[Sconley]

I recently got hit in the back (08 335i) and have been in the market for a IS for the DTC (Florida traffic doesn't go with mt). I want to make this next toy a track car and have been doing some research (newbie). I was going over the costs of everything total with my mechanic and he goes "just get a M3 it already has the chassis"... but I love my low end torque I won't give it up. Should I do a swap? What's more expensive? What will take less head ache?

Posting pics of my list don't judge me I have no experience and no help just looking for some

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Buying a 335 and upgrading the suspension would be way cheaper than buying an M3 and swapping in an N54...

[Sconley]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

Buying a 335 and upgrading the suspension would be way cheaper than buying an M3 and swapping in an N54...

It would be mostly suspension body work and rims. But if I go the swap route couldn't I sell the parts that I'm taking out? How much is a swap generally (labor/refurbished engine)? And I'm going to do some research on how much the bmw V8 goes for.

[Emilime75]

My first thought was do it and keep a log of it on the forum. My second thought is that if I was doing this it wouldn't be with an N54.

[Jaronbwall]

My dream build would be to swap the n54 into a e30 two door. The donor car could be purchased for cheap, and I've seen perfectly running motors for $7K with lower mileage. Not sure if it fits but nobody has tried it to my knowledge.

[M2joey]

I have a 2011 335is and it has been one great car! 41 track days without any issues! My 335is is retired from track driving and is now my DD. A 335is costs way less to own and drive on the track than an M3.

This is what I can tell you. First, just signing up for HPDEs, track days, etc. and getting seat time is by far the most important thing you can do. If you buy a 335is in good shape I suggest starting off the basics - new OEM rotors (Textar), OEM pads (Textar), change the break fluid, new tires - Michelin 4Ss, etc. don't get cheap tires! The OEM brakes (ie rotors and pads) are pretty solid. Just about all of the stuff you listed should not be needed, if the car is in good shape, and a lot is a complete waste of money. Go to the track and learn and see if track driving is for you.

I have done the following to my 335is - M3 arms, M3 sway bars, M3 sub-frame bushings, Wavetrac LSD, camber plates and Ohlins R&T coilovers. That was it, nothing else! Well, I did move on to Pagid pads and got Apex wheels as well (can run 245s in the front 265s in the rear just fine, even bigger). Toward the end of my 335is track life I had people scratching their heads wondering how the car was so far.

Anyway, don't go crazy with mods, especially power, you don't need it. Just find a solid 335is first and cover the basics. My first instructor told me this and I thought to myself "yeah right" but it is certainly the truth!

[Emilime75]

Originally Posted by Jaronbwall

My dream build would be to swap the n54 into a e30 two door. The donor car could be purchased for cheap, and I've seen perfectly running motors for $7K with lower mileage. Not sure if it fits but nobody has tried it to my knowledge.

It's been done.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by Sconley

It would be mostly suspension body work and rims. But if I go the swap route couldn't I sell the parts that I'm taking out? How much is a swap generally (labor/refurbished engine)? And I'm going to do some research on how much the bmw V8 goes for.

I don't have any empirical data on this, but my gut tells me that doing a swap like this to an M3 would adversely affect the value of the car. Whereas adding upgraded suspension components to a 335i would either enhance the value or at worst leave it unchanged. I see quite a few build threads with people swapping engines in and I think most of them are cool, but I just don't think it's a smart move to do it with an M car.

As I said before, I also think it would be much cheaper to upgrade the suspension and brakes on a 335i or 335is than to swap an engine...

[JohnDaviz]

Get the M3.

There is so much more to it than just the suspension.

On the track you want 255 rims with flesh in the front and 275 in the back wit our power levels.
Good luck with M3 wheels dimensions on the 335i.

M3 DCT with all the goodies...

M3 is born on the track. Our 335i was never meant for that.

I am tracking my e92 335i with a buddy and his E92 M3.
Worlds difference on the track. I would love to trade mine for an M3. But here in germany impossible.

[Emilime75]

If this is going to be a dedicated track car, I don't really see resale value as a factor. Sure, the M might be worth a little more when the OP is done with it, but it's going to get stripped and beat on, body panels will be dented, chassis will get tweaked... It isn't going to keep the same value as a clean, street driven example. Of course, if the OP spends the money to make it a really good, reliable, fast performer and shows a successful racing record, people could be willing to buy it as a ready to roll car that's already been built and setup, but the same could be said for a quality built 335i.

With all of that said, I still think an N54 isn't the best choice, despite that some people track it without major issues. If I was doing this, I'd look for the cheapest M3 I could find. Rip everything out I won't need and sell it to use those funds towards the build. I'd then buy/build...wait...for...it...an LS. Yup, an inexpensive(relatively) aluminum V8 with high HP/torque capability without the short comings of the S65.

[Sconley]

I have fallen in love with the N54 platform so a different engine is a no. I do however like the e36 or maybe e46 to save some money

[Sconley]

Originally Posted by JohnDaviz

Get the M3.

There is so much more to it than just the suspension.

On the track you want 255 rims with flesh in the front and 275 in the back wit our power levels.
Good luck with M3 wheels dimensions on the 335i.

M3 DCT with all the goodies...

M3 is born on the track. Our 335i was never meant for that.

I am tracking my e92 335i with a buddy and his E92 M3.
Worlds difference on the track. I would love to trade mine for an M3. But here in germany impossible.

That's what I'm thinking... the M3 was built for the track im only missing the low end torque I'm addicted too

[JohnDaviz]

Originally Posted by Sconley

That's what I'm thinking... the M3 was built for the track im only missing the low end torque I'm addicted too

Trust me. You won´t. Testdrive one. Its awesome.

[M2joey]

Originally Posted by JohnDaviz

Get the M3.

There is so much more to it than just the suspension.

On the track you want 255 rims with flesh in the front and 275 in the back wit our power levels.
Good luck with M3 wheels dimensions on the 335i.

M3 DCT with all the goodies...

M3 is born on the track. Our 335i was never meant for that.

I am tracking my e92 335i with a buddy and his E92 M3.
Worlds difference on the track. I would love to trade mine for an M3. But here in germany impossible.

You can actually run the OEM 335is rear wheels with 255s on the front without any suspension changes, and 275s on the rear just fine - with an aftermarket wheel. Just need to bump the camber to -2.0 and very slight fender role.

I agree, the M3 is of course a much better platform for track driving, what it was made for. Especially, the awesome leaner power delivery. Ultimately, it will come down to the drivers skill level that determines who will be faster - M3 or 335is. The M3 will be faster on the straights but the torque and 300 lbs. less weight favors the 335is in initial acceleration and most turns.

As for building a track car, the M3 is of course the best for sure.

[JohnDaviz]

Originally Posted by isjoey

I agree, the M3 is of course a much better platform for track driving, what it was made for. Especially, the awesome leaner power delivery. Ultimately, it will come down to the drivers skill level that determines who will be faster - M3 or 335is. The M3 will be faster on the straights but the torque and 300 lbs. less weight favors the 335is in initial acceleration and most turns.

As for building a track car, the M3 is of course the best for sure.

I don´t know the price levels where OP is looking to purchase.

But getting the 335i to the levels of the M3 costs already a lot of money.

All the chassis parts and below an Öhlins Road and Track / KW Clubsport you don´t need to think that it would be any close to the capabilities of the already great EDC suspension.
Then brakes. Anyways a must! Stock dies on the track in the first session. I broke my rear brakes on the Nordschleife due to overheating.
Then wheels.

On the 335i you need 18 inch to get proper flesh on the walls.
The M3 comes with perfect 19 inch dimensions already on stock wheels.

And then you are not faster. More power on the track on the 335i will result in more heat and new investments.

Getting -2 camber on the 335i costs money again.
Not everybody wants to to fender role (corrosion topic iirc).

With all the work to be carried out to achieve the SAME level on the track, you can go and burn three sets of tires and two sets of brakes. At LEAST!

On the M3 to do?
Rod Bearings. Done.

It is such an easy decision (at least to me). Just think of everything that is essential on the track.

And if you modify the stock M3 exhaust, it will sound absolutely crazy awesome. You will never look back.

[dublin14]

Another never will happen post lol