[StiffUpperLens]

Hi all! Mostly a new member here, I signed up quite a while ago but haven't been too active other than to read the forum from time to time.

My name is Dave and I'm based in Melbourne and i recently picked up a brand new (to me) 2010 e90 330d in top notch condition - and I LOVE it. Its brought some of my passion for cars back.

I used to drive Alfa's, the most recent being an Alfa 156 GTA which was just a lovely car - that noise and the theatre of its Busso V6 never got old. But my work takes me all over the state, and sometimes interstate so it wasn't practical.

Mods on that car included:

Exhaust
poly bushes all round
Quaff diff
Updated 330mm brembo brakes
Bilstein B16 coilovers

Fun car.

I sold her for an e90 320i - I was looking for fuel economy and a workhorse. A refined car, that would take me places in comfort sans the fun. I should have done my homework better - I normally do, but in this instance, I didn't and I payed for it. Hopelessly under powered and then I got the dreaded leaking valve seals along with ridiculous oil consumption.

So I traded her last month for the 330D and I am so happy, better fuel economy than the 320i, better performance than the GTA (in every measure) and a fantastic place to spend hours in. She goes like a stampede of wild horses on speed.

I had never even considered diesel until now - I didn't realise what I was missing.

The only mod I've done so far is to install the xHP software update to the transmission - Stage 3 - extremely happy with that - although I'd rather a manual . Oh and I just updated the Nav to 2020 maps today.

Future mods will be:

1. Carplay update, and
2. Remapping

Unlike my GTA, this is a daily and I'll probably leave it there.... .... .............. but im not that sensible so I'm almost certainly want to play some more

[shannon1]

Welcome.

[ADEe92]

Welcome! The diesel BMWs are brilliant - the fuel economy vs performance is hard to beat.

[Socket]

Yes welcome to the forum. The 3 series diesels are an unappreciated group. I have a 320D and the fuel economy is amazing. I kinda wish I got the 330D but oh well thats life. I hope you get many years of enjoyment from your car. Welcome aboard

[StiffUpperLens]

Thanks guys!

I've decided to add another mod to the list - when the time comes, M3 suspension arms... They're good at the moment, but something to look forward to.

I'd rather an M3 to be honest, but the arms will suffice for now

[Hoper]

Originally Posted by StiffUpperLens

Thanks guys!

I've decided to add another mod to the list - when the time comes, M3 suspension arms... They're good at the moment, but something to look forward to.

I'd rather an M3 to be honest, but the arms will suffice for now

welcome

yep M3 suspension arms def make a difference, just did them on my car, very worthwhile

nice car, the 330d has plenty of ooomph

[DR-JEKL]

The BMW straight six diesel's are a nice smooth donk, the extra few litres per 100 in consumption is definately worth it IMO.

You done well to get one thats got some great mods already, some m3 arms, sways and stiffer subframe bushings should turn it into a great cruiser (talk to VTL - Vince if you havent already for install of the sussy parts)

[StiffUpperLens]

Originally Posted by DR-JEKL

The BMW straight six diesel's are a nice smooth donk, the extra few litres per 100 in consumption is definately worth it IMO.

You done well to get one thats got some great mods already, some m3 arms, sways and stiffer subframe bushings should turn it into a great cruiser (talk to VTL - Vince if you haven't already for install of the sussy parts)

Thanks mate - will do! The car doesn't have any mods yet, other than the XHP Transmission map i installed when I bought the car.

It has 140,000 kms and i feel that the dampers feel a little soft... it may be the extra weight of the diesel vs my old 320i (Which had 160k on it) but I think the time will come soon when I upgrade the dampers and install eibach lowered springs too.

Not sure I want to take it too far. I installed Bilstein B14 coil overs on my 156 GTA, and B6 dampers on my 156 JTS before that. For this car, Im not sure I want to go that stiff as it's a nice mile muncher, and in standard form, it corners superbly - that said, I'd love to tighten things up just a little.. Any suggestions?

Hopefully Vince chimes in.....

[ADEe92]

Does your car have the standard front, or m-sport?

I find that my m-sport wants to scrape the front everywhere with stock sport springs - I'd be cautious about lowering it (unless mine was already lowered by the previous owner, not sure how to tell but it seems to be stock). I have to be very cautious of speed humps / kerbs etc.

That said, when the time comes to replace shocks I'll probably just go with the B14 Bilstein coilovers.

My e30 has a 2 inch drop with Eibach springs & Bilstein B8s, and the handling is great.

[StiffUpperLens]

Originally Posted by ADEe92

Does your car have the standard front, or m-sport?

I find that my m-sport wants to scrape the front everywhere with stock sport springs - I'd be cautious about lowering it (unless mine was already lowered by the previous owner, not sure how to tell but it seems to be stock). I have to be very cautious of speed humps / kerbs etc.

That said, when the time comes to replace shocks I'll probably just go with the B14 Bilstein coilovers.

My e30 has a 2 inch drop with Eibach springs & Bilstein B8s, and the handling is great.

The car is stock standard. Factory 330d spoilers.

Thats good to know, if i did lower it, it would only be a small amount. The car is a daily, i do a lot of miles and still need it to be comfortable and practical. So i guess, it would need to be b14 or b16 coilovers come to think of it..

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by StiffUpperLens

Thanks mate - will do! The car doesn't have any mods yet, other than the XHP Transmission map i installed when I bought the car.

It has 140,000 kms and i feel that the dampers feel a little soft... it may be the extra weight of the diesel vs my old 320i (Which had 160k on it) but I think the time will come soon when I upgrade the dampers and install eibach lowered springs too.

Not sure I want to take it too far. I installed Bilstein B14 coil overs on my 156 GTA, and B6 dampers on my 156 JTS before that. For this car, Im not sure I want to go that stiff as it's a nice mile muncher, and in standard form, it corners superbly - that said, I'd love to tighten things up just a little.. Any suggestions?

Hopefully Vince chimes in.....

Koni yellows are a great bfyb option coupled with m sport springs. Ride is great and big improvement over the crap oem Sachs shocks which on my e92 were tired after 80k kays..

Ken (coupes) upgraded from koni yellows to KW coilovers he might sell you his konis for a decent price

[Coupes33]

Sorry but the Konis have been sold.

[Hoper]

Originally Posted by Coupes33

Sorry but the Konis have been sold.

I've still got my Koni Yellows that I haven't put up for sale yet, went on the car at 90k came off at 120k so only have 30k on them

pm me if your interested

[ech23]

Originally Posted by Hoper

I've still got my Koni Yellows that I haven't put up for sale yet, went on the car at 90k came off at 120k so only have 30k on them

pm me if your interested

I am keen. I am not sure how do I pm you. New to this forum lol

[Hoper]

Originally Posted by ech23

I am keen. I am not sure how do I pm you. New to this forum lol

Ah just tried to PM you and it told me I can't

Send me a txt if you like 0407 323 772