[Nismo G]

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to stop in and say hello. I just move to Boston (Medford) from Austin, Texas. I have never previously lived here so this is going to be my first winter as well . I picked up a 2008 335xi about a year ago so this winter will be the first time the awd comes in handy. I need to get my oil changed and was curious if anyone could recommend a reliable shop. I typically would do this myself, but I live in an apartment complex that has a public parking garage so it may be a bit weird if I am changing my oil there. I am also down to meet up with anyone who may be doing this on a weekend at their house or wherever.

I hope to meet or see some of you around!

[wahooooman]

Hey man welcome to the area! this definalty is the worst time to move to boston from a nice warm..i mean hot place like Texas, lol.
I would recommend Turner motorsports there really great.
I would useually do a oil chasnge in my driveway but i get them included till 50k.

hope to see you atround at some meets,
and welcome again

Originally Posted by Nismo G

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to stop in and say hello. I just move to Boston (Medford) from Austin, Texas. I have never previously lived here so this is going to be my first winter as well . I picked up a 2008 335xi about a year ago so this winter will be the first time the awd comes in handy. I need to get my oil changed and was curious if anyone could recommend a reliable shop. I typically would do this myself, but I live in an apartment complex that has a public parking garage so it may be a bit weird if I am changing my oil there. I am also down to meet up with anyone who may be doing this on a weekend at their house or wherever.

I hope to meet or see some of you around!

[amr_e90]

Welcome to new england man .... Wana race?

[2Times]

Welcome! I usually just take mine to BMW Sudbury and use a coupon from their site... makes the cost worth it to me.

[Hadley]

Welcome to New England

Got any battery related questions?

[vilord]

I really like Nick's auto service on Main St in Medford. I still bring my car to the dealer for some things, but he really knows german cars well... swapped out a blown ignition coil on mine in about 20 minutes for about a third of what the dealer wanted.

For oil changes, so far i've still brought it into the dealer, but that may change for the next one.

Also: I am borrowing space in a friend's garage (i'm in somerville, as is the garage) to do auto work, if it works out, i can probably bring a friend and work on their car too. Maybe I'll finally get a chance to test out my icom / isis setup

[SLOWER]

Originally Posted by Hadley

Welcome to New England

Got any battery related questions?

You know a guy?

[zero2sixtyZ]

Originally Posted by SLOWER

You know a guy?

He's got a guy.


Welcome to the area. I'm one town over from Medford. May I ask why the move from Austin? I went two years ago for the F1 race and loved it there.

Bavarian Performance Group in Winchester is close by. No personal experience, but a close alternative to the dealership. German Performance Service in Brighton. Turner in Amesbury is a bit further out, but definitely a toy store.

[Torgus]

Welcome. I'm guessing you came from a G given your user name. A few of us have had nissans in our past. We are a friendly bunch for the most part. A few meets a year, autoX and strip events happen too. VRSF is local and so is Bren for tuning.

You should buy a cobb and tune your car ASAP. Used cobb, downpipes, IC, intake is like $1200 which is a good place to start.

But the real question is...How is your battery? Honestly with the winter coming it really is something you should think about. The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment, you don't just do it with a DMM. A car's battery can die without any notice! Extremely cold temperatures can reduce a car battery’s life by up to 50 percent. If your battery caps are removable, check fluid level monthly, most likely you have a SLA or AGM but there is a chance a thoughtful owners replaced it with a battery you can top up. Before the cold weather sets in, have your battery tested by a professional. Also, make sure your battery connections are free from corrosion. While you're inspecting your battery, look around for the manufacture date. Knowing how old your battery is can clue you in to when it will begin to lose charge or when you should replace it ahead of time to save you hassles in the future. Shopping for a new battery? Never buy one with a six-month-old manufacture date, you always want the freshest battery you can get your hands on. An SLA battery is fine but spend 3x on a AGM if you want to...You will have to code the battery to the car either way. If you have any battery related questions please let me know. I enjoy batteries. Do you?

[vilord]

@Torgus, what are you up to this weekend? I think I need a new battery and would like to hear your thoughts

[Hadley]

Originally Posted by Torgus

Welcome. I'm guessing you came from a G given your user name. A few of us have had nissans in our past. We are a friendly bunch for the most part. A few meets a year, autoX and strip events happen too. VRSF is local and so is Bren for tuning.

You should buy a cobb and tune your car ASAP. Used cobb, downpipes, IC, intake is like $1200 which is a good place to start.

But the real question is...How is your battery? Honestly with the winter coming it really is something you should think about. The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment, you don't just do it with a DMM. A car's battery can die without any notice! Extremely cold temperatures can reduce a car battery’s life by up to 50 percent. If your battery caps are removable, check fluid level monthly, most likely you have a SLA or AGM but there is a chance a thoughtful owners replaced it with a battery you can top up. Before the cold weather sets in, have your battery tested by a professional. Also, make sure your battery connections are free from corrosion. While you're inspecting your battery, look around for the manufacture date. Knowing how old your battery is can clue you in to when it will begin to lose charge or when you should replace it ahead of time to save you hassles in the future. Shopping for a new battery? Never buy one with a six-month-old manufacture date, you always want the freshest battery you can get your hands on. An SLA battery is fine but spend 3x on a AGM if you want to...You will have to code the battery to the car either way. If you have any battery related questions please let me know. I enjoy batteries. Do you?

I've read books shorter than this post

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by vilord

@Torgus, what are you up to this weekend? I think I need a new battery and would like to hear your thoughts

@Vilord,I should be free most of the weekend if you would like to talk about the different battery replacement options available to you. If you swing by my house I have a SLA maintenance free, SLA serviceable, SLA deep discharge serviceable, and AGM you can look at/play with.

There are really only 3 types of batteries that really work well for our application: Wet Cell (flooded), Gel Cell, and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) these are the various versions of the lead acid battery you can use. The Wet cell comes in two styles; Serviceable and Maintenance free. Both are filled with electrolyte and are basically the same. I prefer one that I can add water to(Serviceable).

In my winter beater I use a big ass SLA deep discharge serviceable which IMO is the best option available. I get the CCA I need to start the car even on the coldest of days(remember CCA is only at 32 degrees F and it can get much much colder) I always aim for another 100 CCA or more than the manufactures recommended. So it has the fast discharge CCA of a 'normal' starting battery but it is a DD which has a huge aH backup and can handle DD on the reg if it happens. I also get to top it up as needed so it should last longer than a SLA maintenance free or AGM. So I get more CCA, a DD, more aH than a AGM and 1/2 the price and it will last longer. It's really a win win. Walmart batts are decent, get changed over often so unlikely to get an 'old' battery, and they will give you a new battery every 2 years if you don't mind lying.

TLR just stick the largest DD you can with the highest aH and CCA you can find.

[Nismo G]

Originally Posted by Torgus

Welcome. I'm guessing you came from a G given your user name. A few of us have had nissans in our past. We are a friendly bunch for the most part. A few meets a year, autoX and strip events happen too. VRSF is local and so is Bren for tuning.

You should buy a cobb and tune your car ASAP. Used cobb, downpipes, IC, intake is like $1200 which is a good place to start.

But the real question is...How is your battery? Honestly with the winter coming it really is something you should think about. The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment, you don't just do it with a DMM. A car's battery can die without any notice! Extremely cold temperatures can reduce a car battery’s life by up to 50 percent. If your battery caps are removable, check fluid level monthly, most likely you have a SLA or AGM but there is a chance a thoughtful owners replaced it with a battery you can top up. Before the cold weather sets in, have your battery tested by a professional. Also, make sure your battery connections are free from corrosion. While you're inspecting your battery, look around for the manufacture date. Knowing how old your battery is can clue you in to when it will begin to lose charge or when you should replace it ahead of time to save you hassles in the future. Shopping for a new battery? Never buy one with a six-month-old manufacture date, you always want the freshest battery you can get your hands on. An SLA battery is fine but spend 3x on a AGM if you want to...You will have to code the battery to the car either way. If you have any battery related questions please let me know. I enjoy batteries. Do you?

This is the craziest post I have read on a car forum I wouldn't have even thought about the battery going out when it is cold. I should get it checked out though. I remember having a couple issues when i towed the car here...car just randomly died and wouldn't start, but haven't had any problems since (about 2 months ago). I know nothing about batteries, but it seems as though you do. Let me know your thoughts if you can...send me a PM.

Yes, I owned 2 G35's over the last 10 years. a 2003 5AT with just bolt ons. Then had a 2003 6mt with a turbonetics for a while. removed the turbo due to engine issues, but the car still drove so it was my DD for a couple years. I still love nissan engines, but had to give BMW a go

Originally Posted by zero2sixtyZ

He's got a guy.


Welcome to the area. I'm one town over from Medford. May I ask why the move from Austin? I went two years ago for the F1 race and loved it there.

Bavarian Performance Group in Winchester is close by. No personal experience, but a close alternative to the dealership. German Performance Service in Brighton. Turner in Amesbury is a bit further out, but definitely a toy store.

I took a new position at work so I was relocated here. I miss Austin in a way. It's a fun city with a ton of young people, good food, and the F1 race is a hell-of-a good time. I've been to the last 2 races. So far I like Boston though. A lot to do for sure.

[KFJ512a]

hey welcome to the region. Austin in my opinion is one of the most beautifully constructed and planned cities that i have seen. loved every part of it. But if you are looking for anything 335 related i know a guy in Waltham (that comes from a formula 1 back ground working with ferrari) that will basically do what ever mechanical job you want. He also does custom exhausts for the 335 and im extremely pleased with it. Send a PM if you want any more info. Also i live in the next town over from you in Cambridge.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by Nismo G

This is the craziest post I have read on a car forum I wouldn't have even thought about the battery going out when it is cold. I should get it checked out though. I remember having a couple issues when i towed the car here...car just randomly died and wouldn't start, but haven't had any problems since (about 2 months ago). I know nothing about batteries, but it seems as though you do. Let me know your thoughts if you can...send me a PM.

Yes, I owned 2 G35's over the last 10 years. a 2003 5AT with just bolt ons. Then had a 2003 6mt with a turbonetics for a while. removed the turbo due to engine issues, but the car still drove so it was my DD for a couple years. I still love nissan engines, but had to give BMW a go

If it's old I would just replace it for piece of mind Given it only costs $150 bucks for a brand new one. The cost to test eats up too much $$$ as they will get you on labor. Or don't and when it dies replace the batt and then get a local member to get it coded. I enjoy batteries.

The N54 is an awesome motor. I've owned 6 nissans. Unlike the VQs or STI engines etc. you don't have to build them for more than 400whp reliable DD power. They seem fine holding 500-600 whp stock block perhaps more but only time will tell(record is like 750whp stock). 1200 in mods(or less) and you can make 400/450 whp all day long. Also unlike your G you will find the $/whp is MUCH cheaper and personally I prefer the BMW overall after spending time in Z and Gs.

[Nismo G]

Originally Posted by Torgus

If it's old I would just replace it for piece of mind Given it only costs $150 bucks for a brand new one. The cost to test eats up too much $$$ as they will get you on labor. Or don't and when it dies replace the batt and then get a local member to get it coded. I enjoy batteries.

The N54 is an awesome motor. I've owned 6 nissans. Unlike the VQs or STI engines etc. you don't have to build them for more than 400whp reliable DD power. They seem fine holding 500-600 whp stock block perhaps more but only time will tell(record is like 750whp stock). 1200 in mods(or less) and you can make 400/450 whp all day long. Also unlike your G you will find the $/whp is MUCH cheaper and personally I prefer the BMW overall after spending time in Z and Gs.

Yeah, I know what you mean with the VQ motors. I wouldn't even say they were reliable at 400whp. I'd say it was good for 350whp if you wanted reliable. I was only putting down 380 and then I started to get a weird valvetrain tick. I may just get a new battery then. Do you recommend just getting on from BMW?

[Nismo G]

It seems like none of the shops are opened on weekends. Only dealerships are...kind of stinks since I'm typically at work by 730 and don't leave until 6 during the week days

[Torgus]

I would replace the battery yourself and have a local code it(least expensive option). Or find a shop to do the replacement. You could always pay turner a visit they should be open on Saturday afaik.

Any plans on getting a tune or some go fast mods?

[zero2sixtyZ]

Jump on downpipes this weekend. Black Friday brought them down to $289.

[Nismo G]

Originally Posted by Torgus

I would replace the battery yourself and have a local code it(least expensive option). Or find a shop to do the replacement. You could always pay turner a visit they should be open on Saturday afaik.

Any plans on getting a tune or some go fast mods?

Yeah, I plan on modding. My shocks are shot, but I am debating rather or not to just wait until after winter to get coilovers. As for mods I'm thinking of just starting with a tune and a DCI. I have a warranty until 90k and another 3 years. So I am trying to debate what is going to be most beneficial in the event I need to take it in because of an issue. I don't want to void my warranty...lol...previous cars I modded because warranty was over, now I have to take it into consideration.

[Nismo G]

Originally Posted by zero2sixtyZ

Jump on downpipes this weekend. Black Friday brought them down to $289.

I started to research DPs yesterday. A lot of makes for them so i am still drawing conclusions. Any advice on brand. Keep in mind i have an X model.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by Nismo G

I started to research DPs yesterday. A lot of makes for them so i am still drawing conclusions. Any advice on brand. Keep in mind i have an X model.

All Dps are basically the same other than fitment XI or non XI. I would go with the VRSF I'm pretty sure he makes a XI version. He also does bundle deals. That being said you may want to hold off until your warranty is done as DPs will not let you get your turbos replaced under warranty.

As far as a tune a used cobb is the way to go imo. Super easy to load maps and go back to stock for warranty reasons. Very easy to log as well. You can pick them up used for $400 1/2 of retail. There is no advantage of the V3 vs. V2 other than a bigger display but it's honestly not worth the price imo. You can also have custom maps written for you and they can be installed using it. I would get a tune 1st and take it from there. A tune really wakes the car up.

As far as your struts if you can wait through the winter install the COs in the spring, one less winter on them the better.