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Originally Posted by RednekWithABMW
i'm partial to the preface obviously but any coupe is good. if you want the most power of a non-m, go for the 330zhp. if you want fuel economy, get the 323. beware though of the rear subframe and stay away from the steptronic trans. there is a class action lawsuit against bmw for the rear subframe ripping/tearing/cracking. and as for the steptronic trans, noreverse.org is a website dedicated to the obvious issue with them. *knocks on wood* 89,300 miles on my step and its still strong but i'm still scared. lol. i've always read on e46fanatics.com that the 323/328 are more bolt on friendly compared to the 325/330 as far as hp increases. if you want to mod it, check out e46fanatics.com for the sponsors there. hell just go there to do some research.
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the level of bolt on "friendliness" is pretty universal among the E46s. i was not aware of 323s and 328s being more mod friendly than the 325 and 330.
the m3 specifically has a very low hp/$ gain or ratio since the motor is arguably very highly tuned from the factory. the exceptions are serious engine work and FI but even then the amount of funds needed for significant gains is very high when compared to other cars, even n/a ones.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScoobyNubieToo!
G.T., that was a damn informative post!!!
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i am glad you think so. i tried to provide *some* good info.
i am a noob to this forum but i would like to think i am not a noob when it comes to E46s and bmw's in general (as well as v-dubs and audis). i figure i would try to "step it up" and provide some of the knowledge i have.
if any of y'all who have posted in this thread have specific questions about the E46s, as it was suggested, e46fanatics along with bimmerforums is a good source; however, what are labeled as "noob questions" often are not received well. while that is true of many car forums, e46fanatics, in particular, can be "daunting" for some. if anyone has questions about these cars, especially about the m3, i will do my best to help answer them. if i don't know the answer, you will know that right away.
i would like to make one correction/clarification to my post above:
the front bumper support for the U.S. e46 m3 is of 2 varieties: aluminum and kevlar. i believe the former was only in 01 and 02 while all MY's afterwards have the kevlar bumper support. i do not know what the difference, if any, in the same MY's for euro spec m3's. i have an 06 and it definitely has the kevlar support. for those who choose to get a euro oem m3 bumper (whose only outer appearance's difference is the absence of holes for the amber reflectors on each side), i was told by tischer bmw (when i inquired about getting one) that it requires the aluminum support. this may be b/c only the early MY euro bumper can be ordered here. not sure on this one. in addition, i believe all vorsteiner bumpers require the aluminum support. they are often referred to as "v-csl" even if they are variants such as 2 intake holes, no intake holes, with foglight option, etc. (all of which are obviousy not "replica" versions of the oem csl bumper).
thanks.