thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

Selling the E36 M3, made me think about also selling the 335i. There would be no point in having an E46 M3 /ST and a 335i...they are similar in performance especially when the 335i isn't modded.

Can you guys tell I am a very confused individual?

PS, I also have a Tundra, so I wouldn't be completely without transportation if the 335i were to be sold as well...

charliemike

If you're going to go drive a Focus ST, wait for the 2015s ... Supposed to be a better car than mine. 7% better fuel economy and some other changes from lessons learned on the current generation. Plus, I think the styling is a bit better (and the interior as well).

ttribe

Suggestion - put a tune on the 335i. It will feel like a completely different car.

charliemike

Bah, what do you know?

ttribe

Nothing...my car is slower than a new Accord, or an RLX with all-season tires and aerodynamic mirrors.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

What tune did you use?

ttribe

ESS.

Here's the pre-post dyno for my car: https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...postcount=1362

Here's a link to their site: http://www.esstuning.com/categories/BMW/

You can find tunes with more power (JB, Cobb, etc.), but I like the combination of drivability, smoothness and power that the ESS tune offers.

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

^ Wow Tim, I didn't realize the tune was that much of a bump in HP/TQ. Damn impressive!

ttribe

Honestly, the tq is the best part. It'll launch nicely. On this year's Alpine/Devil's Highway Run, one of our members with an E92 M3 was behind me for a particularly turn-intensive section of the drive and he was saying later how difficult it was for him to keep up with me coming out of each of those tight turns. The NA V8 just didn't have the tq. to stay with me in those situations (now, he'd kill me on the top end....).

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

That's some FAT tq line.

oonowindoo

that is the world of boost.

You should have tried my JB4 before i removed it.

I got paranoid because it was making too much power and i felt like it was too good to be true so I got scared that I will blow up my engine and warranty wont cover it.

I know i am a pussy.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

ttribe

What are you laughing at, Mr. Won't-Lower-Or-Boost-Anything?

oonowindoo

i know! at least i had the balls to try it for a while.

ttribe

BTW, as an aside, I've been running my ESS tune almost continually since December of 2012 with no issues. I've only removed it a couple of times when the car was going in for some service. Otherwise, it's been on there the entire time.

oonowindoo

i know and i have not really heard any stories about engine blowing up cuz of the tunes.

But you can say i am more used to N/A engine mods where it actually requires some kind of parts to be replaced so i can feel safe.

ECU tuning without replacing parts just doesn't sound/feel safe to me. especially when the gain was so dramatic for $500.

RPhilMan1

Same response on the ST with an ECU tune. The torque is unbelievable.

SaaBaaDoo

I was looking at trading my E46 M3 on the ST when we picked up a Flex for my wife. Loved the technology in the ST since the M3 doesn't really have any, but in the end I kept my M3 and glad I did. Mine has 115k on the odometer and aside from some wear on the front seats it still looks new with no interior rattles.

Keeping up with maintenance is not bad at all if you DIY and I've not had anything major fail on me. Oil is expensive as hell, but the recommended change interval is 15k miles, I change every 7500 miles. Largest cost for me is tires since the car is a complete blast to drive! The E46 M3 is very predictable when driving and the 8000 rpm redline in the S54 is just amazing to my ears. I will be keeping this car as long as I can.

If you look at one, make sure to get it inspected before buying. Key points are VANOS and subframe issues. Mine is manual trans and I have no experience to with SMG, but I'm sure you would want the SMG systems checked if looking into one.

oonowindoo

stay away from ALL SMG.. I, II and ALL of them.