What mods would you do on a $10k budget?

[Toby22]

Coilovers, headers, and wheel spacers. Rest can go preventative maintenance and full refresh

[jager911]

After normal maintenance, I'd get the BIG THREE fixed, sub-frame, rod bearings and VANOS. I wouldn't worry about power mods, suspension is key to going faster. Upgrade all bushings and get a good coil-over kit. Get good tires like Michelin PSS or similar and good suspension. Headers and sport muffler for better sound. I'm staying away from mentioning brands as everyone has their favorite. Spend some money on seat time HPDE at the track and learn to drive before worrying about more power.

[JetBlk-E46]

My opinion is that if at any point you can afford the csl airbox (either karbonius or evolve) then do it. It is such a drastic difference and it's worth every penny. From there if you have any extra, maybe suspension (eibach/koni setup is nice if you don't want height adjustble) Also if your car is lower mileage do a nice paint correction and ceramic coating to keep the paint looking really good.

And from the maintenance perspective, don't do the above unless you already have vanos, subframe taken care of and a fresh set of rod bearings. Unless you have proof from the previous owner that those are all taken care of.

[pawelgawel]

I think you’re more likely to halve your money in the stock market in the next six months than double or triple it

its always a gamble, but so is buying a used M3 LOL

OP, you won't be disappointed with the purchase.. I wasted roughly 6 years after graduation before stepping up to the S54 platform, it always scared the shit out of my wallet. As a daily, this is not a good buy, but as a toy for those nice days or trips once in a while, it will bring a smile to your face every time. Stick to the important things and have the car running like it should. That $ will be needed on regular issues no matter how well you start off with. Just keep lying to yourself its a Unicorn and it won't hurt as much.

[Arith2]

Last as in before they started leaking? About 7 years. Granted, I twisted an upstream bung off trying to remove an O2 sensor in year 3, but I was able to weld a replacement in (had the motor out anyway.)

They've been ugly since they first saw road salt. Contrast that with the stock S1, S2, and muffler which clean up like new. I bet they'd last a long time in Florida or California though...

Nah I bought a pair for my old 325 and they leaked in the first six months. Fitment was absolutely aweful and they literally rusted through the header paint. This was in Florida.

Are you upgrading to Supersprints?

[ethan]

How long did they last?

Last as in before they started leaking? About 7 years. Granted, I twisted an upstream bung off trying to remove an O2 sensor in year 3, but I was able to weld a replacement in (had the motor out anyway.)

They've been ugly since they first saw road salt. Contrast that with the stock S1, S2, and muffler which clean up like new. I bet they'd last a long time in Florida or California though...

[repoman89]

LOL
perfect timing to burn $10k

as much as i would love to spend $ on the toys I have at the moment, this is not the time to be doing that. Take that $ and put it in the stock market, double it or even triple it in the next 6 months and buy a nice M3 that you can call a collector car Or just pocket the profit and play with the rest. We don't get opportunities like this often enough, take it from someone who missed the boat 10 years ago.

I think you’re more likely to halve your money in the stock market in the next six months than double or triple it

[Arith2]

Just about to change out some rusted eBay headers on my daily M3 leaking at an unused downstream O2 bung. They're stainless... except the bungs and flanges. Not happy about it.

How long did they last?

[2004LSB]

OP:

My top priority would go to maintenance. Once all the major issues have been sorted out along with routine maintenance and care on wear and tear items, fluids, consumables, etc., then start to think about spending some of that money on the fun stuff.

If you're considering a power mod and want to stay NA, I think the Euro headers + catted section 1, Karbonius CSL intake & Paul Claude's MAP tune is a pretty good buy. I gained almost 45 wheel horsepower and approximately 20 foot pounds of torque with this setup (SAE corrected numbers). I had posted my before and after dyno results on the old website. Assuming you have a very healthy engine and all maintenance issues sorted out, I really think this is an awesome setup. I think tuning for this platform has come a long way and we are finally starting to see some sizeable gains with the common bolt on mods. As others have said, this platform really is meant to be run with the CF airbox - - it adds an additional layer of excitement that can't be replicated with other cars. The induction noise never gets old, and you can control the volume at any given moment with your right foot! If you're light with the gas, it sounds stock; under heavier load and throttle applications the S54 really starts to bark and will scare the sh!t out of people around you!

For a street car, I wouldn't waste any $ on suspension unless you like the lowered look.

The Euro headers & cat combo are severely underrated in my opinion. Assuming you find a set in decent condition, you'll never have to worry about fitment or build quality issues.

[ethan]

Just about to change out some rusted eBay headers on my daily M3 leaking at an unused downstream O2 bung. They're stainless... except the bungs and flanges. Not happy about it.

[terra]

[Arith2]

Well I didn't settle. You can cry OEM only but mine are great. It's funny how everyone has an opinion about headers only I seem to own in the replies. I'm not knocking Euro headers but mine literally do the same thing and fit if you want to go catless.

[jbfrancis3]

The Euro headers are nice pieces. I would certainly pay a little more and there's plenty of headroom as terra suggests; you'd be crazy to skip them and settle for some Margaret headers, or whatever they're called.

[Nate047]

Subframe, bearings, VANOS, coilovers, wheels, tires, and brake pads. Can probably make that happen for under 10k if you're crafty.

[terra]

As most things (oil especially), it's basically what someone wants to pay. If someone wants to say they have Euro headers then they'll pay the extra dough. I believe that you did pay $200 but not all of us have black market connections and will end up paying twice that until the hype goes down. Both Megan Racing and Euro Headers have stock fitment. Euro headers don't come with bungs but Megan Racing headers do. This will be an issue for the commie states that sniff butts.

Even if Euro headers were cheaper, I would've gone with mine simply just because I don't have cats anymore and install is easier. I definitely think Euro headers are inferior to SS headers.

Even at $500 they’re a much better buy than anything other than SuperSprint. And no one should be running catless so your point about bungs is irrelevant (and if you absolutely have to make your car smell like shit, you can just code out the post-cat sensors). They also flow well enough that they won’t really hold you back until you’ve maxed out everything else.