[Tambohamilton]

never finished!

[xlr88r]

It's been a while! Again. I said that the last time I posted blinkin' ages ago.

What's new with it? Not much really. It had its 19th service - count 'em! - a couple of months back, alongside a front brake rebuild. They were binding just a little bit when pulling up to a dead stop, so in went a set of 12x new pistons, seals, and new fluid. They have been on this and my previous E90 for a good 4 1/2 years now, so I'll forgive them for finally needing some TLC.

Here are some pics from years back when they first landed.

Great day.
Fond memories.
Such braking.
Many stopping powers obtained.

[xlr88r]

While I'm in the mood for a post of two, here's another. This is hugely exciting.
Ahem.

Ages ago I found a set of the Individual Piano II trims... which weren't for CCC cars. As I had some spare, I wrapped the centre console in some matte black vinyl so it was, well, less obviously wrong vs. the Walnut underneath. It didn't jar too much, but as Piano or even Diamant CCC console trims seem to be impossible to come by on their own, it was time for some gloss wrap. It's come out passably well I reckon.

The peeling soft touch nonsense on the CCC controller itself was cleaned off - the plastic underneath is in good shape - and I sanded and wrapped the gear lever trim too. Again, the soft touch finish was looking a little sorry for itself there. Much better match with the Piano bits methinks.











That up-nose/chin shot is a freebie.

[Tambohamilton]

Nice work, looks decent I'd say!

Those bmwp brakes look awesome. Bet they work ok too. I'll give you £5 for them, delivered, yeah?

[xlr88r]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Nice work, looks decent I'd say!

Those bmwp brakes look awesome. Bet they work ok too. I'll give you £5 for them, delivered, yeah?

Cheers! Aye, must admit I'm chuffed with how those console bits came out. It's wearing its miles well, well, on the inside at least

Great offer on the brakes mate! Errr... think I'll pass tho!

[E93Seattle (Racerbruce)]

well done xlr88r!
your ride is gorgeous and clearly exhibits the care and time invested.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by xlr88r

Cheers! Aye, must admit I'm chuffed with how those console bits came out. It's wearing its miles well, well, on the inside at least

Great offer on the brakes mate! Errr... think I'll pass tho!

How about if I throw in a bag of wheat crunchies? Just to savory the deal a bit

[PunsGalore]

Very nice

[xlr88r]

Originally Posted by E93Seattle (Racerbruce)

well done xlr88r!
your ride is gorgeous and clearly exhibits the care and time invested.

Cheers! And likewise - yours is stunning! Shame there aren't more red E9x cars out there, as they really suit it. The UK is a sea of monochrome for the most part.

I really should Google this to find out the differences. We didn't have a 335is here. Earlier 335i cars were N54's with 6MT or the ZF 6 speed auto. Later ones were N54's with those gearboxes, or the 7 speed DCT. Did the 335is come with more bells and whistles as standard, or were there chassis or power tweaks too? Funny how things vary from country to country.

Anyway! Love yours too. It's a real looker!

[xlr88r]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

How about if I throw in a bag of wheat crunchies? Just to savory the deal a bit

Hehe! That made me chuckle, as too did the next post from the member PunsGalore. Apt!

[xlr88r]

Originally Posted by PunsGalore

Very nice

Cheers! I'm liking Midnight a lot too. Great find!

[E93Seattle (Racerbruce)]

Originally Posted by xlr88r

Cheers! And likewise - yours is stunning! Shame there aren't more red E9x cars out there, as they really suit it. The UK is a sea of monochrome for the most part.

I really should Google this to find out the differences. We didn't have a 335is here. Earlier 335i cars were N54's with 6MT or the ZF 6 speed auto. Later ones were N54's with those gearboxes, or the 7 speed DCT. Did the 335is come with more bells and whistles as standard, or were there chassis or power tweaks too? Funny how things vary from country to country.

Anyway! Love yours too. It's a real looker!

cheers from gig harbor wa, usa....about 50 miles south of seattle rests an incredibly beautiful small fishing village and waterfront on the puget sound:

https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-im...ig-harbor.html

thanks for inquiring about the 335is - it is a rare breed indeed that was sold in the us market only during model years 2011-2013; mine is a 2013 late production and only 17 were produced during the 2011-2013 production in crimson red exterior, saddle brown interior and 7 speed dct transmission.

here's a bit of "drinking from a fire hose" info download re the 335is to save you from googling all of this! sorry, it's a long read:

-----------------------

335is

BMW 335is (E93)
The 335is was produced in coupé and convertible models for the North American market. Its position in the model lineup was between the regular 335i and the M3, and approximately 4,500 units were produced. The 335is uses a higher performance version of the N54 engine, which increases boost from 8.7 to 11.6 psi (0.6 to 0.8 bar).[49] This results in 239 kW (320 bhp) and 450 N⋅m (332 lb⋅ft) of torque, plus an overboost function raises torque to 370 lb⋅ft (502 N⋅m) for up to 7 seconds.
Transmission options were a 7-speed double clutch transmission (DCT) with launch control or a 6-speed manual transmission. The manual transmission has an upgraded clutch compared to the regular 335i.
Other changes compared to the 335i include stiffer engine mounts, a higher-flow exhaust system, an upgraded cooling system, a different steering wheel, sport seats and "335is" badging on dash and in the instrument cluster.[50][51] Exterior differences are larger air openings in the front bumper, a rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser-style piece, black kidney grills, and 18-inch or 19-inch "Style 313" wheels.

The 335is has additional radiator, oil and a larger cooling fan compared to the standard 335i or 335i with M kit. "An additional radiator has been added behind the left-side front air intake, along with a more powerful electric cooling fan.

To fill the gap in the 3-series lineup between the 300-hp 335i and 414-hp M3, BMW is introducing the 2011 335is coupe and convertible. We were unaware that said gap needed to be filled, but we’re told that the 335i is seen in the U.S. as just an ordinary 3-series, and as such, there’s room for something more exotic than a 335i but less outlandish than an M3. Now that we’ve been given the chance to drive the 335is coupe, we’re coming around to accepting this whole gap idea.

More Power and a Body Kit and . . .
Conceptually similar to the 330i Performance package model that was available as part of the previous-generation 3-series lineup, the 335is doesn’t go so far as to threaten the M3’s supremacy, but it definitely ups the sportiness quotient. To that end, the 335is gets 320 hp and 332 lb-ft torque from the twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine, and an overboost function allows for seven-second blasts of 370 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the regular-grade 2011 335i, the 335is sticks with the older twin-turbo engine for the simple reason that BMW engineers had more experience tuning it. This same engine can also be found in the Z4 sDrive35is that was introduced at this month’s Detroit auto show. In the Z4, the engine makes 335 hp; a more restrictive intake on the 3-series accounts for the 15-hp difference.

To make the 335is a track-worthy vehicle, BMW upgrades the cooling system with an additional radiator and beefs up the engine mounts. Inside are standard sport seats, steel pedals, an M Sport steering wheel, and textured aluminum trim. Between the seats sits the familiar six-speed manual, but it’s modified here to have shorter throws. For those who prefer not to shift for themselves, BMW is offering its seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The DCT system is identical to the one in the M3 and comes with steering-wheel-mounted paddle-type shifters.

Exterior styling builds on that of the 3-series’ 2011 freshening and adds an aggressive M Sport body kit. The kit has a more aggressive front fascia that ditches the coupe’s fog lamps in the interest of increased cooling capacity; the 335is convertible keeps its fog lamps. (And just to confuse you, we posted photos of preproduction coupes with fog lights; the decision to ditch them apparently came after these cars were built.) A new rear bumper incorporates a diffuser-style piece, and the twin exhaust pipes are finished in matte black. New gray-painted, split-five-spoke wheels are the only change to the chassis, despite the extra power—there are no tweaks or modifications to the suspension or brakes.

Same Poise, Even Better Soundtrack
Immediately on starting the engine, one detects a more noticeable hum from the new exhaust system. Less-restrictive mufflers snarl menacingly and only get angrier once the throttle is matted and the revs rise. As we’ve seen with other applications of the twin-turbo six, power is delivered with the immediacy of a large-displacement, naturally aspirated engine. The extra horsepower bestowed on the 335is isn’t exactly massive, but the car will still quickly shrink a straightaway, and it rockets into triple-digit speeds as if towed by a Boeing 747. Indeed, a few laps around Portugal’s Estoril racetrack revealed this car to be exactly what’s suggested by the spec sheet: a powerful 3-series with a fantastic soundtrack. As one might expect from the carry-over chassis, the balance, the predictability, and the unflappable poise that make the 3-series one of our favorite cars are all there in spades.

The 335is doesn’t exactly threaten the M3 performance-wise, and with a starting price of $50,525, the 335is coupe costs $8750 less than an M3 coupe. But compared with the M3 sedan, the 335is coupe saves only $5750; faced with that choice, we’d pony up for the four-door M3. Convertible versions of the 335is start at $59,075, or $8850 less than the M3 convertible. The 335is convertible will arrive in April; coupe buyers will have to wait until June. And don’t go looking for the 335is at dealerships outside North America; for once, BMW is building something just for us.

The 335is comes standard with a version of the M body kit. It includes a sculpted rear valance (diffuser) matching the body color versus the standard M kit which is black ABS only. The standard M package also includes sports suspension and other M bits such as thicker steering wheel, chrome accent peddle and foot rest, M door sill badging.

Black chrome exhaust tips, grill and shadow trim, and anthracite headliner unless comparing to the M kit only exhaust tips different. Black mirror caps also which are not part of the M kit.

The exhaust is a modified sports exhaust and not the standard BMW sports exhaust. According to BMW, they removed some of the fill to change the sound and also added a valve like a standard exhaust to control the noise where the normal BMW sport exhaust doesn't have this. The 335is exhaust differs from the 335i, 335i with M kit, and BMW branded aftermarket sports exhaust.

Also according to BMW the motor mounts are stiffer than a standard 335 and not available on the standard M kit. The suspension is no different however or the brakes.

There is the availability of the DCT transmission which you can not obtain on the standard 335i or 335i with M kit unless outside of the U.S which varies by country if available on the 335i.

The 335is uses the older N54 Turbo motor where the 2011 335i uses the new N55 Twin Scroll motor. 335is only exists as a 2011 and thus can't compare to prior years. Tunability or other unknown factors may come into play with the N54 versus N55 and why it was chosen for the 335is. It was remarked that BMW had more experience on the N54. N55 335is in the future? who knows.

The 335is includes tuned sports software not standard on the 335i and M kit. The 335is gets 320 hp and 332 lb-ft torque from the twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine, and an overboost function allows for seven-second blasts of 370 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the standard 335i with 300/300.

The 335is has additional radiator, oil and a larger cooling fan compared to the standard 335i or 335i with M kit. "An additional radiator has been added behind the left-side front air intake, along with a more powerful electric cooling fan. An oil cooler is fitted opposite the second radiator, on the right side."

Foglight delete for better air cooling to support the additional radiator and oil cooler and not an option on the 335i or 335i with M. 335is convertible retains foglights.

The 335is includes a 335is cluster gauge with color/badging. There is unique 335is badging on the outside and inside.

The 335is comes standard with 18" 313 wheels compared to the standard 335i.

The 335i M package no longer offers the 313 wheels standard.

The 335is comes with paddle shifters standard.

The 335is offers a sunroof delete option. This option may be available outside of the U.S. or on request for other 3 series models.

All of this is about $3-4k more than a standard 335i. I think its a good deal. The only thing I would wish for is a factory option for BMW performance brakes or at least some type of BMW or M branding on the brakes and cross-drilled brakes all around for looks.

Other food for thought:

Performance figures split the siblings perfectly in thirds. We find the 335i Coupe to have a 0-60 acceleration time of 4.8 seconds, while the 335iS finds 60 in an estimated 4.6 sec, topped only by the M3’s 4.1 second acceleration time. Power figures follow a similar trend, the 335i Coupe outputs 300 hp / 300 lb-ft torque while the 335iS turns 320 hp / 332 lb ft of torque, topped again by the mighty M3’s 414 hp / 295 lb-ft torque. The curb weight of each car tells a different story; to summarize, the 335i Coupe is laden with 3,542 lbs, the 335iS with 3,650 lbs while the M3 tips 3,704 lbs at the scales.

E93

2011 - 1857
2012 - 591
2013 - 948

Total production E93:
Convertible: 3,396

BMW N54 Engine Specs
Specs for the BMW N54 inline-6 twin turbo engine are as follows:
Engine BMW N54
Configuration Inline-6
Displacement 2,979 cc (3.0L)
Aspiration Twin Turbo
Block/Head Material Aluminum, Open-deck block
Internals Forged crank & rods. Cast pistons
Valvetrain DOHC, 24 valve, VVT
Bore x Stroke 84mm x 89.6mm
Compression Ratio 10.2 : 1
Redline 7,000 RPM
Horsepower 300-335 HP
Torque (lb-ft) 300-332 lb-ft
The BMW N54 engine utilizes a twin turbo, direct gasoline injection design. It's the first mass production engine from BMW to feature this technology together. An aluminum open-deck block and aluminum head help keep weight down. A forged crank and rods deliver solid strength.
Combine that with DOHC and variable valve timing and the N54 is good for 7,000 RPM redline. It also makes 300-335 horsepower from the factory. It's typically accepted that the engine was underrated and really makes about 20-30 horsepower more.
Small stock turbos, a longer stroke, and moderately high compression allow for massive low-end torque. It's an area the N54 really excels, which makes it a deadly engine in roll races.

regards

[E93Seattle (Racerbruce)]

xlr88r!!!!
just read this thread....what an undertaking! it was comforting to see that once you committed to the beige to saddle brown conversion that areas (ie: dash, etc) you took the leap and continued the full-on conversion....well done!

[Barty]

Love this build, just read the thread front to back. Reminds me of what I've done with my Z4 coupe; the interior tear-down, changing half of the body panels, all the little details along the way- hats of to you, absolutely stunning result! I've picked up a Monaco Blue with saddle brown E91 from Germany last Monday night, just waiting on the papers to come through and get going. Your project is a big inspiration, love it

[E93Seattle (Racerbruce)]

Originally Posted by Barty

Love this build, just read the thread front to back. Reminds me of what I've done with my Z4 coupe; the interior tear-down, changing half of the body panels, all the little details along the way- hats of to you, absolutely stunning result! I've picked up a Monaco Blue with saddle brown E91 from Germany last Monday night, just waiting on the papers to come through and get going. Your project is a big inspiration, love it

barty,
do you have a thread posted re your z4 coupe? would love to see it; appx a yr ago and after a 12.5 yr relationship, i sold my 07 z4mr; let me know if you start a thread (or have one) in the Z4 section of Bimmerpost.

[Barty]

Originally Posted by E93Seattle (Racerbruce)

barty,
do you have a thread posted re your z4 coupe? would love to see it; appx a yr ago and after a 12.5 yr relationship, i sold my 07 z4mr; let me know if you start a thread (or have one) in the Z4 section of Bimmerpost.

I do, but not here on Bimmerpost. I'm more active on the Z4-forum, but with the new purchase I may start a thread on both here.

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131066

That's the link to my topic on the Z. Apologies for the thread-jack!

[xlr88r]

Racer Bruce,

First up, wow, Gig Harbor looks incredible! Your '93 definitely adds to the aesthetic of the place.

Thanks for the info on the 335is - that was an interesting read. Didn't realise they did so much to differentiate them from the 'regular' 335i. I find it funny how BMW sometimes really go to town with the special editions (like the IS) and occasionally, well, take a lighter touch. There was an M Sport Plus offered here as the E9x production came to a close, and I think that amounted to blue stitching on the seats, an almost M Performance looking diffuser at the back, and, er, some different door sill plates. That was the lot! Not anywhere near as thorough as the 335i to 335is changes.

Thanks for the kind words on the (almost a) build I've been tackling here. All told I'm really pleased with how it's looking now, both in and out.

[xlr88r]

Originally Posted by Barty

Love this build, just read the thread front to back. Reminds me of what I've done with my Z4 coupe; the interior tear-down, changing half of the body panels, all the little details along the way- hats of to you, absolutely stunning result! I've picked up a Monaco Blue with saddle brown E91 from Germany last Monday night, just waiting on the papers to come through and get going. Your project is a big inspiration, love it

Likewise! Your Z4C build is looking fantastic. I'm only part way through reading the (excellent) story of its life with you so far - at the point of the start of the interior change - and I can't wait to read more. Looking forward to seeing what you get up to!

Safe to say I'm really jealous of your motoring adventures. It's great to see that your car does get used as intended, even though it's clearly one of the finest examples out there. Hats off to you!

[xlr88r]

...and also Barty, congrats on the new E91! Given the love you've shown the Z4C I can't wait to see what you get up to with the '91.

[xlr88r]

As befitting the Photo/Video/Media Gallery, here's some recent-ish pics. It's about time I zoomed out a bit and concentrated on more than a centre console trim

Back in August a group of us went to the 'Ultimate BMW Meet' at Mallory Park, a well known racetrack here at home in Leicestershire. The track was built in the 1950's, though a similar layout was originally part of the Mallory estate and used for pony trekking prior, so things have definitely got a bit quicker over the last 80 years. Reading even further back, the various moats around the estate are said to be from medieval times - anything from about 1100 to the 1550's. The grounds have served a purpose of some description for nearly a millennium then, something I had no idea about despite living just 10 miles away.

Since becoming a track it's hosted everything from Formula One, Two, and Three, through BTCC, various superbike events, racing and driver training days and 'supercar' experience days too. And, also, meets like Ultimate BMW.

Those pics...

[E93Seattle (Racerbruce)]

Originally Posted by xlr88r

As befitting the Photo/Video/Media Gallery, here's some recent-ish pics. It's about time I zoomed out a bit and concentrated on more than a centre console trim

Back in August a group of us went to the 'Ultimate BMW Meet' at Mallory Park, a well known racetrack here at home in Leicestershire. The track was built in the 1950's, though a similar layout was originally part of the Mallory estate and used for pony trekking prior, so things have definitely got a bit quicker over the last 80 years. Reading even further back, the various moats around the estate are said to be from medieval times - anything from about 1100 to the 1550's. The grounds have served a purpose of some description for nearly a millennium then, something I had no idea about despite living just 10 miles away.

Since becoming a track it's hosted everything from Formula One, Two, and Three, through BTCC, various superbike events, racing and driver training days and 'supercar' experience days too. And, also, meets like Ultimate BMW.

Those pics...

awesome story!
i remember mallory park from back-in-the-day stories of F1 and donnington park, etc....such great pics of your E91 looking SO good!

[Barty]

Originally Posted by xlr88r

Likewise! Your Z4C build is looking fantastic. I'm only part way through reading the (excellent) story of its life with you so far - at the point of the start of the interior change - and I can't wait to read more. Looking forward to seeing what you get up to!

Safe to say I'm really jealous of your motoring adventures. It's great to see that your car does get used as intended, even though it's clearly one of the finest examples out there. Hats off to you!

Appreciate your kind words, thanks! I'll try and update the thread on here over the next few weeks, but as the original Z4-forum thread shows there's still a lot to cover... The E91 won't be taken to such extremes, but I fully share your commitment to OEM+ modifications. The Performance skirts and bumper are very high on the "need that!"-list, but it needs a few smaller things sorting out first.

Are you by any chance at the Ultimate BMW meet on April 28th? We'll be taking three Dutch Z4's and join a bigger Z4 meet-up there. I'd love to see the E91 in the flesh, the pics at Mallory really do your car justice