Add power to E90 or get E46M3

[nks_bb]

Hey guys,

So I'm in a bit a pickle here. First world problems really.

Been saving up to do a nice build on my E90. Supercharger et al. Got the budget set. Then, I don't know why, I started looking at E46 M3's for sale in my area. And there's one in my budget. All known E46 issues have been taken care off (subframe, rod bearing, brake bushings) and it's in one of my preferred colours.
6 spd, 157,xxx kms. Now I'm not sure what to do. I know putting money into adding power to the E90, that investment never really pays off, and it's more an investment of the heart than the head. But... with the E46 there's a high potential that I could recoup the purchase price. But... do I really need 2 non DD cars?

Opinions would be much appreciated.

[wyatth]

Even with those items addressed, there will be a lot more work required on the E46 over time. They just aren't as robust as the E9x, and I love E46s.

But I'd take one of those over a supercharger for the E9x, provided you have garage space and are willing to give it the TLC it will need and deserve. It'd be a nice stablemate for the E90.

[cvstar9M3]

mmm... my first m3 was an e46. m3 and I always want one but I would nOT replace my e90 m3 for one ever!

[wyatth]

I thought he was asking about adding an E46 or a supercharger to his 90.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by wyatth

I thought he was asking about adding an E46 or a supercharger to his 90.

That's how I read it.

If the E90 is already your garage queen (extra car) is supercharge it vs getting an e46

[drrust]

It depends on what your planning to do with the E46. At 150,000 miles it's more of a driver not a collector. Are you planning to track it? Also what's been done to the E90? How would you be driving the E90 after supercharging?

[pbonsalb]

Why do you want 2 non daily driver cars? Do you have a good place to store them and work on them and the time to take care of them, or the money to pay others to do it for you? I’d have half a dozen vehicles if I had the money and the space, but find that 3 fits the money and space I have.

[amrazM]

Add an E46 M3 into the stable. The S54 sounds amazing.

[Sephiroth]

E9X is a better daily. If you are looking for a weekend car there are better options than e46.

[nks_bb]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Why do you want 2 non daily driver cars? Do you have a good place to store them and work on them and the time to take care of them, or the money to pay others to do it for you? I’d have half a dozen vehicles if I had the money and the space, but find that 3 fits the money and space I have.

I do have the space to store them. The idea was to always to pass down 1 car each to my sons. Where we would work on 'their' car together and bond over them.

[pbonsalb]

That is a nice thing to do. I wish my father had done that. We have a 73 2002 that is a work in slow progress for our son. He might get a house next year, in which case I would move the 2002 up the priority list.

[Staszek]

I agree with others, it depends on what you planning doing with it. I LOVE the S54, one of my favorite engines. If you are going for a track car I would buy the E46, it will be cheaper to run at this point.

If its just a fun weekend car, I would supercharge the E90, its way more practical, better tech and of course the S65 supercharged, damn!

[marc6SPD]

Originally Posted by nks_bb

Hey guys,

So I'm in a bit a pickle here. First world problems really.

Been saving up to do a nice build on my E90. Supercharger et al. Got the budget set. Then, I don't know why, I started looking at E46 M3's for sale in my area. And there's one in my budget. All known E46 issues have been taken care off (subframe, rod bearing, brake bushings) and it's in one of my preferred colours.
6 spd, 157,xxx kms. Now I'm not sure what to do. I know putting money into adding power to the E90, that investment never really pays off, and it's more an investment of the heart than the head. But... with the E46 there's a high potential that I could recoup the purchase price. But... do I really need 2 non DD cars?

Opinions would be much appreciated.

You don’t ever need two non-DD cars. You want two non-DD cars if you are reasonable about it can afford it. And it would be cool to experience them with your sons later, as you said. I just added an E46 to my E90 and love them both. Different cars but it’s cool to switch between them and change the experience.

[New2Roundel]

Originally Posted by drrust

It depends on what your planning to do with the E46. At 150,000 miles it's more of a driver not a collector. Are you planning to track it? Also what's been done to the E90? How would you be driving the E90 after supercharging?

Note that the OPs mileage is in KMs--so about 98k miles miles for the e46. I think as a fun and fairly reliable weekender, it's a fine car. You won't be making any money on it in the future (given the high miles), but you might not lose much depending on the price and how many miles you put on it after purchase.

I always find that more cars are more fun than fewer cars, but at the same time, multiple M3s could be a real pain. You'd have to keep that e46M for quite a long time in order to notice any real increase in value given the current miles. I suppose it also depends on the spec, which can also impact value. As far as the "investment" of adding power to any car, just stop using the term "investment". Unless you are buying a legit collector car, you're just spending money. Period. It's not an investment. If it makes you enjoy the car even more and want to keep it longer, that's a good enough reason in my book to add power. I added a supercharger to my VR6 corrado 15 yrs ago. I needed to take out a student loan to be able to pay for it. I never considered it an investment, but a necessary mod as the car was just too slow in stock form. And I didn't want to go down the rabbit hole of NA mods which doesn't get you far for the money. I still own the car and wouldn't have it any other way. If the s/c exploded tomorrow, I'd see what turbo options I could try, but I would never go back to stock.

[chrisg123]

I love my stage 2 active autowerks supercharger. 5 track days and 45,000 miles on it and no issues. I also drive with a lead foot.