E46 IMHO is still one of the best looking BMW. Is yours a 325ci? 137k original mileage is pretty low, a bit sayang to swap engines and such if still in very good condition.First thing first, i'm a BMW purist but i gotta admit, BMW inline 6 N/A engine is inferior to Toyota 1JZ GTE. Just the reliability and parts availability alone is enough to justify my interest in such project. Furthermore it is also easier to pump up the 1JZGTE to 350 bhp but just tuning with exhaust system and boost pressure. Mechanically it is also much simpler for local mechanics to do the swap, so many e46 owners are running around with 2JZ or 1JZ nowadays. It's not a rare sight. Try see BMW Convert Club on Facebook. i would really love to see combination of BMW chassis and 1GZ power. Will need to convert the rear differential to 330i or M3 later on for more stable handling on throttle.
Furthermore, this E46 is the first sports car i cherished since age 17. It was with my family for 15 years, i've just recently acquired it from my family. Now weekend driven by me or occasionally by my GF. We call this car "Baby". LOL. The mileage also very low, 137k kms only (not miles yo !).
Mine was a 1.9 Sohc as i've mentioned for earlier post. It's an OK engine but not good enough for such a sleek looking body, especially its a coupe ! Swapping in 1JZ will make it a poor man's M3. This car now is already aged sweet 16, old enough d haha.E46 IMHO is still one of the best looking BMW. Is yours a 325ci? 137k original mileage is pretty low, a bit sayang to swap engines and such if still in very good condition.
That is why many change to Jap heart. I got a few friends gave up trying to maintain as daily use....First thing first, i'm a BMW purist but i gotta admit, BMW inline 6 N/A engine is inferior to Toyota 1JZ GTE. Just the reliability and parts availability alone is enough to justify my interest in such project. Furthermore it is also easier to pump up the 1JZGTE to 350 bhp but just tuning with exhaust system and boost pressure. Mechanically it is also much simpler for local mechanics to do the swap, so many e46 owners are running around with 2JZ or 1JZ nowadays. It's not a rare sight. Try see BMW Convert Club on Facebook. i would really love to see combination of BMW chassis and 1GZ power. Will need to convert the rear differential to 330i or M3 later on for more stable handling on throttle.
Furthermore, this E46 is the first sports car i cherished since age 17. It was with my family for 15 years, i've just recently acquired it from my family. Now weekend driven by me or occasionally by my GF. We call this car "Baby". LOL. The mileage also very low, 137k kms only (not miles yo !).
Oh the 4 cylinder 318ci around 120ps only then. Yah way too underpowered for that size and look! If 325ci still at least worth to keep the engine if still in healthy condition.Mine was a 1.9 Sohc as i've mentioned for earlier post. It's an OK engine but not good enough for such a sleek looking body, especially its a coupe ! Swapping in 1JZ will make it a poor man's M3. This car now is already aged sweet 16, old enough d haha.
Hahaha EVO is a somewhat my ultimate quest, i can go away peacefully if i can own one of these legends. On the other hand, the 1JZ'ed E46 can be my secret weapon on track :proud:actually if you have a e46 coupe... no need to get an evo.... as you said, shove in a 1jz, should be plenty of fun already.... car has been with you so there's a smaller chance of nasty surprises lurking around.
For town drive it was ok. Can easily sprint out the junction, even with a faulty fuel pump LOL. After 15 years old, my coupe is still a head turner whenever i drive through pedestrian. Chicks also check my car out ! To add on, my coupe is a black one with shinning M3 style headlight, too bad no projector :(Oh the 4 cylinder 318ci around 120ps only then. Yah way too underpowered for that size and look! If 325ci still at least worth to keep the engine if still in healthy condition.
actually if you have a e46 coupe... no need to get an evo.... as you said, shove in a 1jz, should be plenty of fun already.... car has been with you so there's a smaller chance of nasty surprises lurking around.
Yah it's still totally different. No matter what you do to the E46, it's not the same like driving an Evo. 1JJZ E46 can be a sleeper though to surprise those unaware.Hahaha EVO is a somewhat my ultimate quest, i can go away peacefully if i can own one of these legends. On the other hand, the 1JZ'ed E46 can be my secret weapon on track :proud:
Of course chicks dig BMW la!For town drive it was ok. Can easily sprint out the junction, even with a faulty fuel pump LOL. After 15 years old, my coupe is still a head turner whenever i drive through pedestrian. Chicks also check my car out ! To add on, my coupe is a black one with shinning M3 style headlight, too bad no projector :(
Yah!, But Later May (Bring Many Worries).......hahhahahhahahhaha...but the BMW drivers actually wanted chicks to dig them.
bmw's have so manu nick names... Banyak Makan Wang, Banyak Masuk WorkshopYah!, But Later May (Bring Many Worries).......hahhahahhahahhaha
That is why my friend got rid of it......hahhahahhahabmw's have so manu nick names... Banyak Makan Wang, Banyak Masuk Workshop
I tried talking to the owner, he refused to sell it lol..If it were me, I'd go make friends with that fella first, talk about the car and see if it's just a nuisance to him or a precious toy. If nuisance offer 8k to take it off his hands. If precious toy 15k and negotiate.
Depends on the model you drive bro. If you drive a E30 or E36, chicks won't bother cause the outlook is too classic. E46 has an undying body style, IMO, it aged so well that time just stops around it !...but the BMW drivers actually wanted chicks to dig them.
Typical chicks would not really able to differentiate car model which is very common. I don't expect typical can spell out the series of the car anyway. Once i knew a chick thought my Lancer is a Volvo. LOL !!Yeah, E36 is boxy. It's like "like it or hate it" thingy for some ppl.
E30 doesnt have the presence in terms of size. Maybe chicks see it "mini", and they tend to see it as "inferior". Can't blame them really.
E46 is sexy (has all the curves where needed) and still looks cool, even today. the only issue I see is that the interior room is quite smallish. I think Myvi interior is more spacious than E46's. Correct me if I am wrong.
The bulging front portion of the Lancer actually looks like the Volvo.....hhahahhahahTypical chicks would not really able to differentiate car model which is very common. I don't expect typical can spell out the series of the car anyway. Once i knew a chick thought my Lancer is a Volvo. LOL !!
Actually any car smaller than my Lancer i will feel that the interior is smallish. I weight 86kg now and has a wide frame. The e46 interior also feels cramp for myself but i just love all the leather interior. Not even e90 325i came close to this !
BMW interior quality is to notch....and solid. Not like those toy-plastic dash and panels we tend to see in new cars today.Typical chicks would not really able to differentiate car model which is very common. I don't expect typical can spell out the series of the car anyway. Once i knew a chick thought my Lancer is a Volvo. LOL !!
Actually any car smaller than my Lancer i will feel that the interior is smallish. I weight 86kg now and has a wide frame. The e46 interior also feels cramp for myself but i just love all the leather interior. Not even e90 325i came close to this !
What to do, most want to cost down.......BMW interior quality is to notch....and solid. Not like those toy-plastic dash and panels we tend to see in new cars today.
I strongly agree with this.... This applies for most companies unfortunately... They don't seem to build cars like hwy used to... Blame cost cutting and environmentalists?car prices go up......while interior qualities go down.
Heck, if one compares the interior of a 1990s Nissan, with present day Nissan interior.....you could see the 1990s interior has better material.