Get an E91 335 or Supercharge the E46 Cab?

mmmmQuattro · 12-12-2008, 03:39 PM

6 months ago I bought an E91 320 (yes, only 160hp) for the wife. I really wanted the 335, but couldn't justify the extra $42,000 (that's how much it is in Australia).
My logic was that I drive in the city a lot and don't need the power of the 335.
Who really cares about logic?

So, not being happy with the 320, I am now thinking of changing to an E91 335. I will loose a lot on the 320, but as the 335 is the 2008 model and the market is slower and interest rates are lower, the actual cost to me each week on the lease is only about $50 / week more.

But, it isn't really my car, it's the wife's. I have a 6 year old 330 E46 Cab, which I bought new. For $9k I can put an AA Supercharger on it.

What makes it difficult, is that the 330 is already nice to drive, but the E91 handles and steers much better.

I am thinking that if I wanted to take a car to the track, the E91 is actually going to be faster and perhaps a better drive.

Anyone had / driven an E46 S/C and how do they compare to the 335?

addy85 · 12-12-2008, 03:41 PM

e46 s/c is the way to go IMO, I don't think its worth the big hit for a 335

ragingclue · 12-12-2008, 04:05 PM

I would S/C the 330.

darkphantom · 12-12-2008, 04:08 PM

S/C E46 M3s are NUTZ but they seem like high maintenance....

Majikthese42 · 12-12-2008, 04:12 PM

Trade the E46 cab and the $9000 for a 911 cab.

silvergray545 · 12-12-2008, 04:18 PM

s/c your e46

SV Concepts II · 12-12-2008, 06:05 PM

Just out of curiosity, does the $9,000 include shipping and currency exchange rates?

IMO despite the E9x pulling faster laps stock for stock compared to an E46, a supercharged E46 would be an absolute blast to drive.

mmmmQuattro · 12-12-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ali@Jlevi SW

Just out of curiosity, does the $9,000 include shipping and currency exchange rates?

$9k Australian ($6k US)
However, it may have now gone up due to the poor Australian dollar against the US.

Thanks for the feedback - I will look into the S/C more seriously - at least it will a very unique car and hopefully a blast to drive.

Well Marbled · 12-12-2008, 09:05 PM

S/C the E46 just for the sheer novelty factor.

hanmaas · 12-13-2008, 05:34 AM

your e46 is 6 years old. you might want to consider other things such as drivetrain etc. that will be affected by the increase in power. you will have high repair and maintenance costs for the e46. i wouldn't put that much money into a 6 year old car, it's not worth it. either live with the 330 as it is, which has a good amount of power to begin with or if you really need to, trade it for a 335. just my .02

hanmaas · 12-13-2008, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkphantom

S/C E46 M3s are NUTZ but they seem like high maintenance....

they are, but he's considering S/Cing his 330

Motor She Wrote · 12-13-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanmaas

your e46 is 6 years old. you might want to consider other things such as drivetrain etc. that will be affected by the increase in power. you will have high repair and maintenance costs for the e46. i wouldn't put that much money into a 6 year old car, it's not worth it. either live with the 330 as it is, which has a good amount of power to begin with or if you really need to, trade it for a 335. just my .02

+1. With installation, etc. I think OP may be looking at more than $9k AUS. Figure out the total price including installation to get a better idea if it's worth it.

BlkSapphire · 12-13-2008, 01:28 PM

It sounds like you're thinking of tracking your wife's station wagon if you go with the 335 E91. It actually makes sense from one perspective, but honestly, are you going to enjoy dealing with the daily abuse from people who will mock you for tracking a station wagon?

Arustik1 · 12-13-2008, 02:35 PM

335...you can run into serious issues with an older car...especially is u SC it.

hanmaas · 12-13-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlkSapphire

are you going to enjoy dealing with the daily abuse from people who will mock you for tracking a station wagon?

if the e91 335 would be available in the US i would be driving one now. i don't understand why people in the US "mock" station wagons. it makes me laugh, because looks of course are subjective, but those that claim a station wagon is not capable of performing well on the track simply don't have a clue. but i guess thanks to common beliefs of people like you, the e91 335 or cars like the RS6 avant and the M5 touring are not available in North America. Those two outperform 99.9 % of all other cars out there.

mmmmQuattro · 12-14-2008, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanmaas

your e46 is 6 years old. you might want to consider other things such as drivetrain etc. that will be affected by the increase in power. you will have high repair and maintenance costs for the e46. i wouldn't put that much money into a 6 year old car, it's not worth it. either live with the 330 as it is, which has a good amount of power to begin with or if you really need to, trade it for a 335. just my .02

Good point, but I forgot to mention that it has only done 18k miles.

hanmaas · 12-14-2008, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp330Cic.au

Good point, but I forgot to mention that it has only done 18k miles.

you seem to be pretty sold on the idea of supercharging it

. of course a supercharged 330 is not a very common occurrence and you would have a pretty special car..but personally i would feel more comfortable with a 335 because of warranty, newer technology etc. if shit hits the fan with the s/c 330 you have no one to turn to and things can get expensive. but if all that won't steer you away from the idea, go for it

BlkSapphire · 12-14-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanmaas

i don't understand why people in the US "mock" station wagons. i guess thanks to common beliefs of people like you, the e91 335 or cars like the RS6 avant and the M5 touring are not available in North America.

Why am I suddenly the bad guy? I said it makes sense - from a performance perspective. The fact that there are ignorant jackasses out there, and I call them out, doesn't make me one of them. Doesn't make me want to deal with them every time I go to the track either.

darkphantom · 12-14-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanmaas

they are, but he's considering S/Cing his 330

D'oh!

hanmaas · 12-14-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlkSapphire

Why am I suddenly the bad guy? I said it makes sense - from a performance perspective. The fact that there are ignorant jackasses out there, and I call them out, doesn't make me one of them. Doesn't make me want to deal with them every time I go to the track either.

it just sounded like you were one of those firm supporters. sorry for mistakenly accusing you to be one of "them".

12-12-2008, 03:39 PM	#1
mmmmQuattro Major 259 Rep 1,165 Posts Drives: f83 / E93 335 / E70 X5 40d Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Adelaide, South Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 320 E91 M-Spor ... [0.00] 2009 335-E93 M-Sport [0.00]	Get an E91 335 or Supercharge the E46 Cab? 6 months ago I bought an E91 320 (yes, only 160hp) for the wife. I really wanted the 335, but couldn't justify the extra $42,000 (that's how much it is in Australia). My logic was that I drive in the city a lot and don't need the power of the 335. Who really cares about logic? So, not being happy with the 320, I am now thinking of changing to an E91 335. I will loose a lot on the 320, but as the 335 is the 2008 model and the market is slower and interest rates are lower, the actual cost to me each week on the lease is only about $50 / week more. But, it isn't really my car, it's the wife's. I have a 6 year old 330 E46 Cab, which I bought new. For $9k I can put an AA Supercharger on it. What makes it difficult, is that the 330 is already nice to drive, but the E91 handles and steers much better. I am thinking that if I wanted to take a car to the track, the E91 is actually going to be faster and perhaps a better drive. Anyone had / driven an E46 S/C and how do they compare to the 335?
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12-12-2008, 03:41 PM	#2
addy85 Got beef? 138 Rep 3,646 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Arlington Texas iTrader: (4) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	e46 s/c is the way to go IMO, I don't think its worth the big hit for a 335 __________________ Special Thanks to AU335
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12-12-2008, 04:05 PM	#3
ragingclue One cam is enough 130 Rep 6,801 Posts Drives: VF Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: mulletville iTrader: (1)	I would S/C the 330.
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12-12-2008, 04:08 PM	#4
darkphantom Banned 595 Rep 5,946 Posts Drives: E93 335i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The place for Bimmers iTrader: (4)	S/C E46 M3s are NUTZ but they seem like high maintenance....
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12-12-2008, 04:12 PM	#5
Majikthese42 Philosopher-king 20 Rep 1,113 Posts Drives: 2008 E91 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: People's Republic of New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Trade the E46 cab and the $9000 for a 911 cab. __________________ E91 6MT Alpine, Terra, Xenons, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, PDC, CA, alarm, M shifter and M brake handle, Euro rear fog light switch, Euro aspheric mirrors, rear power outlets, Garmin nüvi custom cupholder mount, Lidatek, V-1 built-in remote display, tire pump, jack, floor mats.
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12-12-2008, 04:18 PM	#6
silvergray545 Skittles, OT OG 2337 Rep 649 Posts Drives: Lots of M cars Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 ZCP [0.00] 2000 BMW M Roadster [0.00] 2004 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 VW GLI [0.00]	s/c your e46
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12-12-2008, 06:05 PM	#7
SV Concepts II 269 Rep 6,093 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 1460 White Oaks Rd. Suite F Campbell, CA 95008 iTrader: (7)	Just out of curiosity, does the $9,000 include shipping and currency exchange rates? IMO despite the E9x pulling faster laps stock for stock compared to an E46, a supercharged E46 would be an absolute blast to drive.
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12-12-2008, 09:05 PM	#9
Well Marbled And slathered in sauce. 27 Rep 438 Posts Drives: Like an escaped convict. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Just off the information SuperHighway.I'm in the parking lot of the Strip Club w/ one of the dancers iTrader: (1)	S/C the E46 just for the sheer novelty factor.
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12-13-2008, 05:34 AM	#10
hanmaas Lieutenant 17 Rep 577 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	your e46 is 6 years old. you might want to consider other things such as drivetrain etc. that will be affected by the increase in power. you will have high repair and maintenance costs for the e46. i wouldn't put that much money into a 6 year old car, it's not worth it. either live with the 330 as it is, which has a good amount of power to begin with or if you really need to, trade it for a 335. just my .02 __________________
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12-13-2008, 01:28 PM	#13
BlkSapphire Private 4 Rep 67 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: 3rd stone from the sun iTrader: (0)	It sounds like you're thinking of tracking your wife's station wagon if you go with the 335 E91. It actually makes sense from one perspective, but honestly, are you going to enjoy dealing with the daily abuse from people who will mock you for tracking a station wagon?
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12-13-2008, 02:35 PM	#14
Arustik1 HYEPWR 100 Rep 2,868 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	335...you can run into serious issues with an older car...especially is u SC it. __________________ 2002 330ci Titanium Silver / Gray 2005 X5 3.0i Black Sapphire Metallic / Black 2002 M3 Laguna Seca Blue / Black 2001 M5 Jet Black / Black
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