GreenSpades

Woot woot! Got myself another 328i. This one is a 1999 e46 gen and it is going to be my official track and drift car. Our other 328xi is an 11' and way too nice a daily, plus awd stops the fun.

Sorry for crappy pic, but I just had to share my excitement. The TL is not going anywhere tho!

Got the 328i for a screamin deal I just could not pass up. It does have some damage on the other side you cant see it in this pic, but it is mostly cosmetic. It needs a new battery which I didnt realize how much they want nowadays for a freakin battery. I am looking to get a lightweight one that is cheaper because this car wont need to be driven in winter anyways. Anyone that knows about batteries? I am open to suggestion!

Plans for the car are first update all old maintenance. Then remove interior and accessories etc. probably weld the diff. Of course make it track ready. Then save up some for a decent suspension. Nothing too crazy, I just want to get it done early enough that I can still make it to some events this year.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Wow, this takes me way back, I bought a 1999 328i back in January of 1999; upgraded to a 2002 530i in April of 2002.

truonghthe

funny how when people mention "reliable" BMW most of the owner came from E46 328 and E90 328, 330. I guess this is when BMW still do a lot mechanical instead multiplex computerized, Congrats on the purchase I would address all the issue on the car and it will be fun as to drive car.

WDPanda

Slap on a lsd if you can. I think the e46 guys lean towards aftermarket:
LSD's on an E46 ZHP - E46Fanatics

auto or manual? I believe they also have a check valve in the clutch.

WDPanda

if you notice any "old" BMWs driving around, they are indeed 328/330. The 323/325 were the test models before they release the others.

GreenSpades

Manual of course! Good advice, i'm going to look into that. Doesn' "feel" like it, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do. I am leaning towards two, sorta 3 options. 1. Weld the diff and keep the longer gears in hopes that I go turbo in the future (already have parts from old turbo build). 2. Build it NA and start saving up for the LSD. 3. Weld it for now and start saving for LSD. 4. Smash it into a wall trying to drift the open diff.

My good friend has an e36 drift car, track only not street legal. It has the M3 diff and he says its not THAT great. He recommended welding it. I am gonna take it to this shop where the owner races bmws and talk to him about it and get him to inspect the car.

What I WANT is an aftermarket diff, but this is a bare bones budget build. If the diff costs more than the entire vehicle I have to say no

GreenSpades

Our e92 has sooo many electrical gizmos and I am learning that the e46 is not the friendliest car to make drifty, but also not too teribly hard to get around the drivers aid systems. E36 is probably a lot more mechanical and less electronics. Side note I have yet to have an electrical issue with the e92 and it just ticked 80K.

Worst car I have ever owned was an auto Jetta. Wolfsburg edition lol. That thing had so many electrical gremlins and issues that I was actually happy when my girlfriend totalled it by smashing into some other guys e46 LOL. That was a good 8 years back.

GreenSpades

Interesting. Even tho this is my second 328i I actually haven't done all that much on them yet and am somewhat new to bimmers. Lucky I have some good mates to help me out.

What I really wanted was either an e46 330i, 330ci, or e39 540i, or id have settled for an e36 328i. But this one was such a good deal that I grabbed it. I have literally been looking obsessively for the past 3 weeks and have been browsing rwd manual cars within 100 miles or so for months.

champaned_out

iTrader: (2)

congrats on the pickup.. as for light weight batteries, one company comes into mind... Odyssey Batteries but they are pricey

this was copied and pasted from e46fanatics.com


links are dead, here is the one to the company
PC1200
http://shop.odysseybattery.com/p/pc1200

PC1700
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/pc1700_series.htm

truonghthe

I almost pulling a trigger on a E92 07 335i sedan back in 2012 but after experiencing dreadful 98-05 Honda "autotragic" I decide to scout different forum and website to see what are the "major" issues. I came up with conclusion is the HPFP and water pump that made by plastic both which never been corrected by BMW, its more like if it broke under warranty they will replace it until the car is out warranty then after that its on the owner cost. I also learn the N54 Twin turbo isn't cheap to replace, however I do appreciate BMW for the following things.

1. The steering feel is great, better than any sport car I ever driven (I think the closest one to BMW steering feel is the 370z and TL-S)
2. N54 motor deliver almost instant power since all the 300 ft-lbs torques sit around 1500-2000 rpm compare to the TL 256 ft-lbs @ 4800 RPM. IMO the N54 def under rated from factory. my butt dyno said the motor out put is around 350 hp.
3. Suspension is another positive feel on the BMW as they can tackle corner better than my TL.


I need something reliable since my wife and kid will be using the car most of the time and I didn't want any trouble for them so I end up with my TL-S.

GreenSpades

no doubt those are a great choice but they are WAY out of the price range on this project. I am having a hard time finding something in the $100-120 range. The TL options were so much cheaper. The OEM replacement is like $145 at autozone.

GreenSpades

My buddy had a 535xi and he did a tune that raised the boost. Along with him pushing it hard all the time and the higher boost the turbos developed a blow by issue. He voided warranty and paid out of pocket. My jaw just about fell off when I saw him pull $10,000 out of his backpack to pay for the service at the stealership. He is an idiot by the way. He had both turbos replaced and then sold the car. I can't understand some people.

GreenSpades

Only drove it a little but so far the power is extremely linear. Just like out other 328 but our other car has the 3.0L with a 6 speed auto. This one is 2.8L with a 5speed. I actually like the vtec push in the TL.

In a weird way this 328i reminds me so much of my old rx7. Very linear, 5spd, open diff lol. Better suspension tho and 11 years newer. I already think it needs more power

gt35rdanny

An LSD will be so much fun in this car. Congrats on the pick up.

truonghthe

my old IS300 came with factory LSD and thing was fun tho, the car isn't fast but down low the torque is there around 3k rpm however high RPM is not so much fun.