Considering Purchase...

630rwhpCobra · 07-02-2011, 01:33 PM

I'm thinking of selling my KB Cobra in order to get into an interlagos blue ZCP, 7 speed DCT, with convenience package 2011 M3.

What is pushing me this way is that I can get it spec'd out as above for $58K via military sales (plus BMW Welt pickup) versus 72K MSRP.

Only thing holding me back is the rumors about high maintenance costs and the small performance aftermarket.

What sort of tuning is available on the E92? I've basically heard that there is very little performance aftermarket other than exhaust. Otherwise you are looking at big money for turbo's.

I've got my Cobra spec'd out with 2.2 KB twin screw/coilovers/brembo's/etc...

Talk me into the M3!

FVM3 · 07-02-2011, 01:40 PM

You are asking for performance goodies, there are loads of intake, exhasut, pulley, suspension, S/C , brakes, you name it they got it. You can see loads of heavily modded M3s on this forum and let's see what you want. If i were you i would do this move. It's not fast in straight line though but the handling and the raw feeling gives a grin on my face each time i drive the car.

630rwhpCobra · 07-02-2011, 01:44 PM

What sort of tuning is available on the motor.

Also, any links to the intakes available. Not sure what a pulley would do to an N/A motor.

Rshane · 07-02-2011, 01:48 PM

Well, I went a similar route you are thinking about.

I had a 03 Cobra...started out with a 2.80 pulley, full bassani exhaust, tune Gordsford HE, etc...then went to the Whipple 2.3...then eventually a Hellion 76mm BB turbo setup...811rwhp (went by Grey03cobra on the SVT Performance site).

Now I have a 2011.5 ZCP M3 with DCT...I have already upgraded the exhaust to a full Akrapovic Evo system and am now thinking about the ESS SC.

One thing you will notice right away coming from a KB Cobra is the significant lack of low end torque. However, the car more than makes up for it with it's top end power, comfort, and overall performance.

It is difficult to compare the two cars because they are so different, but I have absolutely no regrets. There is a huge aftermarket out there, not as big as for the Cobra, and everything costs about 3 times as much, but hey, you have to pay to play.

I am also stationed in Germany (currently in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan), and went the Pentagon auto sales route...couldn't be happier.

Rshane · 07-02-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 630rwhpCobra

What sort of tuning is available on the motor.

Also, any links to the intakes available. Not sure what a pulley would do to an N/A motor.

Plenty of tuning options out there, and everyone will tell you there opinion of what is best. You should do a search and it will come up with all kinds of stuff.

Personally, I am going with the ESS tune. They have a great tune that is made specifically for the exhaust system I have (akrapovic). You can expect about a 15 hp gain from a tune.

A pulley will give you between 8-10 hp. There really is no good intake for the M3...your best bet is a good drop in filter...good for about 6hp. The stock intake from BMW is pretty good. It has a ram air setup from the factory.

With full bolt ons you should get around 400rwhp. These cars don't respond as well to mods as our Cobra's do. I remember my intake picking up 24rwhp, and my Cobra dyno'd 372rwhp bone stock.

karussell · 07-02-2011, 01:56 PM

they are such different cars. maybe thats why you want to go that way. to get an m3 to produce the kind of power you get easily off the Ford its going to cost plenty of money and I think it ruins the spirit of the car.

The M3 is common car in every military installation in germany. not so many Cobra's last time I checked. I know if we took it for a lap on the ring you would get a crowd cheering for you. I did that with a Challenger and it was a hoot :-)

Good luck with your decision! too bad you can't just keep both. dr. jeckyl and mr. hyde.

FVM3 · 07-02-2011, 01:56 PM

from what i can see from your user name, i think you are a drag guy. IMHO M3 doesnt fit you, the only way for M3 to push that much hp, s/c is the only way.

630rwhpCobra · 07-02-2011, 01:56 PM

Rshane, I know you...I had a 650rwhp GTO. Any runs ins with the shitter this deployment?

The Cobra is nice but fixing little things is getting old and the ride is annoying on the autobahn. Tons of power but definitely not made for autobahn speeds (shakes and rattles).

630rwhpCobra · 07-02-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

from what i can see from your user name, i think you are a drag guy. IMHO M3 doesnt fit you, the only way for M3 to push that much hp, s/c is the only way.

I've been on the Ring a few times and put an MM k member, 00R Brembo's, tubular LCA's, and MM coilovers on the Cobra in addition to a tru trac.

The M3 is like a souvenir that I want to take back to the US. I'm also considering a loaded 1M. Recent reviews are saying the 1M is as fast as the M3 around a track and the 1M being a turbo car will respond to a tune pretty damn well.

Rshane · 07-02-2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 630rwhpCobra

I know you...I had a 650rwhp GTO.

The Cobra is nice but fixing little things is getting old and the ride is annoying on the autobahn. Tons of power but definitely not made for autobahn speeds (shakes and rattles).

Yep, I was also on the LS1GTO site. My wife still has her GTO (Nitrogirl).

That is one thing that bugged me about the Cobra was all the rattles, especially after I went turbo and had to replace the entire front K-member in order to fit all the turbo plumbing. It would run 9's all day long, but was a bit much on the roads. I loved doing the BOV wooosh next to the imports though.

FVM3 · 07-02-2011, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 630rwhpCobra

I've been on the Ring a few times and put an MM k member, 00R Brembo's, tubular LCA's, and MM coilovers on the Cobra in addition to a tru trac.

The M3 is like a souvenir that I want to take back to the US. I'm also considering a loaded 1M. Recent reviews are saying the 1M is as fast as the M3 around a track and the 1M being a turbo car will respond to a tune pretty damn well.

If you want to get the 1M, just get the 135i with a tune

-=Hot|Ice=- · 07-02-2011, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

from what i can see from your user name, i think you are a drag guy. IMHO M3 doesnt fit you, the only way for M3 to push that much hp, s/c is the only way.

I was thinking the C63 AMG with P31 Development package would be more your type.

FVM3 · 07-02-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

I was thinking the C63 AMG with P31 Development package would be more your type.

S/C C63 is what you need

-=Hot|Ice=- · 07-02-2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

S/C C63 is what you need

The P31 already makes 481 HP and 444 ft lbs of torque. Put in a S/C and you'll blow away anything and everything on the road.

FVM3 · 07-02-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

The P31 already makes 481 HP and 444 ft lbs of torque. Put in a S/C and you'll blow away anything and everything on the road.

+1, or you may get a evo or supra, those are 1000hp drag car

07-02-2011, 01:33 PM	#1
630rwhpCobra New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2003 SVT Cobra Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wiesbaden, DE iTrader: (0)	Considering Purchase... I'm thinking of selling my KB Cobra in order to get into an interlagos blue ZCP, 7 speed DCT, with convenience package 2011 M3. What is pushing me this way is that I can get it spec'd out as above for $58K via military sales (plus BMW Welt pickup) versus 72K MSRP. Only thing holding me back is the rumors about high maintenance costs and the small performance aftermarket. What sort of tuning is available on the E92? I've basically heard that there is very little performance aftermarket other than exhaust. Otherwise you are looking at big money for turbo's. I've got my Cobra spec'd out with 2.2 KB twin screw/coilovers/brembo's/etc... Talk me into the M3!
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07-02-2011, 01:40 PM	#2
FVM3 Major General 273 Rep 5,751 Posts Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	You are asking for performance goodies, there are loads of intake, exhasut, pulley, suspension, S/C , brakes, you name it they got it. You can see loads of heavily modded M3s on this forum and let's see what you want. If i were you i would do this move. It's not fast in straight line though but the handling and the raw feeling gives a grin on my face each time i drive the car.
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07-02-2011, 01:44 PM	#3
630rwhpCobra New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2003 SVT Cobra Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wiesbaden, DE iTrader: (0)	What sort of tuning is available on the motor. Also, any links to the intakes available. Not sure what a pulley would do to an N/A motor.
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07-02-2011, 01:48 PM	#4
Rshane M-Flight Member 38 Rep 1,085 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas iTrader: (0)	Well, I went a similar route you are thinking about. I had a 03 Cobra...started out with a 2.80 pulley, full bassani exhaust, tune Gordsford HE, etc...then went to the Whipple 2.3...then eventually a Hellion 76mm BB turbo setup...811rwhp (went by Grey03cobra on the SVT Performance site). Now I have a 2011.5 ZCP M3 with DCT...I have already upgraded the exhaust to a full Akrapovic Evo system and am now thinking about the ESS SC. One thing you will notice right away coming from a KB Cobra is the significant lack of low end torque. However, the car more than makes up for it with it's top end power, comfort, and overall performance. It is difficult to compare the two cars because they are so different, but I have absolutely no regrets. There is a huge aftermarket out there, not as big as for the Cobra, and everything costs about 3 times as much, but hey, you have to pay to play. I am also stationed in Germany (currently in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan), and went the Pentagon auto sales route...couldn't be happier. __________________ 2011 Le Mans Blue M3// Black extended Novillo w/ Blue Grey Aluminum trim/DCT/ZTP/ZCW/ZPP/ZCP Premium Sound ///Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust 2015 Audi S4 Prestige, Brilliant Black S-tronic 2012 Le Mans Blue 135i M Pkg DCT
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07-02-2011, 01:56 PM	#6
karussell Lieutenant Colonel 356 Rep 1,749 Posts Drives: 4 wheels Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NorCal iTrader: (1)	they are such different cars. maybe thats why you want to go that way. to get an m3 to produce the kind of power you get easily off the Ford its going to cost plenty of money and I think it ruins the spirit of the car. The M3 is common car in every military installation in germany. not so many Cobra's last time I checked. I know if we took it for a lap on the ring you would get a crowd cheering for you. I did that with a Challenger and it was a hoot :-) Good luck with your decision! too bad you can't just keep both. dr. jeckyl and mr. hyde. __________________ "It gave you amazing satisfaction, but anyone who says he loved it is either a liar or he wasn't going fast enough." - Jackie Stewart on racing at the Nurburgring
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