[Johanv]

Hi from Pretoria.

Where in PTA can one do a chip upgrade?

[ZA320i]

Hey All...

From Tshwane.

[Menno11]

You can try Xcede Performance, they in Jhb shaan@xcede.co.za
They specialise in BMWs

[Jenich]

I am looking for the thin boot spoiler

[Jenich]

He has a carbon fiber boot spoiler for R2 500

[Jenich]

I know of someone in Midrand that does this ~ Chip Logic I think

[Jenich]

Gauteng here too

[Menno11]

Jenich, I think that Autostyle does have that part, aswell as max motorsport.

[Three_thirty_I]

Hello almal,

Durbanville here - and proud owner since about a month ago of a '05 E90 330i manual with 48K km on the clock!

Philip

[Menno11]

Howzit 330i, I'm in Durbanville too. Welcome!

48k is extremely low for a '05 model, congratz! planning on any mods for the 330?

[Three_thirty_I]

Hi Menno,

Thanks! Yep, mileage is low and the car is in very good overall condition - very clean inside especially, almost like it never had any passengers EVER! Of course so nice to have the power, and being manual makes it a lot of fun too! The other vehicle in my garage is an Isuzu KB300 DC LX (D-MAX) - talk about from one extreme to the next. Took a drive out to Montagu a few weekends back with four in the 330i and "mostly" sticking to the speed limit, managed an overall consumption of 8.4 l/100 km which isn't too bad I think - better than the Isuzu which seems to use between 10 and 11 l/100 km no matter what you do. Although the 330i does get thirsty in and around Durbanville area, but at worst around 12.6 l/100 km from just short town driving - mixed and more sensible driving which does include a fair amount of town driving seems to be around 11 or so. And then she is also taking no prisoners most of the time! LOL

For now the only mod is: ditching those horrible Conti run-flats - thinking of fitting Goodyear F1 Assy non run-flats and getting a space saver/mobility kit...

Some pics:





Edit: Hope there's no problem posting pics here...

Philip

[Menno11]

Hi Philip,

Never a bad time to upload pics of your ride!! It shows you love your BM!

8.4 is not bad for a 3.0 litre! Those run flat tyres cost an arm and a leg to replace! My opinion would be to go for the Michelin Pilot Sport II

These are some pics of my ride








Have a great week!

thanks for the pics Twinz!!

[Three_thirty_I]

Hi Menno,

Your car looks stunning with the combination of the 18" wheels and subtle tweaks! I am generally impressed with the economy of the 3.0 litre engine for what it is, but your 320d must be very kind to the pocket even in town driving! Yep, the run-flats don't seem all that practical - have a puncture, drive on it and it can't be repaired, don't drive on it and most fitment centres don't want to risk repairing anyway, translation: They'd prefer to sell you a NEW tyre... Nie dankie!

I have already been quoted around R 3400 from Forsdicks Tygervalley for a space-saver and according to the chap I spoke to in the parts department they have no problem with not sticking with run-flats - will get something in writing first as well as from my insurance just to play safe... Thanks, will have to add the Michelins to my list of tyres to look at fitting.

I must make a plan and tag along with future planned local GTG runs - are you also on bmwfanatics' forum? If I am thinking of the same 'Twinz' who is also on that forum...

Have a great week and weekend!

Philip

[Menno11]

Hi Philip,
Yep, those pictures are from the BMW Cape Town and BMWfanatics bfast run to Stellenbosch. On BMWfanatics I am under the same username. Twinz is seldom on this site anymore, but does visit occasionally. I'll post a link on this site if there are any GTG runs in the future.

Fordicks told me that fitting normal tires will make your ride softer, as the suspension is setup to work with the slightly harder run-flats. It does make a big difference in drive quality/ road noise though! There is a whole blog post on this forum about the differences.

[Three_thirty_I]

Hi Menno,

Still getting to know the various regular forum members there just like here as well. Will keep a lookout for future GTG or breakfast runs.

I've heard about that but still wonder if it is really that relevant - harder tyres and then to compensate softer suspension seems like a recipe for disaster. I think the E90 copes fairly well with the run-flats in most cases especially compared to the 1 Series. But it is something that I have to consider when fitting normal tyres - maybe a reason why most fit 18" or even 19" instead of the 17". Cost aside I just don't like the tramlining - not sure if these older Continentals are just more severe than other run-flats on the market. I've actually been reading through a long multi-page thread here (I gather the one you are referring to) about ditching run-flats and all the various things to consider - tyres to look at or stay away from...

Philip

[j.wishart]

nope

[Three_thirty_I]

Originally Posted by j.wishart

nope

Nope for the suspension issue, or nope for the Continentals as being simply particularly bad? Thanks for your reply.

Philip

[Menno11]

Well I've now got the Bridgestone Potenza RFT's on and must say, I experience that tramlining you refer too. I was under the impression it was from the low profile 255/35/18 tires! But the plus side is that the feedback to the steering is very accurate.

Might look into the non RFT when I get to replacing the tires again.

Philip, seems like there will be a GTG again early in September after Ramadan.

[Three_thirty_I]

I was also told that it could be the wide and low profile of the tyres causing this - but then everyone that I have spoken to and from reading on this and other forums this is one of the curses of RFTs. Maybe what I should do is swap the tyres front to rear, since they're all the same size, and see if there is any difference - also to confirm that the tyre noise that I am hearing is indeed tyre noise...

I actually saw that the other day - all going well I should be able to attend!

[Jenich]

Johannesburg here

[Dreyer Lourens]

Hi, possible to give me some advice. Car handels horribel on bumpy road. Some advice.
Thanx.
Dreyer.

[Menno11]

Read through all the posts above. If you running 18" its probably the low profile that makes contact difficult. Maybe look at changing to a softer compound tire like Michelin Pilot Sport or Pirelli Zeros.