[Jat]

So I figured it was about time to start a journal thread on my car.

It started life as a standard 330i touring. Spec as follows:

Type code VS32
Type 330I OL (EUR)
E series E91 ()
Series 3
Type TOUR
Steering RL
Doors 5
Engine N52
Displacement 3.00
Power 190
Drive HECK
Transmission AUT
Colour SPARKLING GRAPHITE METALLIC (A22)
Upholstery LEDER DAKOTA/SCHWARZ (LCSW)
Prod.date 2006-07-20

S1CAA SELEKTION COP RELEVANTER FAHRZEUGE Selection of COP relevant vehicles
S205A AUTOMATIC GETRIEBE Automatic transmission
S226A SPORTLICHE FAHRWERKSABSTIMMUNG Sports suspension settings
S249A MULTIFUNKTION FUER LENKRAD Multifunction f steering wheel
S2MFA M LM RAEDER STERNSP. 193 M MISCHB. BMW alloy wheel, M spider spoke 193
S302A ALARMANLAGE Alarm system
P337A M SPORTPAKET M Sports package
S386A DACHRELING Roof railing
S402A PANORAMA GLASDACH Electric panoramic roof
S428A WARNDREIECK Warning triangle and first aid kit
S431A INNENSPIEGEL,AUTOMATISCH ABBLENDEND Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S441A RAUCHERPAKET Smoker package
S470A KINDERSITZBEFESTIGUNG ISOFIX Isofix-System
S481A SPORTSITZE FUER FAHRER/BEIFAHRER Sports seat
S494A SITZHEIZUNG FUER FAHRER/BEIFAHRER Seat heating driver/passenger

S4ADA INTERIEURL. ALU. LAENGSSCHLIFF FEIN Interior trim strips, alu, brushed, fine
S502A SCHEINWERFER-WASCHANLAGE Headlight cleaning system
S507A PARK DISTANCE CONTROL (PDC) Park Distance Control (PDC), rear
S521A REGENSENSOR Rain sensor
S534A KLIMAAUTOMATIK Automatic air conditioning
S544A GESCHWINDIGKEITSREGEL. MIT BREMSF. Cruise control with brake function
S563A LICHTPAKET Light package
S609A NAVIGATIONSSYSTEM PROFESSIONAL Navigation system Professional
S612A BMW ASSIST BMW Assist
S620A SPRACHEINGABESYSTEM Voice control
S633A HANDY VORB. BUSINESS/BLUETOOTH-SCH. Preparation, mobile phone, Business
S694A CD-WECHSLER VORBEREITUNG Provisions for BMW 6 CD changer
S710A M LEDERLENKRAD M leather steering wheel
S715A M AERODYNAMIKPAKET M Aerodynamics package
S760A INDIVIDUAL HOCHGLANZ SHADOW LINE High gloss shadow line

S775A INDIVIDUAL DACHHIMMEL ANTHRAZIT Headlining anthracite
L812A ENGLAND/IRLAND AUSFUEHRUNG National version England / Ireland
S850A ZUSAETZL. TANKFUELLUNG EXPORT Additional Export tank filling
S863A SERVICE KONTAKT-FLYER EUROPA Retailer Directory Europe
S877A UEBERKREUZBEDIENUNG ENTFALL Delete cross-pattern operation
S880A ENGLISCH / BORDLITERATUR On-board vehicle literature English
S8S3A AUTOM. VERRIEGELUNG BEIM ANFAHREN Automatic locking when driving off
S8SMA FAHRGESTELLNUMMER,V.AUSSEN SICHTBAR Car ident. number visible from outside
S8SPA COP STEUERUNG Control unit COP
S9AAA AUSSENHAUTSCHUTZ Outer skin protection

S321A EXTERIEURUMFAENGE IN WAGENFARBE Exterior parts in vehicle color
S520A NEBELSCHEINWERFER Fog lights
S853A SPRACHVERSION ENGLISCH Language version English

[Jat]

So the previous owner from whom I bought the car started the modifications, and did an excellent job on it.

The mods applied included the following:

- Depo Projector Headlights and lamina-x applied all round
- Colour coded 335 style rear diffuser
- Dual exit 4" exhaust
- Coilover suspension
- Simota air intake (M3 version) with dual intake feeds
- BMW Performance big brake kit all round
- Braided hoses
- Rowhe 19" Concave Alloys
- Colour coded engine bay (phoenix yellow - BMW Performance colour)
- RPI scoops
- Gloss black roof rails
- AC Schnitzer style wing mirrors
- Aluminium pedal set
- Black BMW badges all round
- Front Full Lip Splitter
- Xenon style fog lights

All in all, it was a comprehensive modifications list, and having known the owner for some time and his car obsession, I decided it was a good buy for me. I was looking for a 335 touring, but finding one with the right spec was a nightmare, and the only ones that I could find to fit the bill we close to new car money, which I was not looking to spend. The 330i I found in this car had a great spec and was a good compromise for me. I have not regretted it one bit.

Some pictures of the car when I got it from the previous keeper, and a few of when I got it home:

[Jat]

So I kept the car as it was for some time, and just enjoyed most of the summer with the panoramic roof (coming from a convertible, this was great and really brightens up the interior and makes it feel spacious) and the sound of the straight 6 with induction and exhaust accents.

The first change that came about was a minor one, with the dice valve dust caps being pinched by some little scrotes, but it was no loss, as I was going to replace them anyway and I ended up getting an anodised aluminium set. A word of warning to anyone using metal valve caps, be sure to lubricate them liberally with grease or vaseline or such like to stop them fusing the valves!

The next mod that came about was a wheel change. I originally was not 100% on the black rims, though they did grow on me over time and definitely looked much better in person that the pictures suggest. I have always been a fan of OEM+ modding, and as such was a big fan of the M359 style rims that the 1M and M3 Competition ran. Alas, as fate would have it, I ended up with a cracked rear rim due to pothole damage or such like over the winter, and a replacement rim was no longer available as this design was out of production. I ended up contacting Chris at CM Wheels, and ordered a set of M359 Style wheels, in hyper silver. Service from Chris was excellent, and has always been that way even after the sale in terms of product support and customer service. Big thanks to him.

I got the new rims fitted, and got the car back on the road.







All was well, and I enjoyed the car some more until the next strike of the dreaded BMW gong sounded:



I had the yellow warning intermittently for some time, but it was not possible to replicate the issue in a surefire way. Eventually though, I got the red error and the car would not start. I ended up getting it recovered and brought back to my house. I looked into the issue online, and was worried as I read tales of full steering column replacements etc. Lucky for me, I had recently discovered a very good local specialist, BR Cartronics in Merry Lees, Leicester. I got the car on a recovery truck and took it over to them. Within two minutes of arriving, and whilst still on the back of the truck, the mechanics had the lock disengaged via the plug in diagnostics tool. The owner of the garage said it would take them a few days to look into it, and would let me know. He said not to worry about the steering column just yet, there are many avenues to explore. Turns out he was right, and the fault was traced to a defective Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) that was causing the battery to run down and no charge sufficiently, eventually causing system faults as there was not enough power to run all the checks. Boosting the batter did not solve it either. Anyway, hats off to him, as for a fraction of the cost I was dreading the problem was solved. Back to happy motoring.

[Jat]

The front lip on the car was quite low, and used to catch occasionally of kerbs and speed bumps. In itself this was not a major issue, and is common on most lowered cars. The snag was that the lip was fibreglass, and cracked very easily. A few marks appeared, and over time I just left and got on with enjoying the car. However, one day whilst dropping the little one at nursery, the car got a bit too close to the rocks that mark off the parking area, and crunch, the lip took a real hammering and was FUBAR'd. It left the bumper in a right state since it had been bonded on, it meant to remove it and tidy the bumper was a much effort if not more as painting a new one. A new lip was considered, but they all seemed to be fibreglass, and I didn't want that. I did source a supposed ABS plastic one from China, but the shipping was £100, and then item cost £120. There was also the issue of duty, and the fact that I was not 100% that it would be plastic.

I opted to make the best of the situation, and after some research and discussions with various forum members, decided to go the M3 style bumper route. The item was ordered late January and arrived last week ready painted. I got round to installing it this weekend, making the most of a dry and bright Saturday. Fitting was not hard, but it was a snug fit. Anyway, I will let the pictures do the talking (excuse the poor iPhone pics, will get better ones soon):

[Jat]

[This is a place holder for my journal/thread on my car] - reserved for updates 3

[Rudz]

Wow, car looks brilliant, love it

The car's had a lot of love and attention from it's previous owner it appears

Oh my the concave on those wheels drool...oh no, I see u've put some pics up of ur new rims, the csl's have been done to death, quite prferred ur old set if I am honest with u, made the car look at lot more aggressive, looks a bit tame now lol

What further plans have u got for it considering it's got almost everything that one would want from a car ?

[Jat]

Originally Posted by Rudz

Wow, car looks brilliant, love it

The car's had a lot of love and attention from it's previous owner it appears

Oh my the concave on those wheels drool...oh no, I see u've put some pics up of ur new rims, the csl's have been done to death, quite prferred ur old set if I am honest with u, made the car look at lot more aggressive, looks a bit tame now lol

What further plans have u got for it considering it's got almost everything that one would want from a car ?

Cheers mate, indeed the previous owner lavished a lot of love on it!

In regards to the wheels, as I say, I liked the black Rowhe ones, but I had one crack on me and I couldn't source a replacement - and a repair was not a viable option. Plus, with the car being dark, I did find it was a little too dark if you know what I mean, hence the switch to other rims was a step forward for me in a personal taste point of view. I also wanted a more OEM+ look, and this worked better for me. The rims are not CSL rims, but the rims that come on the 1M. They are subtly different. As for being done to death, I know what you mean, but that is the nature of a forum - you see all the modified cars, in the real world on the roads, its a much rarer thing to see.

[Icekube]

that engine bay is fantastic

really like the new bumper too.

[dobbo99]

remember seeing this from the previous owner, and I thought the Rowhe wheels were awesome.
Im not a huge fan of the CSL types but yours is different enough elsewhere to carry them off and like you say, in the real world they are still a rarity. When you see car after car on a forum, you'd thing they are common.

still a great looking car.

[Mani59]

I like those M359 wheels..suits your E91 well!

[xPETEZx]

Love that Engine Bay!

Think the new bumper looks better than the Lip tbh.

Big fan of Black Alloys, so liked your old wheels better :P
New set is still very nice!

About the only thing I am not a fan of is the Mirrors and the Headlights. Prefer OEM.

[AWBimmer]

Love this mate, the bay, the wheels, the m3 bumper... looks brilliant. Love the mirrors too - top job!

Where did you get the M3 rep bumper from and how much if you don't mind me asking. Also, how did you find the fitting, you mentioned snug... is it noticeably off from any where?

[Nobber]

as per my PM Mate.....love it! Looks absolutely stunning.

What's the front strut brace though, looks tough!!

[Alex.J]

Glad you got a thread up finally!

Really like your car and great work!

I can see it was my influence for the thread ha ! Clearly!

[Jat]

Originally Posted by dobbo99

remember seeing this from the previous owner, and I thought the Rowhe wheels were awesome.
Im not a huge fan of the CSL types but yours is different enough elsewhere to carry them off and like you say, in the real world they are still a rarity. When you see car after car on a forum, you'd thing they are common.

still a great looking car.

Cheers mate, as I say, I prefer a bit more OEM+ style, and the all black look was a bit murdered out for me after a while. I still think it looked good as it was, don't get me wrong, but I just wanted a different look now. also, since I could not get a replace Rowhe wheel, I had to change. These are also heavy concave on the rear.

Originally Posted by Raj59

I like those M359 wheels..suits your E91 well!

Cheers mate, just noticed you are leicester based too…where abouts?

Originally Posted by xPETEZx

Love that Engine Bay!

Think the new bumper looks better than the Lip tbh.

Big fan of Black Alloys, so liked your old wheels better :P
New set is still very nice!

About the only thing I am not a fan of is the Mirrors and the Headlights. Prefer OEM.

Ironically I prefer OEM+ modding too, hence the move from the black rims. Thanks for comments though.

Originally Posted by AWBimmer

Love this mate, the bay, the wheels, the m3 bumper... looks brilliant. Love the mirrors too - top job!

Where did you get the M3 rep bumper from and how much if you don't mind me asking. Also, how did you find the fitting, you mentioned snug... is it noticeably off from any where?

I will drop you a PM regards the bumper. I fitted it myself, not that hard to do with a jack, axel stands, basic tools and an extra pair of hands. I had to move a few bits from my old setup (like the 2nd air intake feed) as it did not fit the new bumper. I would think the gap to the wings could be a tad closer to be perfect, but nothing that is a major issue.

Originally Posted by Nobber

as per my PM Mate.....love it! Looks absolutely stunning.

What's the front strut brace though, looks tough!!

Cheers mate - still a few tweaks to come. The brace is a generic strut brace with BMW embossed on the centre section.

Originally Posted by Alex.J

Glad you got a thread up finally!

Really like your car and great work!

I can see it was my influence for the thread ha ! Clearly!

Indeed - cheers for all the feedback too! Finally pulled my finger out and got it sorted! Will need to keep it current now.

[Tak1986]

Like the oem + theme! Mine is getting there bpvery slowly haha.

The m3 front bumper fits well !

[Jat]

Originally Posted by Tak1986

Like the oem + theme! Mine is getting there bpvery slowly haha.

The m3 front bumper fits well !

Cheers mate, glad you like it. Modded cars are always a work in progress!

[nathanwest]

looks smart mate.. m3 bumper looks sweet as well.

[dest]

Love that front bumper, got me thinking now!
I really need the 335 style exhaust too

[bmwspeed01]

Your new wheels are awesome big big improvement can you give me the details where you got them from please?

[Nobber]

Originally Posted by Jat

Cheers mate - still a few tweaks to come. The brace is a generic strut brace with BMW embossed on the centre section.

I know that feeling. I'm just saving up the slush fund right now so I can splurge on Stage2 of the master plans!!

What rear exhaust are you running again, think you answered that in your PM but for life of me can't see it!

Edit: Looked next level on the Rowhe rims fella, I'd of kept them!

[makkan00]

Jat
Nice car. Although most people like M3 bumper but I personally think that your car looks much better with OEM bumper + lip . Fog lights on M3 bumper ruin it.

Perhaps you should have gone for Chris 1M bumper. Or think about it in the future.

Rest of the car is killer and new wheels give it more aggressive look.

Good luck with future mods.