Potential 330ci owner here...

[TL to 330]

Greetings everyone. I just wanted to stop by and ask a few questions regarding purchase of a new 330ci. I currently have a 99 TL with tons of mods and the car is boring me now. Not to mention that it has 94,000 miles.

The 330 that I am looking at is the Steel Grey Metallic with the gray leather and optional trim. I checked the premium and sport package. Correct me if I am wrong but you can't get the sport seats without the sports package right?

Could someone who has this car tell me a little bit about the packages that I have selected and tell me if they are worth it? After modding the TL to hell, I would like to do as little as possible to the bimmer. I love the M rims that come with the sport package, so I would most likely not change the rims.

My first question is regarding the Demon eyes. How much is this mod and can i opt out of getting the bi-xenon lights if I am getting the demon eyes?

My second question is regarding I/H/E. What is the best combination of all three for performance?

Third...Is there a SC available for the 330? If so, what are the specs and price and who makes it?

Thanks for your time guys and it is good to be on board. My dad has a 540i and after driving his car, I am certain that my next car is a BMW.

[RichP]

Welcome aboard!
I dont want to pick on your car, but a friend has a 2001 TL type-S, and it didnt leave me all that impressed..

To your questions: Get the packages based on what you want. I strongly recommend the sport package, the seats are very nice, and the suspension firm without be uncomfortable.

In terms of the Demon Eyes, this "mod" is only the luminescent rings, they are purely aestetic (therefore you need to get bi-xenon)

Mod wise, very few of us change headers. An intake will run about 300-400, an exhaust anywhere from 400-800, and performance software to run it all, about 400. Realize the 330 is rather new, so much stuff is still in the works. (these mods, realistically, will bring you to about 240+ hp) There are also cam kits coming out, and new intake manifolds...

Supercharger wise, RMS and ESS both have kits, both cost about 6K and both bring your output toward 330-340 hp. Im sure Dinan will also have one out soon as well.

[TL to 330]

Thanks Rich. I am sold on the sports package. Do you know how much the Demon eyes go for and how easy they are to install? Also...I am considering the JL stealth box. Can anyone with JL tell me a little more about sound quality out of them. They are IB right?

I am most likely going to do the intake and exhaust and the software. SC is something to consider down the road I think.

Thanks again Rich.

[Topaz330]

where you a member of the acura-tl.com board? i was mafiosoTL there before i gave the tl to my did and got my car

[TL to 330]

Originally posted by Topaz330
where you a member of the acura-tl.com board? i was mafiosoTL there before i gave the tl to my did and got my car

I know who you are Chris. It's me Dhiren.

[tdc]

Originally posted by RichP
Welcome aboard!
I dont want to pick on your car, but a friend has a 2001 TL type-S, and it didnt leave me all that impressed..

To your questions: Get the packages based on what you want. I strongly recommend the sport package, the seats are very nice, and the suspension firm without be uncomfortable.

In terms of the Demon Eyes, this "mod" is only the luminescent rings, they are purely aestetic (therefore you need to get bi-xenon)

Mod wise, very few of us change headers. An intake will run about 300-400, an exhaust anywhere from 400-800, and performance software to run it all, about 400. Realize the 330 is rather new, so much stuff is still in the works. (these mods, realistically, will bring you to about 240+ hp) There are also cam kits coming out, and new intake manifolds...

Supercharger wise, RMS and ESS both have kits, both cost about 6K and both bring your output toward 330-340 hp. Im sure Dinan will also have one out soon as well.

You've learned quite a bit since your foray into the E46, Rich!

Just to clarify, the Sport package for the coupes do not upgrade the suspension at all. All coupes already have the sport suspension. Even still, I believe the Sport Package is a MUST. The seats and the wheels alone are worth the extra $600.

Don't bother with the "Demon Eyes". I've seen them firsthand and they look like crap. You can feasibly get the Daytime Demon Eyes (DDE) but now you're pretty much paying the same amount as if you sourced OEM halos from the E39 5-series.

You MUST get the bi-xenons. I don't know how many countless times I've heard people that did not opt for the xenons wish that they had. It's only a $700 option and there's no aftermarket BI-xenons currently so if you wanted to upgrade to xenons, you'd be stuck with just the regular ones at a price close to $1000.

As for the intake, exhaust, software combination bringing your power up to 240ish, I think that's a bit conservative. When I dyno'd my previous 330Ci completely stock it put out 196HP at the wheels. Using a 15% drivetrain loss, that equates to 230HP at the crank.

Here're the calculations:

Where x=HP at the crank

x - x(.15)=196

.85x=196

x=196/.85= 230.58HP

But here's the rub...my engine had a blown head gasket at the time. So, imagine what a perfect stock engine is going to put out. This is purely conjecture but I think out of the box, the 330 is putting out VERY close to 240HP at the crank.

[3.0LV6]

LOL, this is B-Nut from Acura-TL and CL.com

I'm trying to find a place that has a two car garage before I purchase my 330Ci.

[TL to 330]

Does anyone know how the 330 handles NOS? I have a dry setup in my TL and was wondering about transfering it to the 330.

[ESP]

Hey D,

I don't think anyone here has NOS on a 330 yet. Most people don't run much more than a 50 shot on a "stock" engine.

The Notorious is right about what he said above, he should know he just picked up his new 330ci a little while ago, It already made it to ESP Tuning for some mods too.

I will have to talk to you about the SC thing... I will find you later tonight.

I would get:

SP
Bi-Xenon
Moonroof

Rest is not necessary
Wheels we will take care of later (Stock Sucks )

Then we will get you an intake and an Exhaust from Active Autowerke or Rogue

[xS3x]

just want to add that opting the sports package for the 02 330Ci, you'll have clear corners..why didnt i get it..

[TL to 330]

Originally posted by xS3x
just want to add that opting the sports package for the 02 330Ci, you'll have clear corners..why didnt i get it..

Yeah, I noticed that the 2002 SP has the clear corners.

[Topaz330]

Originally posted by TL to 330


I know who you are Chris. It's me Dhiren.

i got you to the dark side muuaahhhahaha

[TL to 330]

Originally posted by Topaz330


i got you to the dark side muuaahhhahaha

Actually Eric (ESP) and my dad got me to the dark side. My dad has a 540i sport and loves the car. Prior to that he had an Acura RL that he traded in the BMW for. I have driven the 540 a lot and have to say that driving a BMW is the best. I am going to the dealership today to test drive the 330. I have driven Eric's old 328is, the one he crashed on the night of my batchelor party and loved the feel of them. I am sold as a BMW buyer.

[Topaz330]

Originally posted by TL to 330


Actually Eric (ESP) and my dad got me to the dark side. My dad has a 540i sport and loves the car. Prior to that he had an Acura RL that he traded in the BMW for. I have driven the 540 a lot and have to say that driving a BMW is the best. I am going to the dealership today to test drive the 330. I have driven Eric's old 328is, the one he crashed on the night of my batchelor party and loved the feel of them. I am sold as a BMW buyer.

whatever burst my bubble

[TL to 330]

Originally posted by Topaz330



whatever burst my bubble

Truthfully, after looking at your car, buying a bimmer was the only choice. Let's just say you finalized my decision.