[NFS]

It looks like I may keep my car till Sept 2010 (if I do it's going to be the first time I've ever had a car more than 3 years).

Still enjoy driving it, but familiarity breeds boredom. What can I do to stave it off? Already had it detailed, so visually it's looking OK.

Initial ideas are:

Non Runflat tyres - I'm actually a bit concerned that these might soften the ride at the expense of handling, but there does seem to be a growing consensus that it's a good move.

Exhaust - love the sound of the car, but it's very refined. Sports exhaust is tempting, but I'm a bit worried that it will make the car less pleasant on long motorway journeys.

Amp upgrade - was really tempted to do this, but don't like the idea of splicing wires.

What would you do with a budget of £500??

[zltm089]

Induction kit? The "noise" then would be coming from the engine and not the exhaust! Gruppe M are quite pricey though!...

[TMP]

If you have £500 - would'nt touch the tyres until you have to. I am unsure anout non-RFT's as well, quite like the idea of trying the Micheln PS2 RFT's.

Defo think about the Amp upgrade and you could always pay an installer ~£150 seems the norm

Any BMW performance upgrades take your fancy (not cheap though)

[NFS]

Originally Posted by zltm089

Induction kit? The "noise" then would be coming from the engine and not the exhaust! Gruppe M are quite pricey though!...

Christ those things are expensive.

Even the replica type ones are £450. Not sure about the sound though? Does it make the engine note a lot louder?

Originally Posted by TMP

Any BMW performance upgrades take your fancy (not cheap though)

Steering wheel looks cool, but too expensive.

I've heard a clip of the performance exhaust on youtube and it did sound very good, complete with 'popping' on the overrun.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by NFS

Not sure about the sound though? Does it make the engine note a lot louder?

Good man NFS! I'd have kept my 330i for 4 or 5 years if I didn't need to change it for a tourer - the E90 330 was just about the perfect car for me I reckon. It was only just run in properly at 50K, not a squeak or rattle in sight, ran beautifully.

I'm gonna keep this 335i for 4 or 5 years or more, I can buy it for 12K after the 3 year PCP, the wife can have it as her runabout!

Back on thread....

For me, induction noise is what makes an engine special, anyone can put a loud exhaust on a gash engine and make it louder and pop etc, but you'll never get a great induction noise without a great engine.

(that's been the let down on my 335i, where there is no induction noise)

Think E46 M3 (for straight 6 comparison), that hard edged metallic rasp under acceleration is all induction noise, you hear that far before the exhaust.

From reviews the BMW induction kit really adds that metallic rasp to a 330i, the driver can hear it too - whereas exhaust is mostly for pedestrians and neighbours to be annoyed by!

If I'd been able to keep my 330i I'd have gone for the BMW induction kit, £450 I think?

:-)

[Pioneer]

Would agree with the induction, as exhausts tend to give the car a drone on motorways which can get very annoying.

Don't be afraid of the non rft's, M3's come standard with non rft's for a reason.

They will soften the ride but in no way will they have worse handling, i found the rft's a bit twitchy in corners. I enjoy my BMW even more from i changed.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by doughboy

If I'd been able to keep my 330i I'd have gone for the BMW induction kit, £450 I think? :-)

£723 from Cooper BMW's online shop:

http://www.cooper-bmw-parts.co.uk/in...com_virtuemart

Same price at Evolve:

http://www.evo-s.co.uk/shop/index.ph...2372_2937_3307

Simota one is £450 though:

http://www.evo-s.co.uk/shop/index.ph...2372_2937_3306

This is one on an e90:

[Swiller]

fair play, sounds great. Are there any other benefits apart from noise? ie better bhp etc etc.

[sumo]

how does it sound on highways for long drives? would the noise get annoying?

[G33]

u only hear it when u give it full beans dont u? moderate throttle i think its unnoticable? im going off my knowledge on an induction kit i had on my NA engined Saxo

[sumo]

Is this considered a cold air intake? would there be any problems in the winter?

[Steve748]

Originally Posted by NFS

Non run Flat tyres - I'm actually a bit concerned that these might soften the ride at the expense of handling, but there does seem to be a growing consensus that it's a good move.

I was running PS2's non rft on 19" 225's and the ride is superb and the handling is exceptionally excellent too. I was very happy with them until I changed the wheels and now running Conti non rft 19" and the handling and ride is equally as good.
Only thing is changing to Non rft's PS2's will set you back about £1k but you can get about £300 for the run flats if they have plenty of meat on them. Even if they are getting low you will still be able to sell them so long as the insides are OK.
There are other cheaper tyres but I'm not one for putting budget tyres on a performance car