[Crazyguy]

I'm new to the forums and new to this 335i I just purchased, but not new to BMW in general. I have a couple questions that maybe someone could help with, if so, I'd greatly appreciate it.

First, has anyone had any experience with new hoods? I would like a more aggressive hood, but painted to match my Le Mans Blue car. The Arkym hood looks pretty cool and I'm considering it but could use help understanding which of the hood vendors have quality products (is Arkyms?) and how well does CF handle being painted? It looks like one of the posters here has one of the Arkyms on his white 335i and it seems to look good but I could use help.

Secondly, I keep reading lots of posts about the Alpina tranny re-flash. I'm wondering what it really does for me as a daily driver and is it risky? Are any of the flashing operation (Cobb tuner as well) risky or are they pretty safe in general (assuming battery doesn't die, etc.)

I appreciate any and all help any of you might have.

Thanks!

[hookandpull]

I daily drive mine with the Alpina and I have had it for a month with no issues

[atown88]

I can't answer any of your questions, but welcome! Andy might be able to help you in regards to the Arkym products.

[jm3as]

welcome! are you planning to do the hood as your first mod? or do you already have a few things slapped on to pull that aggressive hood into it?

btw, see you're in renton, where abouts? i'm over in fairwood, may have seen you before. not too many lemans vert 335s

[Crazyguy]

Thanks for the welcome!

I was in fairwood until last August, now I'm up in the Maple Hills area closer to Issaquah

As far as my first mod, I'm thinking the hood is cool but it seems the hood should come after the Cobb so I'm not "all show & no go"

So I'm going to pretty quickly do the white AE upgrade and am a bit lost on the first "real" upgrade. Should I do the Cobb AP or the Hood/splitter/diffuser cosmetics first?

I also want to do a few of the TCU tweaks to get DRLs running etc.

Later, I want to upgrade the exhaust to give it a better sound and higher perf...

Problem is right now I'm a bit on "mod overload" and don't know where to really start LOL

Any help would be appreciated.

[asdflkijd]

Originally Posted by Crazyguy

Thanks for the welcome!

I was in fairwood until last August, now I'm up in the Maple Hills area closer to Issaquah

As far as my first mod, I'm thinking the hood is cool but it seems the hood should come after the Cobb so I'm not "all show & no go"

So I'm going to pretty quickly do the white AE upgrade and am a bit lost on the first "real" upgrade. Should I do the Cobb AP or the Hood/splitter/diffuser cosmetics first?

I also want to do a few of the TCU tweaks to get DRLs running etc.

Later, I want to upgrade the exhaust to give it a better sound and higher perf...

Problem is right now I'm a bit on "mod overload" and don't know where to really start LOL

Any help would be appreciated.

Hmm.. seems like you kind of know what you want. Arkym is money.. VRS hoods are sexy too though. I've never really been a fan of aftermarket hoods though, I like the subtle m3 ones though that power dome is like the bulge in your pants that express your manhood.

[Crazyguy]

Originally Posted by asdflkijd

Hmm.. seems like you kind of know what you want. Arkym is money.. VRS hoods are sexy too though. I've never really been a fan of aftermarket hoods though, I like the subtle m3 ones though that power dome is like the bulge in your pants that express your manhood.

Do you not like them because of their quality or how they feel on the car, or just don't like the "flash" they add to the car?

[hookandpull]

The unltimate mods to 335's is to Carbon Fiber everything!

Carbon Fiber
Cause Racecar

[atown88]

Originally Posted by Crazyguy

Do you not like them because of their quality or how they feel on the car, or just don't like the "flash" they add to the car?

I would agree, I'm not a huge fan of aftermarket hoods mainly because of the flash. The only hood bulge in my opinion belongs on the car it was made for. All the other vents and what not, in my opinion, in a great enough need to warrant a purchase. Plus it just looks boy-racer.

I think first mod for you N54/55 guys should almost always be a tune, but thats just me. I have turbo envy.

[asdflkijd]

Originally Posted by Crazyguy

Do you not like them because of their quality or how they feel on the car, or just don't like the "flash" they add to the car?

from what I've seen on here, the quality is spot on (assuming that you aren't getting a replica from a vender), I just wasn't a fan of those hoods on our cars to start with. Unless you're going for an all out track look.

[jm3as]

my opinion is flash & lower the car. lowering does the most overall imo. never have been a fan of aggressive mods + non-aggressive stance/ or even a slight drop.

[asdflkijd]

btw, the TCU flash is great. Makes the car much more responsive and shifts are night and day compared to the stock transmission. There's no lag between 4-6 and I love how it shift down to gear 1 when you engage sport/ manual mode. Contact rentonrider (kao) and he'll hook you up!

[asdflkijd]

Originally Posted by jm3as

my opinion is flash & lower the car. lowering does the most overall imo. never have been a fan of aggressive mods + non-aggressive stance/ or even a slight drop.

You don't like my wheel gap?

[hookandpull]

Go fast mods or go home

[Crazyguy]

Ok thanks for the input. I'm not into the CF look, as I stated I was going to have it painted to match the car. Having said that, I do get the "boy racer" look and that's not really something I want or had considered.

Sounds like Cobb is the first purchase then...

[hookandpull]

Originally Posted by Crazyguy

Ok thanks for the input. I'm not into the CF look, as I stated I was going to have it painted to match the car. Having said that, I do get the "boy racer" look and that's not really something I want or had considered.

Sounds like Cobb is the first purchase then...

If you get the Cobb go with a pro tune dont just use the crappy preloaded flashes that it comes with.

[Crazyguy]

Originally Posted by hookandpull

If you get the Cobb go with a pro tune dont just use the crappy preloaded flashes that it comes with.

Where can I find info on the protune?

[RainKing]

Welcome

[hookandpull]

Originally Posted by Crazyguy

Where can I find info on the protune?

There are quite a few tuners on E90 post that can tune your car. I for one would go to Portland and have Cobb tune it in person. The Cobb shop in Portland can mess with more then just your DME.

[Wedge1967]

Originally Posted by hookandpull

I daily drive mine with the Alpina and I have had it for a month with no issues

you call that driving. LOL

[hookandpull]

Originally Posted by Wedge1967

you call that driving. LOL

It was enough driving to keep you behind me

[Wedge1967]

Originally Posted by Crazyguy

Ok thanks for the input. I'm not into the CF look, as I stated I was going to have it painted to match the car. Having said that, I do get the "boy racer" look and that's not really something I want or had considered.

Sounds like Cobb is the first purchase then...

Welcome. If you need anything coded Kao's good peeps. He can also flash your trans if you have an AT. If you need help with anything feel free to give a shout. A lot of good people between Portland and Seattle that are always happy the help.