Let’s Play A Game.

[Dlpfcb]

I got 5k to play around with and want to get the most out of it. Car is Alpine White and bone stock. There is just too much on hear to narrow it down so want to see if there is a general concese on here. Thanks!

[simple2010]

$2,500 to rod bearings if, you know, you are into that sort of thing
$100 black kidney grills
$150 Lux H8 bulbs for angel eyes
$120 GTS DCT tune if you are DCT (recommend alex @ alpinemotorsports)
$620 ECU tune (also Alex)
$xxxx exhaust (I only watched a few hours of youtube videos and read pages and pages of posts before settling on Borla Atak)

Now, if you aren't a candidate for rod bearings or believe in statistics, you have plenty for a decent exhaust. I'd also suggest keeping a rainy day fund for the unknown, you never know when a throttle actuator ruins your weekend.

Congrats on the purchase! Where are the pics.

[Solo_M_Tech]

stock market investments and turn that 5k into 100k. then buy an R8

[Bimmer Barney]

Exhaust and save the rest for maintenance

[Dlpfcb]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Barney

Exhaust and save the rest for maintenance

Man maintenance is winning so far. Now where is the fun in that.

[Bimmer Barney]

Originally Posted by Dlpfcb

Man maintenance is winning so far. Now where is the fun in that.

Put another way,

These cars don’t need anything. They look amazing and perform amazing out of the box. $5k isn’t enough to transform the car meachnically or cosmetically, so you’re better off not doing just a couple things and be left longing for more. Most of the guys here that I’ve seen have a fair level of financial sense and are more conservative about spending money on modifications. Exhaust is something we all agree is worth it :P

[codinge90]

Does your car have competition package?

Keep in mind that although I believe these cars look fantastic stock (agreeing with other fellow forum users), I like a nice balance between performance and looks. I think the e92 can be tastefully modded to look a lot better than stock especially on an alpine white car.

I recommend,

1. test pipes
2. Oem Muffler mod
3. Carbon rear spoiler
4. Front carbon splitters
5. Black kidney grills and hood vents
6. Tint (20-25% on all windows looks fantastic on alpine white)
7. Stage 2 Tune and dct tune

[Dan Bilzerian]

If you don't already have a good set of tires I would look into that too!

[cmo_93]

1. Test Pipes and Tune (GTS and ECU from Alex @ Alpine)
2. Rear Section: Borla or go Used on a Remus or Gintani
3. Black Kidney Grills
4. Front Splitters
5. ZCP Wheels if not ZCP
* MOAR LOW if ZCP

[DSilk]

1. High quality exhaust, front to back

If there is money left over,

2. Short-shift kit (if you have a 6 MT)

3. C/F interior trim (if no manual tranny)

[Nickthedude]

My priorities being in the same boat as your although my 5k is gone

1. Maintenance
2. BMC air filter
3. New Tires (the rears need replacing every other oil change, idk why...)
4. Your choice of exhaust
5. Cosmetic upgrades

I working on # 4 due to high costs of 1-3 $5k down the hole already

New tires all the way around with alignment $1,500
Replacing all four TPMS sensors thank god that light is gone so annoying $750
Reshaping all four wheels and repainting $650
Water leak due to sunroof and sun roof drains, new floor matts and full detail $1,200
Oil changes, air filter, Cabin filters, $600 so far

If money was no problem, I'd do the rod bearings with the best quality I could find, a full transmission service before the 100K miles, rear diff service, spark plugs and coils, full exhaust including headers removing primary cats, a full tune and a since I have DCT the GTS tune for that.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by Dlpfcb

I got 5k to play around with and want to get the most out of it. Car is Alpine White and bone stock. There is just too much on hear to narrow it down so want to see if there is a general concese on here. Thanks!

I'd buy a used exhaust that doesn't drone, a good quality aftermarket filter and if you are wiling to do so, an xpipe deleting all of the cats. a pulley kit would be the last upgrade but some aren't willing to do that. if you have 93 octane in your area then i'd get a tune from one of the vendors.

[monterey]

need more info. e.g.what year, mileage, gearbox...

[Dlpfcb]

Originally Posted by codinge90

Does your car have competition package?

Keep in mind that although I believe these cars look fantastic stock (agreeing with other fellow forum users), I like a nice balance between performance and looks. I think the e92 can be tastefully modded to look a lot better than stock especially on an alpine white car.

I recommend,

1. test pipes
2. Oem Muffler mod
3. Carbon rear spoiler
4. Front carbon splitters
5. Black kidney grills and hood vents
6. Tint (20-25% on all windows looks fantastic on alpine white)
7. Stage 2 Tune and dct tune

Maybe I just need schooled on it but I was looking at the BPM tune and test pipe package that they have. It says the 02 sensors are relocated. I just want to make sure that if I install this will I still be able to pass emissions with doing the tune? Thank you for your input.

[Dlpfcb]

Originally Posted by monterey

need more info. e.g.what year, mileage, gearbox...

2008 Alpine White Coupe - DCT - 34k Miles. Thank You.

[monterey]

coupe or sedan?

[Montaver]

Fun game! Assuming you are happy with your wheels and have good tires...

If the rod bearings are keeping you up at night -

$2.5k rod bearings + engine mounts
$500 cosmetic mods (grills, reflectors, side gills, spacers)
$1.8k slip on exhaust
$200 DCT tune + coding

If not -

$2.2k - Evolve X pipe with HFC's
$1k - Stage II tune + DCT + coding
$500 - Cosmetic mods (grills, reflectors, side gills, spacers)
$1k - Eventuri or Dinan intake
$300 - Detailing supplies

Or just find a 2nd hand supercharger kit for $5k

[m3power13]

Exhaust and forged wheels with bigger rubber.

All these cars need. But at minimum used exhaust and some wheel spacers for the stock wheels. Rest in the bank.

[Mikeystone]

Originally Posted by ham_sammich

stock market investments and turn that 5k into 100k. then buy an R8

Point me in the right direction I haven't found that stock yet!

[loveskiing]

Snag a used S/C and pony up a few more acorns for installation...you'll thank me down the line

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by Montaver

$2.5k rod bearings + engine mounts
$500 cosmetic mods (grills, reflectors, side gills, spacers)
$1.8k slip on exhaust
$200 DCT tune + coding

^ this. then go enjoy your car.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by Montaver

Fun game! Assuming you are happy with your wheels and have good tires...

$2.5k rod bearings + engine mounts
$500 cosmetic mods (grills, reflectors, side gills, spacers)
$1.8k slip on exhaust
$200 DCT tune + coding

Yes. +1

The car doesn't need much and if you're into modding, $5k doesn't really get you too far on anything ///M.