[beammeup_scotty]

Hey guys, new to the forums.

Some background, used to own an E46 330. Unfortunately, it was totaled a few months ago (t-boned). Been on the lookout for a replacement since and the M235i has been my top choice. There's a private seller in my area selling his car (8-speed) with a Dinan S3 tune/Intercooler/CF cold air intake, Remus cat-back, and Eisenmann sports exhaust - still under warranty. Car itself has factory warranty til 2020.

As much as I love cars, I know nothing about tuning, just a bit of experience with installing bolt-ons. I was hoping to go stock and slowly build it up, but saw this one and it's kinda hard to pass as it will save me a ton of money upfront. Price is great and its still under 20k miles. Should I bite? Pros/Cons for a newbie?

[arhoads335i]

Originally Posted by beammeup_scotty

Hey guys, new to the forums.

Some background, used to own an E46 330. Unfortunately, it was totaled a few months ago (t-boned). Been on the lookout for a replacement since and the M235i has been my top choice. There's a private seller in my area selling his car (8-speed) with a Dinan S3 tune/Intercooler/CF cold air intake, Remus cat-back, and Eisenmann sports exhaust - still under warranty. Car itself has factory warranty til 2020.

As much as I love cars, I know nothing about tuning, just a bit of experience with installing bolt-ons. I was hoping to go stock and slowly build it up, but saw this one and it's kinda hard to pass as it will save me a ton of money upfront. Price is great and its still under 20k miles. Should I bite? Pros/Cons for a newbie?

Just take the tune off if you want to slowly build it up. Everything ense should work fine on a stock car. Plus the Dinan tune is trash

[morphomeman]

Buying a modded vehicle is always an iffy proposition. First, you never know how well the work was done. Second, mods always affect a variety of aspects of the vehicle, and not in predictable ways. Finally, for now, modders tend to push the limit, so mileage is not a good indicator of wear.
Bottom line, never pay more for a modded vehicle than for stock. I would personally pay less. And be careful out there!

[hwntime]

I'd jump on it if the price was reasonable. Find comparable models (mileage, equipment packages) without the aftermarket parts to give you a gauge of where to start. If he's only asking up to an extra $1500 for his car, I'd jump on it for sure, especially if he still has the OEM parts. You could always part out the pieces you don't want and sell them. If he's asking $2000+ for his car over comparable models, I'd probably pass. You have to figure out what you want to do to the car and if it's everything he already has done for only $1000-$1500 more, it's a great deal. Of course take the car for a full pre-sale inspection from a reputable shop or the dealership.

Dinan S3 $2600
FMIC $600
CF intake $900
Eisenmenn $2500
(rough pricing on the parts)

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

Buying a modded vehicle is always an iffy proposition. First, you never know how well the work was done.

Safer to buy stock and mod yourself. That said if the car is compelling see if you can find out where the work was done. My car has Dinan S2, CAI, AA IC, MPE and it was all done at Thompson BMW who is an authorized dealer for all that stuff. In the event of disaster it's nice to have a single throat to choke at a dealer vs questionable provenance.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Buy stock and mod it yourself, more than likely you will start reading the forums and wish you went with different mods than the previous owner ... In the long run it will be cheaper and more fun to mod the car yourself

[beammeup_scotty]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Buy stock and mod it yourself, more than likely you will start reading the forums and wish you went with different mods than the previous owner ... In the long run it will be cheaper and more fun to mod the car yourself

After a bit of research, I went with stock. Talked to someone who had Dinan S2 and he dealt with a few issues after a couple of months (new car, btw). It was really tempting as the price was really good, but I'm too chicken to take the risks. Getting the car in the next day or so - 2015 MY with some M-Performance trims/wheels.

Thanks for the input everyone

[morphomeman]

That's what friends are for! Break a leg.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by beammeup_scotty

After a bit of research, I went with stock. Talked to someone who had Dinan S2 and he dealt with a few issues after a couple of months (new car, btw). It was really tempting as the price was really good, but I'm too chicken to take the risks. Getting the car in the next day or so - 2015 MY with some M-Performance trims/wheels.

Thanks for the input everyone

Congrats