[BMW Guy]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

I think 2011 is the nicest-looking year of the E90. Also, even though the upkeep for Black paint is bad, I still think it is one of the best colors for any car. Wish I had the sport front bumper.

[toprankladder]

Finally got what I wanted, an E90 mag top 325 with a manual. But, the struts and shocks were absolute trash and blown to death!!. Installed coilovers about 4 days ago and been working on it everyday trying to figure out what was causing the clunking, wobbling, pulling to left… just to find out I tightened the control arm bolts tighter than the passenger side, the load was super out of whack. Haha I’m tightening the bolts on rhino ramps for now on instead of jacking by the knuckle, Also added a battery bracket because the battery was swimming in the compartment tugging at cables! I thought I had tons of electrical issues (kombi freaking out, engine stuttering) but it was a simple fix thankfully.

[Malusby]

Installed new headlight assemblies on a 2011 328i xdrive. Got them off Amazon from JP Auto. They look great and it was an easy install.

[StradaRedlands]

My M Sport interior is finally complete! Dead pedal, headliner, shifter, brake, door sills, and now steering wheel I bought from jiggz! I had the wheel for a few weeks, but was waiting for the auto shifter inserts to come in. Slow AF to deliver (ordered 10/3) but once here, they do the job!



And here is the public unveiling:



In all I've put maybe $500 into everything, buying it listed here, on eBay, or picking it myself at the LKQ yard. As hobbies go, this one ain't too bad.

[3PedalJake]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

My M Sport interior is finally complete! Dead pedal, headliner, shifter, brake, door sills, and now steering wheel I bought from jiggz! I had the wheel for a few weeks, but was waiting for the auto shifter inserts to come in. Slow AF to deliver (ordered 10/3) but once here, they do the job!



And here is the public unveiling:



In all I've put maybe $500 into everything, buying it listed here, on eBay, or picking it myself at the LKQ yard. As hobbies go, this one ain't too bad.

That's a proper drivers cockpit brother, looks fantastic.

[codeterrorist]

Installed a Viofo A139 Pro on the F48 (X1) after the Thinkware F800 kept boot looping. Lasted just over 5 years!

Hardwired to a Cellink Neo 6 battery pack, and that is hardwired to the fuse box.
Took two days of work since I had a loose connection and was trying to debug what was going on. A multimeter is essential to have.

All wiring is tucked nicely. But took forever to do. Glad this is done as I don't want to do it ever again.
Finding a switched fuse, and then doing the wiring and finally installing everything is daunting. But I feel I was naked driving for a few days without a dashcamera.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

My M Sport interior is finally complete! Dead pedal, headliner, shifter, brake, door sills, and now steering wheel I bought from jiggz! I had the wheel for a few weeks, but was waiting for the auto shifter inserts to come in. Slow AF to deliver (ordered 10/3) but once here, they do the job!

Love the interior, especially that steering wheel and shift knob with the aluminum trim. I've always wanted that shift knob, but had a hard time finding one for a good price, so I'm stuck with the ZHP knob which is still awesome.

One day I may try wrapping my interior trim or find the rest of the aluminum parts that I need from the pick-a-part yard, but I'm still undecided. The dark wood is classic BMW.

I just refinished the leather on the M3 steering wheel that I got recently; this is going on my E93 335i (as soon as I get the paddles!)




I'm not sure it was worth the effort. I bought the steering wheel and trim, knowing the leather was cracked. Then a restoration kit for $55 and the first time I did it, I didn't sand enough around the top of the wheel where there were a bunch of cracks, along with a poor attempt by someone else at repairing it. I did it all over again, two hours later and still missed a spot on the lower left - didn't sand down enough. For $265 I could have gotten it wrapped in Alcantara. It still came out nice, just took more time than I expected.

The plastic M3/M-sport steering wheel trim had the typical peeling soft touch plastic. This one was the most difficult I've worked with. I ended up using a razor blade to scrape all the plastic away, but went a bit too deep in one spot. Once the plastic was off, I sanded using various grades of sandpaper then wrapped with 3M 2080 matte black vinyl. I think it came out great.

I've used the 1080 vinyl many times in the past for various trim pieces. This 2080 is significantly easier to work with and is much more forgiving. It stretches much easier around complex curves.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

Love the interior, especially that steering wheel and shift knob with the aluminum trim. I've always wanted that shift knob, but had a hard time finding one for a good price, so I'm stuck with the ZHP knob which is still awesome.

One day I may try wrapping my interior trim or find the rest of the aluminum parts that I need from the pick-a-part yard, but I'm still undecided. The dark wood is classic BMW.

I just refinished the leather on the M3 steering wheel that I got recently; this is going on my E93 335i (as soon as I get the paddles!)




I'm not sure it was worth the effort. I bought the steering wheel and trim, knowing the leather was cracked. Then a restoration kit for $55 and the first time I did it, I didn't sand enough around the top of the wheel where there were a bunch of cracks, along with a poor attempt by someone else at repairing it. I did it all over again, two hours later and still missed a spot on the lower left - didn't sand down enough. For $265 I could have gotten it wrapped in Alcantara. It still came out nice, just took more time than I expected.

The plastic M3/M-sport steering wheel trim had the typical peeling soft touch plastic. This one was the most difficult I've worked with. I ended up using a razor blade to scrape all the plastic away, but went a bit too deep in one spot. Once the plastic was off, I sanded using various grades of sandpaper then wrapped with 3M 2080 matte black vinyl. I think it came out great.

I've used the 1080 vinyl many times in the past for various trim pieces. This 2080 is significantly easier to work with and is much more forgiving. It stretches much easier around complex curves.

Thanks, and it was just a cheapie I bought on ebay from China.

Now that steering wheel... labor of love there! It looks fantastic!

[colorado.e9x]

Used the Rest button for the first time this year. What a godsend

[BMW Guy]

After reading enough horror stories about this particular part, I have decided to go ahead and order an aluminum one out of precaution. I'm hoping to get this done Wednesday. I also ordered a new coolant reservoir cap since mine is leaking. Now I just have to survive for the next few days and then I'll be safe from getting stranded. Hopefully................

[BMW Guy]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

My M Sport interior is finally complete! Dead pedal, headliner, shifter, brake, door sills, and now steering wheel I bought from jiggz! I had the wheel for a few weeks, but was waiting for the auto shifter inserts to come in. Slow AF to deliver (ordered 10/3) but once here, they do the job!



And here is the public unveiling:



In all I've put maybe $500 into everything, buying it listed here, on eBay, or picking it myself at the LKQ yard. As hobbies go, this one ain't too bad.

I love the silver trim you have. Mine is wood which isn't my style at all. I want to wrap my trim at some point since It doesn't appear to be that difficult.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by BMW Guy

I love the silver trim you have. Mine is wood which isn't my style at all. I want to wrap my trim at some point since It doesn't appear to be that difficult.

Aluminum is the 99.9% the best IMO! First thing I do on a new car if it doesn't have it (this is stock circa 2005!). I see a lot of cars at the pickapart with crap vinyl wraps on the interior trim, so be wary of not doing it right. Apparently it causes the car to explode in a fiery accident!!!! LOL

And definitely do the MM flange... it's super easy and a great preventative of future problems!

[DBShiznit]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

I've been on a low-key hunt for an E93 for a couple years now. Currently thinking hard about this one in SD, but the N54 life seems so off putting.

He's done the injectors, but pretty much everything else is stock. Oil pan, VCG, suspension, water pump, HPFP are all 15 years old. Good on them for lasting so long, right! But that's a lot of potential parts to replace! I can do all that work, but not sure I want to. But the price is good presuming it has been well kept. Decisions, decisions...

I’ve only now noticed your replied. Sorry. Water pump and thermostat are a tight squeeze. To replace turbos even though people say you don’t have to, you need the subframe off. It’s sooooo much easier plus you can replace the oil pan gasket at the point, replace motor mounts and lower control arms if you’re up to it. Anything else is a tight fit so regardless of what you do it’s going to be tight no matter what. It’s a love hate relationship for me.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by DBShiznit

I’ve only now noticed your replied. Sorry. Water pump and thermostat are a tight squeeze. To replace turbos even though people say you don’t have to, you need the subframe off. It’s sooooo much easier plus you can replace the oil pan gasket at the point, replace motor mounts and lower control arms if you’re up to it. Anything else is a tight fit so regardless of what you do it’s going to be tight no matter what. It’s a love hate relationship for me.

No worries, it's just thinking out loud on the internet!
Dropping the subrame makes total sense for a turbo job! Man I wish E93s were shipped with the 3SIM to get those few extra horses w/out the turbo.

[colorado.e9x]

Been seriously procrastinating the MM flange on the 328. It's most likely original, from 2007, with 235k miles.. I have the aluminum one sitting in a box and I'm just so lazy to do it. Even have a gallon of coolant sitting on the shelf. Haven't done a MM flange since 2019 on the 330. How long do you think it would take? 30 minutes with an OEM O Ring?

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Been seriously procrastinating the MM flange on the 328. It's most likely original, from 2007, with 235k miles.. I have the aluminum one sitting in a box and I'm just so lazy to do it. Even have a gallon of coolant sitting on the shelf. Haven't done a MM flange since 2019 on the 330. How long do you think it would take? 30 minutes with an OEM O Ring?

Just get 'er done already! I'm gonna' say 30 max. I always did it in conjunction with something else like VANOS seals, belt/tensioner, or OFHG, so always had plenty of room in the vicinity. That's the only issue, getting the 10mm socket and extension that fits the best. I always changed the hose as well which was pretty easy. Sometimes pulled the fan for clearance, sometimes didn't.

[lowrydr310]

It's been 19 days since I last polished and waxed my E93, and it was looking pretty nasty. No major dirt or bird/bug droppings, just lots of dust. I am trying to avoid the machine wash but still want something convenient so I decided to do a no-rinse wash using ONR. Only thing missing was a drying towel so I just got one today.



Not bad for 20 minutes of work. I finished with a spray wax since the base was still pretty slick (it's only been a few weeks!) and it's looking great.


The black floor mats are finally back in stock so I got a set of those. Huge improvement inside. I was afraid they were permanently discontinued but they're not!






I also realized my inner tail light was not working. I took the assembly out to change the bulb only to realize on the pre-LCI cars both the inner and outer running lights are LED assemblies that are not replaceable! I can solder and don't mind replacing individual components but I don't see a way to get access without cutting the light apart. A few good slaps with my hand and they're working again. At some point I want to upgrade the rear lights to the LCI style that are all LED.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

Not bad for 20 minutes of work. I finished with a spray wax since the base was still pretty slick (it's only been a few weeks!) and it's looking great.

Such a sharp looking car. Perfect amount of window tint IMO.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Such a sharp looking car. Perfect amount of window tint IMO.

No tint that's factory glass.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

No tint that's factory glass.

Huh, really. Looks like a light tint. Still looks perfect to me!

[Gilgamešas]

Thank you so much!

[DBShiznit]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Just get 'er done already! I'm gonna' say 30 max. I always did it in conjunction with something else like VANOS seals, belt/tensioner, or OFHG, so always had plenty of room in the vicinity. That's the only issue, getting the 10mm socket and extension that fits the best. I always changed the hose as well which was pretty easy. Sometimes pulled the fan for clearance, sometimes didn't.

Agree 100% very easy job. I don't know why but draining the coolant is always my kryptonite. I feels like a PITA for me, setting it up making sure I don't splash etc.

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

No worries, it's just thinking out loud on the internet!
Dropping the subrame makes total sense for a turbo job! Man I wish E93s were shipped with the 3SIM to get those few extra horses w/out the turbo.

You can add a throttle body spacer. Apparently adds 5HP and 5% less fuel consumption lol

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

SOOOOO GOOD! Do you have sport rear bumper too? Are they hard to find?