[dwells]

Good info, I really appreciate the help. And If I weren't on the other side of the state I would take you up on that ride-along offer!

I did a bit of research on the open source tuning but never found much definitively. I saw some talk of flashing the Vishnu OFT tunes with the BT cable, but I also saw reports of there being problems with that. From what shiv was saying, it sounds like he purposefully obfuscated the tunes so they won't work right if they're flashed from anything other than the overpriced and not-so-open OFT. As for winter tuning, I guess I'll just have to get a feel for what the car is like tuned - as long as the throttle is smooth I guess it would be fine.

Unfortunately I don't do much work myself. I've got a pretty decent jack, some stands, and some sockets here and there. I've installed side skirts, cabin air filter, cleaned out my intake box, replaced the battery (goddamn that was a pain), and change my wheels out, but that's about all I know how to do. I have a great local indie shop, but they're pricey ($110 an hour).

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by dwells

Good info, I really appreciate the help. And If I weren't on the other side of the state I would take you up on that ride-along offer!

I did a bit of research on the open source tuning but never found much definitively. I saw some talk of flashing the Vishnu OFT tunes with the BT cable, but I also saw reports of there being problems with that. From what shiv was saying, it sounds like he purposefully obfuscated the tunes so they won't work right if they're flashed from anything other than the overpriced and not-so-open OFT. As for winter tuning, I guess I'll just have to get a feel for what the car is like tuned - as long as the throttle is smooth I guess it would be fine.

Unfortunately I don't do much work myself. I've got a pretty decent jack, some stands, and some sockets here and there. I've installed side skirts, cabin air filter, cleaned out my intake box, replaced the battery (goddamn that was a pain), and change my wheels out, but that's about all I know how to do. I have a great local indie shop, but they're pricey ($110 an hour).

Come out for a meet or to the drag strip!

@zero2sixtyZ @Island Road <-- Both of them have just the BB or BMS backend flash and can probably tell you more about the flashing experience and how they like it.

When I flashed the e90 with the cobb OTS map it was like a different car, granted I only had it for 2 weeks before I got it flashed and then another 2 weeks before I got 'protuned' by PTF. I highly recommend a tune of some type on an N54. Who knows it may be enough to keep you content for a year or two before the jag! I would take the 2k and put it in an account you can draw out of almost instantly if/when you do need it for repairs in that time.

In the other thread I posted a link to the bms backend flash. Should give you a good deal of info on it. That OFT doesn't seem to be very open.

[zero2sixtyZ]

Originally Posted by dwells

• Three HPFPs by 50,000 miles.
• Spark plugs around 50,000 miles.
• Laggy engine software update at 50,000 miles.
• VANOS solenoids at 64,000 miles. ($650)
• Water pump and thermostat at 68,500 miles. ($1,100)
• New turbos a month ago at 69,500, outer bank turbo being replaced again on Monday.

The car is a 2006-built E92 335i wth 70,000 miles right now, and if I were to keep it, it would be for about three years to around 100,000 miles. Here's what I know is wrong with the car now:

• Hesitating/jerky on throttle lately, feels slower. Desperately needs a carbon cleaning, which I hope is the cause of the problem. ($350 from the guy in the forums here, but an hour plus drive as well)
• Transmission jerking from second to first in auto mode. Might just be a software issue, might be my slushbox on its way out. ($???)
• Steering wheel shake at around 50mph on both sets of wheels, so I doubt it's balancing. Control arm maybe? ($500?)

And here's what I've been told to expect:

• Original serpentine belt due to fail soon. ($200)
• Older N54 motor mounts known to be problematic and cause serpentine belt shredding. ($750)
• Original injectors likely to go any day now. ($300 for one to $1,400 for the whole bunch)
• Valve cover and oil filter housing oil leaks. ($???)
• Low pressure fuel sensor. ($200)

I have the BMS flash, which was done via Island Road's BT cable and the B!mm3rB0057 flash software. No issues reported, other than a slight scare when flashing the tune originally.

With the serpentine belt, valve cover/gasket, control arms, and carbon cleaning, I'd consider that maintenance. While they have the motor out for the turbo again, have them check the motor mounts. I even offered to buy new ones when they pulled the motor, but they said they were in perfect shape. No shredding here so far. Have the suspension looked at, and potentially grab the TRW (sp?) M3 control arms, etc... Forced upgrades.

I'd consider the warranty actually, if you're not going to do the work yourself. The list on a pre-07 build is decent, as I've had half of that list done already, and at the same mileage.

I've driven the XK-R and the XK-RS at the Jaguar Drive event around an autocross course. Fun car, but nowhere near the fun or agility of a tuned 335i. I wouldn't go to one of those for reliability either. Same as we've discussed with the F-Type before. I want one, if they release a manual, but I won't expect Toyota like reliability.

[Torgus]

Did I hear something about a trip to the drag strip?

[zero2sixtyZ]

Originally Posted by Torgus

Did I hear something about a trip to the drag strip?

Wednesday, August 6th sound good?

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by zero2sixtyZ

Wednesday, August 6th sound good?

Works for me. But almost every Wednesday night works for me.

I'm going to have to do some reading on dragging a e92. If I can start hitting a decent 60 i'll fill up with some race gas to avoid any timing drops given how hot it is going to probably be.

I hope to be in the mid 12s...

[zero2sixtyZ]

Originally Posted by Torgus

Works for me. But almost every Wednesday night works for me.

I'm going to have to do some reading on dragging a e92. If I can start hitting a decent 60 i'll fill up with some race gas to avoid any timing drops given how hot it is going to probably be.

I hope to be in the mid 12s...

I've seen you at the drag strip... We'd be proud if you get a 16.9...

[Boston335xi]

Originally Posted by zero2sixtyZ

I've seen you at the drag strip... We'd be proud if you get a 16.9...

HA. I would be in for this. Have to do the damn CDV delete that I've been putting off forever.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by zero2sixtyZ

I've seen you at the drag strip... We'd be proud if you get a 16.9...

I just want to break out of the 15s!

You guys and your CDVs.

[dwells]

Rocking a 328d loaner while my car is in the shop for its fifth turbo to grace the engine bay.

The good:

• City driving commute this morning of ~40 minutes averaged 42.5 MPG.
• Cruise control on flat highway at 70 MPH last night yielded 61 MPG.
• Loaner had only 130 miles on it when I picked it up. Brand new.
• Pretty decently equipped.

The bad:

• Front second from the left parking sensor is broken already, reports there's something on top of it so I get a constant beep tone whenever parking. Cleaning it did nothing. Not a great sign for BMW quality control lately.
• Awful halogen reflector headlights on a $47,500+ as equipped car. Really guys? The $16,000 Corolla has LED projectors standard...
• Auto start-stop is still rough.
• Engine noise, especially at light throttle at parking lot speeds is so bad that passengers thought the car was broken.

[SLOWER]

Any of you guys have the ability to obtain a BMW service history?

Will the dealer just share that information if asked?

[Amonra08]

Originally Posted by SLOWER

Any of you guys have the ability to obtain a BMW service history?

Will the dealer just share that information if asked?

Anything done at that particular dealership they can see. I can see everything done at dealership X when I bought my e90 CPO'd. Just ask for a copy, should be no problems as long as you are the owner.

[SLOWER]

I'm looking at another car out of state under warranty but not at a BMW dealer. Trying to figure out how to get the history.

[Amonra08]

Seller should have that info for you then or just get the vin & look it up yourself by contacting bmw to verify the warranty & the service done to date. also carfax lol?

[Boston335xi]

Originally Posted by SLOWER

I'm looking at another car out of state under warranty but not at a BMW dealer. Trying to figure out how to get the history.

What are you looking at?

[SLOWER]

Originally Posted by Amonra08

Seller should have that info for you then or just get the vin & look it up yourself by contacting bmw to verify the warranty & the service done to date. also carfax lol?

That's what I'm wondering...if I take the VIN to my local dealer would they be willing and able to pull that history for me. Guess it's worth a try.

The more used cars I look at, the less I have faith in Carfax.

Originally Posted by Boston335xi

What are you looking at?

X5

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by SLOWER

The more used cars I look at, the less I have faith in Carfax.

My ex friend got into 4 accidents with his G35x 1 with another car. Not one was on his carfax and he contacting the insurance once other times he just paid cash. In fact when he bought the car you could tell the front and rear bumpers were both sprayed(badly) but yet nothing showed up on the carfax.

Carfax is good but it isn't perfect.

[335xiRacer]

I really want a cts-v. Lol

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by 335xiRacer

I really want a cts-v. Lol

Do it. Those things can be monsters with a few simple mods: http://www.tunetimeperformance.com/c...ulley-kit.html All while being nice and comfortable inside and not screaming 'race cah'

[dwells]

I bought this car as a BMW enthusiast and someone who grew up playing with BMW model cars with the dream of having my own real one, and my experiences with local dealers and BMWNA are likely going to leave me selling the car and never owning a modern BMW again. Unreal.

[Torgus]

Took a ride the Mexico last night. Absolutely smoked a G37S.

[Torgus]

I need license plate covers. Any suggestions? I have an old chrome set that started rusting so I could always Plastdip them but seeing if anyone had any suggestions. This would be going on E92 Monaco blue.

Going to find some Pan Head M5x10 .8 Pitch too...

edit:
in before