Package. Basically nothing else, for under 40K. If you want to wait "at least a year" according to Dinan for a few more horsepower, that's totally fine with me. I don't take away from your decision to go for a 325i. When they come out with their chips and other systems, I may put some on my car and add 15-20 horsepower too. No biggie.

I am simply tired of all the discussion about "just changing the intake" on a 325i and making it "as fast" as a 330i. There's a lot of differences between a 330i and 325i besides 40 horsepower. And the differences quickly add up if you wanted to retrofit them later. They would cost more than you saved buying a 325i.

The beauty of a BMW is the balance. The reason they put bigger brakes on the 330i is because they are matched to the power supplied with the more powerful engine. So if you add 40 horsepower to your 325i, and don't upgrade the brakes, you don't have as balanced of a package. It that doesn't bother you, then really, that's fine with me. If you aren't worried about your clutch wearing out because it is a smaller diameter and BMW didn't design it to handle 255 hp, that's fine with me. If the fact that you will have to spend $1200 minimum to get decent 18 inch rims, and then at least another $1000 to get 18 inch tires, then fine with me.

My point is this: If you want a 325i, great, buy one. It's a great car. But don't try to turn it into a 330i for less money than BMW could.

Read this thread:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86090&highlight=Exhaust+Valve

[Socom]

I agree with you..Dinan was about dead in the water with the E46M3 so I don't see them doing anything special with the E90 (Both have valvetronic (sp?)). Dinan couldn't even give you decent numbers with the 3.0 E46. IMHO CAI is worthless unless you track your car. Chips will instantly void your warranty. If you want to make the 325 a real monster..get a supercharger, but then again if you're going to spend that kind of cash, you should've just opted for the 330.

In the end I suppose it doesn't hurt to dream a bit.

:burnrubbe

[RichReg]

I agree with you..Dinan was about dead in the water with the E46M3 so I don't see them doing anything special with the E90 (Both have valvetronic (sp?)). Dinan couldn't even give you decent numbers with the 3.0 E46. IMHO CAI is worthless unless you track your car. Chips will instantly void your warranty. If you want to make the 325 a real monster..get a supercharger, but then again if you're going to spend that kind of cash, you should've just opted for the 330.

In the end I suppose it doesn't hurt to dream a bit.

:burnrubbe
Hmmm..... "No pain, no gain".

Except in this case, I don't think dreaming about hp gains will make them materialize, even if the dreaming does hurt a little. :laugh:

[HRC]

My quater cent worth of nothing: To me, I want all the factory HP I can afford. I learned the hard way trying to modify an OBD-II controlled engine. Lots of $$, little HP, real tough time selling now. Since I'm not rich, I got the 330i with little options, only paint, leather, sport and sunshade. I opted for sport b/c I wanted to try to nip this modding bug in the @ss! I didn't want to be tempted to buy rims later(I still want rims though!) and I would have for sure if I had gotten the regular 17" rims, now with the 18" i am less likely to buy rims...I swear!! Buying a loaded 325 was not an option since I knew I wanted more power, so I'm happy with a simple 330i. :burnrubbe

Danny

[MarkE90M3]

guys, I see alot of this talk about more then just economics. Alot of us get a 325i for various reasons, but that doesnt change the fact that we still love the car and we want to do more to it, either pump up the power of the engine, or improve the handling, or whatever it is that makes you love your car.

Whats wrong with that?

Im sure we would all like to get a 330i or an M3 or an M5 to begin with, but we cant all afford it, and later down the road we decide to pump up the power. There is no question that a 330i is the best option from a performance standpoint like CC 330i says, the 330 has larger brakes, higher HP output, etc etc.. but that doesnt mean theres anything wrong with a 325i owner trying to achieve 330i levels of power down the road. I know I love my car to death and its hard for me to let it go, so when something starts bothering me about it, I choose to upgrade it because I love my car too damn much.

We're all auto enthusiasts here, and most anything enthusiasts do doesn't make financial sense :) Hell, buying a BMW isnt that cost effective if you just want a mode of transportation.

[CC 330i]

Since I'm not rich, I got the 330i with little options, only paint, leather, sport and sunshade. I opted for sport b/c I wanted to try to nip this modding bug in the @ss! I didn't want to be tempted to buy rims later(I still want rims though!) and I would have for sure if I had gotten the regular 17" rims, now with the 18" i am less likely to buy rims...I swear!! Buying a loaded 325 was not an option since I knew I wanted more power, so I'm happy with a simple 330i.

That's exactly my configuration except for the color. (I love Arctic by the way! Great color).

I spent less than $40K, and have a car that I am really happy with, and I don't want to change. (except that I might also want different wheels, but not bigger wheels).

[CC 330i]

guys, I see alot of this talk about more then just economics. Alot of us get a 325i for various reasons, but that doesnt change the fact that we still love the car and we want to do more to it, either pump up the power of the engine, or improve the handling, or whatever it is that makes you love your car.

Whats wrong with that?

Im sure we would all like to get a 330i or an M3 or an M5 to begin with, but we cant all afford it, and later down the road we decide to pump up the power. There is no question that a 330i is the best option from a performance standpoint like CC 330i says, the 330 has larger brakes, higher HP output, etc etc.. but that doesnt mean theres anything wrong with a 325i owner trying to achieve 330i levels of power down the road. I know I love my car to death and its hard for me to let it go, so when something starts bothering me about it, I choose to upgrade it because I love my car too damn much.

We're all auto enthusiasts here, and most anything enthusiasts do doesn't make financial sense :) Hell, buying a BMW isnt that cost effective if you just want a mode of transportation.

You are, of course, right. No one is going to (or should try to) change your mind about doing performance mods on your car.

I'll just try to stay out of it from now on, since modding a 325i is not really a discussion that pertains to me. I am still more than happy to discuss other topics, (modding a 330i for example) so I will butt out and leave you guys to discuss this amongst yourselves.

[MarkE90M3]

You are, of course, right. No one is going to (or should try to) change your mind about doing performance mods on your car.

I'll just try to stay out of it from now on, since modding a 325i is not really a discussion that pertains to me. I am still more than happy to discuss other topics, (modding a 330i for example) so I will butt out and leave you guys to discuss this amongst yourselves.

no way my man, its all about opinions here, you shouldnt butt out, and I definatly hear what your saying and it makes total sense, we're just trying to show you our side too

:drink:

[CC 330i]

No I was just being a baby because there have been a lot of posts to that effect and I was getting weary of them. But I don't really have the right to complain about a conversation that I can just stay out of if I choose.

I appreciate that you do value what those of us that disagree have to say, though. When I have something of value to add, I will, but for now, I think I have to stay out of it because it I have said everything I have to say that's worth saying a couple of times already.

[noflash]

No I was just being a baby because there have been a lot of posts to that effect and I was getting weary of them. But I don't really have the right to complain about a conversation that I can just stay out of if I choose.

I appreciate that you do value what those of us that disagree have to say, though. When I have something of value to add, I will, but for now, I think I have to stay out of it because it I have said everything I have to say that's worth saying a couple of times already.


Well, there is no doubt this has been discussed to death.

Can we agree:
The 330i is an incredible value, especially considering the standard eq.
The 325i is also a great value (when not loaded with options anyway).
BMW is teasing the bimmer-modding community with a 3.0 325i.
No one really knows what the wait, cost, or results will be for modding a 325i will be.
???

I really look forward to what the tuners come up with.

:)

[CC 330i]

I can agree that the 325i is a great value, and a great car, and performs great out of the box. And I am interested to see what the tuners come up with.

I am also curious if BMW will come out with a 335i. I am certain they are waiting now to release one if they are working on it, because the new M3 is not yet available, and a 335i would surely cut into E46 M3 sales if the 335i were available now.

I also think that BMW is clever enough to make it not cost-effective to turn a 325 into a 330i via the aftermarket. See there I go again! ARRRGHH!

[RichReg]

I can agree that the 325i is a great value, and a great car, and performs great out of the box. And I am interested to see what the tuners come up with.

I am also curious if BMW will come out with a 335i. I am certain they are waiting now to release one if they are working on it, because the new M3 is not yet available, and a 335i would surely cut into E46 M3 sales if the 335i were available now.

I also think that BMW is clever enough to make it not cost-effective to turn a 325 into a 330i via the aftermarket. See there I go again! ARRRGHH!
Speaking of 'value', I'm curious to know just how much a 335 would cost. Its bad enough that some can't afford a 330 for whatever reason, but I'm thinking that a 335 will really break the bank. :(

[jhbodle]

BHP Motorsport in Germany is also offering chip tuning for all current E90 models:

320i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1761) (150 -> 168hp)
325i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1762) (218 -> 244hp)
330i (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1763) (258 -> 290hp)
320d (http://www.bhp-motorsport.de/chiptuning.php?zeigfahrzeug=1764) (160 -> 199hp)

Has anyone noticed that BHP Motorsport has lowered its claimed performance numbers for the 325i? Now they are claiming 235hp instead of the 244hp they were claiming a few days ago.

In fact, looking at them again, they seem to have downgraded all their claims for each model except the diesel - The revised numbers are as follows:

320i: 160hp
325i: 235hp
330i: 275hp

Anyone know why they reduced the numbers? Wonder if they've been blowing engines...by the way, Upsolute are still claiming 284hp from the 330i's engine.