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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i > 335i E90 LCI – Experiences and review of various modifications (long!)



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      05-16-2010, 05:57 AM   #89
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2009 335i  [8.90]
BMW Performance side skirts - photo + part numbers

18. BMW Performance side skirts

At the end of last week, I finally had the side skirts out of the BMW Performance program painted and installed on my car. I ordered these through the German website Salesafter (BMW Herrnleben); however, these guys were not really clever: They delivered the sideskirts, but NOT the clips and other small pieces you need in order to actually install them (the mounting pieces for the OEM side skirts do not fit, unfortunately).

Anyway, I managed to find out all the part numbers I needed and ordered them through my local BMW dealership; the cost for those additional pieces was 45 EUR. The sideskirts themselves set me back 285,60 EUR (painting not included).

Here are also the part numbers for both the side skirts and the mounting pieces (for an E90 LCI! for the E92/E93 you need other pieces), in case somebody else may come into the same situation as I did or wants to order the pieces himself (unless otherwise indicated, you only need one piece of each):
  • 51772147271 (sideskirt 1)
  • 51772147274 (sideskirt 2)
  • 07147127540 (6x)
  • 07147237083 (6x)
  • 51772147273
  • 51772147276
  • 51777166871
  • 51777166872
  • 51777166873
  • 51777166874
  • 51777166875
  • 51777166876
  • 51777891250 (24x)
The installation was very easy, more or less plug & play (IF you have the right mounting pieces...). IMO they look really good, although of course on a dark car you notice them less than on a car with a lighter colour. I also have the impression they're a bit bigger than the OEM skirts, i.e. reaching further down on the car.

Here's a photo of the sideskirts after installation (sorry for it being so dark, but the weather isn't good right now); also note that my car is lowered quite a lot right now due to the installation of the Bilstein B16 Ride Control coilover - that's not yet the final height, I'll have it set a bit higher in a few days:



Upcoming reviews of recently installed items:
  • GIAC stage 2+
  • Bilstein B16 Ride Control

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      05-16-2010, 07:37 AM   #90
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looking gooooood Alpina!
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      05-16-2010, 08:01 AM   #91
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Excellent information as always. Loving the new skirts on your car.
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      05-16-2010, 10:54 AM   #92
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I thoroughly enjoy your accurate reviews. Looking forward to your review of the Bilstein B16 Ride Control Coilovers as I'm going with this setup, myself.
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      05-18-2010, 08:15 AM   #93
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Quote:
Originally Posted by enrita View Post
looking gooooood Alpina!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SSDD View Post
Excellent information as always. Loving the new skirts on your car.
Thank you!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparky66 View Post
I thoroughly enjoy your accurate reviews. Looking forward to your review of the Bilstein B16 Ride Control Coilovers as I'm going with this setup, myself.
Thanks! I have it in my car since about a week and it's fine, but there are some clunking noises I need to have sorted out. I'll definitely write a review of it, but probably not before a few weeks' time. The GIAC stage 2 flash review will most probably be ready sooner.

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      06-22-2010, 12:17 AM   #94
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Great write up!! The only thing you didn't mention (or maybe I just couldn't find) was after your ceramic coated DP's were installed, Did the high temp issue in the cabin go away or still about the same?
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      07-30-2010, 03:35 AM   #95
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surely one of the best modded 335i's. It's all about quality of components, and even though it's pricey, this looks like a car that's modded AND reliable. Besides, for anyone who is after same upgrades they can just follow your review!

Subscribed... Now, I wish someone made something similar on the 2litre D3 Alpina E90!
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      08-05-2010, 09:04 AM   #96
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Thank you so much for answering almost every question I had all in one place. Well written up and I am subscribed!
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      08-10-2010, 07:59 AM   #97
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ekis18 View Post
Great write up!! The only thing you didn't mention (or maybe I just couldn't find) was after your ceramic coated DP's were installed, Did the high temp issue in the cabin go away or still about the same?
Yes you're right, I didn't post an update to this. Although I do not have any hard data to back this up, I feel that the temperatures inside the cabin have gone down slightly. However, if I push the car hard (like on the Nürburgring), the middle tunnel still gets rather warm.

Quote:
Originally Posted by research View Post
surely one of the best modded 335i's. It's all about quality of components, and even though it's pricey, this looks like a car that's modded AND reliable. Besides, for anyone who is after same upgrades they can just follow your review!

Subscribed... Now, I wish someone made something similar on the 2litre D3 Alpina E90!
Thank you! And it's far from finished. Currently the new AR design performance aluminium radiator is being fitted, the methanol injection kit needs to be sorted out (install is done but the cabling is not correct so that it does not work yet), and the suspension will get some tweaking with different camber plates and corner balancing.

At the beginning of next year, the Turbo Dynamics stage 2 turbos will be fitted, along with upgraded internals (pistons+piston rods).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bavarian E92 View Post
Thank you so much for answering almost every question I had all in one place. Well written up and I am subscribed!
Thanks! I really appreciate all this positive feedback.

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      08-10-2010, 09:07 AM   #98
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wow
Great stuff and you my man are out of your mind (compliment)
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      08-14-2010, 09:51 AM   #99
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ALPINE6SPD View Post
wow
Great stuff and you my man are out of your mind (compliment)
Thanks!

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      08-14-2010, 11:06 AM   #100
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      08-14-2010, 11:40 AM   #101
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Green with envy! Will you be getting the Mahle pistons?
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      08-14-2010, 08:10 PM   #102
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Wow, when you are ready to sell the 269's hit me up
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      08-15-2010, 06:39 AM   #103
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stressdoc View Post
Green with envy! Will you be getting the Mahle pistons?
I will be getting different pistons, which will be similar to the Mahle pistons that Alpina is using on the B3 Biturbo, i.e. with the same lower compression ratio. I'll get these from CP (a company that belongs to the Austrian Pankl racing), along with titanium piston rods. But that will only be done around February / March next year, along with the Turbo Dynamics stage 2 upgrade.

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Wow, when you are ready to sell the 269's hit me up
Sorry, that is rather unlikely...

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      09-04-2010, 02:21 AM   #104
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just wonder did u improved this
time from 100 to 200?
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      09-04-2010, 08:32 AM   #105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by **335i** View Post
just wonder did u improved this
time from 100 to 200?
I haven't measured it again, as I'd prefer to do it properly with a Vbox and not just the data from the speedo. Also, my meth injection doesn't work properly yet and I want to do the measuring with and without it.

I'm pretty sure it's faster from 100 to 200 km/h though, as I've gained around 35hp and 120Nm with the GIAC stage 2 flash.

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      09-04-2010, 07:30 PM   #106
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GREAT POST!
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      09-26-2010, 11:43 AM   #107
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excellent build
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      09-26-2010, 11:48 AM   #108
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This thread should be stickied for reference purposes. Amazing build, and amazing budget too!
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      09-26-2010, 05:48 PM   #109
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LightWerkz View Post
excellent build
Thank you! And it's far from over...
Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselDiner View Post
This thread should be stickied for reference purposes. Amazing build, and amazing budget too!
Thank you! I'm glad it helps some people.

There are quite a number of reviews on my latest modifications still outstanding, due to lack of time in particular, but also as my garage has some difficulties in getting the methanol kit running and because I'm not yet 100% satisfied with the suspension as it is now.

Reviews to come:
  • GIAC stage 2 flash + mapswitcher: I wrote a brief review in the recent presentation thread of this product; once the meth injection is sorted out and I have made additional dyno runs, I'll also post a more extensive review here;
  • Snow Performance stage 3 methanol kit: The hardware is all installed since June, but there seems to be a problem with the cabling as the injection does not work presently; will get sorted out on the 9th of October.


  • Bilstein B16 Ride Control coilover + Dinan camber plates: The Bilstein coilover is installed, but currently the car is too low for my taste (and for my parking spot), also there's not enough camber in the front. So in a few days, camber plates and the bad roads package get installed and then tested on the Nürburgring circuit. Here's a photo of the suspension controller button, alongside the Snow Performance meth controller:

  • AR Design aluminium radiator: As some may have heard, I had some fitment issues but that have now been resolved. I'm waiting to do some datalogging on the Nürburgring and will then publish a review.

Projects for early 2011:
  • Turbo Dynamics stage 2 turbo upgrade
  • Pankl Racing forged low compression pistons + titanium conrods
  • ClutchMasters FX300

Stay tuned!

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      09-25-2011, 08:19 AM   #110
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19. M3 strut brace

Why?

As you may have read in my previous review (see here: REVIEW: M3 suspension parts & Quaife limited slip differential ), I've been in the game for improving the stock suspension of my 335i for some time. The M3 pieces that have been installed so far have already had a considerable positive effect and made me think of adding another piece that is transferable from the M3 to my car: the strut brace (or tower brace, as it is sometimes called).

Now, you may say "but the 335i already has a strut brace", and you would be correct. However, the brace that the 335i comes with from the factory is rather flimsy: The bulkhead end is just a loose slot in the end of the brace, so it only braces against compression, in extension it is unsecured. Also the standard single bolt attachment at the strut tops will be subject to flex and distortion, whereas the diecast ring arrangment of the M3 item gives a very solid and rigid attachment to the strut top.

Again, you could argue: "Why the M3 part? Isn't there a strut brace from the BMW Performance line as well?" Well, the Performance strut brace still is only a two point brace, just like the OEM one that comes on the 335i. The M3 brace, on the other hand, is a three point brace that also connects the struts to the firewall, and not only with each other. By definition it is therefore stiffer. This V arrangement also gives open access to the engine and maintains pedestrian impact regs clearances between bonnet and rigid parts.

How?

First of all, you will need to order the parts - either from your BMW dealer or through an aftermarket provider. Here's the link to the part catalogue at RealOEM: BMW E92 M3 strut brace installation on 335i

The components look like this:


To make it easier, here's also the list of the parts with their respective part numbers you need:

• 51617900821 Ring, dome cross-brace, left
• 51617900822 Ring, dome cross-brace, right
• 51618044553 Strut brace (you need two of those)
• 51618045860 Mount for strut brace
• 51617891281 Covering cap (you need two of those)
• 51618046445 Stud (two of those) *
• 51717898374 Stud (4 of those) *
• 07119904401 Hex bolt (2)
• 07146954965 ASA-Bolt with circlip (not needed, can be re-used from existing brace)
• 07146963730 Torx bolt (2)
• 51717895241 Hex nut (6)
• 31316769731 Self-locking collar nut (6)

You will have to replace the items marked with an (*) as otherwise the brace will interfere with the microfilter assembly. Item 51618046445 can be replaced with two 07119904401 hex bolts.

As I wanted to avoid any hassle at the time with bolts or nuts that don't fit, I ordered the whole package through Harold at HP Autowerks who has already been of great help in the past. Here's the link for the M3 brace package (which already includes all correct pieces to install it on a 335i):
HP Autowerks / link to shop for M3 strut brace - everything costs around 250 EUR in total.

As I've no problem admitting that I'm not too much manually inclined, I didn't do the install myself (although it probably is rather easy for someone with a bit of skill). I had it installed, as many of my modifications, by Daum Motorsport that did the job very well, as usual. Here's an extensive guide with photos on how to install it: BMW E92 M3 strut brace installation on 335i

Here are some photos of how it looks installed on my car:

View of the engine bay / right tower (see the red arrow):


View of the engine bay / from the front (see the arrow):


View of the engine bay / complete view (see the two red arrows):


Improvements?

After picking up my car from my garage, I took it for a spin on some curvy back roads, and the difference was noticeable immediately. Compared to other modifications, the difference is not probably immense, but I confirm that it has made a marked difference. The intial steering response is much sharper and more direct, and when you're in a bend, even tiny steering inputs result in the front just tucking in even more. It allows you to drive the car with more precision and is, to say it plainly, even more fun to let it rip on some curvy backroads.

Problems / disadvantages?

None at all from my perspective. Of course it is not cheap and you have the hassle of installing it in replacement of the OEM brace - but at least for those like me that are already on the slippery road of multiple suspension modifications it is certainly worth the money.

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