I put this thread here and am unsure if this is the right spot.

I have usually bought cars that are either stock or already modded. At this time I own an old '99 E39 BMW 540i and was thinking of doing her up to be a loud beast but I have several options

1. N54 Project - 2010 BMW 135i

Add RB Turbos, do full Cobb stage whatever tune, exhaust FMIC etc. I can buy a marginally water soaked "Sandy" BMW 135i with 35-40k miles for around $16-17,000 that has been put ship shape into stock condition. In actuality, the insurers qwrote off a tonne of cars that had water just into the cabin in any car park - One of the cars I checked has the factory performance upgrade claiming 320 horsies and from my prelims seems to be in excellent order. Having a mate who does my work check it out tomorrow.

Title is a rebuilt NY title after salvage

I estimate total project costs = $26k (initial). Sell old car approx $4k

Positives - it would be a little rocket

Negatives - probably unsaleable in NY (any rebuilt title is tough), 135's are small and I have a high frame, maintenance costs and any labor costs in NY and Hamptons are insane

2. Buy ABR's modded perfect little M3 - as per the sale thread here

Thread: 1998 turbo E85 4 door M3. No sunroof! 620hp/740tq Fastest E36 in Texas?


http://www.bimmerboost.com/showthrea...t-E36-in-Texas

Negatives - I will die

Positives - I will die in style going effing fast

It is a magnificent car and as a long term-er I could always sell her to some Hamptons twat who wants to drag off his Maserati mates

I would get to drive it back to NY stopping at every E85 gas dealer

I get to see the beautiful south again (having driven through 43 states my faves are all south)

Costing = $17,500 OBO + flight and hotel etc, new title in NY etc. Sell old car for approx $4k


3. Supercharge my 1999 540i(A)

My car has 110,000 miles all city to Hamptons or the last dude just drove it to the train station. I did shred the front 2 sides of the bumper/fenders a year or so back and had the bodywork repaired but like all NYC cars there are taxi love scratches everywhere and a small ding where the garbage boys decided to use my car as a bumper for ice hockey practice.

Supercharger install and all labor costs = $8000
I guess I would need new exhaust etc = $1200+
Suspension and other approx $2000

Project cost (initial) at least $11,200

I guess if I sold it as is I would get around $4k in NY if lucky.

Negatives

Automatic
14 year old car
May need extra work unknown at this stage

Positives

Already has okay torque and nice comfortable ride, great sounding engine which will be a thundering beast if supercharged.. Get to blow by my wife's (inheritance friends) in their new cars
Be fun to do

Better the devil you know



I have already found the right people to do the 540i and the N54 work if I go either way

Question - which option do y'all think ???