E90 BMW 330 M Sport
Discussion
I think all is good with the warning light; it's been a couple of weeks and it hasn't returned.
I treated the car to a new gear shifter.
It feels much nicer than the stock one although I'm not totally convinced its worth RRP (I got a bit of a deal due to knowing someone who works for a dealer). I'll get some fitted pics up this weekend.
I've also decided that I'm going to wrap the interior trim whilst I'm off over Christmas. The silver doesn't look great against the yellow leather so I'm going fir the brushed black 3M Di Noc stuff. It's not too much money and should keep me out of trouble.
Another little project will be to change the colour of the rear diffuser. I've bought a replacement one from eBay which I want to try gloss black to match the other black trim. I thought I'd but a spare in case it looks rubbish.
I treated the car to a new gear shifter.
It feels much nicer than the stock one although I'm not totally convinced its worth RRP (I got a bit of a deal due to knowing someone who works for a dealer). I'll get some fitted pics up this weekend.
I've also decided that I'm going to wrap the interior trim whilst I'm off over Christmas. The silver doesn't look great against the yellow leather so I'm going fir the brushed black 3M Di Noc stuff. It's not too much money and should keep me out of trouble.
Another little project will be to change the colour of the rear diffuser. I've bought a replacement one from eBay which I want to try gloss black to match the other black trim. I thought I'd but a spare in case it looks rubbish.
It's been a while since I updated this...still got the car and it continues to go about things with minimal fuss. I still enjoy driving it and still love the engine note. The autobox is pretty good most of the time but can frustrate from time to time; normally when go from sedate driving to more spirited driving in sport mode.
I still need to sort out the fuel vent pipe...the smell is not an issue if the tank is not full, which just doesn't happen. I do need to get it sorted though.
I also need to get the spare diffuser painted gloss black to match the window trim and grills. I'm also toying with the idea of getting the rear windows tinted to factory spec levels because we're expecting out first little person in three weeks time and I don't want those stick on blinds.
Anyway, I finally got around to attacking the paint with my DA polisher on Sunday. It was bloody hard work, but it does look much better. There are still some swirl marks, but most have gone. Here are a few pics.
It's now sporting BMW Performance gear selector and handbrake. Both are a big improvement over the stock items, especially the gear selector.
I still need to sort out the fuel vent pipe...the smell is not an issue if the tank is not full, which just doesn't happen. I do need to get it sorted though.
I also need to get the spare diffuser painted gloss black to match the window trim and grills. I'm also toying with the idea of getting the rear windows tinted to factory spec levels because we're expecting out first little person in three weeks time and I don't want those stick on blinds.
Anyway, I finally got around to attacking the paint with my DA polisher on Sunday. It was bloody hard work, but it does look much better. There are still some swirl marks, but most have gone. Here are a few pics.
It's now sporting BMW Performance gear selector and handbrake. Both are a big improvement over the stock items, especially the gear selector.
Looks great! 
I have missed you posting on here too, glad the motor is still treating you both well and as much as I hate the auto gearbox in mine I respect the car in pretty much every other way especially the engine.
However I did smile as my mrs drove it only for the second time the other day and she was used to the torque of our old auto 330d and she went for an overtake and she put her foot down and said to me nothing is happening!! and I said the problem with the petrol is the gearbox is so lazy in drive that you have to ram your foot to the floor to get it to do anything whereas in the 330d it just picked up with little input and that does take some getting used to in the petrol model.
I have missed you posting on here too, glad the motor is still treating you both well and as much as I hate the auto gearbox in mine I respect the car in pretty much every other way especially the engine.However I did smile as my mrs drove it only for the second time the other day and she was used to the torque of our old auto 330d and she went for an overtake and she put her foot down and said to me nothing is happening!! and I said the problem with the petrol is the gearbox is so lazy in drive that you have to ram your foot to the floor to get it to do anything whereas in the 330d it just picked up with little input and that does take some getting used to in the petrol model.
Cheers chaps. Didn't realise that the beta image uploaded would to rotate my images. Oh well.
I didn't realise that the split armrest was an option. I got a build sheet for it ages and don't recall seeng it as an option. It is pretty handy though.
I'd love a BMW Performance exhaust / air intake for it to release a wee bit more noise. May have to see what happens with bonuses etc at Christmas now work is looking better.
Cerb, it's quite an old school engine I find in that it's fairly torque light especially comparing to modern diesels or turbo petrols. I know what you mean about having to mash the throttle, especially in normal mode....but at least it sounds lovely when it wakes up! Saying that, I think I'll struggle to replace it when the time comes.
I've been lurking rather than posting much...tine seems to have been short the last few months.
I didn't realise that the split armrest was an option. I got a build sheet for it ages and don't recall seeng it as an option. It is pretty handy though.
I'd love a BMW Performance exhaust / air intake for it to release a wee bit more noise. May have to see what happens with bonuses etc at Christmas now work is looking better.
Cerb, it's quite an old school engine I find in that it's fairly torque light especially comparing to modern diesels or turbo petrols. I know what you mean about having to mash the throttle, especially in normal mode....but at least it sounds lovely when it wakes up! Saying that, I think I'll struggle to replace it when the time comes.
I've been lurking rather than posting much...tine seems to have been short the last few months.
Court_S said:
Cerb, it's quite an old school engine I find in that it's fairly torque light especially comparing to modern diesels or turbo petrols. I know what you mean about having to mash the throttle, especially in normal mode....but at least it sounds lovely when it wakes up! Saying that, I think I'll struggle to replace it when the time comes.
Agree the engine is a peach and it does sound lovely high up the rev range and I must admit although I have a love/hate relationship with my gearbox in many ways I can see it being a long term keeper for me as it does so many things well. Court_S said:
Cheers chaps. Didn't realise that the beta image uploaded would to rotate my images. Oh well.
I didn't realise that the split armrest was an option. I got a build sheet for it ages and don't recall seeng it as an option. It is pretty handy though.
I'd love a BMW Performance exhaust / air intake for it to release a wee bit more noise. May have to see what happens with bonuses etc at Christmas now work is looking better.
Yes, the armrests are normally just a one piece. I upgraded mine to the split armrest and i also changed my gear gaitor, gearknob, handbrake and pedals to BMW Performance ones, except mines the manual box.I didn't realise that the split armrest was an option. I got a build sheet for it ages and don't recall seeng it as an option. It is pretty handy though.
I'd love a BMW Performance exhaust / air intake for it to release a wee bit more noise. May have to see what happens with bonuses etc at Christmas now work is looking better.
The least PH update ever...
With the imminent arrival of mini me I was gong to get the rear windows tinted to factory levels but the insurance company put a stop to that...they'd only let us have the rear passenger windows tinted, not the rear screen.
As a back up plan, I've bought and installed the BMW factory sun blinds which are actually pretty good and seem to make a noticeable difference to the temperature in the rear of the car.
The retractable rear blind was a pig to fit and had me cursing. Getting the rear backrest in and out was the hardest bit. The catches to release it are hidden (but obvious when you realise what you are looking for) and some of the torx bolts are obscured by the seat slightly making it hard to get access to them. Marking up the parcel shelf and drilling it was pretty easy and the brackets lined up with the pre-drilled holes so I did an ok job.
Hopefully they'll keep mini me happy on sunny days.
With the imminent arrival of mini me I was gong to get the rear windows tinted to factory levels but the insurance company put a stop to that...they'd only let us have the rear passenger windows tinted, not the rear screen.
As a back up plan, I've bought and installed the BMW factory sun blinds which are actually pretty good and seem to make a noticeable difference to the temperature in the rear of the car.
The retractable rear blind was a pig to fit and had me cursing. Getting the rear backrest in and out was the hardest bit. The catches to release it are hidden (but obvious when you realise what you are looking for) and some of the torx bolts are obscured by the seat slightly making it hard to get access to them. Marking up the parcel shelf and drilling it was pretty easy and the brackets lined up with the pre-drilled holes so I did an ok job.
Hopefully they'll keep mini me happy on sunny days.
Been a while since I updated this and as I've been a busy boy with it today, it seemed like a good time to update it.
The car is still running fine, returning about 25mpg, doing lots of short trips ferrying the little guy about. The BMW blinds seem to do a great job of keeping the sun out of his face and keeping the rear of the car a bit cooler. Since we bought it in July 13 it's co dined two litres of oil which is much better than my old 325. It's due for a service in 2,000 miles or so. Hopefully nothing will get picked up.
Since we bought the car there were a few things that bothered me; there were quite a few steps be chips on the front bumper plus a small scuff right down low, the rear bumper had been nicked a few times and the exhaust tips were really manky. The difusser in the rear bumper had discoloured too and looked rubbish. The wing mirrors had minor scuffs on the tips too.
This spring I've had both bumpers painted and the diffuse painted gloss black which I think looks much better and ties it in with the shadow gloss trim. The wing mirrors were also painted. I finished the smartened rear end off with some new chrome tips which were pretty easy to change over. The car had a spring detail too.
Rear end with gloss black diffuser and new exhaust trims. I'm really happy and think it looks much better.
I've also been at the BMW Performance catalogue again. I really wanted the exhaust, got a good quote from my local dealer but due to age of my car, I would have had to change the centre section too. Cars built before Jube 2006 have a centre section which is 70mm in diameter and the Performance echaust is 65mm. My car was built March 2006. Bugger.
As I couldn't have/ justify the exhaust I went for the Performance carbon air intake. Having fitted it today and take n the car for a quick spin, it does improve the noise a bit - the last 500rpm sound lovely with a hint of CSL in the way it rasps. Throttle response seems a bit better too. It's probably not really worth what BMW charge for it but I got a reasonable deal on it from my local dealer.
I also added the Performance steering wheel cover. The existing one was manky around the buttons with the finish peeling away. Piece of cake to fit, not sure why so many say the airbag needs to be removed. I think it looks nice and matched the gear selector and hand brake.
That's it for today.
Plans for the rest of the year are to have the steering wheel recovered by Royal because it's gone really shiny and has a scuff on the bottom. I'm quite tempted to go for alcantara, but wil probably play it safe with napa leather. I'd also like to do something with the trim because I'm not sure that the silver goes with the lemon leather, this will probably be wrapped in a dark brushed aluminium wrap. Other than that, I'll just keep on enjoying it.
The car is still running fine, returning about 25mpg, doing lots of short trips ferrying the little guy about. The BMW blinds seem to do a great job of keeping the sun out of his face and keeping the rear of the car a bit cooler. Since we bought it in July 13 it's co dined two litres of oil which is much better than my old 325. It's due for a service in 2,000 miles or so. Hopefully nothing will get picked up.
Since we bought the car there were a few things that bothered me; there were quite a few steps be chips on the front bumper plus a small scuff right down low, the rear bumper had been nicked a few times and the exhaust tips were really manky. The difusser in the rear bumper had discoloured too and looked rubbish. The wing mirrors had minor scuffs on the tips too.
This spring I've had both bumpers painted and the diffuse painted gloss black which I think looks much better and ties it in with the shadow gloss trim. The wing mirrors were also painted. I finished the smartened rear end off with some new chrome tips which were pretty easy to change over. The car had a spring detail too.
Rear end with gloss black diffuser and new exhaust trims. I'm really happy and think it looks much better.
I've also been at the BMW Performance catalogue again. I really wanted the exhaust, got a good quote from my local dealer but due to age of my car, I would have had to change the centre section too. Cars built before Jube 2006 have a centre section which is 70mm in diameter and the Performance echaust is 65mm. My car was built March 2006. Bugger.
As I couldn't have/ justify the exhaust I went for the Performance carbon air intake. Having fitted it today and take n the car for a quick spin, it does improve the noise a bit - the last 500rpm sound lovely with a hint of CSL in the way it rasps. Throttle response seems a bit better too. It's probably not really worth what BMW charge for it but I got a reasonable deal on it from my local dealer.
I also added the Performance steering wheel cover. The existing one was manky around the buttons with the finish peeling away. Piece of cake to fit, not sure why so many say the airbag needs to be removed. I think it looks nice and matched the gear selector and hand brake.
That's it for today.
Plans for the rest of the year are to have the steering wheel recovered by Royal because it's gone really shiny and has a scuff on the bottom. I'm quite tempted to go for alcantara, but wil probably play it safe with napa leather. I'd also like to do something with the trim because I'm not sure that the silver goes with the lemon leather, this will probably be wrapped in a dark brushed aluminium wrap. Other than that, I'll just keep on enjoying it.
Very nice update love all the little details you have added and the paintwork looks immaculate, regards oil I have done 10k miles in mine since I got it and I have put 5 litres of oil in top ups in it so I am now beginning to wonder if its dropping some but no signs on the garage floor though.
The new tips look great I tend to polish mine regularly so they have stayed pretty good...would love that intake on mine because as an engine it does sound nice at the redline and I bet that enhances things nicely.
love all the little details you have added and the paintwork looks immaculate, regards oil I have done 10k miles in mine since I got it and I have put 5 litres of oil in top ups in it so I am now beginning to wonder if its dropping some but no signs on the garage floor though.The new tips look great I tend to polish mine regularly so they have stayed pretty good...would love that intake on mine because as an engine it does sound nice at the redline and I bet that enhances things nicely.
cerb4.5lee said:
Very nice update love all the little details you have added and the paintwork looks immaculate, regards oil I have done 10k miles in mine since I got it and I have put 5 litres of oil in top ups in it so I am now beginning to wonder if its dropping some but no signs on the garage floor though.
The new tips look great I tend to polish mine regularly so they have stayed pretty good...would love that intake on mine because as an engine it does sound nice at the redline and I bet that enhances things nicely.
Cheers. To be honest there are a few marks in the paint but I guess when it's your own car you notice these things a bit more. love all the little details you have added and the paintwork looks immaculate, regards oil I have done 10k miles in mine since I got it and I have put 5 litres of oil in top ups in it so I am now beginning to wonder if its dropping some but no signs on the garage floor though.The new tips look great I tend to polish mine regularly so they have stayed pretty good...would love that intake on mine because as an engine it does sound nice at the redline and I bet that enhances things nicely.
With regards to oil use, I though anything up to a litre every 1,000 miles was just about OK on the six pots (or at leas it was for the E46...mine wasn't that bad but not too far off).
I tried polishing the old tips but the previous owners didn't so they were nailed really. I did try polishing them but no amount of effort, glay and autoglym made them look better.
The intake has made a noticeable difference to the intake note - I'm pretty surprised at how much.
You haven't been tempted out of yours then? I keep thinking about it but I'm not sure what I'd swap it for really.
Court_S said:
You haven't been tempted out of yours then? I keep thinking about it but I'm not sure what I'd swap it for really.
I am always tempted to be fair because its always nice to have a change every once in a while I think but like you for what it does it does it really well and I really like the engine and in many ways I can see it being a keeper. You mirror the same MPG as me as well, the only thing I would really like is a manual gearbox in it but the auto is nice in traffic and if I want some more involvement I tend to use it in manual mode now.
I have been surprised in the values of them because I keep looking on we buy any car and mine has gone up a bit in value since I had it and maybe because they don't make a N/A Straight Six BMW anymore there may be a little bit of a market for them...or its just wishful thinking!
cerb4.5lee said:
I am always tempted to be fair because its always nice to have a change every once in a while I think but like you for what it does it does it really well and I really like the engine and in many ways I can see it being a keeper.
You mirror the same MPG as me as well, the only thing I would really like is a manual gearbox in it but the auto is nice in traffic and if I want some more involvement I tend to use it in manual mode now.
I have been surprised in the values of them because I keep looking on we buy any car and mine has gone up a bit in value since I had it and maybe because they don't make a N/A Straight Six BMW anymore there may be a little bit of a market for them...or its just wishful thinking!
I keep thinking about changing too, but it covers most bases pretty well. The other sticking point is that it would need at least six cylinders which rules out most newer cars.You mirror the same MPG as me as well, the only thing I would really like is a manual gearbox in it but the auto is nice in traffic and if I want some more involvement I tend to use it in manual mode now.
I have been surprised in the values of them because I keep looking on we buy any car and mine has gone up a bit in value since I had it and maybe because they don't make a N/A Straight Six BMW anymore there may be a little bit of a market for them...or its just wishful thinking!
With regards to values etc, I'm hoping that if I keep it in good fettle then it'll be easier to sell as the availability of sixes shrinks (probably wishful thinking but I'll keep telling myself that!).
lewis328 said:
OP, I have just caught up with this thread. Nice car, I have something similar but 330d variant. Can I ask how much and where you got the gear selector and handbrake sleeve? I also like the rear diffuser, like your one mine is looking faded, I had never thought to get it painted.
Thanks. I bought the gear selectors and handbrake sleeve from Sytner. I can't remember how much I paid though because I got a discount. I think the gear selector and gator was about £75/80. I'll try and find the invoices and will let you know.The grey diffusers do seem to discolour and look rubbish after a while.
If that is the price then seems rather reasonable, I am planning to sell mine so maybe spending even more money on it is not the best idea. Also how is your leather holding up? Am only now starting to get age related marks on drivers bolster, I don't think the other seats have really been used.
lewis328 said:
If that is the price then seems rather reasonable, I am planning to sell mine so maybe spending even more money on it is not the best idea. Also how is your leather holding up? Am only now starting to get age related marks on drivers bolster, I don't think the other seats have really been used.
The leather isn't too bad. The cars done 88k now and there is only minor wear on the outer edges of the driver seat bolster by the door. I don't think its the best quality or nicest leather in the world though (the stuff in my E46 seemed much nicer). The leather on the old gear selector and handbrake was nasty though; it'd gone a bit crispy.What are you going to replace your E90 with?
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