[Tim G]

So I upgraded to something with a bit more room a few months back. Coming from a 120d, I wanted the smoothness of a 6 pot. I would have preferred a manual 330d, but as they seem tough to find, I decided to broaden my search and found this 325d. Its got the M57 197bhp engine and is an Auto, w/paddle shift. I specifically wanted an lci car, but not the N57 engine (I know they dont have the as many issues as the N47, but have potential), so bought one of the last M57 engined cars.

Spec wasn't too bad. Things I specifically wanted were Xenons and Nav, so it was nice to get a few other bits too.

3.0 M57 engine with 198 PS / 400 NM
Space Grey Metallic
Heated Black Dakota Leather
Multifunction steering wheel with paddle shift
Pro nav with voice control
Bluetooth
USB/audio interface
Adaptive xenons
High beam assist
Auto lights
Rain sensor (auto wipers)
Light pack
Auto dip interior mirror
Smoker pack
Cruise control
Rear pdc

Had a few maintanence issues to sort (fix a squeeky blower fan, replace a wheel speed sensor and the front brake pads) but its been a good car so far.



Have now fitted some sun blinds and picked up some gloss black performance grilles, although Im not 100% that I prefer the black over the chrome tbh!



Bought the BMWhat app (Carly for BMW) and had a play with some coding which was fun. Activated alarm chirp, extended the power window time and closing whilst door open function, turned off the amber led running lights, had a play with which lights are used for DRLs, activated the digital speedo and real time mpg, turned on permanent dash lighting and a few other things I cant remember now!

And one more, parked next to what I would have bought if I didnt have kids to fit in!



Plans are very modest, but I have some SSDD carbon splitters to go on at some point, although I need to get a minor repair done to the front bumper first. Have some Led running lights on order from Horizon Leds, hopefully should be here any day. Eibach springs are also on the to do list!

[AlwynMike]

. . . . .what about smoked side indicator lenses?

And the roof rail delete - or at least the low profile later type????

Stick with the black grilles IMO

Mike

[Dann]

Looks great.
How much were the splitters as I went to stick some on my E90

[Tim G]

They are £170 new from SSDD I think.

[Tim G]

Fitted the SSDD splitters today. Quite liking them, although I think the whole thing will look much better once lowered. I still cant quite decide which route to take with this yet.

Excuse the flowers

[MattOz]

Looking good Tim.

[Jimmy-M2OG]

Cars looking great Tim 👍 loving the splitters

[ahmedb]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1517921792...84.m1555.l2649

I was going to go for CF splitters as well as this genuine CF rear diffuser but my latest E90 has lots of gloss black going on so I've decided against it.

I would negotiate a little on the price for a forum member

[Wayne-G]

Should be good to see it once you lower it, I was debating carbon splitters and Eibachs for my tourer, hmmm..

[Tim G]

Also fitted some 20w LED H8 bulbs a couple of days ago. Ordered these from Horizon, who seem to be popular on here. I waited 9 days for them to be delivered and needed to make a slight alternation within the headlight housing to get the bulbs to fit, but once in, they do look better. You also need child sized hands to get into the housing without losing skin!

They arent anywhere near as good as the newer BMW's, and in broad daylight it is only really the inner ring that you really notice illuminated from anything other than head on, but nonetheless, better than the dated yellow oem look.

I'll try and get some photos in the evening/ dark with a better camera (phone is terrible!), where they look a bit better, if I can figure out how to take a photo with anything other than a big blur of light showing!?

[Tim G]

Originally Posted by MattOz

Looking good Tim.

Thanks Matt. Comtemplated buying your wheels as I want rid of the runflats in favour of some decent 'normal' tyres which you have on yours!

Originally Posted by jimmy-320d

Cars looking great Tim �� loving the splitters

Thanks. Hope I dont tear them off on one of the many speedbumps around!

Originally Posted by ahmedb

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1517921792...84.m1555.l2649

I was going to go for CF splitters as well as this genuine CF rear diffuser but my latest E90 has lots of gloss black going on so I've decided against it.

I would negotiate a little on the price for a forum member

Good bit of direct sales there Next job for me will be suspension I think, but cant beat a bit more carbon

Originally Posted by Wayne-G

Should be good to see it once you lower it, I was debating carbon splitters and Eibachs for my tourer, hmmm..

I think if I was on M Sport setup I may not bother, but my car suffers the unfortunate option of having had this deleted at the build! Interesting as it was a BMW demonstrator!

[Wayne-G]

So you have msport bumpers but not msport suspension?

I also have Horizon LED Halo's in mine but I don't have Xenons, its literally impossible to get a good picture of them because they're so bright, from a distance they just look green! Have to go really close. Probably be a different story if I used a proper DSLR camera.

[pmmcbl]

I think it's an odd option to offer, removing the sport suspension. I guess is for those who want the looks but not the pain. There is a solution for that remove the run flats!

[Tim G]

Originally Posted by Wayne-G

So you have msport bumpers but not msport suspension?.

Yes the car is an m sport, with the suspension delete option.

Its on the build sheet as 'standard suspension'. Cars fitted with M Sport suspension say that on the build sheet. Its a little deceptive I think as you'd expect the term 'standard suspension' on an an M Sport model to mean M Sport suspension!

[Tim G]

Originally Posted by Wayne-G

I also have Horizon LED Halo's in mine but I don't have Xenons, its literally impossible to get a good picture of them because they're so bright, from a distance they just look green! Have to go really close. Probably be a different story if I used a proper DSLR camera.

Tried my DSLR, same story though in the dark. Not 100% how best to set the camera up to deal with it though.

Do u have the 20w bulbs too?

[Tim G]

Originally Posted by pmmcbl

I think it's an odd option to offer, removing the sport suspension. I guess is for those who want the looks but not the pain. There is a solution for that remove the run flats!

I reckon the dealers did it to make the car more appealing as a demonstrator. Maybe they sell more if the car feels more comfortable on a demo drive. Who knows.

[Jimmy-M2OG]

Originally Posted by Tim G

I reckon the dealers did it to make the car more appealing as a demonstrator. Maybe they sell more if the car feels more comfortable on a demo drive. Who knows.

If that's the case talk about setting yourself up for a fail 😳 do they think the buyer of their brand new Msport tourings not gonna pick up on the suspension being a fair bit firmer than the car they test drove

[pmmcbl]

I honestly think the option is there for those who don't want the harder ride but still want the looks. I work for a leasing company and have seen a few orders on Audi and BMW where drivers removed the sports suspension. When I got my car it was the first thing I checked. Saying that surely the main change are te shocks, isn't it?

[IanS100]

Originally Posted by pmmcbl

I honestly think the option is there for those who don't want the harder ride but still want the looks. I work for a leasing company and have seen a few orders on Audi and BMW where drivers removed the sports suspension. When I got my car it was the first thing I checked. Saying that surely the main change are te shocks, isn't it?

Shocks and springs, different shocks on their own wouldn't lower the ride height

[Wayne-G]

Originally Posted by Tim G

Yes the car is an m sport, with the suspension delete option.

Its on the build sheet as 'standard suspension'. Cars fitted with M Sport suspension say that on the build sheet. Its a little deceptive I think as you'd expect the term 'standard suspension' on an an M Sport model to mean M Sport suspension!

Ahh I'm with you, It's the first I've heard of it to be honest!

Originally Posted by Tim G

Tried my DSLR, same story though in the dark. Not 100% how best to set the camera up to deal with it though.

Do u have the 20w bulbs too?

Yes they are 20w