If you had $1000 to spend on mods...

[Joey Link]

I've set aside $1000 to spend on mods when I get my 325i. It's completely stock. If you had a completely stock 325i and $1000 to spend, what would you buy and in what order? I'm more into speed than handling, but I think the car is gonna need new struts soon anyway. How about if you had $1500? Please post prices next to the mods.

[Mot]

Springs/Shocks. 3.73lsd and a Mark D chip.

[Joey Link]

Springs/Shocks. 3.73lsd and a Mark D chip.

Are springs/shocks better than coilovers?

Why a 3.73lsd vs a 4.10 or another ratio? I'll sacrifice top speed for quickness but I want to get at least 20mpg.

What's a Mark D chip? Just never heard of it. Better than a Jim C. chip? If so, how and why?

Thanks,
Just tryin to learn.

[rwh11385]

If I had $1000 spend on mods, I'd spend it on modding the driver. I spent over $1000 on driver school fees and auto-x registrations alone this summer (not even counting things I've installed, repairs made, gas, hotels, etc). The improvements were worth every penny though.

[RobertK]

NAWS!!!!!!


Serioulsy..

4.10 LSD

Lowering Springs & Bilstien Sport Shocks

[UNHCLL]

*sigh*


Honestly.... unless you have another $1000 set aside for maitenance on the car after you buy it... you wont be spending that $1k extra on anything "sporty"

Make it a solid car to drive before you modify it.
And if you want speed, not handling, you are looking at buying the wrong car, unless you want to drop another 7-8k into it.

[Dave]

If I had $1000 spend on mods, I'd spend it on modding the driver. I spent over $1000 on driver school fees and auto-x registrations alone this summer (not even counting things I've installed, repairs made, gas, hotels, etc). The improvements were worth every penny though.

kinda' agree with him. However, to the extent there are any items needing repair to make sure the car is safe - I'd put $$ there first. Just no need to go overboard.

If your tires are shot, don't worry about blinging rims, just get some new tires to go on your basketweaves or bottlecaps. Make sure things like Brakes, Control Arms, Tie rods and your suspension bushings are in good shape before you go spending on things like coilovers, a new diff., ECU chip, etc.

So:

1. Make sure the car is safe, then
2. Go to a BMWCCA Driving School or a NASA HPDE and learn how to drive. Maybe even go to a couple of them.

If you have already done the driving education part, then I'd start by spending money from the ground up - tires, brakes, suspension before anything else. Make the car as stoppable and steerable as possible before you worry about engine power. With that in mind, $1000 could get you

Used M3 SPrings ($100)
Bilsteins ($375)
New rotors all around (125)
New Brake pads (Axxis) (85)
If your ball joints and tie rods are okay - spend the rest on bushings, and if there is any left over, put it toward tires.

[Digitalwave]

Used M3 SPrings ($100)
Bilsteins ($375)
New rotors all around (125)
New Brake pads (Axxis) (85)
If your ball joints and tie rods are okay - spend the rest on bushings, and if there is any left over, put it toward tires.

I disagree with you on a couple points. First, if your tires are shot, now is a good time to upgrade. Kosei 15's are a good example.

Also, why would you want used M3 springs? If you are going to do your suspension, don't waste your money on junk that you are going to end up replacing anyways. At least get something decent that will last you a while during your time upgrading your driving skills.

I basically agree with what UNHCLL said.

[RobertK]

Honestly.... unless you have another $1000 set aside for maitenance on the car after you buy it... you wont be spending that $1k extra on anything "sporty"

Make it a solid car to drive before you modify it.
And if you want speed, not handling, you are looking at buying the wrong car, unless you want to drop another 7-8k into it.

I agree with this quote.. of course my answer was based on if I had $1000 to spend on my car in it's current shape.

I always start with making the drive train reliable then work my way out of the engine bay.

[Dave]

I disagree with you on a couple points. First, if your tires are shot, now is a good time to upgrade. Kosei 15's are a good example.

Also, why would you want used M3 springs? If you are going to do your suspension, don't waste your money on junk that you are going to end up replacing anyways. At least get something decent that will last you a while during your time upgrading your driving skills.

I basically agree with what UNHCLL said.

If you are really limited to $1000 and not going to be in a position to upgrade later, then you could do what I suggested.

My point is that if you really have that finite of a budget, here is what you could do.

A lot depends on the condition of your car. Chris is dead on - get it safe and operable first.

And New Koseis plus tires are going to wipe out a good chunk of that $1000.

[Digitalwave]

If you are really limited to $1000 and not going to be in a position to upgrade later, then you could do what I suggested.

My point is that if you really have that finite of a budget, here is what you could do.

A lot depends on the condition of your car. Chris is dead on - get it safe and operable first.

And New Koseis plus tires are going to wipe out a good chunk of that $1000.

New tires wipe out a good chunk themselves. It just really depends on the state of the car when he gets it. And I still disagree with you, if you were on a tight budget and couldn't upgrade later, I would do 1 or 2 things right instead of a bunch of things half assed.

[rwh11385]

kinda' agree with him. However, to the extent there are any items needing repair to make sure the car is safe - I'd put $$ there first. Just no need to go overboard.

If your tires are shot, don't worry about blinging rims, just get some new tires to go on your basketweaves or bottlecaps. Make sure things like Brakes, Control Arms, Tie rods and your suspension bushings are in good shape before you go spending on things like coilovers, a new diff., ECU chip, etc.

So:

1. Make sure the car is safe, then
2. Go to a BMWCCA Driving School or a NASA HPDE and learn how to drive. Maybe even go to a couple of them.

If you have already done the driving education part, then I'd start by spending money from the ground up - tires, brakes, suspension before anything else. Make the car as stoppable and steerable as possible before you worry about engine power. With that in mind, $1000 could get you

Used M3 SPrings ($100)
Bilsteins ($375)
New rotors all around (125)
New Brake pads (Axxis) (85)
If your ball joints and tie rods are okay - spend the rest on bushings, and if there is any left over, put it toward tires.

:ohsnap:

Dave sounds like an OG now.

Only yeah, H&R Sports would be fine, or go for IE Stage 3s. M3 springs aren't my bag at all.

And basketweaves are great wheels. Them with Azenis would own some 15s with crap tires. 14 inch tires cost less.

[motorprestige]

kinda' agree with him. However, to the extent there are any items needing repair to make sure the car is safe - I'd put $$ there first. Just no need to go overboard.

If your tires are shot, don't worry about blinging rims, just get some new tires to go on your basketweaves or bottlecaps. Make sure things like Brakes, Control Arms, Tie rods and your suspension bushings are in good shape before you go spending on things like coilovers, a new diff., ECU chip, etc.

So:

1. Make sure the car is safe, then
2. Go to a BMWCCA Driving School or a NASA HPDE and learn how to drive. Maybe even go to a couple of them.

If you have already done the driving education part, then I'd start by spending money from the ground up - tires, brakes, suspension before anything else. Make the car as stoppable and steerable as possible before you worry about engine power. With that in mind, $1000 could get you

Used M3 SPrings ($100)
Bilsteins ($375)
New rotors all around (125)
New Brake pads (Axxis) (85)
If your ball joints and tie rods are okay - spend the rest on bushings, and if there is any left over, put it toward tires.

AGREED... but i think i would get some h&R sports before used m3 springs...

[MR 325]

Get to replacing suspension components, and upgrade while you're oin there like mentioned above. Do regular stuff like timing belt, water pump, tranny fluid, diff fluid, etc. Whatever's left after that, go nuts

[Dave]

New tires wipe out a good chunk themselves. It just really depends on the state of the car when he gets it. And I still disagree with you, if you were on a tight budget and couldn't upgrade later, I would do 1 or 2 things right instead of a bunch of things half assed.

And when he posts pics of his Stock Suspended 325i on Koseis, you'll be one of the first to tell him it rides like a 4x4, no doubt.;)