[Phil99z]

Hi all,

Thought I would finally get round to doing a little thread on here with my car that i bought last month.

I previously had a FN2 Honda Civic Type R with a few light mods (HKS RSK air filter, remap, GP pack, etc) which I loved. It was a great car and throughout my time of owning it, it never missed a beat and was ultra reliable. However with the arrival of my little girl last year the cars days where numbered. Whilst the Civic was managable for family use and despite having a deceptively huge boot it was really packed for Christmas when we went away. The car sold in the New Year and I was genuinely gutted to see the car go but at the same time happy it went to another enthusiast.

The hunt was on for a replacement and I toyed with a few different ideas, was thinking about the Audi A3 and A4, Mazda 3 MPS, Subaru Impreza WRX and Ford Focus ST Estate to name a few. My family pretty much all have owned or currently own BMW's so I've purposely not wanted one just to have something different.

Anyway, after much thought I decided that a 3 series tourer was the way to go. My criteria for the car was that it had to be petrol and something as potent if not more potent than my Type R. I don't do the miles to justify a diesel and with potential DPF issues I decided it had to be petrol. After doing some research the hunt for a 330i M Sport was on. Cost wise the insurance and tax of a 330i compared to my Type R is cheaper for both and running costs it does a very similar MPG

I search daily on eBay, Auto Trader, Gumtree, etc and never realised just how hard it is to find a 330i M-Sport tourer let alone one with a half decent spec and not too many miles. There were a few SE models but I knew if I got one I would have always wanted a M Sport version so I was not willing to compromise on this.

I found one some 4 hours away from where I live and was in 2 minds with whether to travel to go and see it. Spoke to the seller and decided it was worth a visit as there really was nothing else close to the spec, miles and price. Anyway, a deal was struck and I'm over the moon with it

The car is a E91 (pre-LCI), 330i M Sport in silver with a few nice extras too such as leather, heated seats, idrive, factory tinted rear windows, telephone/bluetooth, parking sensors, etc.

I was initially not planning on doing anything to the car, however within days of owning it and looking around on various forums I ordered the black kidney grills and also the 2015 map DVD for the sat nav.







After seeing the Blackline lights I knew I had to have them but I did hesitate at the price but in the end knew I had to have them so ordered them too! For anyone in 2 minds with whether or not get the blacklines I wouldn't hesitate as they are my favourite mod to date. I know some people go for the debadged look and prefer a clean look rear end but I prefer the numbers on the back so I swapped the chrome ones for some matt black ones.



Next step was the aluminium pedals and carbon trim on the steering wheel



After seeing a few 335 style exhaust mods on here I've purchased a genuine BMW 335 rear diffuser and the car is now booked in for 2 weeks time to get a new 335 style system, will most likely go for the dual 4" pipes as the stock ones just seem a little too small.

I've only owned the car since mid-January and had some coding done by cupraraj and also hopefully have some other mods planned, mainly angel eye headlight and CIC upgrade and after that who knows.

Will add pics of the 335 style rear when it's done next month

[Rally_chris]

Very nice, looks just like mine. I know what you mean about the lack of hope of 330i tourers, I had a similar dilemma last summer and then one came up with all the toys I wanted and I had to make a move!

Seeing yours might have convinced me to go down the dark lines and black grille route too. Wasn't sure about the dark lines on a silver car as it's probably the best match for the standard reversing lights but they look good on yours.

Chris

[Phil99z]

Thanks man. The blackline make the car look much more modern. With a private plate most people - unless they are BMW aficionados won't know pre-LCI from LCI. I know they are not the cheapest but they do transform the car.

Black grill is cheap enough though and worth doing too.

I didn't realise just how rare 330i and 335i M Sport tourers were.

Have you got a thread of your car up on here?

[Rally_chris]

No thread yet but I should get one organised, particularly after picking up a performance silencer today!

Chris

[Phil99z]

Originally Posted by Rally_chris

No thread yet but I should get one organised, particularly after picking up a performance silencer today!

Chris

Nice!!! Can't wait to see it.

My 335 style pipes go on next month as the fabricator is so busy and next week I'm busy due to work. Can't wait!

[Waspo]

Nice looking care 2die4. i am musing over the Blacklines, but other Mods in in the que ahead of them.

Where are you getting your quad exhaust done?

Don't forget we LOVE pictures on here!

Nice one!

[Phil99z]

Originally Posted by Waspo

Nice looking care 2die4. i am musing over the Blacklines, but other Mods in in the que ahead of them.

Where are you getting your quad exhaust done?

Don't forget we LOVE pictures on here!

Nice one!

Thanks for this. I'm just going for dual 4" tails rather than quads. Getting it done at Torque Flow in Birmingham.

[m20b25]

We are a rare breed! N52 or 53 engine?

[Waspo]

Originally Posted by 2die4

Thanks for this. I'm just going for dual 4" tails rather than quads. Getting it done at Torque Flow in Birmingham.

Ah, teach me to read threads correctly. Will look lovely. I had my quad done in London. "Style Dynamics".

What other mods you got planned? I can't stop modding, and i am having the Speedo lights mod done this weekend.

[Phil99z]

Originally Posted by Waspo

Ah, teach me to read threads correctly. Will look lovely. I had my quad done in London. "Style Dynamics".

What other mods you got planned? I can't stop modding, and i am having the Speedo lights mod done this weekend.

Have you got a build thread up? Other mods are new headlights but that is dependant on finding someone to install them as I really don't fancy doing it myself. One thing I've noticed with the 330 is just how well it's put together, the plastics are so rigid and I would be worried about breaking clips. After that I would love the CIC upgrade to replace my CCC system.

I've always done mods to cars in one or another but thought that it was a phase in my life - guess not as I'm still doing them now! It's just so addictive.

Good luck with the speedo light mod - it does look very classy in white - can't wait to see the pics!

[Phil99z]

Originally Posted by m20b25

We are a rare breed! N52 or 53 engine?

Most definitely. Think it's a N53 engine in my car.

The car came with a comprehensive history and the previous owner only recently had the injectors changed too.

[Waspo]

Originally Posted by 2die4

Have you got a build thread up? Other mods are new headlights but that is dependant on finding someone to install them as I really don't fancy doing it myself. One thing I've noticed with the 330 is just how well it's put together, the plastics are so rigid and I would be worried about breaking clips. After that I would love the CIC upgrade to replace my CCC system.

I've always done mods to cars in one or another but thought that it was a phase in my life - guess not as I'm still doing them now! It's just so addictive.

Good luck with the speedo light mod - it does look very classy in white - can't wait to see the pics!

No don't have a build thread, but i have various post showing the mods i have done. never got enough time to do a build thread.

If you go for the CIC, then contact Makkan on here. What he does not now about mods, coding etc, can be written on a match box. he is "The Expert". He has done mine and i have booked him to do my Alpine upgrade and logic 7 subs in March, (He is so popular Mid March is the earliest he is available!)

Also had the Gear change paddles done, New steering wheel newly covered by Royal Steering wheels, New Wheels, quad exhaust, split armrest and loads of other things.

Love modding, and loads to go!

Good luck with your and i'll look out for your exhaust piccies!

[m20b25]

Originally Posted by 2die4

Most definitely. Think it's a N53 engine in my car.

The car came with a comprehensive history and the previous owner only recently had the injectors changed too.

Even rarer! Cheap road tax, bigger brakes, more bhp, better mpg!

[Not a Diesel!!!]

Its like a little E91 330i club.

This must be them all.

[Phil99z]

Originally Posted by m20b25

Even rarer! Cheap road tax, bigger brakes, more bhp, better mpg!

I have to admit I was shocked how cheap the tax was. My 2.0 Type R was £285 a year but my 3.0 330i is £225 for the year

[Phil99z]

Well the day has finally arrived - 335 style dual exhaust fitting!

Arrived at Torqueflow in Birmingham this morning and met Immy who was brilliant. We went through the different exhaust tip options and he showed me the difference between the 3.5" tips and the 4" tips. A tiny part thought that maybe 4" might be a step too far but once I seen them mocked up in the new diffuser they looked the part so I went with them.

Have to admit Imran was brilliant. He really knows his stuff and is such a perfectionist too. The job took little a bit longer as when he had everything done he thought that the pipe that was going to the driver side sat a little bit too close to the car for his liking and decided to remove the thing and redo it to make sure it sat better with enough clearance.

I had a new silence put on since my car is petrol and also because I've got a 7 month old daughter so can't have anything too lairy either. However the noise is nicer than the standard once and has a lovely roar to it when you put your foot down but no noisy cabin drone either. To be honest I more wanted the looks than the noise.

I'm over the moon with it and cannot recommend Imran and Torque Works enough for the quality of his work and he's a great guy allowing customers to come into the bay and watch and ask him question etc.



Here are the pics:

The E90/E91 diffuser - thanks to CupraRaj for helping with sorting this out





Car up on the ramp and Immy even fixed the small rattle that was coming from the front section of the exhaust - basically a bolt holding a clamp had rusted through and the clamp was loose so he done a new one for me too.





335 diffuser fitted





Exhaust on the bench





New pipes on and the final touches being done to the exhaust to make sure the spacing around the diffuser is correct, etc





Before




After!

[class2ldn]

Must say I'm liking them. Has your insurance gone up much??

[Rally_chris]

Looking good!

I put my Performance Silencer on last week and it makes a big improvement to the 330i sound so your's must be a similar change in sound in the car. What did you do with the vacuum pipe, did you do the classic golf tee mod or did the exhaust builder have another solution?

Chris

[Phil99z]

Originally Posted by Rally_chris

Looking good!

I put my Performance Silencer on last week and it makes a big improvement to the 330i sound so your's must be a similar change in sound in the car. What did you do with the vacuum pipe, did you do the classic golf tee mod or did the exhaust builder have another solution?

Chris

Thanks man. He just disconnected the thing I think and blocked off the pipe.

[Rally_chris]

And I should mention it's your fault I bought some black lines on eBay the other day....

Chris

[Phil99z]

Originally Posted by Rally_chris

And I should mention it's your fault I bought some black lines on eBay the other day....

Chris

Haha! I blame this forum! Black lines look the business and make the car look bang up to date!

[Sewell10]

Any one can do this in the north east but I have a e92 330i coupe need a different difuser and twin 4" pipes