Hi guys this is my first post on this board, im currently thinking about selling my 03 m3 and getting a Z. Im pretty fed up with the prices you have to pay to modify a bimmer, and i want a car that i can tune. I have a couple questions for you guys, first is what would i have to do to achieve close to 600 hp, second what is the best looking bodykit (your opinion), and third is how do you like this car. If you had to it all over again would you get this car or something else?

-Carl

 

To get 600hp? That's a lot, but Top Secret has 700hp in their single turbo 350Z and I've heard they would do that for a customer for about $70k! Realistically, you could make 400-450rwhp on a Greddy TT Z and with the AEBS stroker kit, you could hit 650rwhp (to get that much, you'd have to spend over well over $20k).

If you want something that's very easy to make power, get a Supra. If you want something that can zip through the corners, the Z is the best choice. If I had to do it all over again, I would get a Z, but maybe in the color Brickyard (I prefer stock looks over all bodykits thus far).

 

Carl,

First off let me say, I love my Z. Love it. The only thing I considered when buying it was whether or not to pony up the extra 15K+ for an M3. You will notice the difference. The Z will not wear as well as the bimmer. Nissan does not take care of customers as well as BMW. I used to own a 1988 BMW M6, and took it to Dinan for some added muscle, and you're right, it's not cheap. I loved that car too. Wish I'd kept it. Getting 600 hp won't be especially cheap in the Z either, if you don't cut any corners. So you should probably take a good look at cost on the M3 and compare it to the loss of getting out of it and into a Z and seeing how much it will take to get to 600. I recently read an article in a magazine, I wish I could remember which one, maybe someone else can help me out and it looked at the ways to get a Z to 400, 500, and 600+ hp. Go look around and pick it up. It has a Gold 350Z on the cover.

Either way, I think for the money the M3 and the Z are two of the best cars on the road. You really can't go wrong.

Brad

 

A friend of mine told me about a gold 350Z on the Super Street cover. I asked if it was the Top Secret Z and it is. How much did it end up costing for each of those numbers?

 

I just took a quick look, I can't remember. But yeah, I think you're right, it was the Top Secret Z

 

I sure as hell woundent sell a m3 for a Z
The M is bad ***, has better cusomer service and i think it looks way more aggressive. and better quality

 

I'll trade you my TRACK for your M3

 

Thanks guys for the replys, i take it it wont be that easy to get that kind of hp out of this engine. Let me clear up some things first off all bmw customer service sucks, its the worst i have ever dealt with (which isnt a lot but a good amount) also the m3 in my opinion is a better looking car but ive spent about 12k in mods and all i have is coils, rims, acs front carbon fiber lip 3 piece trunk spoiler and roof spoiler, exhaust and a couple little things. And none of these things give me any performance what so ever. It is an amazing car but i just cant stand getting beat by evo's wrx's amg's etc. I want a car to be able to beat my dad's 996 turbo (which my car has failed miserably) So i guess 600 was a little to high but do you think i could achieve 500+hp for 12k?

 

if your lookin for 500 hp, then thats a little more realistic, it will cost you a pretty penny, but to make any thing fast it cost money.

 

I don't think even a 500hp Z could beat a 996TT. If you want to beat that, I'd say get a used Z06 for about $32-35k depending on the year. There are supercharger and turbocharger kits for those that will easily break the 4 second mark (faster than the 996TT). Other than the Z06, I doubt you could beat a 996TT for under $40k (if we're talking about new cars).

 

Just a note...you probably will miss the interior quality of the bimmer too....

why don't you get a vette? FI that thing, you'll easily beat your dad's turbo

 

Just goes to show you difference of opinions exists everywhere. I've never been drawn to the E46 M3s looks...the lateral grilles just seem to be trying too hard, and the wheels don't suit the car IMO. The best looking 3-series to these eyes is the 330i sedan. The coupes look too beefy for 2 doors. I do think that the M3 is an awesome car though, but you are right it is not a cost-efficient hopup car. Also, I agree that BMW service sucks - it is actually worse than nissan, I can vouch for that.

As for performance to beat the 996 turbo, if I were you I'd look at the evo/sti crowd...they are easier to hot up than NA cars like the Z.

NzZ

 

Not to sound like a d!ck but i hate american cars especially vettes, thats the definition of a crappy made car (except for the engine and performance aspect of it) So any kind of vette i would not even consider. Here's some pics of the M if your intrested pm me.

 

I guess M3 is a more comfortable and practical car to drive than 350z. I drives 330 4-doors (my sister's car). I guess m3 won't be much different. Also if you are not satisfy with the power and then fed up with the prices you have to pay to modify a bimmer, you won't be better off with 350z either. Not sure what you mean by fed up with the prices ($5000? or higher?). You need to spend at least $5000 to boost up the power alone to 400 plus only.
But if you still have to swap the car , probably for other reason, then I suggest first with Nismo body kit. It has has the smoothest / cleanest out fit (side skirt, front,rear bumper). Also lowered, and swap to 275/35 rear 255/35 front on 19" you won't be dissappointed when parking side by side with modena. The next investment is to spend for engine management, lighter material, and suspension setting. Boosting power will be the last.
OR if you are hungry of performance with mimimum spending, go for Evo VIII mod. (you will be the fastest car: dry, rain, snow, mud , with 4 doors, etc..)

 

Dude.. i would think for what you want to accomplish going for a Toyota Supra.. I had one before the Z it was a 1995.. However i needed a newer car with much less miles and everyday driver capabilities.. a supra modded with 20-25k was not that obviously.. but in a few years as much as i love my Z i will return to the Supra market and will be able at that time to only take the supra out when i want for leisure and fun. With a Supra, if it is TT.. for 12k in mods on a TT supra... it would def be over 500+ hp easy.. just the t-78 kit is about 5.5k and that increases max hp to well over 900 if you pleased.. to get to that number it would cost a damn nice price but its capable of doing that. To sum this up.. a supra TT with 12k would **** all over that pretty porche

 

given that both M3 and Z are pretty muched tuned from factory any sort of aftermarket products are not going to give you good gains for the price we pay for. We are not driving 4 bangers here where the parts from facotry are crap. Although part for part, the M3 are way more expensive. Its even harder to get more power out of the e46 than the Z. However, being that its a japense car, and japs are known to play with their cars you will certainly see more and more mods out for the Z that will try to give more HP. I think right now, the key that holds all the power is infact the ecu. THey have yet unlock the stock ecu's true tuneable power. The m3 i would just leave stock or just do a SC on it. I think i read somwhere the M3 is one of the more efficent hp/per liter sport car out there. The Z is somewhere up there too.

So here is what i tell you. I would keep the M3 because its pimp. But if your into modding and spending realitvly cheap money i get some dencent power to add on to a realtivly fast car then a Z would be great.

True the evo,sti crowd are easier to modd but some people do not like the rally style cars. I think its a drastic change from a M3 interior and class to a evo,sti class. A Z is less of a drastic change.

 

Taking the average of everyone's opinion, you can't go wrong either way...they're both imports, they both turn heads, they're both pimp and either way you'll be happy, get the silverstone if you do.

 

Don't do it. Keep the M3. But if you really feel compelled to have a 350Z pm me and we might be able to work something out.

 

If you decide to go with the Z. I just picked up my SuperBlack/black from Nashville TN. this past Friday. It took less than 2and 1/2 days to lock it up. I waited 17 weeks from a near-by dealer and just got fed up! Here's the best part...$99.00 over INVOICE. Contact Trent Earlie..trente@users.ccleads.com or tlearlie@hippodromecars.com or 1-615-248-5100. He picked me up at the airport, the place is less than 10 mins. away and driving home, I65 is less than 5 mins. Trent's a great guy. It was so easy to do. He will fax you the vehicle history sheet ahead of time. My Z was produced on 4-04..Arrival date 5-24...ETA date 5-25...I drove home on 5-28. What a RIDE home!!! Good Luck. I told Trent I would be promoting his dealership internet business.

 

keep the m3 for sure. trust me, youre gonna wish u had the m3 back if u downgrade to the z. interior alone will have u thinking youre in a neon coming from a bmw.