Next mod(s)?

[IBCoupe]

My coupe's pretty stock. And now that I've test-driven an E46 328i and been left completely disappointed, I've decided to pay down my loan and refinance instead of trading in for a payment-less car. But, I've also decided that if I'm going to keep the car, some of the money I'd use to pay it down is going to be used for mods ($500 with $7000 towards the loan, bringing my balance to significantly less than $10k).

So given that I'm operating with a budget of $500, and I'm looking for suggestions as to what I should go with. I've come up with a short list on my own, but I'm open to other suggestions:

WeatherTech Floor Mats: $100Injen Intake: $265 (at STillen)Eibach Lowering Kit: $212 (at STillen)Racingline Strut Tower Brace: $130

What do y'all think? I drive 30k each year, 90% highway; don't know if that's going to influence your thoughts. Pick some combination of what's on the list, or give suggestions related to what isn't. I'm generally more interested in performance mods over cosmetic mods, but given a good argument, I could change my mind.

Thanks, y'all!

[DReed86]

Wish I owed less that $10k Im still in the $16's

Weathermatts.... Come on dude You can be more creative than that!!!!

Will you be doing the spring install yourself? Cause you need to account for that if not.

I would def say Intake and springs thats what I did to my car first. But do your research I spend a long time searching and bought my spring a year ago for $160.00 shipped but you have to search to find those good deals Also for $100 you can do a lot of lights. Such as cup holder lights, HID's Interior lights changed to match car interior. C-Mod grill around that price range.

You could also paint your stock rims black which would give it a nice look. You can also paint your engine cover white.....

You have endless possibilities

Yeah 328i are garbage my buddy got one and was talking $h!t so I told him we should race and I worked him!!!!

[DJ_B_Easy]

If I were in your situation I would go strictly performance upgrades. For $500 you can do the Racingline Y pipe and an intake no problem.

[IBCoupe]

Thanks, guys! Keep 'em coming. Probably not going to be ordering anything 'til the end of the week.

[masterbeatty]

IDK man i would def go with the floor mats. I lived in groton for five years and the winters there suck, but you could always buy other stuff now with that money and since it doesnt start snowing there till nov. you can always save up for those. where did you get your AC grossman or the DEWSHBAG's on gold star hwy?

[IBCoupe]

I actually went over to Fall River MA for it. Bought it used, and it was the only Black, Red, or White 3.5SE within 100 miles in my price range. I used to go to Girard on Gold Star to get my service done, but I switched to midas after my 36k was up.

[nig1]

sounds to me like ur better off using $500 somewhere else (like ipad) than toward mods. Only mods u could do is springs + intake. Is $500 worth for minor mods?

[IBCoupe]

I'm not intending this to be the end of my modifications. It probably will be the only mods I put on this year.

[DJ_B_Easy]

How about this...

1 Mod for performance = Racingline Y $289ish before shipping1 Mod for looks/tiny bit performance = Eibach Pro Kit $212 on sale at Stillen

IMO both give you the best bang for your (500)buck(s).

[BlackMamba08]

If I were in your situation I would go strictly performance upgrades. For $500 you can do the Racingline Y pipe and an intake no problem.

This was going to be my exact suggestion.

[IBCoupe]

My only concern about the Racingline Y is emissions.

[DJ_B_Easy]

My only concern about the Racingline Y is emissions.

I cant imagine that CT is any more strict than NJ, but a friend of mine has it on his Sedan in NJ for a while and has passed inspection twice. You can always pay a gas staion or shop to pass you too. I personally have not had my car inspected with it, maybe someone else in NJ can chime in?

Unless you are worried because of actual pollution, in which case you should probably get the floormats...

[IBCoupe]

Ha, I meant concerned with the legal ramifications.

In CT, they don't test exhaust for cars newer than 1995, I've read, but they do scan for codes. I imagine "Missing a Catalytic Converter" would trigger a code, but I don't know for sure. I'm leaning towards intake+strut tower brace+mats, unless someone's got a reason not to get the strut bar. Rear sway bar, at $135 from STillen is a possibility, too.

These also seem to be the easiest to install in my apartment complex's parking lot. Except for the sway bar. Looks like a pain.

[Marisha]

I've got the WeatherTech floor mats and they're great! Totally worth it if you want to keep your carpets clean. Don't forget their trunk liner, saved my butt a few times already.

[White_SR]

Ha, I meant concerned with the legal ramifications.

In CT, they don't test exhaust for cars newer than 1995, I've read, but they do scan for codes. I imagine "Missing a Catalytic Converter" would trigger a code, but I don't know for sure.

If they aren't doing a visual inspection then you don't have to worry about it. Installing the Racingline y-pipe won't trigger your CEL, the eliminated cat isn't metered.

These also seem to be the easiest to install in my apartment complex's parking lot. Except for the sway bar. Looks like a pain.

The swaybar is actually a pretty easy installation too.

[IBCoupe]

If they aren't doing a visual inspection then you don't have to worry about it. Installing the Racingline y-pipe won't trigger your CEL, the eliminated cat isn't metered.

The swaybar is actually a pretty easy installation too.

Well, that'd be a relief except that I keep researching it. Mustang forum users are reporting that OBD-II (1996 and newer) get a code check and a visual inspection.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Well, that'd be a relief except that I keep researching it. Mustang forum users are reporting that OBD-II (1996 and newer) get a code check and a visual inspection.

...and you are driving an Altima Coupe, I dont get it.

[IBCoupe]

What don't you get?

[DJ_B_Easy]

What don't you get?

Dont get how researching a Mustang owner's inspection is comparable to an A/C owner's inspection. Im no pro on whats standard for inspection, but I dont see how a Mustang driver's experiences would relate to ours. Plenty of people have the Y pipe and I havent heard of anyone having problems. So you have Mustang forum with problems VS Altima Coupe forum without problems. Go Y pipe!

[IBCoupe]

I would expect that the CT DMV doesn't see a difference between a Mustang that's missing a cat and a Coupe that's missing one. I'm looking for the actual procedure and regulations in the state of Connecticut... the problem would be universal.

[DJ_B_Easy]

I would expect that the CT DMV doesn't see a difference between a Mustang that's missing a cat and a Coupe that's missing one. I'm looking for the actual procedure and regulations in the state of Connecticut... the problem would be universal.

Agreed, definitely need to find the exact procedure. You also have to look into the exact mod on the Mustang. If the Mustangs removed CAT is supposed to be metered then that could be why its failing. The Coupe's is not, may not fail.

Anywho do your research and figure it out, but I still think this one is a no brainer. That Y pipe is definitely an amazing upgrade. Best of luck....

[PHENOMenalVinyl]

Ha, I meant concerned with the legal ramifications.

In CT, they don't test exhaust for cars newer than 1995, I've read, but they do scan for codes. I imagine "Missing a Catalytic Converter" would trigger a code, but I don't know for sure. I'm leaning towards intake+strut tower brace+mats, unless someone's got a reason not to get the strut bar. Rear sway bar, at $135 from STillen is a possibility, too.

These also seem to be the easiest to install in my apartment complex's parking lot. Except for the sway bar. Looks like a pain.

intake deff and ide go springs they have such a diff on handling its amazing plus it looks sooooooo much better

if u dont get the springs ide do ypipe or racinglines strut bar n rear sway bar bc they r cheaper n their rear sway bar is 30% stiffer n stillen is 20%

[IBCoupe]

Thanks, guys!

My roommate suggested that, since my car's about to hit 60,000 miles, I might be needing suspension work soon, and the increase in price from replacement shocks and struts to BC racing coilovers is probably within my budget. Throw in the rear sway bar and possibly some endlinks, and I'll have purchased almost a new suspension entirely, and I'll get the handling improvements that come with the upgrades.

So there's that.

Too many choices!

[IBCoupe]

So liked all of your suggestions, but I decided to go with the Coilovers for now. Ordered them tonight; not sure when they'll arrive. Now I shop around for an install.

I'm thinking I might use your advice later this summer:Injen Intake & Rear Sway Bar

And then right as they start putting salt on the roads:WeatherTech floormats.

Thanks for the help, guys!

[RaiderKID]

Where did you order you coils from? Mine are on back order

[IBCoupe]

Circuitmotorsports...

I didn't notice anything that said there weren't any in stock; I hope that's not where you ordered yours from.

[IBCoupe]

If you didn't order it from them, and you feel like canceling your back-ordered part, here's the link:https://www.circuitmotorsports...0e4e2

[RaiderKID]

yes thats the same place I got an email shortly after that they will not be receiving them until the 16 of april. I ordered them on march 29. im a wait til then. see what happens.

[IBCoupe]

Haven't heard from them yet; don't expect to until Monday. Hopefully they'll be able to get mine by the same date. If not, I'll continue shopping around.

I don't mind waiting an extra week, but an extra two weeks? FDS.