If you had $2k to increase the fun factor of a RWD 328i

Nihilation · 07-13-2015, 08:55 PM

I've got the car pictured below and figure to have about $2k after selling a few parts from my 535i. It's a Sportline 328i, RWD, 6MT.

It will be my daily driver however I'd like to enhance it on a tight budget in a way that will increase the fun factor on the streets while enhancing reliability on the track as I do plan to attend a handful of HPDE's each year.

Initial thoughts were M Performance brake kit and if I can swing it, Bilstein B8 shocks with H&R Sport springs. Thoughts?

USC2000 · 07-13-2015, 10:27 PM

I'd go with the M performance suspension as I don't see the brake kit increasing the fun factor.

RM7 · 07-13-2015, 10:28 PM

Suspension is good, I'm partial to stiffening the sways if you don't have the 704 already, if somehow you can add that in you'd have the complete package as far as suspension IMO

M47 · 07-13-2015, 10:31 PM

Hey how is your car now? Everything good?

Halsifer · 07-13-2015, 10:32 PM

JB4 (power factor), Sway bars (handling factor, but I have xDrive so...), Coilovers (suspension factor), and Intake & Exhaust (sound factor). That's the order I'm going in.

DD335i · 07-13-2015, 10:34 PM

Jb4??

nicknaz · 07-13-2015, 10:37 PM

Tires for sure. Dunlop ZII star spec, BFG rival, etc type of tire (not PSS, they are not good enough from a heat capacity standpoint)

Then after some HPDE to figure out if you need them upgraded brake pads and brake fluid

parts cost alone for the M performance brakes or the coilovers is close to $2k each so not sure that is realistic.

iconoclast · 07-13-2015, 10:44 PM

sounds like suspension is your first step... most affordable upgrades would be sways and end links along with better pads and fluid.
for $2k you should be able to get this dialed in for track and street use without compromising either application's enjoyment levels.

Labeef · 07-13-2015, 11:26 PM

Sways, coilovers, and a set of real good tires. Should be around 2,500

RM7 · 07-14-2015, 06:55 AM

Suspension>engine IMO.

RacrX · 07-14-2015, 08:16 AM

Agree with most posts here, suspension first.

iconoclast · 07-14-2015, 08:24 AM

in terms of bang for the buck you can't beat doing suspension first. what's the point of doing engine first if the suspension bits can't support the speed?

Cyberdemon · 07-14-2015, 08:30 AM

If you plan to do a track event I would do Tires->Brakes->Suspension.

I would upgrade the pads and fluid out the door and then decide later on if you need the bigger brakes. The pads and fluid will be the biggest bang for your buck for stopping.

Nihilation · 07-14-2015, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Suspension is good, I'm partial to stiffening the sways if you don't have the 704 already, if somehow you can add that in you'd have the complete package as far as suspension IMO

You prefer sway bars over swapping the dampers?

Quote:

Originally Posted by M47

Hey how is your car now? Everything good?

The dealer is about to replace the timing chain. Fingers crossed, I should have it back in my possession this week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Tires for sure. Dunlop ZII star spec, BFG rival, etc type of tire (not PSS, they are not good enough from a heat capacity standpoint). Then after some HPDE to figure out if you need them upgraded brake pads and brake fluid. Parts cost alone for the M performance brakes or the coilovers is close to $2k each so not sure that is realistic.

I planned on swapping pads and using higher temp rated fluid at minimum before any track day. That's an easy $300. Also, I have a set of take-off Dunlop Sport Maxx RT's from a 2015 Subaru STI. They're 245/40/18s -- just need to find another set of cheap wheels to mount them. Or sell for 17's.

Nihilation · 07-14-2015, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labeef

Sways, coilovers, and a set of real good tires. Should be around 2,500

Are sway bars that big of a deal for the F30?

bavarianride · 07-14-2015, 11:45 AM

With sport line the car has 704 suspension and sport anti-roll bar. If the OEM wheels and tires are up to your expectation, then the next step probably will be MPSK, indies should be able to do it within $2k parts+labor.

MikeVictor · 07-14-2015, 03:47 PM

Suspension first.

CalCarNut · 07-14-2015, 03:53 PM

Sport Line has 704. Probably good there. Maybe coilover upgrade. M-Brakes are more than $2K though. I'd do a tune and tire upgrade. Those 2 things probably take up the $2K. Could always look into a brake pad upgrade and keep stock calipers.

Ali Shiralian · 07-14-2015, 03:57 PM

Trade it in for a 335, fun factor resolved

TomDenmark · 07-14-2015, 07:00 PM

Fun factor = JB4

It might get you very far in a 24 hour race, but until you crash its pretty darn fun!

TomDenmark · 07-14-2015, 07:08 PM

Fun factor = JB4

It might get you very far in a 24 hour race, but until you crash its pretty darn fun!

Michael Schott · 07-14-2015, 07:49 PM

As the owner of a 328i Sport Line, my first thought was steering but I don't know what you can buy to fix this. Probably tires. Next I'd fix the suspension. It's a bit harsh and should have more control. I'm guessing coil overs and sway bars are needed. Stock brakes are fine if you upgrade pads and switch to SS lines.

07-13-2015, 08:55 PM	#1
Nihilation Lieutenant 184 Rep 518 Posts Drives: BMW M3, 328xi AT and 328i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Haymarket, VA iTrader: (1)	If you had $2k to increase the fun factor of a RWD 328i I've got the car pictured below and figure to have about $2k after selling a few parts from my 535i. It's a Sportline 328i, RWD, 6MT. It will be my daily driver however I'd like to enhance it on a tight budget in a way that will increase the fun factor on the streets while enhancing reliability on the track as I do plan to attend a handful of HPDE's each year. Initial thoughts were M Performance brake kit and if I can swing it, Bilstein B8 shocks with H&R Sport springs. Thoughts? __________________ 2003 M3 \| SMG \| KW V1 \| Apex ARC-8s \| 3.85 LSD \| Cobra Nogaro \| S2R Tuning Sunroof Delete \| Billy Boat Section 3
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07-13-2015, 10:27 PM	#2
USC2000 Lieutenant Colonel 127 Rep 1,604 Posts Drives: F30 328i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: El Paso, TX iTrader: (10)	I'd go with the M performance suspension as I don't see the brake kit increasing the fun factor.
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07-13-2015, 10:28 PM	#3
RM7 Brigadier General 2893 Rep 3,471 Posts Drives: Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	Suspension is good, I'm partial to stiffening the sways if you don't have the 704 already, if somehow you can add that in you'd have the complete package as far as suspension IMO
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07-13-2015, 10:31 PM	#4
M47 Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 246 Posts Drives: F30 328 xDrive Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Pacific NorthWest - PNW iTrader: (0)	Hey how is your car now? Everything good?
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07-13-2015, 10:32 PM	#5
Halsifer Captain 251 Rep 640 Posts Drives: 2018 Audi RS7 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	JB4 (power factor), Sway bars (handling factor, but I have xDrive so...), Coilovers (suspension factor), and Intake & Exhaust (sound factor). That's the order I'm going in. __________________ 2018 Audi RS7 4.0T 2006 BMW e46 330Ci Convertible ZHP 2010 Audi S5 4.2L [Sold] 2014 BMW 335i xDrive M-Sport [Sold] 2010 Audi A6 3.0T [Sold]
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07-13-2015, 10:34 PM	#6
DD335i First Lieutenant 117 Rep 355 Posts Drives: '14 BSM F30 335i Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	Jb4?? __________________ '14 F30 335i Msport bsm-black dakota Tech-Premium-HK South Florida Real Estate
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07-13-2015, 10:37 PM	#7
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3188 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	Tires for sure. Dunlop ZII star spec, BFG rival, etc type of tire (not PSS, they are not good enough from a heat capacity standpoint) Then after some HPDE to figure out if you need them upgraded brake pads and brake fluid parts cost alone for the M performance brakes or the coilovers is close to $2k each so not sure that is realistic.
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07-13-2015, 10:44 PM	#8
iconoclast Self-Deprecating Narcissist 7266 Rep 6,561 Posts Drives: Audi BMW Ferrari LR MB Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: In, Out & Around... iTrader: (1)	sounds like suspension is your first step... most affordable upgrades would be sways and end links along with better pads and fluid. for $2k you should be able to get this dialed in for track and street use without compromising either application's enjoyment levels. __________________ http://www.instagram.com/_.iconoclast/
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07-13-2015, 11:26 PM	#9
Labeef Captain 265 Rep 807 Posts Drives: 320I Sport/Xenon Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Sways, coilovers, and a set of real good tires. Should be around 2,500
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07-14-2015, 06:55 AM	#10
RM7 Brigadier General 2893 Rep 3,471 Posts Drives: Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	Suspension>engine IMO.
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07-14-2015, 08:16 AM	#11
RacrX Second Lieutenant 62 Rep 290 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Msport Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Agree with most posts here, suspension first.
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07-14-2015, 08:24 AM	#12
iconoclast Self-Deprecating Narcissist 7266 Rep 6,561 Posts Drives: Audi BMW Ferrari LR MB Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: In, Out & Around... iTrader: (1)	in terms of bang for the buck you can't beat doing suspension first. what's the point of doing engine first if the suspension bits can't support the speed? __________________ http://www.instagram.com/_.iconoclast/
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07-14-2015, 08:30 AM	#13
Cyberdemon Brigadier General 1538 Rep 3,331 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (3)	If you plan to do a track event I would do Tires->Brakes->Suspension. I would upgrade the pads and fluid out the door and then decide later on if you need the bigger brakes. The pads and fluid will be the biggest bang for your buck for stopping. __________________ Current: '20 X5, '18 M3 ZCP Previous: '11 E90 335i, '11 E90 M3, '16 VW GTI, '15 M235i, '13 335i, '08 TL-S, '00 Corvette
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07-14-2015, 11:45 AM	#16
bavarianride Major General 1509 Rep 5,089 Posts Drives: bimmer Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: northern california iTrader: (0)	With sport line the car has 704 suspension and sport anti-roll bar. If the OEM wheels and tires are up to your expectation, then the next step probably will be MPSK, indies should be able to do it within $2k parts+labor.
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07-14-2015, 03:47 PM	#17
MikeVictor Brigadier General 210 Rep 3,288 Posts Drives: anything given a chance Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: .au iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Mazda ND MX-5 [10.00]	Suspension first.
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07-14-2015, 03:53 PM	#18
CalCarNut Brigadier General 1061 Rep 3,258 Posts Drives: 2015 F36 Jet Black Sport Line Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Blue Skies iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X3 [0.00] 2015 BMW 428i Gran ... [10.00] 1996 Chevrolet Impa ... [8.00]	Sport Line has 704. Probably good there. Maybe coilover upgrade. M-Brakes are more than $2K though. I'd do a tune and tire upgrade. Those 2 things probably take up the $2K. Could always look into a brake pad upgrade and keep stock calipers. __________________ 2015 BMW F36 428i JetBlack. Sport Line Edition 25% 3M Tint\|
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07-14-2015, 03:57 PM	#19
Ali Shiralian Lieutenant Colonel 813 Rep 1,986 Posts Drives: 2014 335i xdrive, 2014 X5 3.5d Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Owen sound, Ontario, canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Lexus RX 350 F ... [0.00] 2017 Jaguar F Type ... [0.00] 1990 Miata [9.00] 2014 X5 [9.00]	Trade it in for a 335, fun factor resolved
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07-14-2015, 07:00 PM	#20
TomDenmark Second Lieutenant 61 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 14' 320i ActiveFlex Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Brazil, SP - Valinhos iTrader: (0)	Fun factor = JB4 It might get you very far in a 24 hour race, but until you crash its pretty darn fun! __________________ 320i Activeflex - JB4 - Afe Airfilter - VRSF IC - ER DP - ER CP - @Ethanol
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07-14-2015, 07:08 PM	#21
TomDenmark Second Lieutenant 61 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 14' 320i ActiveFlex Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Brazil, SP - Valinhos iTrader: (0)	Fun factor = JB4 It might get you very far in a 24 hour race, but until you crash its pretty darn fun! __________________ 320i Activeflex - JB4 - Afe Airfilter - VRSF IC - ER DP - ER CP - @Ethanol
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07-14-2015, 07:49 PM	#22
Michael Schott Colonel 343 Rep 2,118 Posts Drives: 2017 VW GTI Sport Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Farmington Hills, MI iTrader: (0)	As the owner of a 328i Sport Line, my first thought was steering but I don't know what you can buy to fix this. Probably tires. Next I'd fix the suspension. It's a bit harsh and should have more control. I'm guessing coil overs and sway bars are needed. Stock brakes are fine if you upgrade pads and switch to SS lines.
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