Don’t get me wrong, in my perfect garage, I would have a low mileage M3 sitting right next to my race car. but I don't think I can bring myself to ruining an M3 to make a race car out of it
@@TenzaMotorsports I been trying to find the best model that I can modify to look the most like the m3 and put everything the m3 has into it. Coupe models specifically which models do you suggest me bro? Ur response will be extremely helpful and appreciated 🙏
Thats exactly what I did. Got a 4 dr 323 and its modified , more on a street level, with a 4 dr carbon fiber body kit, and I love it. Engine and trans is off a 3.0 with a retune and e36 m3 i take .Interior was left completely factory, with carbon fiber trim, and suspension and brakes were completely redone. Love how it runs, and am looking to turbo or supercharge it.
Build and toy with a regular e46, save and preserve the M. You can easily surpass M3 numbers on any lower displacement e46 such as 323 and 325 with stock internals up until 400/500 hp
@@TenzaMotorsports Would you say a 328 is better for boost than a 330? Thinking of picking up one 1 year from now as a project and i heard that the 328 is better for boost but idk.
Thank you so much for this video. I AGREE HEAVILY. By doing this you are keeping the dream alive for young adults like me who's dream is to own a good mileage and unmodified M3. I am a huge BMW lover and my dreams is to have a M collection.
I would have already started that M collection myself. But, it wouldn’t be very much content as I wouldn’t heavily modify them. Some maintenance and Angel eyes. Small things like that. Hope you can start your M collection soon!
Good topic my man! This is something I have a hard time with. What I don’t want people to do is go around faking M3’s.. like if you have the performance to back it up that’s fine.. but do something unique yk??
Totally agree! i was thinking about this a few days ago. why to ruin an M3, which is a bit difficult to maintain when you cand buy an 325i-330i and make it exactly how you like it, i mean...an m3 is special from many reasons but, will be a very very rare colection car, it's a bit sad to ruin something with such a history, right?
Exactly. If you Buy an M3 that’s already a race car, or you find one that’s already ruined or dilapidated then I wouldn’t see any harm in that. If you go and buy a low mileage one with a desirable color and then rip it apart... Thats sad in my eyes!
Great topic to discuss. I think most people won't listen because being able to say it is the top-of-the-line model is almost as important to them as the build was. I am a huge supporter of keeping unique cars from the factory as original as possible.
If it's a high mileage SMG in an undesirable spec then I'd say do whatever you want to the M3. But a desirable spec and lower miles? Not worth it to track imo.
buy the e46 m3 donor, sell the s54 setup for 5-6k, swap in a boosted boosted m52/s52. for that 5-6k you can add 2-3k to that and put in a built m52 and a turbo kit + tune making like 6-7xx all day. stock e46 m3 chassis can handle that easily. or an ls3 u can probably do that for about 8k and 10-12k with a dct from the e92 m3. thats my plan after im done building my e36 . i want an ls3 e36/e46 m3 with a dct trans .
Definitely agree on most of your points. I always find it so pointless to see an m3 with an ls in it. I currently have one that I'm planning on making a track car but first of all, its a salvage title. Secondly, its in good not great shape. And third, the way I see it is if I hadnt bought it from the auction it probably wouldve ended up at a junkyard so might as well make it a race car lol. Didnt pay all that much for it so fuck it. Good tips and love the videos man. Keep em coming
Thanks for the comment! Sounds like your M3 is a perfect example of one to modify into a track car. Keeping one from going to a junkyard is an awesome story. My 330ci has a similar past.
I absolutely agree with the magority of your points. But I'm not sure about building a copy cat. Make it your own style. I would fab my own peices. Guess not everyone has that option though. Make it different is all I'm saying though lol
Only things to add to a e46 m3 are a big brake kit , csl air intake , headers and exhaust and minimal mods maybe part upgrades but no modding. Can’t destroy a beauty of a car like the e46 m3
Controversial opinion but if you drive one of the most decorated sports cars and don’t drive it for it’s purpose for existence then you aren’t doing it right, obviously that’s just my opinion and I do fully respect and understand wanting to keep it in a garage and only do 500miles a year 👍
Good video I mean everyone here on utube thinks they are experts on every topic they are interested in. Let them talk most of them obviously have no idea what they are talking about I have an 330i and I wanna build a drifter out of it funny how everyone is killing my vibe and tell me not to do it
I looked for one relentlessly. I was hoping I could find a 330 and then when I pull the engine out I have a 3.0 sitting around when we were done. Then I came across a post saying that they didn't do them here in the states, so that's why I said that. Correction I guess!
@@TenzaMotorsports They are rare and I exaggerated with saying "frequently" haha I have a 323 5 speed wagon myself and even though it's slow, the m52tu engine has been solid and doesn't burn a drop of oil at 225k. I'm thankful e46 BMW's are as plentiful as Corollas out here parts wise too. I don't know where your located, but LA, Sacramento and SF Bay Area have a ton of good/cheap donor cars and parts. Thanks for the content!
For race car i would buy 316 or 318 e46 coupe because this cars have no subframe issues and they are way cheaper than 325, 330 or M3. Of course you will swap engine for something more powerful.
I'm working on my 325i and my headlights need replacing! I want angel lights as well, any recommendations? and which headlights did you use on your 330i?
My head lights are the stock xenon headlights. I pulled them apart, cleaned them up, replaced the lenses, and used iJDM toy halo rings. I would recommend depo head lights as a replacement. Or find a used oem xenon for cheap and refurbish them.
I just got a 323ci stick and I really like it it’s very clean and tan leather interior which I don’t see too often. A reason why I kinda want to upgrade the engine and slowly built a M3 it just looks like a journey and I’m not sure I’m ready for it. I do just wish my car had more power any suggestions to start with? I was thinking an intake kit but they can be expensive.
The only thing I can say is 3.0 swap. They aren’t expensive and you can sell your 323 engine to help cover the cost of the 3.0. I come across 3.0s on occasion for cheaper and a brand name intake.
@@TenzaMotorsports so I'm guessing is really faster than the E46 M3 ? It trying to be an @$$ just wanted to to know if is really worth ...they selling me a black on black 2005 E46 M3 in immaculate condition stick shift 135k miles clean title for $12k ,
That’s a good deal on a M3. It really is. I’d love to own one someday. But to answer your question, yes, my 330ci as it sits right now absolutely obliterates M3s. Even new ones. I was beating the e46 M3 on the track with just 4 upgrades. Weight reduction, wider wheels, better tires, and coilovers
I don’t know, but I’d want an S54. Would the numbers make sense to swap a regular e46? My gut feeling is it wouldn’t if you take into consideration the cost of swapping the whole driveline. I bet in a few years it might make sense but there are still some 16-17k S54 equipped cars out there that are much closer to a trackable car than your average 4-door 330.
@@TenzaMotorsports I agree that it would make sense to build a non M in this case but it is somewhat unrealistic since you can’t expect to find an M3 for as cheap as you did. How much would you think it would have been to just fix the M3 you got for 6500?
I have a 2005 BMW E4 six 318 CI manual and I want to switch up the engine to a six cylinder set up. How much can I plug and play and is the transmission usable with a larger engine or do I need to switch it out entirely.
We are doing a build on the M3 shell we have left over from the S54 Wagon swap. But the time to buy an M3 is if you want it to stay an M3 some tasteful mods that don't change the original car much. They are great as is and are quickly becoming classics.
id really like to know how many and which parts you used on your base model because i have a base model and im just wondering what parts coukdni use off a m3 because id like to swap a s54 in it later on as well and use as many m3 parts as possible
I'm thinking of getting a bmw m3 and modifying it to be just like the one from NFS MW, I don't really wanna change any parts performance wise, just the body kit and give it the same paint/wrap. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this, since the standard E46 is so common, would I be better off getting it instead of the M version?
If you are planning on keeping the engine the car came with, I’d stay get an M3. Plus the diff is a limited slip. If you were going to swap it get a 3series. Just a wide body, I’d probably stick with M
That's right! Let the M3 remain as it is. This is a future treasure. Modify the other models ... 😁to look like the M3
Agree 💯. Be a waste to modify an M3 too much. Base model is cheaper, easier to maintain and better to beat on.
Don’t get me wrong, in my perfect garage, I would have a low mileage M3 sitting right next to my race car. but I don't think I can bring myself to ruining an M3 to make a race car out of it
@@TenzaMotorsports I been trying to find the best model that I can modify to look the most like the m3 and put everything the m3 has into it. Coupe models specifically which models do you suggest me bro? Ur response will be extremely helpful and appreciated 🙏
Thats exactly what I did. Got a 4 dr 323 and its modified , more on a street level, with a 4 dr carbon fiber body kit, and I love it. Engine and trans is off a 3.0 with a retune and e36 m3 i take .Interior was left completely factory, with carbon fiber trim, and suspension and brakes were completely redone. Love how it runs, and am looking to turbo or supercharge it.
Build and toy with a regular e46, save and preserve the M. You can easily surpass M3 numbers on any lower displacement e46 such as 323 and 325 with stock internals up until 400/500 hp
Couldn’t agree more!
@@TenzaMotorsports Would you say a 328 is better for boost than a 330? Thinking of picking up one 1 year from now as a project and i heard that the 328 is better for boost but idk.
How would I be able to make that much power on my 325i?
Don’t listen to haters. It’s people like that who ruin the car community. Lots of good info for those wanting to build a track car
Thank you so much for this video. I AGREE HEAVILY. By doing this you are keeping the dream alive for young adults like me who's dream is to own a good mileage and unmodified M3. I am a huge BMW lover and my dreams is to have a M collection.
I would have already started that M collection myself. But, it wouldn’t be very much content as I wouldn’t heavily modify them. Some maintenance and Angel eyes. Small things like that. Hope you can start your M collection soon!
Haters gon hate. Keep building.
The mic setup makes it sound so crisp.
Thanks man! These sennheiser mics have been great.
Good topic my man! This is something I have a hard time with. What I don’t want people to do is go around faking M3’s.. like if you have the performance to back it up that’s fine.. but do something unique yk??
Totally agree!
i was thinking about this a few days ago.
why to ruin an M3, which is a bit difficult to maintain when you cand buy an 325i-330i and make it exactly how you like it, i mean...an m3 is special from many reasons but, will be a very very rare colection car, it's a bit sad to ruin something with such a history, right?
Exactly. If you Buy an M3 that’s already a race car, or you find one that’s already ruined or dilapidated then I wouldn’t see any harm in that. If you go and buy a low mileage one with a desirable color and then rip it apart... Thats sad in my eyes!
Love that you made this video because I get the same questions until my “330” smokes them at the light
Thanks!
So glad I got my 323i slicktop
Slick tops are rare. I had a hellrot 330i slick top. I should have ever sold it. Next owner ruined it.
Great topic to discuss. I think most people won't listen because being able to say it is the top-of-the-line model is almost as important to them as the build was.
I am a huge supporter of keeping unique cars from the factory as original as possible.
Totally agree! Thanks for watching and commenting.
If it's a high mileage SMG in an undesirable spec then I'd say do whatever you want to the M3. But a desirable spec and lower miles? Not worth it to track imo.
Finally a guy who admits to ruining BMW by making them Clown Speed Machine.... I can respect that part...
If you do this to any car. It “ruins it”, from a daily driver standpoint.
buy the e46 m3 donor, sell the s54 setup for 5-6k, swap in a boosted boosted m52/s52. for that 5-6k you can add 2-3k to that and put in a built m52 and a turbo kit + tune making like 6-7xx all day. stock e46 m3 chassis can handle that easily. or an ls3 u can probably do that for about 8k and 10-12k with a dct from the e92 m3.
thats my plan after im done building my e36 . i want an ls3 e36/e46 m3 with a dct trans .
That’s one way to do it! That’s what’ll end up happening with our M3 donor. It’ll end up with a non-m engine.
Definitely agree on most of your points. I always find it so pointless to see an m3 with an ls in it. I currently have one that I'm planning on making a track car but first of all, its a salvage title. Secondly, its in good not great shape. And third, the way I see it is if I hadnt bought it from the auction it probably wouldve ended up at a junkyard so might as well make it a race car lol. Didnt pay all that much for it so fuck it. Good tips and love the videos man. Keep em coming
Thanks for the comment! Sounds like your M3 is a perfect example of one to modify into a track car. Keeping one from going to a junkyard is an awesome story. My 330ci has a similar past.
It will always be that. Build what makes you happy.
I absolutely agree with the magority of your points. But I'm not sure about building a copy cat. Make it your own style. I would fab my own peices. Guess not everyone has that option though. Make it different is all I'm saying though lol
Absolutely. I don’t want to encourage copy cats. Build something custom!
I came across a 330ci with no sunroof and imma make the m3 conversion
Slick top huh? That pretty rare. I had a slick top sedan but I sold it. Do a conversion for sure. That would be awesome!
@@TenzaMotorsports thank you I will for sure
330's go hard!
E46 m3s are 60-80k where i live wasn’t planning on getting one lol
Sad isn’t it?
@@TenzaMotorsports yeah for that price i’d rather an f80 m3 or something newer
Something about you having the laptop just looks so cool and badass.
I appreciate it!
The touring actually came in 323it and 325it in the states
Hey man thanks so much. Wanting to buy a first car and then change the body. Going to go and buy a lower model and work on it over the next 2/3 years
e46 m3 are $55,000+ where i live, that's for verts and 150,000km on the meter :(
They are going up fast. The E46 m3 is such a great car. I’ve been predicting their climb in value for years.
Great video by the way!
Only things to add to a e46 m3 are a big brake kit , csl air intake , headers and exhaust and minimal mods maybe part upgrades but no modding. Can’t destroy a beauty of a car like the e46 m3
Controversial opinion but if you drive one of the most decorated sports cars and don’t drive it for it’s purpose for existence then you aren’t doing it right, obviously that’s just my opinion and I do fully respect and understand wanting to keep it in a garage and only do 500miles a year 👍
I absolutely agree.
Good video I mean everyone here on utube thinks they are experts on every topic they are interested in. Let them talk most of them obviously have no idea what they are talking about I have an 330i and I wanna build a drifter out of it funny how everyone is killing my vibe and tell me not to do it
Especially how insane m3 prices you can get something like a 330i and invest money into it to make it fun.
Great comments. I really like your Tenza Logo.
Cool video - but they did bring the 323 and 330 variations of the e46 wagon to the US. I see them out here in the bay area frequently.
I looked for one relentlessly. I was hoping I could find a 330 and then when I pull the engine out I have a 3.0 sitting around when we were done. Then I came across a post saying that they didn't do them here in the states, so that's why I said that. Correction I guess!
@@TenzaMotorsports They are rare and I exaggerated with saying "frequently" haha
I have a 323 5 speed wagon myself and even though it's slow, the m52tu engine has been solid and doesn't burn a drop of oil at 225k. I'm thankful e46 BMW's are as plentiful as Corollas out here parts wise too. I don't know where your located, but LA, Sacramento and SF Bay Area have a ton of good/cheap donor cars and parts.
Thanks for the content!
For race car i would buy 316 or 318 e46 coupe because this cars have no subframe issues and they are way cheaper than 325, 330 or M3. Of course you will swap engine for something more powerful.
I'm working on my 325i and my headlights need replacing! I want angel lights as well, any recommendations? and which headlights did you use on your 330i?
My head lights are the stock xenon headlights. I pulled them apart, cleaned them up, replaced the lenses, and used iJDM toy halo rings. I would recommend depo head lights as a replacement. Or find a used oem xenon for cheap and refurbish them.
I just got a 323ci stick and I really like it it’s very clean and tan leather interior which I don’t see too often. A reason why I kinda want to upgrade the engine and slowly built a M3 it just looks like a journey and I’m not sure I’m ready for it. I do just wish my car had more power any suggestions to start with? I was thinking an intake kit but they can be expensive.
The only thing I can say is 3.0 swap. They aren’t expensive and you can sell your 323 engine to help cover the cost of the 3.0. I come across 3.0s on occasion for cheaper and a brand name intake.
The question is how fats is your built E46 , is it really worth ?
Worth every single penny
@@TenzaMotorsports so I'm guessing is really faster than the E46 M3 ? It trying to be an @$$ just wanted to to know if is really worth ...they selling me a black on black 2005 E46 M3 in immaculate condition stick shift 135k miles clean title for $12k ,
That’s a good deal on a M3. It really is. I’d love to own one someday.
But to answer your question, yes, my 330ci as it sits right now absolutely obliterates M3s. Even new ones. I was beating the e46 M3 on the track with just 4 upgrades. Weight reduction, wider wheels, better tires, and coilovers
Would love to do this build on a E46 325ci
this is such good advice, thanks!
I don’t know, but I’d want an S54. Would the numbers make sense to swap a regular e46? My gut feeling is it wouldn’t if you take into consideration the cost of swapping the whole driveline. I bet in a few years it might make sense but there are still some 16-17k S54 equipped cars out there that are much closer to a trackable car than your average 4-door 330.
I just did a budget swap into a wagon. I got the m3 for 6500 and the wagon for 2200. It was another 10k to put them together.
@@TenzaMotorsports I agree that it would make sense to build a non M in this case but it is somewhat unrealistic since you can’t expect to find an M3 for as cheap as you did. How much would you think it would have been to just fix the M3 you got for 6500?
Without fixing the body Damage. Probably another $4500-5500
solid advice.
This is Rad!
I have a 2005 BMW E4 six 318 CI manual and I want to switch up the engine to a six cylinder set up. How much can I plug and play and is the transmission usable with a larger engine or do I need to switch it out entirely.
What transmission is it?
So if I have a 325i but ultimately want to do a swap, where should I even start if I bought the car stock
What are you engine are you wanting to swap into your car?
Insurance will be cheaper too
Very true.
I agree 1000000%
It’s worked out well for me!
Can you do a video about when it is a good time to get an M3? I’m assuming if you plan to keep it stock? Curious on your thoughts
We are doing a build on the M3 shell we have left over from the S54 Wagon swap.
But the time to buy an M3 is if you want it to stay an M3 some tasteful mods that don't change the original car much.
They are great as is and are quickly becoming classics.
@@TenzaMotorsports that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for explaining!
Are you selling those m3 side mirrors
We are not.
How much to convert 2005 2 door 325 Ci to AWD, Manual 2JZ engine, with new suspension and widebody kit?? Any help is appreciated!
id really like to know how many and which parts you used on your base model because i have a base model and im just wondering what parts coukdni use off a m3 because id like to swap a s54 in it later on as well and use as many m3 parts as possible
I have m3 front fenders. Everything else is custom built or better parts than an m3.
Aw fuck I shoulda seen this 2 years ago
I'm thinking of getting a bmw m3 and modifying it to be just like the one from NFS MW, I don't really wanna change any parts performance wise, just the body kit and give it the same paint/wrap. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this, since the standard E46 is so common, would I be better off getting it instead of the M version?
If you are planning on keeping the engine the car came with, I’d stay get an M3. Plus the diff is a limited slip. If you were going to swap it get a 3series. Just a wide body, I’d probably stick with M
I just bought a $400 e46 lol
It's been sitting for 3 years
Bought a 800$ e46 and it’s been sitting since 2019 lol
Where do y’all find s54s?
M3s
Anyone know if the 3.91 lsd from a m3 will bolt on to a base e36 325 5 speed?
I’m about to find out
nah im still gonna get an m3 LMAO
What body kit best for e46
Haven't used on so I don't know. Break Traction has you may want to go check out his channel.