[boostvibes]

e55s are old now, with more stuff to break than a 335i. power is easy to come by tho, and the powertrain is strong. but the lazy auto kills it, its also a boat lol. this guy in my neighborhood drives a modified one everyday and it sounds great, but i wonder how much hes spent keeping it up.

mk7 gti- very quick car with mods, but you'll run into similar problems as a 335i ( carbon build up, plugs coils.) probably has the lowest ceiling on this list but you could buy a new car for under 30k with money left for mods so im sure thats worth something.

5.0 mustang- tune and bolts ons will net you bout 400whp easy. forced induction will turn it into an animal. downside?...unless you get a nicely optioned one...they feel cheap af (my own opinion). I saw someone here say the 2011 coyote will beat a e92 m3 around a track...that person is high...maybe in a strait line or maybe theyre thinking about the 2015 with IRS, idk.

370z- get a 370 and twin turbo it for less than 30k...400-500 hp easily depending on fueling. dont know much abot how they handle power tho.

c6 vette- well yeah everything has already been said about the vette.

gto- same applies as the vette power wise

ctsv- good luck finding a clean one under 30k lol



put 4k into just power mods for a 335i and im pretty sure the potential is higher than most cars on that list though...(assuming you have a healthy car already)

[feuer]

Plenty of 2011-2012 CTS-V for $30k with around 50k. I'm really not fan of the looks.

[boostvibes]

Originally Posted by feuer

Plenty of 2011-2012 CTS-V for $30k with around 50k. I'm really not fan of the looks.

just checked, im not a fan of the looks either but they have crept down in prices, nice. plenty of modified and high mileage first gen CTS-Vs out there too

[Basedtiger]

I feel like the N54 will still be able outperform many of the cars on the list for the money. Such a strong engine with more potential than what we see today. Many tuner companies are paying more attention to these engines and will come out with more products in the future. Just like the 2JZ it wasn't always the great engine we see today, it has had countless tuner companies create and recreate the Mods that make the 2JZ great. Many Mods have failed and some have succeeded. It takes years and years for an engine to reach its maximum potential. The N54 still has more juice left to squeeze. Yes the accessories around the engine and fueling issues may make it unreliable but if the owner spends 2k on quality maintenance parts. The other 5-8k can be spent on Mods. Something that can be achieved by many cars but not at the same level as a 135i/335i. The key here is that the N54 still has potential.

[F80Mmm]

Originally Posted by addictedtoboost

I own both a 2004 Mercedes E55 with FBO making right around 600 whp and 08 335xi n54 e92 with FBO. I haven't tried yet to race one car vs the other on a good straight away. I bet it would be a great race! Maybe this spring/fall time would be an ideal time..

I'll be heading back to Mexico when my buddy completes his pulley/tune and will keep y'all posted.

[byebyev8]

Can't believe nobody mentioned the b8 s4 or c7 a6 with the 3.0tsfi. They might not dyno as much as fbo e85 n54's but at the drag strip run faster times and trap way faster than there dyno numbers show. There also a heck of alot more reliable and almost in the same price range. Dual pulley e85 tune and hpfp upgrade on those and your running mid 11's all day long if not faster at 119-124mph with about 2500 or less in mods.

[dublin14]

Originally Posted by feuer

Plenty of 2011-2012 CTS-V for $30k with around 50k. I'm really not fan of the looks.

Doesnt take much to get 700hp out of the LSA either.

[Drifter2090]

I was seriously considering a E55 before I got my 335, but even though the AMG could be much faster, I couldn't give up the manual transmission

[boostvibes]

Originally Posted by byebyev8

Can't believe nobody mentioned the b8 s4 or c7 a6 with the 3.0tsfi. They might not dyno as much as fbo e85 n54's but at the drag strip run faster times and trap way faster than there dyno numbers show. There also a heck of alot more reliable and almost in the same price range. Dual pulley e85 tune and hpfp upgrade on those and your running mid 11's all day long if not faster at 119-124mph with about 2500 or less in mods.

they get those great quarter mile times from the awd traction, but i agree great cars. they really arent in the same price range either...n54 cars usually go for 10-15...clean low mileage s4's still arent under 20. My buddy has one and theyr'e not nearly as cheap and easy to modify and get power from as a n54. Hes spent more on an exhaust and tune than I will have going fbo with a tune

[feuer]

Originally Posted by byebyev8

Can't believe nobody mentioned the b8 s4 or c7 a6 with the 3.0tsfi. They might not dyno as much as fbo e85 n54's but at the drag strip run faster times and trap way faster than there dyno numbers show. There also a heck of alot more reliable and almost in the same price range. Dual pulley e85 tune and hpfp upgrade on those and your running mid 11's all day long if not faster at 119-124mph with about 2500 or less in mods.

Originally Posted by boostvibes

they get those great quarter mile times from the awd traction, but i agree great cars. they really arent in the same price range either...n54 cars usually go for 10-15...clean low mileage s4's still arent under 20. My buddy has one and theyr'e not nearly as cheap and easy to modify and get power from as a n54. Hes spent more on an exhaust and tune than I will have going fbo with a tune

True, that is why I didn't mention Audis. B8 S4 cost twice as much as good example 335i. B5 S4 are in the same price range but for those to meeet the power of FBO n54 must go completely aftermarket, including larger turbos.

[dsjr2006]

For 30K it all depends on the age and type of car you want. Not hard to get 600+ HP out of an old LS powered Camaro, but you have to drive an old Camaro, same goes for a Mustang.

If we're talking about FBO only, meaning no adding of supercharger/turbos, those are technically bolt-ons but not what most consider in FBO, then its hard to beat an N54 BMW if you want something small, nimble and refined.

[86merc]

Originally Posted by boostvibes

5.0 mustang- tune and bolts ons will net you bout 400whp easy. forced induction will turn it into an animal. downside?...unless you get a nicely optioned one...they feel cheap af (my own opinion). I saw someone here say the 2011 coyote will beat a e92 m3 around a track...that person is high...maybe in a strait line or maybe theyre thinking about the 2015 with IRS, idk.

A 2011-2017 5.0 Coyote will make 400 rwhp with a tune and catalytic converter deletes. Add a Cobra Jet intake and throttle body and it will make 440-450rwhp. Add injectors and E85 and it will gain another 10 rwhp.

My 2011 GT with cat deletes, CJ intake, and slicks went 11.2 @ 117. And that was with a bad trans. Car had 10K miles on it and already had MT-82 trans issues. I think with E85, good air, and rebuilt trans, the car would have gone 10.99 or slightly better. It isn't a slouch. Plus Ford did rebuild the trans under warranty after my passes. I didn't make it back out to the track with the rebuilt trans.

The 2011 GT will not out handle the M3 without a lot of suspension mods. There is a TON of aftermarket options for these cars. So you have the ability to improve on the car as you desire and budget allows.

The 2015+ handles pretty well. The Premium interior I have isn't too bad. I don't think it is a huge difference compared to my E90. But then again, my E90 is 6 years older. haha



Honestly, I think the Mustang looks better than the 6th gen Camaro. Especially in the interior. But a used 6th gen would be a better buy. It has a better suspension and a good trans. And GM has done great with the chassis & suspension. Plus lots of upgrades available for that car as well. Heck, I bet the 6cyl RS 1LE package would outrun many of the other cars mentioned in this thread. I am not a Camaro fan but give credit where credit is due.

[boostvibes]

Originally Posted by 86merc

A 2011-2017 5.0 Coyote will make 400 rwhp with a tune and catalytic converter deletes. Add a Cobra Jet intake and throttle body and it will make 440-450rwhp. Add injectors and E85 and it will gain another 10 rwhp.

My 2011 GT with cat deletes, CJ intake, and slicks went 11.2 @ 117. And that was with a bad trans. Car had 10K miles on it and already had MT-82 trans issues. I think with E85, good air, and rebuilt trans, the car would have gone 10.99 or slightly better. It isn't a slouch. Plus Ford did rebuild the trans under warranty after my passes. I didn't make it back out to the track with the rebuilt trans.

The 2011 GT will not out handle the M3 without a lot of suspension mods. There is a TON of aftermarket options for these cars. So you have the ability to improve on the car as you desire and budget allows.

The 2015+ handles pretty well. The Premium interior I have isn't too bad. I don't think it is a huge difference compared to my E90. But then again, my E90 is 6 years older. haha



Honestly, I think the Mustang looks better than the 6th gen Camaro. Especially in the interior. But a used 6th gen would be a better buy. It has a better suspension and a good trans. And GM has done great with the chassis & suspension. Plus lots of upgrades available for that car as well. Heck, I bet the 6cyl RS 1LE package would outrun many of the other cars mentioned in this thread. I am not a Camaro fan but give credit where credit is due.

nice, yeah man those coyote engines are no joke, and the 2015+ mustangs are a huge step up from the previous generation for sure. ive only been in one with the base interior though, and it left much to be desired. Think i read once that the mustang was the most modified/modifiable car in existence, so im sure the ceiling is pretty high for those cars.

I'm with you on the camaro thing too, performance wise I've heard nothing but good things...but idk im just not a fan.

[86merc]

Originally Posted by boostvibes

nice, yeah man those coyote engines are no joke, and the 2015+ mustangs are a huge step up from the previous generation for sure. ive only been in one with the base interior though, and it left much to be desired. Think i read once that the mustang was the most modified/modifiable car in existence, so im sure the ceiling is pretty high for those cars.

I'm with you on the camaro thing too, performance wise I've heard nothing but good things...but idk im just not a fan.

The interior of the 2015 is leaps and bounds better than what they had in previous generations. I think it is comprable to the E90. Maybe not as good. But not horrible. It isn't as nice as the F80. No doubt there.

The Mustang aftermarket has been huge since the late 80's. If you can think of a part, they have an upgraded parts for it haha



Also, did you guys know for $40K you can have a brand new Mustang GT with a blower, 727 fwhp, 610 fwtq, and warranty? I'll take the cheap interior over a M3 at that price. haha

[Unknown_Car]

Originally Posted by YoungBlood

Yeah seriously, c6 z06 corvette /thread
Granted our cars are very cheap to get to 400 whp. A tune, downpipes, and some ethanol and you’re in business. But they’re a shit chassis for drag racing. And under $30k leaves a whooolee lot of room for a fast car. Coyote mustangs with a blower can be had for under $20k, and will straight shit on an e9x in every single performance aspect. Z06 with bolt ons will make 500 whp all day, and they’re much lighter than any n54 platform car (as in 500 lbs)

Hell even coyote mustangs will make 400+ whp with bolt ons and a tune for e85, just like the n54. And do it four times more reliably. And the 2011 coyote is nearly as fast around a track as an e92 M3. And ou have to upgrade 335i’s just to get M3 suspension bits. That should tell you where the 335i is at, relative to even 2011+ mustangs (which despite the rumors are actually pretty damn good at cornering with very minimal suspension mods) their manual trans is a bit suspect, but the auto is essentially a better beefier version of ours!

Also no N54 comes with a limited slip, (minus the 1M) and pretty much every other “performance car” in the used $30k range sure as hell is gonna lol.

Long story short, the N54 is easy to mod and make power with, but it sucks at putting down that power, has soft shitty chassis bushings and suspension stock, has an open diff, and a host of common issues, and poor supplemental fueling solutions for high hp IMO.

So pretty much if I wasn’t a couple grand from owning my car outright, there are a lot of other cad I’d own, that would easily out perform a 335i for $30, or even $20k. Once you’re looking at cheap used under $15k, they start to get an edge but $15k still has better options nowadays

I raced c5 corvette with twin turbo. He said he makes 600whp. I won him every time on full bolt on with e85.

[dublin14]

Originally Posted by Roma_335i

I raced c5 corvette with twin turbo. He said he makes 600whp. I won him every time on full bolt on with e85.

He must have been talking out his arse then.

A C5 weighs 3200lbs and with a legit 600whp will pull on any FB0 E85 335i.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by dublin14

He must have been talking out his arse then.

A C5 weighs 3200lbs and with a legit 600whp will pull on any FB0 E85 335i.

Or didn't know how to drive, or was just being a good friend. That car would put bus lengthy on FBO 335i

[335e92tx]

I watch the E55 FB pages,, and all kinds of issues are cropping up with bad SC bearings. And this one just now -

Also lots of issues with motor mounts.

[Chris@VargasTurboTech]

N54 powered anything is a great platform, as are the MQB motors in the GTI, etc. Tony loves the car, and I may pick one up too. Anything with an LS motor in it will make gobs of power for not-much-money.... it's a great time to be involved in automotive performance, it's really a golden era for horsepower accessibility.

Chris

[Kevinl]

This is something i have thought a ton about every car seems to have an achilles heel

Hers is a list of cars i have thought about and my reservations about them

Lexus Isf only availabe with an auto and i just dont like autos no matter how fast they shift

Corvette c6 Z06 the LS7 is an amazing engine but i have never liked corvettes or Gm poor build quality

2nd gen cts-v car is just to damn ugly no car should have a pointy butt

E90/E92 M3 rod bearings and no torque compared to even a stock n54

Audi B8 S4 Understeer because audi mounts the entire engine in front of the front wheels

[335e92tx]

Originally Posted by Kevinl

Corvette c6 Z06 the LS7 is an amazing engine but i have never liked corvettes or Gm poor build quality

Just watch for Valve guides

$$$ quick

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Kevinl

Audi B8 S4 Understeer because audi mounts the entire engine in front of the front wheels

This is incorrect! It was the case for older Audi but not B8 chassis. Is not only where the engine is mounted but also very important how the chassis is designed too. Older chassis were designed for FWD so they were front wheel drive chassis and engine sat afront of the front axle. B8 chassis isn't designed as front wheel drive chassis. For you to vision what I'm telling you google images and compare the fenders on older Audis and B8 and how much more space now there is between the wheel and the A pillar. Is same as on your BMW if not even larger. Additionally B8 is V6 so 2cyl are on top of the axle and 4cyl are on the front. Next time you open the hood on you BMW count how many cylinders you have afront of the front axle. I say 3yl with 2cyl on top top of it and 1cyl behind. So the most of the engine is on the front of the axle on you BMW too. The official numbers are 55/45 S4 vs 52/48 335i and to be far comparasion 54/46 335xi.