Supercharge or M3?

[highbmw420]

i am considering selling my car and getting an m3 or supercharging my 325i. if i were to supercharge it i would also get dinan springs, swaybars, intake, chip, and throttle body...i would also consider navigation system, black headliner, big brake kit, possible smg swap?
heres what i got now

2002 325i
orient blue/black
22,258 miles (garaged for winter)
sports package
5-speed
power seats
cold weather package
hk stereo
bi-xenon
sunroof

Just trying to get some imput on what i should do..put more money in or just go for the m3...of course if i got the m3 there would have to be mods

aftermarket:
reiger tuning m3 style front bumper
jimmy540s premium xenon fog bulbs
chrome 330 kidney grills
AC Schnitzer mirrors
hartge 18" rims powdercoated smoked chorme
330 sport rear bumper
m3 lip spoiler
rear trunk handle painted(like 330)
clears all around
yellow piaa bulbs
dinan exhaust
DINan Badge
330 silver gauge rings
momo carbon/ti short shifter
K&N cone filter
35% titanium tint all around but 50% platinum tint on windsheild
hardwired passport 8500
completley custom system with 2 12" alpine type Rs
Kicker 1200 watt amp
1.5 fared cap
box has window from arm rest of 1 inch thick plexi glass
mirror bellow subs lite by black light and mushrooms inside
custom amp rack professionally finished
red lite switch flushly mounted in ashtray
:str8pimpi

[AfraidtoMod]

if you have the money, go for the m3. Other than cost, what's the advantage of the 325?

[highbmw420]

if you have the money, go for the m3. Other than cost, what's the advantage of the 325?
My thoughts are that I've put alot into the car already and i do love it. Maybe i should put some more money into it and get what I'm craving(better performance and possibly the smg) and then get rid of it when the new M3 comes out in 2006

[champ]

Do you like 4 doors or not? I've seen some impressive numbers on the SC and turbo kits for 325s. What's the cost difference on the upgrade to the M3? A SC or turbo will run you ~7000 installed I am sure. You'll need a new clutch to handle the new found power, a new set of brakes to stop you, and probably upgraded suspension parts for handling. Can you upgrade to the M3 for less than that?

[greg330i]

I'm in the same dilemma with my 330i. To supercharge/mod or trade-in.. that is the question...
Looks like I can upgrade my car for less money than trade-in on new M3 or used M5 and have better performance/power (looking at Crispvx's dyno...), but the drawback is resale, warranty, etc.

[He and his]

well if u S/C it u'll also need a BBK, and we all know how much they go for........i'd say M3, its stock power is decent enough and u'll probably only want aesthetic mods on that car :thumbup:

[sundance2108]

Supercharge car you have. wait for new m3 to come out, drop the e46 and pick up the e90.

[quadrophiend]

I'm in the EXACT same situation you are... except I have the 325Ci... but we are both same year.. and hell.. almost the same miles, too.

I have done my research and such... and I have decided to go the SC route, vice the M3 route. It's a hard decision... but you gotta decide between a really upgraded 325 that puts down a lot of power, plus BBK, and all of the other work you've put into it, etc...

Now compare that with a stock, used, M3. As much as I love the M3s stock, I honestly can say that I'd rather have a modded 330 or 325 vs a stock M3 - especially if one of the mods is a SC.

I have been in contact with a bunch of east coast shops, and I will probably be doing the following

BBK, ASA or AA (still not 100% decided.. depends on which shop I use), PSS9, Cams and headers are possible additions..

I have been quoted some really decent prices for all of the above.. and it works out to less than an M3 (getting what I want, at least, out of an M3... low miles, specific color combo. etc...)

I've already put so much into my current car, that upgrading now, then again in a few years, just isn't reasonable.

Hold out, and pre-order yourself an M3/M4 when they come out... until then, go FI!

:thumbup:

[champ]

What about the ATP turbo? All I can say is WOW... :yikes:

http://www.atpturbo.com/root/monstermate/bmw3ser.htm

[greg330i]

What about the ATP turbo? All I can say is WOW... :yikes:

http://www.atpturbo.com/root/monstermate/bmw3ser.htm

Champ:
If you check out the FI forum, you'll see that it's still a ways out. They've been very unspecific on a number of important questions (when, how-ecu, etc.).
Between ATP and a twin-screw, well, if they'd actually come out with a shipping product, woohoo!. in the mean time, we're really limited to AA, ESS or ASA/rennsport for E46's if you want something done in the next month or so. I don't really count RMS as an option.

[champ]

Thanks...just saw that. I have a while before my warranty expires, so I'm in no rush.

[medici78]

You will void your drivetrain warranty with the installation of a S/C, which is something to keep in mind.

[champ]

You will void your drivetrain warranty with the installation of a S/C, which is something to keep in mind.

The ESS comes with a warranty...

[burrito007]

every mod "voids" your warranty. With these engines you shouldn't have a problem anyway as long as you change the oil and keep the SC right. If you did have a problem it would be because of stupidity anyway (not changing the oil evAr)

[Durgesh]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but what's "BBK"....... :banghead:

Durgesh

[quadrophiend]

BBK = Big Brake Kit

[greg330i]

I probably wouldn't need a BBK with my 330. Think it has pretty decent brakes. Clutch however, is a different matter. Think Crispvx went with a SPEC and liked it.

[highbmw420]

Decided im going to try and sell my car for alittle if i get a good price i'll let it go and go with an m3 but if it doesnt sell im just gonna keep it till the end of the lease(april 05) get a bike for now and put my saving towards possibly an m6.

[flashinthepan]

I voted M3, I would have went ASA though, had I kept my 330. I figured in the heavy clutch, better rear-end, full warranty etc... In my case it was the best choice, but if I had an older 330 S/C may have been the choice.

Hardest thing is the wait... :banghead: