E91 330d Touring

[djdestiny]

I've just fitted the BMW Performance alcantara steering wheel cover, its much nicer than the plastic one and an exact match with the seats

Before and after...

[djdestiny]

About 10 mins max.
There are 3 T20 torx screws behind the wheel to undo, then carefully free 2 plastic clips at the top and pull out the left hand side first. This is because the wires for the buttons are on the right hand side.
You then have just enough free wire to turn it round.
Each set of buttons is screwed onto the cover with another T20, undo those and swap onto the new cover and refit

[djdestiny]

My judgement is reserved on the wheels until they've been resprayed all one colour.
I like the grills because they match all the other black M Sport trim

[djdestiny]

Given it a damn good clean, wash, wax, hoover etc ready for the BMW show at Gayden tomorrow



In other news, I've added a Dension 500S for ipod/MP3 hard drive, just need it coding now.
I got rid of the horrible dealer/GB plates too, they did my head in!
Thats about all at the moment, I'm still enjoying not spending a fortune on modding a car... only a very short list of things to do left now (maybe a window tint, remap, and get the wheels sprayed one colour)

Edited by djdestiny on Saturday 17th August 14:16

[djdestiny]

Going on my own mate, Im on the e90post stand though

[djdestiny]

After being very close to selling it over xmas, Ive decided to keep it.
I couldn't live with those nasty diamond cut faces any longer, so they had to go....



Just one pic at the moment due to lack of time, I'll get some better ones once its had a wash

[djdestiny]

A light tint is on the things to do list already
Ive got a pet hate for rear only tints, especially on estates as it makes them look like a van, so it will all windows (apart from the windscreen of course )

Managed to grab a couple of better pics

[djdestiny]

Cheers
They are the same wheels, not new ones

[djdestiny]

Cheers!
It was for sale over xmas but I had a change of heart.
Apparently according to a thread in general gassing its a st colour and no one would ever want it, but what do I know

[djdestiny]

I'm not offended at all, I would never fit them myself.
They were already on the car so I thought I'd keep them on until after the winter, especially as I live in the countryside and the roads can get very dirty living near farms.
They'll be coming off in the spring

[djdestiny]

Lots to update soon!
After deciding it was a foolish idea to sell the car and get an E46 M3, I thought about getting some changes done instead to make it even more enjoyable
So, Ive been rounding up all the bits for a full CCC to CIC idrive retrofit including combox (the bit that allows you to connect online, access Facebook/twitter, web radio etc etc.
So far I have: CIC headunit, screen, controller, armrest USB port, LCI glovebox, combox and full LCI CIC brushed aluminium trim set.
Just need to get 3 cables and the CIC emulator and it can get fitted and coded, I can't wait!

Ive also decided to swap from alcantara seats to leather, so next Wednesday I'm collecting a full set of heated black LCI leather including door cards.

So will have plenty of pics to post very soon!

Edited by djdestiny on Thursday 3rd April 10:15

[djdestiny]

Idling its obviously a diesel, but nothing as bad as a 4 pot!
On the move it sounds good, and definitely has some of that straight 6 sound

[djdestiny]

lindrup119 said:

Why the move to leather? Have to say I think the Alcantara is much nicer and thought you really didn't like the BMW leather seats.

Great car btw, perfectly modified IMO just get the tints and remap done!

I got offered a really good set for a very good price, so thought if try it. I do prefer leather in general, so worth a go.
I sold my alcantara too, so the cost to change minimal.
If I don't like it I'll revert back
Looks wise, black leather with the red paintwork should look stunning!

[djdestiny]

Picked up the interior this morning, got home and did the rear seat and rear door cards straight away
I'll do the fronts tomorrow.

[djdestiny]

My pet hate, door cards! I must say though, they are a lot easier than some I have had to remove in the past.
All 4 swapped now, just the front seats to go

[djdestiny]

They are 19" CSL reps with 9.5" rears

[djdestiny]

Not much to report at the moment, apart from fitting some gloss black 330d badging as I felt it was missing its identity.
Its booked in for the CIC to be fitted and coded in a couple of weeks which I cannot wait for!

[djdestiny]

I got the CIC drive and combox fitted and coded yesterday, its a huge upgrade and even better than I was expecting!
Ive gained:

Full ipod control with album art via armrest USB socket
Bluetooth music streaming
2013 sat nav maps with full postcode search (originally had 2005 with no post code)
BMW Connected app support via iPhone tethering (some apps need the iPhone to be connected via USB such as web radio)
12GB built in hard drive to store music on
Facebook and twitter feeds, audio books, lap timer etc and loads of other stuff and improvements!

The HD screen is so much better, it makes the old CCC seem like it was running ZX Spectrum graphics
Its hard to show in photos just how much better CIC is than CCC, but here are a few comparisons:

CCC home screen


CIC home screen


CCC nav


CIC from above and perspective. You can also have the split screen view the same as CCC if you wish




CIC with iPod and album art via the combox


CIC with BMW Online services via combox, tethered to iPhone personal hot spot


CIC FM tuner screen

[djdestiny]

Cheers
I do have a few other bits I might do as and when, things like LCI roof rails, 335 style exhaust and maybe a remap

[djdestiny]

Hi yes I still have it, and am enjoying it more and more as I make sensible/usable mods
Yours looks stunning, Le mans blue was my first choice originally, but I love my unique red one too!

CIC conversion is a huge subject and definitely needs some research.
There are various options, some require more hardware than others, it all depends on what you want it to do.

The very basics needed: (assuming you already have CCC fitted)
CIC headunit
HD screen
CIC controller
Dash trim for under the head unit
Centre console trim for CIC controller (plus other dash and door trim if your existing ones don't match the new one)
Cable between head unit and screen
Emulator (this also enables DVD play in while driving)
Fitting and coding

Extra options:
You can add a USB socket in the glovebox, you need the socket and a cable to the head unit.
This allows you to add music to the head unit hard drive (has approx 12GB of space) and also update the maps.

You can add a USB socket inside the armrest, this allows you to have full iPod control (with album art), plug in an iPhone for full use with BMWConnected apps such as twitter, Facebook, audio books, web radio stations, lap timers, gopro control, incoming text messages, hands free calls, streaming music via bluetooth, etc etc.
Some of these are usable via bluetooth connection, and some need the iPhone plugged into the USB socket.
For this, you need:
Armrest socket
Cable from socket to combox
Combox
If you don't already have bluetooth hands free you will also need a harness that runs between the head unit and combox.
Coding
Possible combox firmware update.

It is also important to note that some CIC head units are not compatible with all the combox options, and may need a firmware update and FSC codes to add 7 digit postcode search/updated maps etc. These obviously add to the cost, so you need to research and make sure you buy the correct one in the first place!
I have everything listed above in my car apart from the USB socket in the glovebox. Ive got the socket but not bothered getting the cable yet as I don't really need it.
You can upload music to the head unit by putting a audio CD, or CD/DVD full of MP3's in, there is then an option to copy everything onto the head unit.
My maps are 2013, so plenty new enough.

All in, it probably cost me around £1500 including buying all the parts, then getting it fitted, coded and the combox firmware updated.
It was worth every single penny!
If you want to have a look and are anywhere near Northamptonshire you are more than welcome to