What should I do with my 5er?

[Seiyajin]

Ok guys...this is for you guys to give me an honest opinion on the following. Any suggestions or comments will be greatfully received. So here it goes...my dilema starts with my 1995 525i. Current mods include, K&N airfilter, PIAA extreme whites, Jim Conforti chip, Supersprint Catback exhaust system, Bilstein sport shocks, and Eibach prokit springs. So far the car runs great especially for a 10 year old car. I've got just a little over 148k miles on it now. The only reservation that I have about my car is the electrical system. It just seems weak and as you can read in my previous post I'm having a problem with my fogs. I have been thinking about upgrading to a 2003-2005 M3. However, I just really want to know if upgrading to an M3 would be good right now or should I just keep my 5er and work on that for now. If you all think I should keep it can you give me suggestions on what to do for more power. If I keep it I want to be able to put down about 350hp to the wheels. I know VF Engineering makes a supercharger system for the car and that would be an easy upgrade. I also know about putting M3 cams into the car that would give it power. So if you could just give me possible solutions I would be greatful. Oh yea, if you do know of places here in the Los Angeles area that I could work with I would appreciate it, too. Ok, I guess that's enough for my madness...hahaha. Thanks in advance for everything!!

[kaliimc]

Its a 525. Why try to upgrade? OK, I owned a 2003 525ia, super nice car but no real power until I floored it. Er, uh, relative to your possible new car purchase. If you can afford it and want power do not hesitate to get a more powerful vechicle, especially a new M3. But, I have not tried to upgrade a 525, you might be happy with that.... .... .... I would not. Different strokes for different folks.

I took my 525ia in one day to get its first oil change... it stayed and a 540ia left with me! No looking back, and no regrets for me. Your situation will differ of course but look at your goals realistically. If they match your financial situation then I will say you are a lucky dog! Go for it!

As a side note: I can get my car up to 100 mph pretty fast, of course, even faster if already at a good freeway clip. But I have never floored my car and from what I could feel I have always had plenty of room to go. In other words, a stronger car is much more fun and exhilarating!

Realizing my car and an M3 are different cars, I think the reward in sheer luxurious power and smoothness would drive you to buy a new M3 if it fit within your budget. I would certainly upgrade as soon as possible if I could afford an M3...

On the other hand... this subject may pertain to you or others reading, whats your marital situation like? I mean, just think about it yourself. I'm not asking you to broadcast your status to all of us. What are your future plans for the next 10 years? Can you afford another car for your future wife if need be? Minivan, SUV, SAV, another BMW sedan? You may need to fit a baby seat in the car within your budget plan... that will throw off the original estimates.

I would love to start upgrading a pre-owned or brand new M3. My wife would have to deal with it. Of course she would insist on driving the car...

Just thoughts that roll around in the head, they have lots of space to roll...

[liquidtiger720]

I think you should keep the car, drop an s50 and supercharge the s50 engine. Easy swap since its basically the same engine. You'd need to change the ecu along with it also. And of course, you'd want a 5 or 6 speed manual to go with it.

[Seiyajin]

Wow...thanks for the suggestions guys. Kallimc, you have really good points. It's all about budget and future plans. After much thinking and calculating, I know I can afford an M3 right now but have decided to keep my current car. Why? Well, I'm gonna go ahead and buy a house. Once that's been purchased and I've settled down then I'll go hunt me an M3...MWUAHAHAHA...but yea thanks you two for the suggestions. Hopefully in a few months I'll be able to post pics of a new car. Oh yea, sorry for taking long to respond. I've been pretty busy with work. Ya'll know how that is.