Exhaust solution

[PSUEng]

Maybe they paid 5-6k for the car and it's a beater?

Sure, maybe. I get it. Different priorities for different folks I guess, and that's a good thing--adds perspective.

[maw1124]

Flame suit on, but why do people put shite parts on this car? I don't spend other's money and I"m not judging, but damn--this is a legacy car, and there is minimum cost to play here, and to put junk on it just doesn't make sense.

I feel this, and this is why (1) I ask, and (2) none of that shit is on my car.

I posted here some time ago about how the best advice I got when buying the car is that it’s “allergic to aftermarket parts.” People question that statement, which makes sense given its reputation as a modifier’s dream car. But as I’ve owned it and watched people mod and unmod them, I get it. One of my frustrations with the car is there’s too many people who are all too willing to sell you too much cheap bullshit for the car. So you have to wade through all that shit and I don’t have that kind of time or attention. This forum helps a ton, like the broker who saves you money in a down market. But damn.

At least I’m nearing the end of the tunnel. The smart money seems to be on (1) USA stock; (2) Euro stock; or (3) Supersprint Euro Replica (my terminology.) Everything else is trash, now that Borla is NLA for this car. Oh well. I can do worse than option (1). It’s why I bought the car.

maw

[jet_dogg]

Flame suit on, but why do people put shite parts on this car? I don't spend other's money and I"m not judging, but damn--this is a legacy car, and there is minimum cost to play here, and to put junk on it just doesn't make sense.

It's probably because they don't have any money. They got the car cheap and didn't realize how much maintenance and parts cost.

This is the one of the most expensive cars to maintain and mod which is why you always see "cost effective", "budget" and "for the money" in threads.

Better than oem mods cost multiples more and it's unfortunate because the car is terrible in stock form once you've experienced that. If I had to drive this car stock I'd have gotten rid of it long ago.

[simonnim]

It's probably because they don't have any money. They got the car cheap and didn't realize how much maintenance and parts cost.

This is the one of the most expensive cars to maintain and mod which is why you always see "cost effective", "budget" and "for the money" in threads.

Better than oem mods cost multiples more and it's unfortunate because the car is terrible in stock form once you've experienced that. If I had to drive this car stock I'd have gotten rid of it long ago.

Parts for maintenance is not expensive. The labor if someone else does it sure is, but that's with most other cars also these days. Euro mechanics always charged a little more than the US or Japanese counter-part. If you do it yourself, the price is negligible to my brothers IS350 with OEM parts (not BMW stamped but OE/OEM).

Better than oem mods also cost multiples on different platform, try to get some HKS coilovers. The thing about modification in my opinion is, if you're doing it for lap times, very few people here can actually outdrive the car stock. Probably George Hill can?

Other than that, I think it's just personal preference, which is a good thing. And if someone wants to pay $800 for an exhaust instead of $2000 for an exhaust but still get some enjoyment out of it. I think it's totally cool.

And if you built a 10 second car but never hit the track. That's also cool, because it's a pride thing, and I think telling someone they can't or shouldn't spend less money on their car because it's not as good doesn't contribute to the community. Everyone hears drone at different volumes and can tolerate different things.

[jet_dogg]

Parts for maintenance is not expensive. The labor if someone else does it sure is, but that's with most other cars also these days. Euro mechanics always charged a little more than the US or Japanese counter-part. If you do it yourself, the price is negligible to my brothers IS350 with OEM parts (not BMW stamped but OE/OEM).

A Mercedes of the same era and price for equivalent parts as the e46 for comparison:
1. fuel pump oem 500 vs 170
2. crank sensor 120 vs 20
3. front brake pad set of same brand 50 vs 29
4. front rotors oem 162 vs 64

As you can see the parts for the m3 are far more expensive. If you assembled an e46 m3 from the parts warehouse it would cost over $250k. I could go on but you get the point.

Better than oem mods also cost multiples on different platform, try to get some HKS coilovers. The thing about modification in my opinion is, if you're doing it for lap times, very few people here can actually outdrive the car stock. Probably George Hill can?

Other than that, I think it's just personal preference, which is a good thing. And if someone wants to pay $800 for an exhaust instead of $2000 for an exhaust but still get some enjoyment out of it. I think it's totally cool.

And if you built a 10 second car but never hit the track. That's also cool, because it's a pride thing, and I think telling someone they can't or shouldn't spend less money on their car because it's not as good doesn't contribute to the community. Everyone hears drone at different volumes and can tolerate different things.

Agreed, however I expressed no opinion regarding why people mod.

[simonnim]

jet_dogg i think a comparison would be a c32 amg.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...YaAhZYEALw_wcB

Looks like the fuel pump is 1300. Yikes.

I do get your example of it not being cheap. Fuel pumps do go out, but it's not a common replacement item (watch mines go out since I said this).

Common wear items are pretty cheap.

An is350 from about the same time has rear pads for about $80.

[Chas3n]

A Mercedes of the same era and price for equivalent parts as the e46 for comparison:
1. fuel pump oem 500 vs 170
2. crank sensor 120 vs 20
3. front brake pad set of same brand 50 vs 29
4. front rotors oem 162 vs 64

As you can see the parts for the m3 are far more expensive. If you assembled an e46 m3 from the parts warehouse it would cost over $250k. I could go on but you get the point.



Agreed, however I expressed no opinion regarding why people mod.

Ugh, I don't know which Benz you're pulling from, maybe a cheap C class?

The AMG's, the ///M's equivalent, is just as expensive, if not MORE than the M3..

Try a fuel pump for for the w211 E55's. An extra hour of labor to install, and runs $1400 for parts alone.

There is also very little to no aftermarket solutions to most AMG's of that era. It's original MBZ parts, only.


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[maw1124]

^^^ This is where I was headed from my experience of owning an AMG S55k for about as long as I've owned this car. And yes, fuel pumps go out. All I can say is the parts v labor allocation seems to be the same across all the cars, 45/55 with parts costing more than labor. The cars are what they are because of the parts.

And on both, I've gone round and round about changing the stock exhaust. I tend to believe the chances that MB AMG or BMW M left cheap power on the bench with an exhaust are pretty slim to none, actually. And I'm talking beyond that which can be had with simple ignition timing (5%) -- 15hp on a 300hp car.

So while I might change for sound, I'm not thinking I'm changing for performance. And (1) what I'm willing to spend for that, and (2) whether it's an actual improvement to me, are the matters for decision.

maw

[EthanolTurbo]

It's probably because they don't have any money. They got the car cheap and didn't realize how much maintenance and parts cost.

This is the one of the most expensive cars to maintain and mod which is why you always see "cost effective", "budget" and "for the money" in threads.

Better than oem mods cost multiples more and it's unfortunate because the car is terrible in stock form once you've experienced that. If I had to drive this car stock I'd have gotten rid of it long ago.

The car is so much better with mods. The overly heavy and soft stock E46 M3 just really comes alive with weight reduction and power. Once you mod it, it punches way above its weight class.

[Tbonem3]

Agreed, but I would say Chassis is # 1. The mods that most changed the car's behavior/response for me have been light fixed buckets, rear gtr brace, MCS, lighter/fixed calipers. The power mods made a bigger difference in terms of sound more than anything to me. Though sounds IS extremely important to me.

A stock e46 m3 to FBO are all still varying degrees of slow. The real fun, IMO, is in wringing the engine out (esp this engine with 8k).

I'd prioritize airbox (even with associated costs) over muffler.

[bigjae46]

Flame suit on, but why do people put shite parts on this car? I don't spend other's money and I"m not judging, but damn--this is a legacy car, and there is minimum cost to play here, and to put junk on it just doesn't make sense.

I put the megan headers on. I didn't see what I'd get out of use euro headers or even spending a lot more money on the SS V1s. 50% of the stuff that is sold aftermarket is eBay shiet. Mishimoto sells an AN oil thermostat for over $100. You can get the same thing for $40 on eBay.

Really just depends on how important and complex a part is. An exhaust is pretty simple and won't cause an engine failure immediately. I stay OEM for things like rod bearings. I'm sure ACLs are fine and will save money but I don't think it's really worth the risk.

I have eBay side "F1 style" mirrors which cost $25 - why spend $100 for the same stupid mirrors. Also eBay splitter struts, bumper cover push button latches...stuff like that.

I see people pay a lot of money for quality aftermarket shit. For example, the race seat floor mount adaptors that cost over $200 per side. The soft aluminum around the OE mounting hardware galls and will eventually fail if torqued enough times.

[simonnim]

I put the megan headers on. I didn't see what I'd get out of use euro headers or even spending a lot more money on the SS V1s. 50% of the stuff that is sold aftermarket is eBay shiet. Mishimoto sells an AN oil thermostat for over $100. You can get the same thing for $40 on eBay.

Really just depends on how important and complex a part is. An exhaust is pretty simple and won't cause an engine failure immediately. I stay OEM for things like rod bearings. I'm sure ACLs are fine and will save money but I don't think it's really worth the risk.

I have eBay side "F1 style" mirrors which cost $25 - why spend $100 for the same stupid mirrors. Also eBay splitter struts, bumper cover push button latches...stuff like that.

I see people pay a lot of money for quality aftermarket shit. For example, the race seat floor mount adaptors that cost over $200 per side. The soft aluminum around the OE mounting hardware galls and will eventually fail if torqued enough times.

My mount adapters were $200 for both sides from garagistic. But yeah, they are soft.

[Arith2]

What about the Megan mid pipe?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234097607358

It also looks rather cheapish and is giving me "real man's cologne" vibes. But with stock US headers that are ultra clean, will I come out with a clean smelling Honda tone? Sec 2 and 3 will remain stock. Looks like I might actually lose midrange power from the lack of a proper crossover.

maw

From what I read, the mid pipes are poor fitting and are that crappy TP steel that rusts in a year. The headers are an exception however, I would not trust any of their other products.