[tetsuo111]

Momo the dog, cruising for a meal...

[M-technik-3]

Funny I didn't see the dog on the photo. Great caption for it.

[eljay]

Originally Posted by GA328iT

It just felt like I had to change gears at a higher rev than I like. I normally like to change gears just after the torque kicks in and gives a nice pull - usually at or just before 3K RPM. Then engage the next gear at about 2.5K rpm and feel that low torque again.

With the 3.23 diff, I had to get past 3.5K rpms just to get any speed. I didn't track actual mph to rpm, but it felt like the engine was racing out and I wasn't going very fast. It felt like I was racing the engine just to get up to speed. I really felt like I looked like a d-bag trying to race off the line with whoever was next to me at a light.

It also felt like gears 1-3 weren't usable - they were just there to get to 4th so I can cruise at 35-40 mph around town. With the 3.73 manual diff, it just feels like it should - I can leave it in 3rd, cruise at 40 mph at maybe 3-3.2K rpm, and it's just ready to take off if I want to hit it.

Also, and this could be me getting used to a new clutch or simply getting used to a manual gear box and this particular engines power delivery (I am coming off 10 years with a 6 speed Audi 2.0T and was totally in tune with that engines torque band and clutch feel), but I had a heck of a time simply getting smooth shifts into 2nd and 3rd gears. I like to release the clutch until I feel it bite, then give it gas. But when I did that, the car really jerked. To try to smoothly engage 2nd or 3rd, I had to give it gas (is that RPM match?), to bring the revs up some to try to match the speed. Granted, I went with SMFW at the advice of my installer. Perhaps on OEM DMFW would be different with 3.73.

At any rate, we swapped in the 3.33 and it's haven. FWIW, the installer, Ken Oswald at OTP Automotive in Winder GA, who was named to me by four separate people when asking for a recommendation for the swap - and who was called a, "BMW guru" by the service righter at my local indy shop, said he was surprised at how much smoother the 3.23 is. He said it felt quicker with the 3.73, but the 3.23 was smoother.

Again, perhaps the single mass flywheel makes a big difference? All I can say is I like it much better now.

Thanks for the good feedback to everyone! So, thousands of hours of BMW Engineering and testing is indeed better than us trying to outsmart them for a racing car feel!

The clutch engagement and rev-matching experience is down to SMFW and the daily driving shifting is the diff ratio.
SMFW will be a bit more touchy a less forgiving when you are not smooth with inputs than DMFW.
I did a SMFW conversion on my old Audi B6 and didn't notice much difference, but I never drop clutch for launches, always rev-match on downshifts etc., so it wasn't a dramatic difference.
People also remove CDV to get more immediacy, but I don't think it makes a huge difference unless you are autocrossing or tracking.

[GA328iT]

Originally Posted by eljay

Thanks for the good feedback to everyone! So, thousands of hours of BMW Engineering and testing is indeed better than us trying to outsmart them for a racing car feel!

Exactly!

Originally Posted by eljay

The clutch engagement and rev-matching experience is down to SMFW and the daily driving shifting is the diff ratio. SMFW will be a bit more touchy a less forgiving when you are not smooth with inputs than DMFW. I did a SMFW conversion on my old Audi B6 and didn't notice much difference, but I never drop clutch for launches, always rev-match on downshifts etc., so it wasn't a dramatic difference.

I'm in day 3 of daily driving it and loving it. Getting more and more in tune with it. Thanks!

[E91WAG3N]

Originally Posted by GA328iT

It just felt like I had to change gears at a higher rev than I like. I normally like to change gears just after the torque kicks in and gives a nice pull - usually at or just before 3K RPM. Then engage the next gear at about 2.5K rpm and feel that low torque again.

With the 3.23 diff, I had to get past 3.5K rpms just to get any speed. I didn't track actual mph to rpm, but it felt like the engine was racing out and I wasn't going very fast. It felt like I was racing the engine just to get up to speed. I really felt like I looked like a d-bag trying to race off the line with whoever was next to me at a light.

It also felt like gears 1-3 weren't usable - they were just there to get to 4th so I can cruise at 35-40 mph around town. With the 3.73 manual diff, it just feels like it should - I can leave it in 3rd, cruise at 40 mph at maybe 3-3.2K rpm, and it's just ready to take off if I want to hit it.

Also, and this could be me getting used to a new clutch or simply getting used to a manual gear box and this particular engines power delivery (I am coming off 10 years with a 6 speed Audi 2.0T and was totally in tune with that engines torque band and clutch feel), but I had a heck of a time simply getting smooth shifts into 2nd and 3rd gears. I like to release the clutch until I feel it bite, then give it gas. But when I did that, the car really jerked. To try to smoothly engage 2nd or 3rd, I had to give it gas (is that RPM match?), to bring the revs up some to try to match the speed. Granted, I went with SMFW at the advice of my installer. Perhaps on OEM DMFW would be different with 3.73.

At any rate, we swapped in the 3.33 and it's haven. FWIW, the installer, Ken Oswald at OTP Automotive in Winder GA, who was named to me by four separate people when asking for a recommendation for the swap - and who was called a, "BMW guru" by the service righter at my local indy shop, said he was surprised at how much smoother the 3.23 is. He said it felt quicker with the 3.73, but the 3.23 was smoother.

Again, perhaps the single mass flywheel makes a big difference? All I can say is I like it much better now.

I appreciate the feedback as you're the first that's gone back to a 3.23 after having a 3.73.

It may come down to driving styles and folks around you too. I'm at about 3,000 feet which affects the power of the car, as well. Once the car is warmed up I shift in the 3-4k range, using moderate throttle as I accelerate. It seems like a lot of cars are turbos with low-end power and drivers use the accelerator pedal like an on/off switch so I try to keep up! I never use 3rd gear to cruise in, usually 2nd in 25mph streets and 4th when I'm in 35-50mph traffic, then 6th on the highway. I downshift for power but don't let the car hang above 2,500k cruising unless I'm on the highway.

If I ever get an LSD, I think something in the 3.46 range would be perfect to give a bit of acceleration but not greatly reduce top speed and increase cruising revs.

Originally Posted by eljay

Thanks for the good feedback to everyone! So, thousands of hours of BMW Engineering and testing is indeed better than us trying to outsmart them for a racing car feel!

The clutch engagement and rev-matching experience is down to SMFW and the daily driving shifting is the diff ratio.
SMFW will be a bit more touchy a less forgiving when you are not smooth with inputs than DMFW.
I did a SMFW conversion on my old Audi B6 and didn't notice much difference, but I never drop clutch for launches, always rev-match on downshifts etc., so it wasn't a dramatic difference.
People also remove CDV to get more immediacy, but I don't think it makes a huge difference unless you are autocrossing or tracking.

In regards to the engineering comment, BMW does engineer the cars well but a lot of times there are decisions made to maximize fuel economy and artificially create a variance in their model lineup. A prime example was in the US-spec E36. The 95 M3 had a 3.15, then a 3.23 for 96+. 5MT 325i models had a 3.15, but when the larger displacement 328i came out, they had a 2.98. You could swap a 3.23 into a 328i and it was within a tenth or two of an M3 acceleration-wise to 60. The auto 325's had a 3.91 which was unusable in a 5 speed car imho.

The CDV is hit or miss. I didn't really notice it in my E92 335i, it was awful in my E82 128i, and I noticed a slight difference in my current E91 when I removed it.

To each their own, though! I already spent the $150 on the 3.73 in my garage so I may as well give it a try this winter.

[GA328iT]

Originally Posted by E91WAG3N

To each their own, though! I already spent the $150 on the 3.73 in my garage so I may as well give it a try this winter.

Absolutely do and it and reply back. I agree with you about driving styles and each their own. Could be just me....

If you have the wherewithal to do it yourself, definitely don't let my impressions dissuade you.

[rjaudi]

I don't mind the 3.73 gears at all. The car definitely feels a bit faster and just wants to rev. The BMW performance exhaust doesn't drone too much at 80 mph also.

[xlr88r]

Hello!

I'm a long time lurker but don't post much, so here's a couple of pics of the old and the new.

I've had the E90 for nearly 4 years now, but soon he'll be handing over his tasty bits to the new E91. I'll be sad to see the E90 go as it's been a brilliant car to me, but his spirit will live on.

They're similar in some ways. Both are 2006 330i M Sports with love/hate Dakota beige leather and, originally, walnut trim. The E91's an auto whereas the E90's a manual.

The E91 is really well specced for an early UK car, so that's the keeper. I've been after one for ages and this fits the bill almost perfectly. The interesting bits on the E91 are:

Adaptive Xenons.
Bluetooth.
CCC (will be adding CIC/Android Auto/Apple Carplay soon).
Comfort Access.
Compass/Homelink mirror.
Electric, heated, memory seats incl. lumbar.
Electric, heated, folding, auto dimming wing mirrors.
Front and rear PDC.
Logic7... with dead subs I think! TBC.
Panoramic Roof.
Split/siding front armrest and various storage packs.

The E90 on the other hand came with CCC and, er, that was it for options! In my ownership it's had a fair bit of work though, while keeping to an OEM+ kinda scheme. Hidden away it has:

Style 191Ms.
Koni Special Actives.
Eibach Pro's.
Meyle HD arms, links, bushes, upper and lower mounts, sick dust covers and so on.
M Performance BBK all round.
Gloss black grilles, wing mirrors, rear diffuser.
Darklines.
Yellow projector front fogs.
CIC + Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
Alpine Audio Kit + Logic7 subs and rears.
E89 Z4 steering wheel.
E89 Z4 instrument cluster with custom lighting and needles... a one off?
Split/sliding front armrest.
Diamant Schwarz trims.

As mentioned, much of the E90's updated bits (brakes, wheels, suspension, CIC, Android Auto/Carplay, the interior trims) will be pinched and put on the E91 in due course. When that's done I'll pretty much have the Touring of my dreams... if I somehow forget that both Terra and Saddle leather exist. Want want want!

[ThreeThirtyFiveXI]

Originally Posted by xlr88r

Hello!

I'm a long time lurker but don't post much, so here's a couple of pics of the old and the new.

I've had the E90 for nearly 4 years now, but soon he'll be handing over his tasty bits to the new E91. I'll be sad to see the E90 go as it's been a brilliant car to me, but his spirit will live on.

They're similar in some ways. Both are 2006 330i M Sports with love/hate Dakota beige leather and, originally, walnut trim. The E91's an auto whereas the E90's a manual.

The E91 is really well specced for an early UK car, so that's the keeper. I've been after one for ages and this fits the bill almost perfectly. The interesting bits on the E91 are:

Adaptive Xenons.
Bluetooth.
CCC (will be adding CIC/Android Auto/Apple Carplay soon).
Comfort Access.
Compass/Homelink mirror.
Electric, heated, memory seats incl. lumbar.
Electric, heated, folding, auto dimming wing mirrors.
Front and rear PDC.
Logic7... with dead subs I think! TBC.
Panoramic Roof.
Split/siding front armrest and various storage packs.

The E90 on the other hand came with CCC and, er, that was it for options! In my ownership it's had a fair bit of work though, while keeping to an OEM+ kinda scheme. Hidden away it has:

Style 191Ms.
Koni Special Actives.
Eibach Pro's.
Meyle HD arms, links, bushes, upper and lower mounts, sick dust covers and so on.
M Performance BBK all round.
Gloss black grilles, wing mirrors, rear diffuser.
Darklines.
Yellow projector front fogs.
CIC + Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
Alpine Audio Kit + Logic7 subs and rears.
E89 Z4 steering wheel.
E89 Z4 instrument cluster with custom lighting and needles... a one off?
Split/sliding front armrest.
Diamant Schwarz trims.

As mentioned, much of the E90's updated bits (brakes, wheels, suspension, CIC, Android Auto/Carplay, the interior trims) will be pinched and put on the E91 in due course. When that's done I'll pretty much have the Touring of my dreams... if I somehow forget that both Terra and Saddle leather exist. Want want want!

Fitting those wheels, did you need spacers?

[xlr88r]

Originally Posted by ThreeThirtyFiveXI

Fitting those wheels, did you need spacers?

I did yes, and fairly thick ones too - 15mm front and 20mm rear.

[fazm]

Daily street mode:



Touring mode:



Prolly gonna m sport that bumper sooner rather than later.

[fazm]

wait, found another.

[fazm]

My, how far we've come.

[BIGGNS]

The correct answer to "how would I replace my E91?"

6 cylinders
5 doors
4 driven wheels
3 pedals
2 turbos
1 M Sport package

[Itgb]

RWD/6MT/ NA I-6 vs AWD/Auto/Turbo I-4

[M-technik-3]

Poor resolution walling into work, put 193M and new PS4's. So nice to have smooth and quiet tires. Need to mount my M sport front bumper after it's painted. Next weekend I am putting my front shocks on it, I've already the rears.

[RNByrd3]

^ Why the tow hook?

[M-technik-3]

Originally Posted by RNByrd3

^ Why the tow hook?

Use it for securing my tandem Kayak. Was moving about too much when we would travel at freeway speeds.

[MPOWER5266]

I washed the wagon this weekend for the first time in months. It has been really rainy and I have been extremely busy. I hope to start on the detail next week and try to bring it back to its pre-tornado condition.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

[ryan stewart]

Dont know if I have participated but I can put some pics of my basically bone stock truck:
Just hauling bikes from the old apartment:


After a track day:

Good for towing/hauling for sure:


I got the Yakima Awning to go on the rack and it works well for traveling light to a paddock. I have more pop-ups if its gonna be bad weather or I have a crew with me but I like this to be minimalist for nice days. It also works well if you park the car on the sun setting side in the evenings as the car provides the side shade:


Its also a pretty good tent:


Despite how I use it the interior seems to be holding up really well, my main spots of wear are that floor mat heel pad and the pull handle on the drivers door (replaced the passenger handles):


Really going to dread the day I am forced to replace it, its the swiss army knife of cars.

[caseyb_415]

Originally Posted by fazm

Daily street mode:



Touring mode:



Prolly gonna m sport that bumper sooner rather than later.

Nice ride nerd

Since I finally signed up, here is mine that is still basically how I bought it in this pic, also cheers to the BAT folks mentioning to post here too.

But also while I am here, I have a lead on a Dinan N52 exhaust but it is listed as E90 fitment, part D660-9000 anyone know if it should fit on E91 platform?

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by ryan stewart

Dont know if I have participated but I can put some pics of my basically bone stock truck:
Just hauling bikes from the old apartment:


After a track day:

Good for towing/hauling for sure:


I got the Yakima Awning to go on the rack and it works well for traveling light to a paddock. I have more pop-ups if its gonna be bad weather or I have a crew with me but I like this to be minimalist for nice days. It also works well if you park the car on the sun setting side in the evenings as the car provides the side shade:


Its also a pretty good tent:


Despite how I use it the interior seems to be holding up really well, my main spots of wear are that floor mat heel pad and the pull handle on the drivers door (replaced the passenger handles):


Really going to dread the day I am forced to replace it, its the swiss army knife of cars.

Nice use of the trusty e91! How do you adjust the seating for you sleeping setup? And how’s you back the next am?