tsweers89 said:

S65 is not a good motor to mod.

If you took a stock 135i and put the amount of money you saved towards not buying an M3, you can have a car that handles the same (M3 suspension+LSD), is faster in the straight's (FBO+RB+Meth), and looks better (M-Sport with molded lips, Wheels, etc). 

This setup would still cost less than a bone stock M3, and be a better all-around performer, not to mention the mountain of torque you would have for city driving.

I'm not buying it to do tons of mods. You don't buy an S65 to mod the hell out of it. I'm slapping an exhaust kit on it to open up the V8, otherwise it's just going to get aesthetics - darker wheels, carbon fiber trunk spoiler, front splitter, fully blacked out kidneys, and that's about it. Aesthetically it'll be just like my 135i is now except way more aggressive looking with the hood bulge, flared fenders, and quad exhaust. 

I personally think this looks just as good as if not better than my 135i - http://totalmcars.com/thread/5931/sinths-melbourne-red-e92-pics

I have to limit where I cruise in the 135i right now due to the need for E85 to make the big power you talk about. I have literally every single mod you mentioned above on my 135i already except for meth and the M3 suspension bits. I'm well aware of what the car is and is not capable of. 

I care about cruising with my friends and listening to fun V8 noises on the backroads, and not have to worry about perfectly modulating throttle going around corners on public roads because there's so much torque on tap that even with the LSD it's sketchy. 

Honestly my E30 with the S50 has just given me a much larger appreciation for winding out a naturally aspirated motor, which has helped propel me to this point.

patsbimmer1 said:

I've never heard an intelligent human call the m3 a downgrade from a non m car.

S65 is not a good motor to mod.

If you took a stock 135i and put the amount of money you saved towards not buying an M3, you can have a car that handles the same (M3 suspension+LSD), is faster in the straight's (FBO+RB+Meth), and looks better (M-Sport with molded lips, Wheels, etc). 

This setup would still cost less than a bone stock M3, and be a better all-around performer, not to mention the mountain of torque you would have for city driving.

tsweers89 said:

51k, Rod bearings are definitely due. But real question is why the down grade?

Step 1 is oil analysis for sure. Rod bearings are pretty high on my priority list with this car but considering I work from home and only put 3-4k miles on over the course of the summer season, I'm not really concerned. I'm also going to nab a "cheaper" less comprehensive warranty next year when the current warranty expires. It'll basically be enough to cover suspension, engine, and transmission. I've opened up these engines before and replaced common issue things like throttle actuators for my friends who have the S65, but I definitely don't want to tear one down so I'm pretty much all about the rod bearings + a warranty. 

"why the down grade" - said no one ever about going from a 135i to an M3 in any seriousness unless they're 1/2 mile airstrip race bros. Nothing wrong with that, just not my cup of tea. I've taken this car farther than I need to and I think at this point for what I do (backroads cruising, group cruises, C&C caravans), I'd get more enjoyment out of the M3.