BMW E93 V8 Convertible

[SiT]

PixelpeepZ4 said:

Si - does that model have any kind of electronic sound enhancement inside the cabin - i've read conflicting info on my e89 that it does/doesn't... wondered if thats something they did around that time..

wouldn't have thought they needed to in that M3 though!

No ‘soundaktors’ here bud just pure V8 noise coming in, think the F80/F82/F83 was the first generation of pumped in noise.

Si

[SiT]

So the boot is an interesting one, roof up it’s fine no issues at all however roof down is a different matter!

The cover you have to move into place almost chops into it by two thirds meaning only really slim/squashy bags could go in. Clearly if we are off out for the day I want to take the M3 so just need to be a bit clever with packing. There is always the rear seat plus the fair sized cubby behind the back seats.

Took a couple of pics for you to give you an idea, the ASDA bag for life should give some idea of scale -

[SiT]

Indeed! Lol!

Just recorded a cold start to give you some idea of why I would like to tone it down a touch....

https://youtu.be/BtKPLtqcC58

Si

[SiT]

So a few updates, some small some not so small but all progress as they say.

Took delivery of a load of detailing stuff as I was running a bit low on various things so looking forward to trying some of that out.

I swapped the centre caps yesterday, posted previously about these but they aren’t OEM so it’s a case of whether my OCD can deal with that or not, for now though they better than the black/silver -







Also ‘popped’ to Salisbury yesterday morning to collect an OEM exhaust - sorry to say that the modded box is just too much for me so it’s going back to how BMW intended. If I find after a time it’s too quiet then I may consider a 1.5 mod. Needs a good clean but should be fitted tomorrow, before and after vids to follow -





Today was exhaust day! I was intrigued at how it would differ to the one that was fitted.

The swap took about an hour and all bolts and mounts played ball which made it easier, sadly I didn’t take many pics but here’s the two side by side; post removal and pre fitting -





The noise difference is huge, the stock exhaust in comparison does sound very muted but to my (aging!) ears. For me the stock exhaust is spot on, you would expect that as I am sure the M Division engineers spent quite sometime honing the sound. I can understand why coup owners plump for a box mod but with the roof down on the vert I think it’s just about spot on.

I may in time go for a 1.5 mod but for the minute I am happy not being noticed and enjoying the background burble it emits.

Si

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Next up I had been meaning to use these and try it out about 6 cars ago! It was only whilst sorting out the garage I found them and remembered the thread on Detailing World. So these little blighters are about £1 from the cheapy shops, there was a thread I read ages ago about ‘de-shining’ leather steering wheels.

The M wheels seem to go quite shiny and mine wasn’t too bad but looked worn to my eye -



This is it a £1 shortcut to matt black steering wheels -





Simply soak the sponge in hot water and squeeze it out, rub it over the wheel and then wipe dry with a clean cloth, I think you can see the results although more obvious in person -





And this is what came off on the sponge -






Si

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juice said:

Oof - Nice choice, love it !
Can't beat no roof and a V8 imo

Really like the interior/exterior combo, much better than std black.

Will it be making an appearance mon ?

Thanks bud, indeed it will be!

I like contrasting colour schemes so this ticked the box for me

See you Mon eve

Si

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Leon R said:

If you didn't like the two pipe mod then maybe the primary cat delete is the way to go. I have some vids of how it sounds on my thread before I got the exhaust mod.

Possibly, will have a look at other options in time perhaps - will have a look at your thread.

Si

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Court_S said:

Car is looking good, looks much better with OE wheel badges.

That’s a lot of grime on the steering wheel, even though it didn’t look too bad before. I’m going to track down some of those sponges to tackle the wheel on my other half’s car.

They are great little things, I also did the handbrake handle whilst I was in there. Like you say the results may be even more impressive on a more worn/shinier one.

Good luck!

Si

[SiT]

GM182 said:

Great job. Really bringing your car back to its best.

I had one a few years ago and this thread is making me miss it. You're right about the weight of the convertible vs. coupe in my opinion. When you wind it up the convertible is plenty quick enough for UK roads and having the roof down option adds a whole other dimension to the car.

I did notice more scuttle shake with the roof down. If I wanted to drive briskly but enjoy the breeze I'd have the roof up but all four windows dropped and use the EDC to adjust the damper settings depending on the road surface.

Thanks for your kind words, I am enjoying it make the transition back to how M intended, all be it I hope to make a few small changes to make it my own.

I was playing with different window/roof combinations yesterday funny enough and roof up windows down was a good option and gave the car a really unique look.

Si

[SiT]

PixelpeepZ4 said:

Si - Have you considered using what kingdig customs refer to as a 'zoomie' - remote controlled exhaust cut outs? noise when you want.

https://www.kindigitapparel.com/products/exhaust-c...

Hmmm that’s worth looking into, cheers bud

Si

[SiT]

So today brought some unexpected changes, when the chap swapped my exhaust yesterday it turns out his son was a BMW fan and into a bit of coding.

He popped round this morning and flashed the GTS gearbox mod.

Also opted for roof open/close whilst in motion, mirrors fold on lock, wipers finish sweep when switching engine off and video in motion.

No pics of this, it was just a laptop plugged in for an hour but pleased with the updates. He is also going to do the latest nav updates for me too.

Bit of an interior clean tonight before an exterior wash tomorrow (as long as it’s not too hot!) before a run out tomorrow eve.

Si

[SiT]

g3org3y said:

More deets on this please. Updated firmware? What are the changes?

So the GTS flash basically updates the gearbox firmware, the changes are much quicker and it also reduces the delay when going between N and R or N and D. I noticed the N to R delay was real lengthy, when pulling up to reverse into a space/onto the drive you sit waiting for it to engage.

With the GTS flash it’s almost instant, a great upgrade to the car.

Si

[SiT]

As I understand it the map was developed for the limited run E92 GTS car (tango orange ones) I assume to make theist of the larger displacement.

This vid demonstrates the changes you benefit from -

https://youtu.be/BbbrDTJk004

Si

[SiT]

Couple of glorious days in the cab, really makes you realise how lovely it is to waft along in D, roof down, warm sunshine and tunes on.

Conversely a quick press of ‘M’ button and all hell breaks loose and you can hear the intake and exhaust at full volume with no roof.

I sourced the missing intake part, chap on eBay was selling one for £15 so I nabbed that and just fitted it this afternoon. Looks the part now under the bonnet all freshly detailed.

Modded exhaust is up for sale, the stock one is a dream - really pleased that I made the change.

Parked up now whilst I use the C1 for the next six working days before my next set of days off, one of which will be spent having the chrome wrapped in gloss black so more updates to come.

Si

[SiT]

Hashtaggggg said:

Thank you for that idea, my shiny steering wheels look a 1000 times better

No problem, results are quite astonishing aren’t they! :thumb up:

Si

[SiT]

So a few ‘odd jobs’ today started with a delivery from another member on Cutters who kindly sent me his old roller cover for the rear cubby. He replaced his which was better condition than mine which was a result, total kudos to him for the kind gesture.

Old one on the bottom, replacement on the top; far less scratched -



Then I picked up a bargain OEM filter as a result of a post on Cutters again with a link to an eBay seller who was retailing them for £13.95! Mine was looking like it needed replacing, also took the opportunity to clean out the air box, dry it and Aerospace 303 it, looks much better now.







Been out today, roof down, glorious sunshine, glorious V8 soundtrack - it was amazing! Really is such a versatile car.

Si

[SiT]

No real updates at the mo, headed out this morning and took a few top down pics in the glorious sun -

Edited by SiT on Monday 3rd August 20:30

[SiT]

Blanchimont said:

Nice to see a fellow M3 owner down in the west country!
I've got a Lemans blue E92.

About the maps, there is a free way to update the maps to 2020. I've done it on mine. If you want, PM me and I'm happy to run through it.
I've got the 1.75 box mod, with a primary decat. For the coupe it's perfect. Quiet enough to daily with 0 drone, but agressive and loud as hell at full noise at 8600RPM. (i've also had it mapped by aReeve.

Ah a West Country local! Big fan of Le Mans blue.

Will drop you a PM about the maps, sounds good - unusual for something M related to be free! Lol! Few of us heading to Re:Fuel on Sun 16th Aug for a coffee and a nose if your interested, don’t know where you are in West Country? I posted about it in South West forum on here.

Si

[SiT]

Court_S said:

Nice pics. The leather looks lovely against the external paint colour.

Thanks for your kind words, was always a big fan of Imola red against silver grey on the E46 too.

Si

[SiT]

PixelpeepZ4 said:

Si, were you out last friday? 33oC - i drove from cambridge to essex and back again (after a cuppa with me mum), roof down all the way.

it was absolutely glorious. I've been driving 20+ years and have only owned a convertible for the last month. Why didn't i do this earlier ?!

I was indeed, it was glorious! The convertible thing is a well kept secret and as I have said before, any car if offered in convertible guise just offers so much more in terms of driving experience, force mine to work this afternoon - excuse was I needed to fuel up for days off......lol!

Si