The BMW 335 gets even BETTER?

Quite a few tuners have upgrades for the 335i and Dinan is one which appears to have BMW related service centers.
Whether one chooses Dinan , Hartage, Active, Procede or even decides to pick and choose parts selectively it's my opinion that it's best to research and test drive some cars select tuners who are respected and stand behind their work .

Also this link about warranty and aftermarket might alleviate warranty questions
http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=50096

I also would like to add that with the 335i it is also important to consider an aftermarket limited slip differential in combination with engine upgrades .

this is great!

You wouldn't happen to belong to e46fanatics?

Wow! That is very impressive. 384 hp! It might not be worth getting an M3, unless you like the looks of the M3.

agreed sailor.

this is an impressive hp upgrade but it doesn't make it an M3.

the M3 has a completely reworked suspension, lightweight components, upgraded wheels and tires, hard core sports seats and a much more aggressive look.

I know the M3 isn't a 3-series with more horsepower. But why do people buy it? Mainly because it's a lot more powerful. If you can make your 3-series come close to the same amount of horsepower as the M3, then most people would take the 3-series.

lexus:

"I know the M3 isn't a 3-series with more horsepower. But why do people buy it? Mainly because it's a lot more powerful."

clearly you don't 'get' the M3. power is only one reason to get an M3. it's about a PHENOMENAL suspension, an engine that SCREAMS to 8400rpm, aggressive looks, etc, etc, etc.

power is the typical lexus definition of 'performance.' witness the GS450h, the GS460, the IS350, etc.

001, you're annoying me.

Now I have no idea what I want.

A tuned 335xi coupe, S5 coupe, S6, RS4, 535xi...

I can be so indecisive.

Or can I? I don't know.

the 3.2 will definitely be slower than the 335i but the A5 3.2 will always be better looking inside and out, and will be made with much better materials.

Nice choice of cars. I, personally, would not go with the S5 just yet. I would wait until its second year of production, to make sure they weave out all the bugs and the things that didn't work too well, so that you could get a flawless car. As for the S6, Splendid car, but just a little too big/heavy for the power. RS4, not a really big fan of it because its a little small, and its a sedan, 335xi, brilliant, and 535xi, if you need that room, then go for it. But I think any choice you make will be a good choice, given the field.

just get the r8 already

fastone, I agree. It is quite hard to pick between these coupes.

Thierry, one thing I don't understand is how you don't like the RS4 because it's "small..." Well, obviously I would know that before I bought it. And it is larger and more practical than the 335i, and much more fun. Too bad it's basically out of production, though.

S6, although it is heavy, is supposed to have excellent handling that outshines the M5's and it looks beautiful.

If I was getting an R8, I would have to get rid of the S4 and only have a two-seater, which I just can't really do. I would also be stuck with a two year waiting list. The whole point of the cars I mentioned above is that I would keep the S4, and replace it the year after.

S4, I know what you are saying about the RS4, but I think that if I were to get a sedan, I would go for something big, at least A6/5er/E-klasse range. I wouldn't mind that size for a sporty coupe.

Except I don't exactly need the size. The upside to the RS4's "small" size is how much more nimble it is than the S6.

To both of you: I don't really know why, but I've never been seduced by a midsize sedan, sans the performance models (E63, M5, RS6). But the normal six-/eight-cylinder versions? I know they're great cars. But they're definitely not very exciting. I either want something smaller (335xi/M3 and S5/RS4) or something bigger/faster (M5, S6/S8). That's just me, though. I know the S6 would be an excellent car for me, but I also know I would want an S8 more, so I might just take the big Audi anyway.

Have you seen an S8? It's absolutely gorgeous.

That alone would make my purchase, because the performance and quality of the A8 lineup are guaranteed. The A8 is known to shrink in the twisties... and the S8 is of course no exception.

I really, really like the M5. I sat in an M5 outfitted with the full "Merino" leather. It was the smoothest, most buttery leather I've ever encountered, and there was a LOT of it. Of course, it also looks wicked, and there's that incredible V10 in there somewhere...

So yes, it's on the test-drive list. But the thing is, it would most likely end up being a year-rounder, and I would sell the S4. Which brings me to the M6, which is sexier.

See my problem? I'm pulling my hair out. I'll just have to wait until I drive all of these things.

S4 - just keep your b7 and get an exige s. That'll smoke just about anything under 100 g's...and a few over. But hey, that's me and I'm very partial to the exige.

I think I've come to a (relative) decision.

I want an Audi coupe or sedan for 2008, and a BMW convertible to complement it (and replace the S4 Cabriolet) the year after.

My choices right now are the S6 and the M3 convertible, but I can never be sure of what would happen along the way.

Sorry, budfrog, no Loti for me. They're... interesting, but I couldn't own one.

Just get the 997. If you are looking for a more sport oriented car, you can't do wrong with a PORSCHE. I regard the brand from Stuttgart higher than Audi, BMW or MB.

Would that not be the M-Division ?

I've heard that for about 5 years now...

BMW Performance Accesories/Performance Products. We have recvd preliminary info and debriefing on available & upcoming products, and it's pretty clear why BMW will be focusing on offering this line of products. Not the least reason would be 100% warranty backing just like factory equipment (when the products/accessories are installed by a BMW Center). Prices seem reasonable too, and BMW is telling us there will eventually be performance products available across the entire product line. I have driven an E90 with several of these products & can personally attest to the quality & surprising difference so few things made to the car.

Do you mean the actual M lineup (M3, M5, M6 etc) or the M performance accessories? Because no, we don't get the M bodykits in the US. If we did, I wouldn't be able to tell a 528i from an M5. So I don't want them here, either.

"We do get the M-sport options towards the end of the life cycle of a BMW car. Like the current 550i, you can get the M-sport package, that includes, M-tech body kit, M-tunded suspension, M172 wheels, etc..."

Yeah, yeah, I know all that. But in Europe, they get the option of putting M bodykits on EVERY model. I can't say I would want that. I've even mistakenly thought Audi S-Line cars were truly S models (S4/S5/S6/S8) in the past.

Performance accessories are always welcome, though. :P

How about BMW Individual? I want more of that stuff, and not just on the 7 Series. More designo, more Audi Exclusive; well, more customization. It would make the luxury car buying process rather more luxurious.

fast one killer, you are correct. Go into any BMW dealer right now and you will see a display of performance parts. Mainly for the E46 right now. A few products for the E90, but mainly 328i, not much for the 335i.
They have exhaust kits, short shifter kits, suspensions, air intakes and a new camshaft. BMW IS breaking off of Dinan, ask a service writer about warranty...

personally, I have a 335i sedan right now and I am getting a 335xi, adding the sport suspension and a software upgrade. But, you do need the aftermarket exhaust because the stock exhaust is restrictive. With the ProCede, you can get close to 400HP and 400TQ.

dinan always wants a lot for their mods, and indep testing usually doesnt show enough improvement for the money. That it was warrantied offset this, but perhaps no longer. Also, BMW engineers will tell you that this engine really puts out 335-350hp already, but is soft-rated to avoid upsetting M3 folk.

I post on Roadfly and here's a Dinan related post .
http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/bmw/bmw_3_series_e90/8739410-1.html

I also agree that BMW may release it's own product line of performance accesories but the main HP and midrange change occurs from an ECU flash and BMW may not offer this . If they did they would have to warranty the mass volume of cars buying it and things like "free maintenance" might pose a problem for them. Likewise the tires sold on the "stock" car apply for speeds within the speed governor and the ECU flash may change that too.

Lastly -- the tuners face different warranty concerns and their main goal is competing with other tuners for who makes the fastest and best handling car at the most respectable price with quality parts that are easy for tecnicians to install .
The aftermarket will always win agaist the manufacturer in terms of price and performance and most BMW tuners like Dinan or Active Autowerke have been successful with BMW upgrades for a long time .

I don't blame BMW for offering new parts and trying to cash in on the tuning industry but they enter onto aplaying field with some very seasoned players who have been improving BME cars for a long time.

I guess it's better to be late to the party than not to show up at all and it is worth looking at some of BMW's parts --but my sentiment leans towards looking at each part separately , driving several cars, and talking to various tuners before adding anything to the car .

Once the car is complete though --it really does make a difference and it's my feeling that these modified 335i cars are quite a good value for those who want a practical thrill vehicle in this coupe/sedan segment.

Does anyone know if there is any anti-piracy protection built into the Dinan software? I've heard that the code can be accessed through the car's OBD port.

If so, the potential would be big for black market copies being sold, especially with Dinan charging $2K for a legit copy.

I think the point lexusis350 was probably trying to make was to conclude how stupid the article about a modded IS350 would be better/same as an IS-F. Same goes for M3, RS4, and C63.

BMW has the best OEM rims imo. I wonder what the power will be when dynoed with the new software.

there's always room for improvement...even for the car that dominates its class.

nope sorry bmw you cannot come close to benz... ;)