2004 330ci Dinan Mods

I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on the following Dinan mods, but keep wondering, "Is it really worth it?" I'm saving my pennies to purchase a 2005-2006 M3 within the next 18 months or so, but I'm a little bored with my coupe at the moment. It's an automatic (I know...spare me the ridicule. The M3 will be a 6-speed!) with 83K miles. Given the price ($980), I'm mainly wondering if the exhaust is worth it. I'm also a little concerned about whether the added HP may cause any stress issues with the transmission. I know it's not a lot, but it's an increase nonetheless.

Intake - $300
Install installation - DIY
Stage 1 - $300
Stage 1 installation - $60
Exhaust - $700 (on sale)
Exhaust installation - $180
Stage 2 - $400
Stage 2 installation - $60

In short, it's $660 for the intake and about 15 HP or $1,640 for the whole package and about 19 HP. Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks, All.

In before everyone tells you to fix maintenance items on your car before modding it. Dont you just love this site

Make sure the car is running perfect mechanically. I personally don't think it's worth all of that money. Just get some good adjustable suspension.

Should not grenade the transmission. How worth it it is depends on your disposable income.

hey man in my opinion its not worth it. i agree with solid jake get the adjustable suspension and if you do want an intake go with the cosmos racing or something. Suspension was the best thing i have ever dont to my car. and that is from a guy who has a carbon fiber dinan CAI on his car (only because i got it for the same price as a cosmos).

no. maintenance. prepare to sell. get money. buy m3.

If you have any doubts and have to ask than I say no. Skip the mods and you'll be either $660 or $1,640 closer to the M3 you want.

Intake and Stage 1 or Stage 2 software is really the only worthwhile mod from Dinan. Everything else is fairly overpriced.

Maybe the springs are decently priced, but the actual full suspension kit is really expensive.

Now, if you have an E9X, the Dinan software is well worth the cost! Hello, extra 60HP

3.46 diff + Shark = Better than that Dinan stuff

unless those parts need to be replaced for some reason already. No

you already said you're saving your pennies for an M3. and since these parts can't be carried over to said future purchase. don't waste the money.

now if the M3 is more like a wishful dream..and chances are you'll be driving the car for a ling time still. I may be more inclined to say enjoy your car with some Dinan goods. Dinan is one of the few tuner lines that doesn't hurt the value of a BMW. in some cases it can even add.

on an '04 330Ci automatic, I would leave it be

Assuming you drive the car ~12,000 miles a year and that you're actually going to follow through with an M3 in 18 months, you need to ask yourself the following: is it worth $0.10/mile for the next year and a half to have these mods? Since, at least in my book, their existence on a prospective car I'm purchasing is only going to take away from the value of said car (and certainly not going to add to it).

As such, I agree with the others. If you are actually keeping the car quite a bit longer, this could be reasonable. If not, keep it in good mechanical shape and unload it for an M3 $1,700 sooner.

Luke

Originally Posted by erich330ci

automatic...
Stage...
Stage...
Stage...
Stage...
about 15 HP...about 19 HP...

Instead of the M3, get this:

Great advice. Gonna hold off and maybe tweak the suspension a bit. Thanks, All.

Keep the money and buy the M3 sooner.

Originally Posted by Gheybe

prepare to sell. get money. buy m3.

+1!

P.S. Gheybe you sold your E46?

Originally Posted by Gheybe

no. maintenance. prepare to sell. get money. buy m3.

This.