[R99]

Originally Posted by Wibbles

Having seeing the steering wheel in the flesh, it's stunning!

Many thanks to BR Diagnostics and Retrofits (E90 post member: Wibbles's new venture!) I now have the wheel fitted!





Really happy with the outcome - very similar in looks to the original M Sport wheel, but a much nicer finish with the premium nappa leather, and the M tricolour stitch! Its about 10mm thicker in the hand compared to my old wheel too, which doesnt sound much, but its noticeable when driving!

M3 steering wheel trim just finishes the look off IMO, adds a little something compared to the usual M Sport version!

Finally, a shot of the car on the way back from the Lakes over the weekend!

[R99]

Just to keep things up to date....

Car goes in for the Performace bumper on Monday. I can't wait.

After thinking about selling the car, and how much I'd loose & my cost to change I've decided to keep it another year.

So I've had the MOT done a month early before the AUC warranty runs to see if there was anything needed that would be covered, but it passed with flying colours.

I'm in the process of extending the warranty for another year too, to ensure peace of mind. Whilst in for the MOT they have identified a transmission oil leak, a diff oil leak and also glow plug no:5 is faulty.

All will be done FOC under the AUC warranty, just highlights to me the benefit of maintaining the warranty for unexpected issues like these!

I also decided to continue improving the car with another OEM retrofit, so today I have just paid for a full Hi-End Individual Audio system for my E91.

Work to fit it will be done in the coming weeks, I think it will be a fairly involved retrofit as it will require the headlining to be cut and the rear door cards too!

Looking forward to hearing it though!

[R99]

BMW Performance bumper happened today!

[R99]

OK, so another update.

The Individual Audio is in.... well all but the two rear headlining speakers - thats a job for another day, as its going to be a big job!

Two of us worked on the install from 7:30 this morning until just before 4pm, so you can get an idea of how much work is required!

Everything is coded, and working - I now have surround option and also the equaliser on the CIC screen.

I also bought the Individual Audio door trims too to finish the job off, bloody expensive but worth it for a factory install look.

Pics - as you can see most of the interior had to come out, and there were lots and lots of wires!!

[R99]

Few more pics of the car that I took today:











Really very happy with how I've got it at the moment.

[BrandJas18]

Beautiful!

[R99]

Many thanks!

[modobrew]

That is a thing of beauty. Wouldn't mind mine being a 335D E91. You've manage to keep that thing looking OEM.

[R99]

Ok, here's another quick update for the Individual Audio retrofit.

The headlining speakers are in, which completes the job.





Now these are in the system seems to have a more "complete" sound to it! I just need to start looking into configuring the EQ settings now!

[NYBulldog]

Originally Posted by R99

Ok, here's another quick update for the Individual Audio retrofit.

The headlining speakers are in, which completes the job.


Now these are in the system seems to have a more "complete" sound to it! I just need to start looking into configuring the EQ settings now!

Mother of god I would love this!

[R99]

Its an awesome sounding system, and better still - totally OEM!

[R99]

Not much to report with the car at present.

Today marks the 1st year of my ownership - bought it on 20/08/15 with 24.5k miles on the clock and a year later its now on 39k miles.

So, 12 months and 13.5k miles later I think its safe to say the car has moved on considerably!

In anticipation of the AUC warranty ending I had it booked in 6 weeks early for its MOT.

Whilst it was at BMW back in July it was identified that a few things needed some attention, so they were done this week as it was my first chance to leave the car for a few days.

Oil leak on transmission - cleaned and not replicated
Oil leak on differential - final drive input seal was replaced, resulting in a bonus oil change for the diff
Glow plug replacement for cylinder 5

The car also had a slight hesitation under load, but this was that intermittent that some weeks would go by without issue, followed by some days where it may happen 2 or 3 times, then only to disappear again. Very frustrating and no fault codes logged, so BMW were unable to diagnose without me paying a ludicrous amount of money for their 'diagnostics' if either

a) they stripped parts off and couldn't find the issue - I would be liable for their labour
b) they stripped parts off and found the issue, only then to find that the AUC didn't cover the issue - I would still be liable for the labour

Faced with those options I naturally didn't want to sign myself up to an expensive exploratory mission courtesy of potentially unlimited BMW labour charges!

However there was some luck on my side as when they replaced the glow plug on cylinder 5, they discovered that there were loose bolts on the fuel rail! According to the tech working on my car, he has seen that once before, and the symptoms were similar to mine - a slight hesitation. Bolts have been replaced and so far, touch wood, there has been no re-occurance of the issue!

For total peace of mind I have also opted to take out the extended BMW / Mondial warranty on the car, with the full level of cover, breakdown and a £0 excess. Expensive at £680 for the year, but should give me a good level of cover and peace of mind for the next 12 months of ownership!!!

[Ruddigger]

The individual audio swap is crazy, kudos to you for taking it on. The performance bumper looks fantastic too, maybe get the performance rep sideskirts next?

[R99]

Thanks!

Yes it was a mega retrofit, but worth it!

I've thought about the performance skirts - maybe will get them at some point.

I've got my eye on some F80 M3 winters next though!

[R99]

Quick update.

Won't be long until we have winter upon us, so I've decided to get some winter wheels.

I wanted 18" but the issue I had was finding some rims that would clear the 370mm Brembo's.

I searched around and came across the 640M winters from the F80 M3 / F82 M4

18x8.5 ET27
18x9 ET29



I'll be using 225/40/18 and 255/35/18

Any advice about winter tyres? I'm thinking about some Conti winters?

Thanks!

[roccy_miyagi]

:happy anim:

[R99]

Originally Posted by roccy_miyagi

:happy anim:

Cant wait to get them!

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by R99

Quick update.

Won't be long until we have winter upon us, so I've decided to get some winter wheels.

I wanted 18" but the issue I had was finding some rims that would clear the 370mm Brembo's.

I searched around and came across the 640M winters from the F80 M3 / F82 M4

18x8.5 ET27
18x9 ET29



I'll be using 225/40/18 and 255/35/18

Any advice about winter tyres? I'm thinking about some Conti winters?

Thanks!

Blizzaks are cheap Nokians are the best imo. Any winter is better than an all season.

Nice ride!

[Schmittler]

Always Michelin!

[tcphoto]

Beautiful Touring!

[R99]

Many thanks!!

[R99]

Wheels have arrived..... but both the rears are damaged due to inept couriers!!

I literally detest them..... how hard is it not to damage things!!! FFS!

In the mean time, I took some pictures, and I am very pleased with the wheels.

Great concave front and rear, and the paint finish on them is excellent, I am actually quite looking forward to getting some winters and getting them on the car towards the end of October.

In the meantime, I now have to ship the two damaged rims back to the seller in Germany and deal with the insurance claim from their courier!