Trade for a STI Hatchback? Hmmm.....

[Eric335]

Hey BB!

Background:

Today i come to you seeking advice on switching to a new car. Currently i own (outright, no withstanding debt) this car:
-2007 BMW 335I E92
-Space Grey Metallic over Dakota Black Leather
-6MT, Sports/Premium/Cold Weather Packages
-38K Miles
-Absolutely perfect exterior/interior (although i have a blemish on my bumper ill be fixing soon, hopefully. Its new )


Ive been deeply considering getting myself into a new platform for multitude of reasons. Some of them are:
-Modding BMWs is much more expensive compared to other platforms
-Higher maintenance/expensive repairs
-No warranty on current car
-It is going to cost a lot more $$$ to get the 335i where i want it to be (LSD/FMIC/coilovers/rims/CP w BOV/exhaust/exterior modifications/etc)
-Boredom of my current car being too much of a luxury/soft car
-Lots of more reasons


New Idea:

Maybe its been my long-lived love for STIs, but im starting to think that the newer hatchbacks are what i should be looking at. What i would like to know from you guys is:

1) How much do you think it would cost me to trade my 335i in for a used STI? I really am not familiar with the newer gen hatchbacks or what they sell for used. A quick cars.com search shows that they are running in the low $30ks? Seems pretty steep... Id hate to have to throw in more than $3k or so cash for the trade.

2) Do you think i would miss the power that i currently have?

3)Can the newer EJ25s make similar power for a similar cost?

4) Im not against a harsher/louder ride. Im fairly young and would prefer a firm/planted/loud ride over a cushioned cruiser.

5) Are the EJ25s hard to work on for basic things? Im talking like changing sparks/coils/exhaust/oil/etc. I do that kind of stuff myself and would hate to have a car that i cant work on...

5)Is the STI aftermarket wider and cheaper than the N54 market?

6) Anything that i should know? Personal experiences?




Really just kicking tires right now. Every time i see a new hatchback it taunts me.


-Eric

[Legionofboom]

Dont sell your car until the end of next year.

So much happing in 13'

[Sticky]

That's a big downgrade IMO.

[RnmEvo9]

I had an Evo, but have had experience working on my friends STi when given the chance, so I know a few things about them.

The driving characteristic of EJ25 is that it actually feels like a turbocharged motor (lag) whereas the N54 barely has any. So with that in mind, I actually believe you will miss the low end grunt the N54 makes compared to the STI. I actually believe it is far cheaper to mod an N54 on stock turbos for maximum yet reliable power compared to the STI. If you spend 2k on bolt ons like a tune, fmic and downpipes, you have yourself a nice 400-410whp BMW whereas you won't touch that on stock turbo with the STI. You can most definitely reach that kind of power in the STI, but its going to take a lot more and you will have to worry about your ringlands cracking at that power level. Oh yeah, changing spark plugs on the EJ25 is a bitch compared to working on inline engines like the 4g63 and N54, but after awhile you get used to it.

The aftermarket support for the EJ25 is by far more vast than the N54 so you definitely have more options, but in the end it depends on your goal for the car if it may turn out to be cheaper or more expensive.

[Eric335]

That's a big downgrade IMO.

In cabin luxury, yes. In cabin technology, no. I got my car used, so i didnt have a direct choice over the options (especially since i was looking for a manual). I was disgusted when i found out this $55k car didnt have a standard alarm system. I dont have navigation, which sucks as well.

I had an Evo, but have had experience working on my friends STi when given the chance, so I know a few things about them.

The driving characteristic of EJ25 is that it actually feels like a turbocharged motor (lag) whereas the N54 barely has any. So with that in mind, I actually believe you will miss the low end grunt the N54 makes compared to the STI. I actually believe it is far cheaper to mod an N54 on stock turbos for maximum yet reliable power compared to the STI. If you spend 2k on bolt ons like a tune, fmic and downpipes, you have yourself a nice 400-410whp BMW whereas you won't touch that on stock turbo with the STI. You can most definitely reach that kind of power in the STI, but its going to take a lot more and you will have to worry about your ringlands cracking at that power level. Oh yeah, changing spark plugs on the EJ25 is a bitch compared to working on inline engines like the 4g63 and N54, but after awhile you get used to it.

The aftermarket support for the EJ25 is by far more vast than the N54 so you definitely have more options, but in the end it depends on your goal for the car if it may turn out to be cheaper or more expensive.

Hmmmm thanks for your opinions. Im more interested in safely maxing out the stock turbos rather than mess with upgraded turbos. I guess im just bitter about the lack of a LSD still

[Eric335]

Dont sell your car until the end of next year.

So much happing in 13'

Your just afraid the only other tuned N54 in Naples wants to sell his car Jk

[RnmEvo9]

The STI is a very fun car to drive especially if you are relatively young. I still miss my Evo till this day , but I don't miss all the attention from cops, ricers, thieves etc. The lack of LSD in the N54 is depressing to say the least, and I feel your pain regarding that aspect, but there are aftermarket options available (expensive I know). Since you plan on maxing out the potential on stock turbos, you definitely have more potential in the N54, but the price you will pay will be traction lol.

I have 60k on my 135i that runs 12.0-12.1@118-119mph and I will say that it has been a relatively problem free car. The issues I have had were cracked third tail lights, vanos solenoids, and a traction control system failure but were all covered under cpo warranty. If you keep up with maintenance, it is a rewarding car that should offer many years of enjoyment.

[Eric335]

The STI is a very fun car to drive especially if you are relatively young. I still miss my Evo till this day , but I don't miss all the attention from cops, ricers, thieves etc. The lack of LSD in the N54 is depressing to say the least, and I feel your pain regarding that aspect, but there are aftermarket options available (expensive I know). Since you plan on maxing out the potential on stock turbos, you definitely have more potential in the N54, but the price you will pay will be traction lol.

I have 60k on my 135i that runs 12.0-12.1@118-119mph and I will say that it has been a relatively problem free car. The issues I have had were cracked third tail lights, vanos solenoids, and a traction control system failure but were all covered under cpo warranty. If you keep up with maintenance, it is a rewarding car that should offer many years of enjoyment.

Thats the thing, im young and looking for something a little more thrilling than the 335i. Maybe once i finally get these damn DPs installed it will change my mind...

[bigdnno98]

Thats the thing, im young and looking for something a little more thrilling than the 335i. Maybe once i finally get these damn DPs installed it will change my mind...

I traded my FBO + Meth + RB turbo'd 335i last month for an 03 Evo VIII + cash. I originally thought that it would be fairly cheap to get an EVO to 500+ HP but it has turned out to be much more expensive than I thought. My ultimate goal was a 10sec 1/4mi pass and even with a 500HP RB car I knew I wasn't touching 10sec with a 6MT without at least another $3-4k in mods. LSD, axles, driveshaft, etc. I've dumped $10k into this EVO though after it already had $10k in the engine. I regret my decision sometimes but the car is still in the shop getting the final touches on my new mods. I'm pretty sure I will no longer regret the decision when I get the car back. It is SO fun to drive. It handles like no other car I have ever driven. There are some things I really do not like, like the EVO forums, the EVO crowd, and no matter what i do the car is SO loud. We'll see how i really feel very soon.

[Eric335]

I traded my FBO + Meth + RB turbo'd 335i last month for an 03 Evo VIII + cash. I originally thought that it would be fairly cheap to get an EVO to 500+ HP but it has turned out to be much more expensive than I thought. My ultimate goal was a 10sec 1/4mi pass and even with a 500HP RB car I knew I wasn't touching 10sec with a 6MT without at least another $3-4k in mods. LSD, axles, driveshaft, etc. I've dumped $10k into this EVO though after it already had $10k in the engine. I regret my decision sometimes but the car is still in the shop getting the final touches on my new mods. I'm pretty sure I will no longer regret the decision when I get the car back. It is SO fun to drive. It handles like no other car I have ever driven. There are some things I really do not like, like the EVO forums, the EVO crowd, and no matter what i do the car is SO loud. We'll see how i really feel very soon.

Damn, i dont have THAT kind of money to drop into my car. When all is said and done i hope to have spent no more than 8-10k on the car (over the course of several years). Currently ive spent about $1500 (DP/tune/AE/misc).

[Legionofboom]

I traded my FBO + Meth + RB turbo'd 335i last month for an 03 Evo VIII + cash. I originally thought that it would be fairly cheap to get an EVO to 500+ HP but it has turned out to be much more expensive than I thought. My ultimate goal was a 10sec 1/4mi pass and even with a 500HP RB car I knew I wasn't touching 10sec with a 6MT without at least another $3-4k in mods. LSD, axles, driveshaft, etc. I've dumped $10k into this EVO though after it already had $10k in the engine. I regret my decision sometimes but the car is still in the shop getting the final touches on my new mods. I'm pretty sure I will no longer regret the decision when I get the car back. It is SO fun to drive. It handles like no other car I have ever driven. There are some things I really do not like, like the EVO forums, the EVO crowd, and no matter what i do the car is SO loud. We'll see how i really feel very soon.

I thought 8 grand you could have a built evo motor making 700whp. I dont know much about them, but I have always wanted one. Just not enough to start looking into them

[Eric335]

Perhaps part of the problems is that im on vacation right now. Im sure once i get back home and wrap my hands around my new ZHP shifter, ill forget about the Subbies

[bigdnno98]

I thought 8 grand you could have a built evo motor making 700whp. I dont know much about them, but I have always wanted one. Just not enough to start looking into them

Yes but trannies and transfer cases must be upgraded to handle all that power and it had not on this car so that was about $3k for both. Plus I did a whole e85 conversion so that was around $2k. I put better cams, cam gears timing belt and tensioner, ported intake mani and throttle body, etc. it's the little things that add up. It really depends on what you're looking for. Ill tell you that the STI/Evo is more raw and much more of a race car than a 335i. They are much more fun to drive. Like seome said earlier though its a lot cheaper to get to 400-440 HP on a 335 than it is Evo/STI. If you want to go over 440 or have a 10sec 1/4 mi in mind go STI/evo

[Eric335]

Yes but trannies and transfer cases must be upgraded to handle all that power and it had not on this car so that was about $3k for both. Plus I did a whole e85 conversion so that was around $2k. I put better cams, cam gears timing belt and tensioner, ported intake mani and throttle body, etc. it's the little things that add up. It really depends on what you're looking for. Ill tell you that the STI/Evo is more raw and much more of a race car than a 335i. They are much more fun to drive. Like seome said earlier though its a lot cheaper to get to 400-440 HP on a 335 than it is Evo/STI. If you want to go over 440 or have a 10sec 1/4 mi in mind go STI/evo

Thats the part that im missing and wanting at the same time


Gah, the vacillating. I just need to sit in one and drive it, i guess. It amazes me how much the 09+ STIs are still going for though.... Almost worth it to buy new or buy pre-08

[Sticky]

In cabin luxury, yes. In cabin technology, no. I got my car used, so i didnt have a direct choice over the options (especially since i was looking for a manual). I was disgusted when i found out this $55k car didnt have a standard alarm system. I dont have navigation, which sucks as well.

It's up to you. I wouldn't make this trade.

[bigdnno98]

If I had to do it over again I would have traded my 335i for a 2013 Evo x.

[bigdnno98]

while the evo 8 is the choice of many Evo purists I rather a little more refined and the technology of the x.

[Eric335]

while the evo 8 is the choice of many Evo purists I rather a little more refined and the technology of the x.

My buddy has an Evo X. Wicked car, makes like 400awhp but feels really damn fast.

[RnmEvo9]

If I had to do it over again I would have traded my 335i for a 2013 Evo x.

You better take that back before I neg you lol. The Evo X is a fine car and handles amazingly, but the 4b11t is less stout than the stellar 4g63. I had no issues driving the IX on a daily basis, and I don't think I would have an issue now, but if I was an old fart (not calling you this bigdnno98 lol), I would have an issue.

Speed costs money on any given platform, it just depends on the user with their end goals on what is a more suitable platform.

[Eric335]

So how much would it cost to make 400 awhp on a STI? I have a feeling this is around where ill be when i get my FMIC/CAI.

$800 for COBB, $800 for exhaust, ......?

[RnmEvo9]

So how much would it cost to make 400 awhp on a STI? I have a feeling this is around where ill be when i get my FMIC/CAI.

$800 for COBB, $800 for exhaust, ......?

You won't be able to do it on the stock turbo...

[Eric335]

You won't be able to do it on the stock turbo...

Oh, i see. I guess the choice is clear then. If i got a STI the only way to not 'lose power', per say, would be to upgrade turbos, which is something im not in the market for. Maybe i should just invest in a coilover setup and drop/stiffen my 335i.

[bigdnno98]

Lol I knew you would say that lol. I'm somewhat of an old fart lol. Don't get me wrong my car is FAST. I do love it. I rode in my buddies x last week though and I really like that car. The 4b11 may not be a 4g63 but he has an FP black with supporting mods and that is a fast car too. Quieter than mine and to me looks better. I LOVE the look of the x.

You better take that back before I neg you lol. The Evo X is a fine car and handles amazingly, but the 4b11t is less stout than the stellar 4g63. I had no issues driving the IX on a daily basis, and I don't think I would have an issue now, but if I was an old fart (not calling you this bigdnno98 lol), I would have an issue.

Speed costs money on any given platform, it just depends on the user with their end goals on what is a more suitable platform.

[Legionofboom]

im going to stick with my un-raw luxury sedan, hopefully stage3's will make it a 10 second car and still have all the comforts.

[bigdnno98]

Oh, i see. I guess the choice is clear then. If i got a STI the only way to not 'lose power', per say, would be to upgrade turbos, which is something im not in the market for. Maybe i should just invest in a coilover setup and drop/stiffen my 335i.

What is it about the STI you like so much? The hatch? Ill tell you it's cheaper to make an Evo fast.