Discussion
Hello Folks,
My names Luke, been on here in the back ground for a little while. I'm 26 and from Aberdeenshire in Scotland.
i sold my Clio 182 to get a new work van back in 2016, focused on my business, new house and married life.
Finally got round to getting myself another car to enjoy.
Here are some of my old cars:
The work Van
Decided i would like something comfortable with a little power and ticking a V8 off of my car list. So i went for a BMW e90 M3. i much prefer the e90 saloon from the e92 and this came up locally with just 39k miles, EDC, low owners and FSH, Manual, fox red leather, sat nav, DAB. The car was a dealer Launch car so came with quite a few options.
The leather was looking a bit dirty so i used the evenings after work to bring it back to a more prefered satin finish and the same with the steering wheel.
Because the car is pre-lci i tinted the rear reverse light to give a slighty newer look to the rear. The centre caps on the wheels needed replaced too and gave it a clean.
The paintwork had seen better days, it looked as if it had only ever been washed at a drive thru car wash. So decided to tidy up the paint. Its no where near perfect but im happy with it for now.
Took it a run over the Cairn. I love the noise of the V8 but it sounds a little muted. I purchased a modified exhaust with 2/4 internal pipes replaced with straight pipes from DJ Autowerks to allow a bit more note from the car but without the drone at cruising speed, i will hopefully get this fitted this weekend. Coded quite a few features on the car and quite like the US side markers for now.
Plans for the car are to transfer my plate and get a new one for the work van. Spacers and eibachs, mainly to bring the front down. Then remove the primary cats and get it mapped. Carbon front splitter, Alcantara steering wheel and probably just a few other subtle mods.
I have Thule wing bars, snowboard carriers and wind deflector to go on once i buy the correct footpack.
I took today off to fit the 2.5pipe mod exhaust to the M3.
The e92 exhaust tips are longer so i had to remove the 8 tips and swap 4 of them onto the modified exhaust.
The old exhaust was missing a heat sheild and the other was only held on by 1/4 bolts which rattled (can be heard in video).
I gave the new exhaust a lick of paint to freshen it up and swapped over the mounts.
I was having issues with the DAB radio and after looking at the exhaust i noticed 2/2 earth straps were broken. These are there to stop the static from the exhaust interfering with the radio. So i replaced those whilst i was there. I also recieved two new bmw exhaust clamps with the exhaust which were needed as the old ones didnt want to budge.
These videos's are cold start with the standard exhaust then with the new exhaust. I hate reving a cold car so its mainly idle noise.
Standard:
https://youtu.be/FsfEaMzCeuE
Pipe mod:
https://youtu.be/gFY4mK_U9pQ
I took the car out afterwards and i wish BMW made the standard exhaust like this from factory. Nicer ide noise, sounds completely stock at cruising speeds but sounds deeper and louder when accelerating.
I will try and get a proper video up soon to hear the new exhaust.
My names Luke, been on here in the back ground for a little while. I'm 26 and from Aberdeenshire in Scotland.
i sold my Clio 182 to get a new work van back in 2016, focused on my business, new house and married life.
Finally got round to getting myself another car to enjoy.
Here are some of my old cars:
The work Van
Decided i would like something comfortable with a little power and ticking a V8 off of my car list. So i went for a BMW e90 M3. i much prefer the e90 saloon from the e92 and this came up locally with just 39k miles, EDC, low owners and FSH, Manual, fox red leather, sat nav, DAB. The car was a dealer Launch car so came with quite a few options.
The leather was looking a bit dirty so i used the evenings after work to bring it back to a more prefered satin finish and the same with the steering wheel.
Because the car is pre-lci i tinted the rear reverse light to give a slighty newer look to the rear. The centre caps on the wheels needed replaced too and gave it a clean.
The paintwork had seen better days, it looked as if it had only ever been washed at a drive thru car wash. So decided to tidy up the paint. Its no where near perfect but im happy with it for now.
Took it a run over the Cairn. I love the noise of the V8 but it sounds a little muted. I purchased a modified exhaust with 2/4 internal pipes replaced with straight pipes from DJ Autowerks to allow a bit more note from the car but without the drone at cruising speed, i will hopefully get this fitted this weekend. Coded quite a few features on the car and quite like the US side markers for now.
Plans for the car are to transfer my plate and get a new one for the work van. Spacers and eibachs, mainly to bring the front down. Then remove the primary cats and get it mapped. Carbon front splitter, Alcantara steering wheel and probably just a few other subtle mods.
I have Thule wing bars, snowboard carriers and wind deflector to go on once i buy the correct footpack.
I took today off to fit the 2.5pipe mod exhaust to the M3.
The e92 exhaust tips are longer so i had to remove the 8 tips and swap 4 of them onto the modified exhaust.
The old exhaust was missing a heat sheild and the other was only held on by 1/4 bolts which rattled (can be heard in video).
I gave the new exhaust a lick of paint to freshen it up and swapped over the mounts.
I was having issues with the DAB radio and after looking at the exhaust i noticed 2/2 earth straps were broken. These are there to stop the static from the exhaust interfering with the radio. So i replaced those whilst i was there. I also recieved two new bmw exhaust clamps with the exhaust which were needed as the old ones didnt want to budge.
These videos's are cold start with the standard exhaust then with the new exhaust. I hate reving a cold car so its mainly idle noise.
Standard:
https://youtu.be/FsfEaMzCeuE
Pipe mod:
https://youtu.be/gFY4mK_U9pQ
I took the car out afterwards and i wish BMW made the standard exhaust like this from factory. Nicer ide noise, sounds completely stock at cruising speeds but sounds deeper and louder when accelerating.
I will try and get a proper video up soon to hear the new exhaust.
Thanks guys.
Not much of an update, Just really enjoying driving the car. I love how it can be loud and fun when you want it to be and comfortable and quite the rest of the time. Definitely seems to be ticking all the boxes.
Took it a run along Glenesk this afternoon an took some iphone pics.
Also ordered these. The sills are in good condition but to keep them that way i got these little pucks to keep in place for jacking the car up in future. My pistonheads stickers came and i decided to put them in the rear windows to keep it subtle.
Not much of an update, Just really enjoying driving the car. I love how it can be loud and fun when you want it to be and comfortable and quite the rest of the time. Definitely seems to be ticking all the boxes.
Took it a run along Glenesk this afternoon an took some iphone pics.
Also ordered these. The sills are in good condition but to keep them that way i got these little pucks to keep in place for jacking the car up in future. My pistonheads stickers came and i decided to put them in the rear windows to keep it subtle.
Gooly said:
Love these, rare to see the E90s. Is it manual? Cool car history too, how do you compare the E90 to the E36s you had in terms of handling / fun / feel? What do you think of the weight and size of it? Curious to see what someone with a similar car history to me thinks of these
Thanks. Yes it’s Manual. It was a dealer launch car so came with quite a few extras too for an early M3. The e36’s were definitely a lot nimbler but I don’t think they felt anywhere near as good as the e90 does.
The builder quality of the e90 feels far better so it’s comfier and a nice car to be in on a long journey but just as lively and fun like the e36’s were. Both were 328is and the blue one had a welded diff. Although the e90 feels like a heavier car the power makes up for it and doesn’t feel too different to the e36’s when the back end is out.
On the steering wheel and seats I used a Magic eraser sponge. They can be purchased from most supermarkets or on amazon for about £3.
Be very careful though as they are abrasive. It was all I had at the time so just lightly went over each section and then dried with a microfibre. Then I applied autofinesse hide conditioner afterwards (again all I had at the time).
I’m really pleased with how they came up and it didn’t have any effect like dye transfer etc because I went over it lightly.
Be very careful though as they are abrasive. It was all I had at the time so just lightly went over each section and then dried with a microfibre. Then I applied autofinesse hide conditioner afterwards (again all I had at the time).
I’m really pleased with how they came up and it didn’t have any effect like dye transfer etc because I went over it lightly.
A few weekends ago i managed to take the car on a fun drive around our local area to gel with it better. 155miles done in the afternoon along the Blairgowrie Old military road to Glenshee, Braemar, Ballater, Banchory and then the Slug road and coast road home.
The car never missed a beat and i was grinning the whole time. The conditions were wet with some snow in places but the michelins worked great.
A few pics from the drive.
Also took advantage of the eurocarparts sale and got a set of rubber mats for £19. Obviously not genuine but will do the job to keep the carpet mats in good condition over winter.
The wife got me a new air freshner for the car.
And finally in its natural habitat.
The car never missed a beat and i was grinning the whole time. The conditions were wet with some snow in places but the michelins worked great.
A few pics from the drive.
Also took advantage of the eurocarparts sale and got a set of rubber mats for £19. Obviously not genuine but will do the job to keep the carpet mats in good condition over winter.
The wife got me a new air freshner for the car.
And finally in its natural habitat.
DazzaSport said:
Good work on cleaning up the beemer.
For me though - your old Clio 182 is the more interesting car.
Its actually the one car i miss the most. it was bought to keep and give to my wife but she just loves her little fiesta too much that she didn't want it, so it was sold to put funds towards the new work van at the time.For me though - your old Clio 182 is the more interesting car.
it had a lot of work done to it, i think i'd need a Trophy if i ever bought another.
The weathers been a bit on and off over the past week but thankfully i was finally able to get a garage next to my house tat ive been after for quite a while now.
It needs some tlc but i will get there eventually with it.
First up was to clear it out. Swept, jet washed and then Paint and repair the doors. It would benefit from new doors tbh but they will do for now.
If anyone can shed some light on the Petrol pump in the corner? i think thats what it must've been for anyway.
Got in the garage today to service the car and replace the old filter with an upgraded BMC. The annoying part is getting the correct oil level seen as the M3 doesn't come with a dipstick and is easily over filled and the sensor not always giving the most accurate reading.
I love the fact the car has quite a good sized boot. Bought a luggage net to keep my stuff from ending up all over the place.
T1547 said:
Lovely car OP and what spectacular roads and scenery you have in your part of the world.
Can I ask what product did you use to remove the swirl marks? Would be interested to know if it was a hand application or needed a polishing machine?
Thank you. Yes we are definitely spoilt here with the amount of amazing roads that can be explored with a day or two. Can I ask what product did you use to remove the swirl marks? Would be interested to know if it was a hand application or needed a polishing machine?
It was a range of menzerna products and a DA polisher.
Superleg48 said:
Really nice thread. Love the V8 M3s, but the one for me would be an E39 M5.
Great story so far and such a lovely part of the world too.
I have a soft spot for E39 M5’s. I actually wanted one before going for this. Thought I’d wait until I’m a bit older to go for an E39. Great story so far and such a lovely part of the world too.
MikeGoodwin said:
Was up at Lecht and Glenshee last month, my mate let me drive his golf r round those roads and they were epic although I'd much rather be in my old m3 or integra still had much fun. Epic roads. Absolutely biblical.
Love the car. In the non m world the e90 is the better handling car compared with the e92, guessing it's the same as the m3??
I think you’re right. I know 4 door e36’s are meant to have a more rigid chassis so I’d presume the e90 is the same. I’ve never driven an E92 M3 to feel the difference. Love the car. In the non m world the e90 is the better handling car compared with the e92, guessing it's the same as the m3??
Court_S said:
Love these. The saloon looks way better than the coupe to my eyes, with a much more muscular rear end. My uncle had a Silverstone blue with with the DCT ‘box which I was a huge fan of. I’d love to buy one, but sadly I’m not brave enough and I think I’d be cheesed off with the fuel economy doing 15 plus thousand miles per year.
Good job on the paint so far, that was pretty bad before you got stuck into it. The black looks well with the read leather. Exhaust sounds good too.
The MPG is not something I’d like to deal with with mileage like that. Thankfully this is a 3rd car so I’m happy to just fill it up and use it when I feel like having some fun. Good job on the paint so far, that was pretty bad before you got stuck into it. The black looks well with the read leather. Exhaust sounds good too.
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