[slimsailor00]

I need your expert (and non-expert/humble) opinions. I have never owned a diesel. I do understand the basic premise from my younger days with my grandfather's diesel tractor and I have heavily modified my Nissan Titan gas truck, so I have some mechanical experience and an eagerness to learn/experiment with my car.

This is where I need your help. If you had $2000 to mod your car what would you do?

My goals are:
1. to reduce the possibility of a carbon problem later (independent mechanic checked this car before I bought it and it is ok, for now)
2. to keep her cool in the summer as I live in New Orleans, LA
3. to go fast

I plan on being an active participant here now that I am a new inductee to both the BMW club and the 335d club, and I may post some questions for dumb things I do not know (like, is our US spec 335d a M57 or an N57?) so help me blow some of my money guys!

Chris

[daveN007]

Originally Posted by slimsailor00

I need your expert (and non-expert/humble) opinions. I have never owned a diesel. I do understand the basic premise from my younger days with my grandfather's diesel tractor and I have heavily modified my Nissan Titan gas truck, so I have some mechanical experience and an eagerness to learn/experiment with my car.

This is where I need your help. If you had $2000 to mod your car what would you do?

My goals are:
1. to reduce the possibility of a carbon problem later (independent mechanic checked this car before I bought it and it is ok, for now)
2. to keep her cool in the summer as I live in New Orleans, LA
3. to go fast

I plan on being an active participant here now that I am a new inductee to both the BMW club and the 335d club, and I may post some questions for dumb things I do not know (like, is our US spec 335d a M57 or an N57?) so help me blow some of my money guys!

Chris

JBD for performance and save the rest of the money for walnut blasting/intake cleaning and enjoy!

[AzureHaze]

1. extended warranty
2. Wagner intercooler
3. JBD

[Yozh]

I have a different plan as I just got mine as well.

First of, I have replaced all fluids and filters as mine is 2 yrs on the road and 60K mi later. Thought it was a good time to do as previous leasee did not do squat, spare a few oil changes.

Then is the plan to make it more reliable and that is the issue of carbon build up. I do not have to worry about a warranty or emissions regulations though. As such:

-EGR block off;
-DPF delete;
-CCV oil catch can install;
-Ecotune reprogram - will also make it more fun to drive.

Then just enjoy.

[335dFan]

Originally Posted by slimsailor00

...like, is our US spec 335d a M57 or an N57?

Chris

M57. M57N2/M57Y.

JBD and the associated "CAN" tool is good bang for your buck.

Does your vehicle have the base suspension or the sports suspension. 17" or 18" wheels?

[135i_vs_]

Catch can, EGR block, and a custom tune.

[slimsailor00]

Originally Posted by 335dFan

M57. M57N2/M57Y.

JBD and the associated "CAN" tool is good bang for your buck.

Does your vehicle have the base suspension or the sports suspension. 17" or 18" wheels?

Base suspension and 18 inch wheels. I am not too big of a fan of the wheels as they kind of look like "old person" wheels, but would probably wait until performance upgrades are complete before getting into aesthetics.

Here is a link to the car. I pick her up on Saturday.

http://www.certifiedautoplex.com/web...n-TX/11883984/

[slimsailor00]

Originally Posted by Yozh

I have a different plan as I just got mine as well.

First of, I have replaced all fluids and filters as mine is 2 yrs on the road and 60K mi later. Thought it was a good time to do as previous leasee did not do squat, spare a few oil changes.

Then is the plan to make it more reliable and that is the issue of carbon build up. I do not have to worry about a warranty or emissions regulations though. As such:

-EGR block off;
-DPF delete;
-CCV oil catch can install;
-Ecotune reprogram - will also make it more fun to drive.

Then just enjoy.

Any guidance/links/vendors you could give me on where to find these products/kits/mods?

Chris

[Yozh]

I would check what are the annual inspection requirements in LA/AK for you. If you are in the state that has no inspection requirements then you are good to go. EGR block off and DPF delete I plan on doing myself. There are a few good recent threads on here that will give you a lot to think about EGR block plates, how to go about DPF delete and a fresh thread about CCV catch cans with reference to vendors and options to pursue. Lots to read and learn. If you are required to undergo emission testing in your state, you can still do reversible mods such as EGR block. CCV catch can will not affect your emission testing either. DPF delete is a whole different ball game. For the re-tune I do not know what effect it shall have on emissions, I guess depends on what you do.

CCV: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=965053

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=867543

EGR Block: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=961958

DPF Delete: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=904968

Hope others will give you other useful links.

[slimsailor00]

Originally Posted by Yozh

I would check what are the annual inspection requirements in LA for you. If you are in the state that has no inspection requirements then you are good to go. EGR block off and DPF delete I plan on doing myself. There are a few good recent threads on here that will give you a lot to think about EGR block plates, how to go about DPF delete and a fresh thread about CCV catch cans with reference to vendors and options to pursue. Lots to read and learn. If you are required to undergo emission testing in your state, you can still do reversible mods such as EGR block. CCV catch can will not affect your emission testing either. DPF delete is a whole different ball game. For the re-tune I do not know what effect it shall have on emissions, I guess depends on what you do.

CCV: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=965053

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=867543

I live in the American south, where regulations regarding anything are few and far between. I license my car in Arkansas, where there is NO state inspection...God bless 'Merica. So I have no qualms about belching black smoke and blocking off all of the emissions if it will help prolong the life of my motor.

With that said I will add EGR block, DPF delete, and catch can to my list of mods to consider.

Thanks,
Chris

[335dFan]

Originally Posted by slimsailor00

Base suspension and 18 inch wheels. I am not too big of a fan of the wheels as they kind of look like "old person" wheels, but would probably wait until performance upgrades are complete before getting into aesthetics.

Here is a link to the car. I pick her up on Saturday.

http://www.certifiedautoplex.com/web...n-TX/11883984/

If you don't want to spend a ton of money on suspension, you could get the Bilstein B6 dampers. I put them on to replace my OEM dampers before I went whole hog. Other guys will chime in with their opinion too. The wheels aren't too bad, but they are real heavy. But good wheels and Michelin PSS tires will shoot your budget.

[daveN007]

After taking a closer look at the car, I would look into a warranty.

A $25k, non-CPO, non-BMW dealer 335d with 60k miles could be the deal of the century, or a nightmare of SES lights and a downward descent into carbon build-up hell.

Hopefully you have zero problems. Either way, it is a $50k car for half price...so you shouldn't be too upset if a $5k repair is around the corner.

[GreekboyD]

Originally Posted by daveN007

After taking a closer look at the car, I would look into a warranty.

A $25k, non-CPO, non-BMW dealer 335d with 60k miles could be the deal of the century, or a nightmare of SES lights and a downward descent into carbon build-up hell.

Hopefully you have zero problems. Either way, it is a $50k car for half price...so you shouldn't be too upset if a $5k repair is around the corner.

Was thinking the exact same thing. I pray and hope these guys you bought the car from haven't cleared a bunch of fault codes and then sold the car to you.

[slimsailor00]

Originally Posted by daveN007

After taking a closer look at the car, I would look into a warranty.

A $25k, non-CPO, non-BMW dealer 335d with 60k miles could be the deal of the century, or a nightmare of SES lights and a downward descent into carbon build-up hell.

Hopefully you have zero problems. Either way, it is a $50k car for half price...so you shouldn't be too upset if a $5k repair is around the corner.

You are exactly right. I did have a reputable mechanic with diesel experience go by and do a 150 point inspection, because I was/am worried too. He said it passed with flying colors (no codes, no outright evidence of egr clogging or carbon). That gave me the confidence to go for this. I am worried about CBU, and will do whatever it takes to slow the process and clean it when needed.

Keep the ideas coming guys...I am learning a lot really quickly here.

Chris

[Yozh]

mine is delaminating...
what's cool about the media button?

[daveN007]

Originally Posted by Yozh

mine is delaminating...
what's cool about the media button?

"CD" is so 1990s...

[WreckerX5d]

Originally Posted by Yozh

mine is delaminating...
what's cool about the media button?

If I get a meth kit, ima rig the on/off switch to that useless button.

[usna2k]

M-Sport Steering wheel...pricey mod since you have the non-sport wheel but you'll thank me later. ;-)

[usna2k]

Guys, look at this photo:



The 335d badge is *not* in the factory location. This could mean it was debadged and replaced at some point, but might also mean something worse, like a respray.

[Dutchdaddy]

Best mod: Driving school, thank me later.

Seriously, I always read about people making mods to their car. Please, spend $450 on a two day track event. Learn to control your vehicle. After that, spend it all on mods. Yes, I am biased, I have been on various race tracks since 1992. I think it's key that everybody gets their vehicle up to speed in a safe, well controlled manner. There's a reason why I volunteer my spare time with the TireRack/BMW driving academy, but also with various car clubs, instructing folks to drive faster.

With that said, congrats on your 335d. I took a similarly equiped 335d out to VIR, NJMP, Pocono and Watkins Glenn, to name a few, with zero -performance- mods; other than a set of 275/35/18 Hoosiers.......

[joe_planet]

Originally Posted by Yozh

I have a different plan as I just got mine as well.

First of, I have replaced all fluids and filters as mine is 2 yrs on the road and 60K mi later. Thought it was a good time to do as previous leasee did not do squat, spare a few oil changes.

Then is the plan to make it more reliable and that is the issue of carbon build up. I do not have to worry about a warranty or emissions regulations though. As such:

-EGR block off;
-DPF delete;
-CCV oil catch can install;
-Ecotune reprogram - will also make it more fun to drive.

Then just enjoy.

I will second this option. If you're trying to get more power and reduce carbon buildup this is the only way.

I'm not sure if the catch can is really needed though..

[335dM]

Originally Posted by AzureHaze

1. extended warranty
2. Wagner intercooler
3. JBD

+1