[rsmallwo]

looking nice Matt,

shadow chrome/hyper black is lovely. but i'm biased

[RagingKileak]

Thanks chaps.

Car is not lowered at all no. I'm sure it will be one day, but for now it's probably just the dodgy surface the car is on!

Matt

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by RagingKileak

As for the DCT. Well as per my first few posts, this car was picked because it has the newer CIC Nav, DCT AND is a twin turbo N54. That combination of things was only around for a few months and I'm pleased I held out for it.

The DCT in sport mode, with paddles in use is savage when changing up gears during hard driving. During normal driving, she is perfectly sedate and calm. A great gearbox that doesn't have any compromises in my opinion.

Matt

The only compromise you'll have to make with the DTC is on the power side - it cannot take as much torque as an AT or an MT. There are already a few guys in Germany that have gone FBO (even without meth) on stock turbos and have blown their DTC. It would seem that around 400hp / 550Nm torque is about what you should tune the car for, otherwise the DTC will slip and in the medium term fail completely.

I would therefor also recommend you to rather upgrade the suspension and differential than thinking of more power. Would be a shame if you were to replace that DTC as that is really expensive.

Looking forward to seeing you sometime next year as well! We should organise an E90post UK meet at the Penny Black...!

Alpina_B3_Lux

[RagingKileak]

Originally Posted by Alpina_B3_Lux

The only compromise you'll have to make with the DTC is on the power side - it cannot take as much torque as an AT or an MT. There are already a few guys in Germany that have gone FBO (even without meth) on stock turbos and have blown their DTC. It would seem that around 400hp / 550Nm torque is about what you should tune the car for, otherwise the DTC will slip and in the medium term fail completely.

I would therefor also recommend you to rather upgrade the suspension and differential than thinking of more power. Would be a shame if you were to replace that DTC as that is really expensive.

Looking forward to seeing you sometime next year as well! We should organise an E90post UK meet at the Penny Black...!

Alpina_B3_Lux

Hey Marcel,

Apologies I just came back to this thread and noticed you had posted.

I know what you mean about the DTC and to be honest I don't really want any more power. I don't personally believe that meth adds much raw, measurable power myself and rather optimizes the car as though it was a cold day.

I've been watching the progress of meth developments on VAG cars (1.4, 2.0 and 2.5) and all drivers/owners seem to be reporting a much better drive but little or no increase on the rollers. This is the view of the guys who did all my Golf work and I'm happy enough to believe them.

All that said, perhaps the problem here is in measuring the difference meth makes and not actually that it does or does not add something. I wouldn't want my gearbox exploding to be the thing that shows me the difference in power lol!

Also, if I get any upgraded turbos it will only be on replacement of my stock ones; for example if they fail. Even then I'd be happy to run at stock/low boost and aim to keep the power as it is, although I actually don't know what she is running at the moment!!

So in short i'll be taking your advice. Suspension will be soon as its a no brainer. The diff and ARB's are a less appealing prospect for me but we'll see if it's a good year for bonuses ha.

It would be great to meet up if you can mate. As a side note Ant and I will be doing a cheap track day in March if you're interested and Jenny and I are in Belgium for 2 nights in June, so if that's convenient perhaps the four of us (with you and Sarah) could meet for a drink or something.

Take care mate and Merry Christmas to all.

Matt

[zltm089]

Lovely pics!!!....

Hope all is well with the car!...

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Where are you going to do your track day in March? I'm of the last two weeks anyway, so that might work...and June sounds good too, would be great to meet you all.

Merry Christmas and greetings (from Dover)!

[RagingKileak]

Hi mate,

It's either Cadwell or Oulton Park on the 18th. I'll confirm - either way it's north ish, but not too bad. It's only £89 for the whole day, so should be good fun.

Matt

[rogerxp]

Love them wheels Matt but you knew that. Car looking great. Catch up soon mate (have a good one!).