My E92 335I SE
Discussion
Lovely looking car OP! 
I definitely like the lighter interiors on black cars, and with Piano black it looks even better! Advertisers always seem to think black with black is the best combination, but only those selling that combination! Too funeral for me, especially in Sport/M-Sport models as the headlining is black on those as well).
Please keep us updated on how your year works out - an-N54 engine 1 or 3 Series is definitely on my radar as a possible future purchase!
Hoping you have a fun and trouble-free year!
I definitely like the lighter interiors on black cars, and with Piano black it looks even better! Advertisers always seem to think black with black is the best combination, but only those selling that combination! Too funeral for me, especially in Sport/M-Sport models as the headlining is black on those as well).
Please keep us updated on how your year works out - an-N54 engine 1 or 3 Series is definitely on my radar as a possible future purchase!
Hoping you have a fun and trouble-free year!
Mr Tidy said:
I definitely like the lighter interiors on black cars, and with Piano black it looks even better! Advertisers always seem to think black with black is the best combination, but only those selling that combination! Too funeral for me, especially in Sport/M-Sport models as the headlining is black on those as well).
Absolutely agree and there isn't anything much worse than black on black without a sunroof with the black headlining, the E90 330d I had was like that...the engine made me miserable enough and that's without mentioning the depressing colour combo! 
I had an identical spec car in silver in about 2010/11 - loved it. Fitted a JB3 box and it was pretty swift. One of the best mods i did was to rewire the steering wheel paddles so that a left pull was down a gear and right pull was up a gear, and disabled the thumb push part. Cost nothing but made a big difference, I actually used the paddles afterwards.
As I've had the car for two months on Thursday I thought I'd update, but there's nothing much to say really.
Over almost 3000 miles it's averaging around 29.8-30.5mpg according to the OBC, which is...well it's not great but neither is it the end of the world.
Other than that, business as usual, it starts stops and steers like it should...no problems or issues touch wood.
I am starting to think about what to replace it with though, and at the moment I'm considering a Lexus ISF.
Over almost 3000 miles it's averaging around 29.8-30.5mpg according to the OBC, which is...well it's not great but neither is it the end of the world.
Other than that, business as usual, it starts stops and steers like it should...no problems or issues touch wood.
I am starting to think about what to replace it with though, and at the moment I'm considering a Lexus ISF.
cerb4.5lee said:
Mr Tidy said:
I definitely like the lighter interiors on black cars, and with Piano black it looks even better! Advertisers always seem to think black with black is the best combination, but only those selling that combination! Too funeral for me, especially in Sport/M-Sport models as the headlining is black on those as well).
Absolutely agree and there isn't anything much worse than black on black without a sunroof with the black headlining, the E90 330d I had was like that...the engine made me miserable enough and that's without mentioning the depressing colour combo! Lovely car OP, there's something inherently naughty about an "ordinary" car with a silly engine.
This could be a contender for the worlds dullest update, but 3 months in and there's nothing really to report.
The issue with the speakers is so minor and happens so infrequently that it hardly seems worth bothering with.
Other than that, its not putting a foot wrong, using no oil or water, averaged 33MPG at a fast motorway cruise to Bristol and back.
Touch wood, its all good.
The issue with the speakers is so minor and happens so infrequently that it hardly seems worth bothering with.
Other than that, its not putting a foot wrong, using no oil or water, averaged 33MPG at a fast motorway cruise to Bristol and back.
Touch wood, its all good.
Can I ask who you got to do your map and (if it's not too cheeky) roughly how much you paid? I've just (last Friday) picked up an E93 335i, also in SE spec, and have been scooting around to test the market but having never done anything like that I'm a little reliant on what I can glean from other forums all of which seems about 3-4 years old.
f1nn said:
Evolve, based out of Luton, who I have issued on a previous car, quote £500 IIRC.
Thank you, that's really useful. I've been trying to get a reply from Evolve but guess that as it's August that may be difficult. DMS in Southampton, who seem to be well regarded, quoted me £595+VAT for ~380bhp and ~400 lb ft and that was a "discounted" price.Am based in East Sussex but willing to travel if needed so would be grateful to hear any options from anyone else who has done similar.
Another boring update.
Ever since I got the car there was a pronounced wind rush around both frameless doors at speed. After a bit of research I bought some of this:
After a liberal coating to both door seals, no more noise....really impressed and would definitely recommend it.
Only other news is a rear brake light bulb warning popping up on the I drive. £3.49 at Halfords had that sorted.
I am considering making a few mods, BMW performance back box and decatted down pipes....but we'll see.
Ever since I got the car there was a pronounced wind rush around both frameless doors at speed. After a bit of research I bought some of this:
After a liberal coating to both door seals, no more noise....really impressed and would definitely recommend it.
Only other news is a rear brake light bulb warning popping up on the I drive. £3.49 at Halfords had that sorted.
I am considering making a few mods, BMW performance back box and decatted down pipes....but we'll see.
f1nn said:
Oh, an interior shot. colour scheme won't be to everyone's taste of course, but it makes a nice change from the usual black with silver trim, and I like it!
Lovely car and incredible value for money!
I have always loved the lighter interiors in these. I think it's keeping the leather supple and clean that is key to keeping them looking nice. The lighter interiors really don't age well when neglected and I think that's why they become more unpopular.
Edited by M3333 on Saturday 27th August 08:21
Four months in and the car continues to give swift, comfortable, well as comfortable as a 3 series on 19" run flats on the poor excuse for UK roads can be at least, trouble free transport. I've grown to quite like the thing!
And this leads us to the most expensive issue to date:
I don't think this will be a surprise to anyone as despite being made by BBS, the 230 twist wheels are seemingly made of chocolate. When I bought the car BMW helpfully pointed out that both near side wheels were cracked, but good news, they could supply new chocolate wheels for me....I stopped listening at the 9 in the quote........
So, I've kept an eye on them for the last 4 months and 5k and they do not drop pressure, but they are not likely to get better and the MOT coming up in November I needed da plan.
A local wheel refurb company suggested I would be pissing in the wind and suggested a set of replica wheels. Hmm that could be an idea, but a search of the Internet left me thinking that BBS LM's/M3 wheels etc have been done to death, and most aftermarket wheels look a bit tragic. Besides, i really like the simplicity of the 230 twist wheel.
So, I found a set of (currently) uncracked wheels that have just been refurbished, fitted with a set of almost new Bridgestone Runflats, the same tyres that were fitted to my original wheels...seems I am not destined to escape the runflats just yet. At a substantial saving for what BMW wanted for two wheels.
Fitted them today:
I'm going to keep the original set of wheels as spares, and hopefully that will see me right through the time I have the car.
There is also going to be a rather expensive update happening on Tuesday, which I'm looking forward to!
And this leads us to the most expensive issue to date:
I don't think this will be a surprise to anyone as despite being made by BBS, the 230 twist wheels are seemingly made of chocolate. When I bought the car BMW helpfully pointed out that both near side wheels were cracked, but good news, they could supply new chocolate wheels for me....I stopped listening at the 9 in the quote........
So, I've kept an eye on them for the last 4 months and 5k and they do not drop pressure, but they are not likely to get better and the MOT coming up in November I needed da plan.
A local wheel refurb company suggested I would be pissing in the wind and suggested a set of replica wheels. Hmm that could be an idea, but a search of the Internet left me thinking that BBS LM's/M3 wheels etc have been done to death, and most aftermarket wheels look a bit tragic. Besides, i really like the simplicity of the 230 twist wheel.
So, I found a set of (currently) uncracked wheels that have just been refurbished, fitted with a set of almost new Bridgestone Runflats, the same tyres that were fitted to my original wheels...seems I am not destined to escape the runflats just yet. At a substantial saving for what BMW wanted for two wheels.
Fitted them today:
I'm going to keep the original set of wheels as spares, and hopefully that will see me right through the time I have the car.
There is also going to be a rather expensive update happening on Tuesday, which I'm looking forward to!
Edited by f1nn on Saturday 17th September 17:15
.
Another boring update. Got in it on Monday and noticed the slider for one of the vents had snapped off, seemingly of its own accord overnight.
Obviously, once I'd noticed it I couldn't see anything else. BMW predictably only sell the whole vent unit, which I'm sure would be mega bucks, but I found the unit for £14 delivered from our favourite auction site.
Swapping them over took about 15 minutes.
Sorted.
In other news, it's off for its MOT on Monday, so it could all go horribly wrong from here. It has just flashed up that it is due a break fluid change. BMW want £70 to do this, including a wash and a stamp of the service history, which seems fair enough. I'll put some penetrating fluid on all the bleed nipples this weekend to make sure non are seized ahead of booking it in, as BMW snapped one on my last 330D which wasn't the best conversation I've ever had.
Assuming that I don't get any unpleasant news from the MOT, then I'm going to keep the car a bit longer and push for 400BHP.
New intake, cat less 3" down pipes, and a tweaking of the map should have me knocking on for 400. For a car that spends most of its time at 70-80 on the motorway it may be a bit pointless, but the N54 engines are a peach so it's just too tempting.
Oh, the BMW performance exhaust is bedding in nicely. If I'm honest it is probably a little too grumbly for my taste, especially from a cold start, but it quietens down when warm. The sound at high revs is epic though!
Obviously, once I'd noticed it I couldn't see anything else. BMW predictably only sell the whole vent unit, which I'm sure would be mega bucks, but I found the unit for £14 delivered from our favourite auction site.
Swapping them over took about 15 minutes.
Sorted.
In other news, it's off for its MOT on Monday, so it could all go horribly wrong from here. It has just flashed up that it is due a break fluid change. BMW want £70 to do this, including a wash and a stamp of the service history, which seems fair enough. I'll put some penetrating fluid on all the bleed nipples this weekend to make sure non are seized ahead of booking it in, as BMW snapped one on my last 330D which wasn't the best conversation I've ever had.
Assuming that I don't get any unpleasant news from the MOT, then I'm going to keep the car a bit longer and push for 400BHP.
New intake, cat less 3" down pipes, and a tweaking of the map should have me knocking on for 400. For a car that spends most of its time at 70-80 on the motorway it may be a bit pointless, but the N54 engines are a peach so it's just too tempting.
Oh, the BMW performance exhaust is bedding in nicely. If I'm honest it is probably a little too grumbly for my taste, especially from a cold start, but it quietens down when warm. The sound at high revs is epic though!
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