How much is too much

[ToXicXxX]

I really have the worst time making these decisions... Currently my 335i needs paint work that is costing me upwards of 2 grand, as well as I need to get summer rims (an easy 2 grand as well), and probably new control arms (M3 arms are... 350 bucks roughly).

When is it time to call it quits? The car is only worth 20k on a good day and I'm estimating it will cost me upwards of 7500 bucks this summer just to get to my "liking". The worst part is the paint work is instant loss, so thats like pissing away 2000+ right there...

Im considering calling it after the paint (couldn't sell it without, would feel wrong), and picking up a 135i, but not too sure on the matter.

[JVD]

Re: How much is too much

More than likely you'll end up in the same boat with the next car. They require maintenance; things wear out.

What benefit would buying a 135 have? Will it have two sets of wheels/tires? Will you leave it stock?

[BaggedGLI]

Re: How much is too much

How much you put into the car is up to you. It's a subjective topic, to each their own.

I've probably put more than 4 times as much into my GLI as I would be able to sell it for. So I'm keeping it and making it what I want it to be. Could I buy something awesome for the money that I am going to put into it? Yes. Do I want to? A little.

Will I? No.

I prefer something that I've poured my time, heart, blood and soul into. Some people take their creativity to canvas, I take mine to my car. Doesn't matter if I have a $500 car or a $80,000 car, I'm still going to dump money into it.

[ToXicXxX]

Re: How much is too much

More than likely you'll end up in the same boat with the next car. They require maintenance; things wear out.

What benefit would buying a 135 have? Will it have two sets of wheels/tires? Will you leave it stock?

Honestly not sure why I want a 135i... Just seem kinda neat.

The maintenance isn't the issue... It's me ending up with a big ass bill for paint work that should have been done properly by wherever originally did it (it was insurance work... Shameful somewhere could half ass a BMW). I don't mind working on it otherwise (i've already done the t-stat, and oil filter housing gasket), but theres certain things you really shouldn't have to do. The other annoying thing is my car is a 01/07, so it's not eligible for Alpina tranny software or a bunch of other stuff... I was considering getting a newer tranny for Alpina, but finding one seems to be difficult.

I also don't want to massively devalue my car, I mean the JB4/DCI/OCC is easy to remove for resale, but I don't want any permanent mods.

Colin, I'm just a bit gunshy after my A4... I mean I probably put 20k into that car and let it go for 9,5. I just don't want to put 10k into my 335i and end up having to sell it for 18 or something. I would like to keep it for a few years, but things are starting to worry me (mainly, if there was bad body work done on the one door... How was any other work I don't know about, and is it gonna bite me in the ass later).

I was also planning on finding a project for summer (cheap car that I don't really mind dumping money into, like an E30) but I don't think I can budget one in now.

[MechEngg]

Re: How much is too much

If your heart really isn't into this car i wouldn't put a cent into it and i would try to sell it and get something that i liked (or something functional if you were smart financially. Something that you would use for years to come without the need to modify it).
If your heart really loves this car, this thread probably wouldn't exist.

[ToXicXxX]

Re: How much is too much

If your heart really isn't into this car i wouldn't put a cent into it and i would try to sell it and get something that i liked (or something functional if you were smart financially. Something that you would use for years to come without the need to modify it).
If your heart really loves this car, this thread probably wouldn't exist.

Well, to put it this way, I would have an E90 M3 if I could afford it... But this is a good half way point until it's affordable. Or a B7 S4.

[Danaldson]

Re: How much is too much

Agree with everyone else, I think you gotta find a car that you really love, and that you will keep for a few years. Seems like you have been shuffling through cars quite a bit.


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[ToXicXxX]

Re: How much is too much

Agree with everyone else, I think you gotta find a car that you really love, and that you will keep for a few years. Seems like you have been shuffling through cars quite a bit.


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I go through cars like mad. The problem is the ones I really want are impractical (im sure I could finance my way to one, but as a university student I don't like having debt). At 20k the 335i really was the most logical choice for me.

[theedge111]

Re: How much is too much

Well, to put it this way, I would have an E90 M3 if I could afford it... But this is a good half way point until it's affordable. Or a B7 S4.

I know of a low mileage B7 S4 Avant 6mt that's about to come on the market

[ToXicXxX]

Re: How much is too much

I know of a low mileage B7 S4 Avant 6mt that's about to come on the market

Unless you want a 335...

[sabbySC]

Re: How much is too much

Cars are a waste of money, but being wealthy and riding the bus is no fun.

[hooddub]

Re: How much is too much

Pretty much all the bases have been covered here already but I'll just put in my two cents. My GTI I've been unsure if I wanted to build for months. I thought it was THE car that I would build to 400hp yadda yadda but now I'm not so sure. What I'm going to do is keep it and yes still do mods, but nothing crazy like a $3000 turbo kit etc.. Maybe a tune, some sound system stuff, wrap the roof, new tint on the windows etc.. But until I can afford something that I really want to keep until the day I die I'm going to try to save as much as I can.

[ToXicXxX]

Re: How much is too much

Pretty much all the bases have been covered here already but I'll just put in my two cents. My GTI I've been unsure if I wanted to build for months. I thought it was THE car that I would build to 400hp yadda yadda but now I'm not so sure. What I'm going to do is keep it and yes still do mods, but nothing crazy like a $3000 turbo kit etc.. Maybe a tune, some sound system stuff, wrap the roof, new tint on the windows etc.. But until I can afford something that I really want to keep until the day I die I'm going to try to save as much as I can.

It's hard to drive a "regular" car though. If that makes sense.

I have considered selling/getting rid of the 335i a few times, but I just can't do it.

[kujiwara]

Re: How much is too much

If you plan on keeping the car forever like me or really love her there's no limit. I got my Jetta for $6200, I've probably put a lot more parts money into it than what it's worth.

[ToXicXxX]

Re: How much is too much

If you plan on keeping the car forever like me or really love her there's no limit. I got my Jetta for $6200, I've probably put a lot more parts money into it than what it's worth.

I do plan to drop the 335i arround 150-200k at most, I really don't want the turbos going on me... Though if I had the time/technology I would do a hybrid turbo swap on it