E92 M Sport Coupe

[stuart-b]

Deposit paid, picking up next week.

22k miles, just missed out on 09 by a few days as it was registered late Dec.

[Lund]

Beautiful, I'd love one of these and they're just about slipping into budget! Or a Z4, hmmm..

[stuart-b]

Lund said:

Beautiful, I'd love one of these and they're just about slipping into budget! Or a Z4, hmmm..

Thanks. Apparently it has re-gen braking, stop-start, etc. Hoping to get 50+ mpg. AmD in Essex are offering 230+ bhp...

[93Jay]

That looks nice, is it a 320d?

[stuart-b]

93Jay said:

That looks nice, is it a 320d?

Yep, ED 177 bhp model.

[tommy vercetti]

Nice.

[kiethton]

I love the colour and wish i get the MPG you hope....great looking car though!

mine:

[stuart-b]

kiethton said:

I love the colour and wish i get the MPG you hope....great looking car though!

Very nice! Thanks. Are you still using run flats?

[kiethton]

stuart-b said:

kiethton said:

I love the colour and wish i get the MPG you hope....great looking car though!

Very nice! Thanks. Are you still using run flats?

Thanks, I swapped the run flats for Falken 452's...it completely changed the ride for the better. My parents are now ok to get in the car as the ride has been improved from crashy to firm..., almost like another car. With the tyres being half the price there isn't too much wrong (although conti 5's are likely better at 100%).

I would do as I did and swap them over as they wear out, the car was running with a mix of run flats and non run flats for about 3 months with no issues. Check the BMW section and most people will recommend either the Falkens or Vredesteins (Spelling?!?).

[Jw Vw]

That is a beautiful car OP. Great colour.

[ikonic]

Looks great!

I think this colour is fantastic also.


However, not sure I understand what you mean by this.....

stuart-b said:

22k miles, just missed out on 09 by a few days as it was registered late Dec.

Wouldn't it have to be registered in March 09 anyway to be a 09 plate? Not January?

[stuart-b]

ikonic said:

Wouldn't it have to be registered in March 09 anyway to be a 09 plate? Not January?

Yes, I meant in terms of the year, rather than the plate

I should have added, when the car was bought originally, I think it must have been a Christmas present!

[stuart-b]

ikonic said:

Looks great!

I think this colour is fantastic also.

Thanks, actually I bought the car remotely, I'm still abroad, come back next Sunday - I wasn't too sure on the colour, as I had my eyes on some really nice looking Red/Blue/Black, and I thought it was a bit ... dare I say, boring?

But it's growing on me now, and I think it will probably age the best.

I seems a very serious colour.

[spud989]

53+ bhp just from a remap?

Looks nice, though.

[stuart-b]

spud989 said:

53+ bhp just from a remap?

Looks nice, though.

Indeed, I've checked online, and most custom remaps are showing around 210 for this model, we will see.

Anything around 200 bhp will be more than enough.

Edited to add:
http://www.amdessex.com/product.details.cfm?Produc...

This is the link if anyone has any feedback, or have used this company before - combination of exhaust, panel filter + remap should work nicely.

I think an increase in low end torque will aid tractability and overtaking ability - which is more useful for me where I am, than outright power.

Edited by stuart-b on Saturday 30th June 16:17

[stuart-b]

Quick update

4 new run flats fitted (ouch). Bridgestone potenza R050A. Only needed 3 but the 4th picked up a screw. So all new now.

Currently waiting at lakeside for AmD to finish. Plus 4 wheel hunter laser alignment being done.

Brakes feel a bit spongy after garage changed fluid...needs looking in to.

Detailer coming Monday and also kitted myself out with basic detailing kit inside and out to keep it clean when I'm abroad.

Amazed how good the tyres are in the wet. I'm practically swimming out there at the moment. With 255 on the back I was expecting to aquaplane all over the place. So far so good.

Also driving fairly mixed, between hard and taking it easy. Motorway and town, and getting 42ish mpg.

[amirzed]

my Dads got a 320d E92, whenever i'm in it the MPG hovers around 48-50mpg

its one of the best all round cars he's ever had, its not amazing in any particular respect, but pretty damn good at everything!

[stuart-b]

It has been a while since I've updated this thread. Had the car for a year now, and mileage has gone from 22k to 35.5k. Driven from the UK to Zagreb twice, and just returned from a trip. The map has been totally reliable (around 215-220 bhp at the moment, with excellent torque) and still performs very strong with excellent mid range poke for what it is.

A totally clear long strip on the autobahn near Munich saw a GPS verified 145 mph and still accelerating (not too painfully slow either!), but my nerve gave out (speedo is 5% reading fast, indicated 152-155).

The car has been serviced every 6 months with new oil at BMW in Zagreb - although they always act surprised, why I am coming in earlier than the recommended intervals.

Work that has been done in the last 12 months:-

Oil 2 services, and MOT/inspection

New wheels from Z performance. 8.5/9.5" running the same width tyres to avoid rubbing (235/255), now running Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta XL tyres - rather than replacing with bridgestone potenza's. I have bought a BMW mobility kit to take with the car in case of a puncture. The ride is much better now, far less crashy and much more pleasant day to day. The handling has been improved dramatically, with the DSC hardly ever engaging now except when pushing very hard. Very happy! Still have the 225M 19" wheels which will be refurbed and sold with the car - assuming no cracks. The tyre thread is still excellent, even after 12,000 miles!

Lots of tread!


Older wheels


New wheels



The DSC hydro unit failed, which means you lose all traction and stability control, and cruise control stops working. It is also now an MOT failure as of 2 months ago. So it was replaced by BMW in the UK. BMW offered an 80% refund on the part once I moaned that it was a common problem and they really should do something about it. £505 fully fitted, including MOT and diagnostic, result! Also comes with a 2 year global warranty, and it's an upgraded part.

The turbo actuator also failed, which if it was the Mitsubishi turbo could be a problem as it's a contained unit, but this has the Garrett turbo, so the actuator arm was replaced (£12 part!), which stopped all the turbo surging and lack of boost.

The brakes were not really up to spec, perhaps they were changed before I got the car, but I always felt they were a failing of the car. Fade very easily and rather spongy, but as they passed the MOT they "should" be acceptable. However, with high speed autobahn driving I just didn't feel confident. They have been replaced with Pagid high carbon discs and EBC yellowstuff pads, and what a transformation! The pads took a bit of bedding in (1000+ mile journey back to Zagreb sorted that), so they don't squeel anymore. Excellent bite from cold, and very progressive. No issues with multiple high speed stops - one downside, lots of dust, but I replaced them for performance, not looks. £110 on the front and £70 for the rear if I recall, not cheap, but worth it if you drive the car harder. Also took the time to refurb the exterior of the calipers, and spray them up back to OEM colours. Cleaned the whole brake system up, back plates, etc. Looks a lot better now. Was a 13 hour job, as I don't have access to a lift back in the UK, but also wanted to fully inspect the brake system, and check the suspension and bushes myself. Rubbers still all very good.





Managed to source a BMW performance exhaust, second hand on eBay, which is being fitted next week. Pics to follow.

Sourced Brodit clips for the interior, so I now run a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7" on the dashboard, rather than hanging off the windscreen - with no impact to access to controls. Wasn't cheap - but definitely worth it. No damage to the interior, and no squeeking or vibrations! Very happy with the result. Purchased the latest tomtom software and crossed Europe without any issues. The tab also runs Torque app for engine diagnostics and data recording via an OBDII tool I have, which is a bit of fun... pics to follow.

That will conclude the mechanical modifications to the car, had considered Koni FSB's, but now with the new tyres, no need.

Possibility of a very small lip spoiler and/or small visual M accessory add-on for the front bumper, to be decided.

Car will remain as is for the next 2 years - then will be upgrading to a 335d with DCT, where certain parts will be migrated over.

Some good shows from lower down, notice the busy work... keeping her busy ;-)




Thanks for reading!

[stuart-b]

Few more of the finished wheel clean up. Since these pics the paint on the discs has rubbed off, so looks normal except for the clean rust free areas attached to the hub.

[stuart-b]

olly22n said:

Prefer the standard wheels. Nice otherwise

Thanks - opted for something different while the OEM wheels are being refurbed. They look excellent in the flesh, my pictures don't really do it justice: http://z-performance.com/index.php?route=product/p... in case anyone is interested.