E92 Options

[Drew986]

I'm thinking of buying an E92, I've seen a car for sale that is ticking a lot of boxes in regards to price, mileage and colour.

I've spoken to the owner, a very nice guy that bought the car from new and has always had an extended BMW warranty so I'm sure the car has been well looked after and apparently wants for nothing.

I asked for the VIN so I could run a options check as he was not 100% sure of all the option boxes he checked when purchasing the car some years ago.

I'm really not to up on what of the following a standard fit parts and those that are options for the E9* platform, would a car fitted with the following be considered a well spec'd example?

L812A National version England / Ireland

P337A M Sports package

S1CAA Selection of COP-relevant vehicles

S249A Multifunction f steering wheel

S2MPA BMW alloy wheel, M double spoke 225

S302A Alarm system

S313A Fold-in outside mirror

S322A Comfort access

S358A Climate comfort windscreen

S403A Glass roof, electrical

S415A Sun-blind, rear

S423A Floor mats velours

S428A Warning triangle and first aid kit

S431A Interior mirror with automatic-dip

S441A Smoker package

S459A Seat adjustment, electric, with memory

S481A Sports seat

S493A Storage compartment package

S494A Seat heating driver/passenger

S4AEA Armrest front, retractable

S4ASA High-grade wood trim,varieg.poplar, grey

S502A Headlight cleaning system

S508A Park Distance Control (PDC)

S520A Fog lights

S521A Rain sensor

S522A Xenon Light

S524A Adaptive Headlights

S534A Automatic air conditioning

S541A Active cruise control

S563A Light package

S5ACA High-beam assistant

S601A TV function

S609A Navigation system Professional

S612A BMW Assist

S620A Voice control

S633A Preparation, mobile phone, Business

S654A DAB tuner

S672A CD changer for 6 CDs

S677A HiFi system Professional DSP

S6FLA USB/audio interface

S704A M Sports suspension

S710A M leather steering wheel

S715A M Aerodynamics package

S760A High gloss shadow line

S761A Individual sunshade glazing

S775A Headlining anthracite

S850A Dummy-SALAPA

S853A Language version, English

S863A Dealer List Europe

S877A Omission of non-combined operation

S880A On-board literature, English

S8S2A Coding, alarm signal

S8S3A Automatic locking during starting

S8SMA Car ident. number visible from outside

S8SPA Control unit COP

[Drew986]

Cheers for the reply guys, much appreciated.

Good to see that it's a well optioned car, most my past cars have been real poverty spec, I'm sure most will never get used, the adaptive cruise will probably be most used... If I can summon the courage to let the car take care of the braking for me that is.

I'm going to view the car tomorrow, we'll see what the outcome is.

[Drew986]

Mike335i said:

Only thing we don't know is the engine in it.

Is an n54, the car is a MY07, so unfortunately the higher road tax band.

I'm well read on the issues of the n54, so consider myself purchasing with my eyes open to the potential pitfalls that may arise, finger crossed they don't.

I'm pretty mechanically minded so most of the major failure parts would cost me just for the parts, the one I doubt I'd take on is swapping the turbos.

If the car does have waste gate wear, is there any way you can physical feel play in the waste gate flapper, can you reach the waste gates from above a feel the play?

Edited by Drew986 on Friday 20th April 21:31

[Drew986]

I went to view the car yesterday, what can I say, great condition, impeccable history and that spec list, I was very impressed with it, so much so, I left a deposit

I really enjoyed the torque rich power delivery of the n54, there is not so much in the way top end fire works as my current e36, M3's S50 motor, but making brisk progress is so much less of an effort not having to wring the neck of the thing. A little remap via MHD and I'm sure it will be quite potent.

Sure, there are a one or two issues that need addressing a iffy drivers seat belt extender but mainly a really good clean of the interior, being grey it shows the dirt, it's in great condition just needs a good clean, no problem as I (perversely) really enjoy cleaning cars, I fact I cannot wait to get my hands on it because I know, I can make it like new, the dealer offered to do it for me but I declined the offer in exchange for a little money off the sticker price.

Mechanical I can see the PAS reservoir has some sweating of the fluid around the cap, a quick google research confirm this is quite normal and requires nothing more than the O-ring in the cap replacing, and also the bracket that hold the vacuum canisters for the turbo actuators is corroding, again fairly common and an easy fix.

Just have to wait a week now until I can collect it.

2018-04-21_04-46-16 by Andrew Martin, on Flickr

[Drew986]

Prinny said:

Congratulations!

Now get it off the run-flats. (seriously). You’re less likely to crack a wheel, and the ride will improve. I know I already said it before in the thread, but it’s worth repeating imo.

Thanks.

Its recently had a couple of new RE050 RFT fitted to the front, I guess they could be sold off to help fund the replacements.

I must say I was pleasantly surprised how compliant the ride was considering the tyres fitted.

But getting shot of the runflats is most definitely going to happen.

Edited by Drew986 on Sunday 22 April 11:16

[Drew986]

Smuler said:

A low mileage manual, nice once !

I agree on losing RFTs, but if I've read the original post correct, this is a 1 owner car so it's probably spent all it's 11 year life on RFTs there's a good chance wheels will need looking at if they've not been done, surely?

I suppose a nearly 11year old car on 68k is low mileage.

Unfortunately I think I git this and another car I was going to see confused, this has had 3 previous keepers, I'll be the 4th.

The dealer has had the wheels re-furbed, it's made me a little suspicious as to why?

I looked for cracking on the inner of the wheels both before and after the test drive, there was nothing obvious but the new paint / powder coat would, I guess, be concealing any cracks.

Time will tell I guess.

Edited by Drew986 on Sunday 22 April 11:15

[Drew986]

Smokey32 said:

Get ready to pay for new plugs, coils and injectors if you remap via MHD!

Looks nice though he must of looked after it.

Looks a nice spec. The older CCC I drive is pretty toss though. Must have's for me were the newer CIC I drive, Bluetooth, Internal HD and the electric seats with adjustable bolster so went for a 09.

Id look at changed the wheels and tyres personally. Best thing ive done to mine was ditch the MV4's. Id be shocked if they were true.

Edited by Smokey32 on Sunday 22 April 12:35

Are you speaking from experience, about the MHD remap?

If I'm honest until a couple of weeks ago I was after an e82, 135i, but the lack of rear leg room sealed the fate of that idea, just to small for the kids, even for the occasional trip four up.

I had no real preference for a 335i other than not white, no black or red interior, it had to have good history and less than 75k on the clock. other than those must have's, I was very open minded.

I'm already eyeing up a set of Advant garde M359, aftermarket wheels are going to happen at some point maybe not for a few monthsbut they will come, I also know the M3 competition wheels have been done to death but... They suit the car so well.

What wheels do you have in place on the 225's?

Edited by Drew986 on Sunday 22 April 20:05

[Drew986]

Mike335i said:

Injectors have been revised many times, latest ones are revision 11 I think. Certainly would have been done by know I reckon. Same with hfpf.

I believe the latest revision injector is an index 12.

I'll be speaking to BMW tomorrow to check the service history, I hope to find out what other work had been carried out of the course of the past 11 years, my feeling is I won't know what injector are fitted until I have the engine cover off.

[Drew986]

ferrisbueller said:

Make sure you have somewhere safe to store the key i.e. well away from external walls and ideally in a metal. Not sure what the range is on them but I'd almost see comfort access as an unnecessary risk.

I've seen a lot of the new F80 series M cars being taken by scanning the key, shouldn't be an issue for me, the car is always garaged.

It would not of been an option I ticked, as you say hardly a chore pressing a button or putting the key in the dash, but may be a ice feature to have, especially as I've not necessarily paid for the option.

But as a precautionary measure I may look in to a key shield of some sort.

[Drew986]

Silverbullet767 said:

Good choice, almost identical to my car (except I now have north of 115k on the clock)

Get a JB4 and do a MHD backend flash. I've been running the JB4 for years now.

If the previous seller didn't mention a walnut blast, get that done as it will seriously improve the smoothness of your engine.

Have a look into it as the N54 is direct injected, oil blow by will deposit on the inlet and reduce the air intake to the engine.

The walnut blasting is definitely on my list of preventative maintenance.

Any idea of the cost?

[Drew986]

Silverbullet767 said:

No it's not, it has safety features which a MHD flash simply doesnt have, it's better to have a JB4 with backend flash, that way you get the benefits of MHD with the safety features of the JB4 failsafe modes.

What additional safety features does the JB4 have over the stock DME?

I would of thought a remap via MHD would still retain the stock knock control and closed loop fueling.

[Drew986]

Acidrop said:

Congrats on the car. It's very hit and miss with these as to what problems you might expect down the line. Mint low milers can have everything go wrong so it's just luck of the draw. I've had mine just under a year now and it's been super reliable. Only thing I had to replace was the water pump.

If you have any wastegate rattle, the wastegate assemblies can be replaced on their own instead of forking out on new turbos. All the other bits are relatively easy to do yourself if you're handy with the spanners. Fitting downpipes is a real pig though and something I wish I never did on my own. Lol.

I agree that JB4 is redundant now if you're only looking to run a different map. JB4 is known to be more trouble that it's worth in some cases and MHD on its own is brilliant.

This is mine. FBO with custom Wedge tune.

Thanks very much.

I hope to be collecting the car this weekend, unfortunately my wife has a girls weekend booked and I have the kids so I may have to wait another week.

What DP's did you go for?

And also, what wheels are those?

Can you post some more pictures please?

[Drew986]

Acidrop said:

Ah so you haven't picked it up yet. One thing I did was get AA Breakdown cover with parts and labour for peace of mind. They'll pay £500 towards any repair that leaves you stranded which is bound to happen at some point.

I bought MTC downpipes. Cheap and fit like a glove... just. The wheels are CSL reps. I had to get rid of my stock alloys as they are made of chocolate and kept cracking.

I've had the MTC down pipe on my eBay watch list for some time now, as well as their intercooler and inlet manifold pipe, they look reasonably priced parts, nice to see someone who's actually fitted some of their parts, and can vouch for the quality.

I think I need to spend a mouth or two getting to know the car and sorting any issues before the modding starts.

[Drew986]

texasjohn said:

Nice car, with a lovely spec.

Adaptive Cruise switches off under about 20 mph on a manual car, but you've probably discovered that by now. That kind of cruise control works best with an automatic gearbox as the gears will shift themselves, but a manual transmission 335i is the best thing to have irrespective of the cruise control system.

Thanks.

I'm getting a little excited about picking it up tomorrow, I'll be sad to see the e36 go, it's been a great car, but it's time to move on I guess...

[Drew986]

lord trumpton said:

Lovely car OP, hope the collection goes well tomorrow.

Did you sell your e36 already?

Collection went really smoothly, couldn't of been easier, and considering I had two kids with me and the ruminants of a hangover the ease if the transaction was welcomed, I highly recommended Wentworth specialist cars.

I ended up part exchanging the e36, M3 against the 335, ended up negotiating a deal that was impossible to turn down, which also means I have avoided dealing with the messer I seem to attract when selling cars, which is an added bonus.

The 90 mile drive home was most enjoyable, I love the first few drives of a new car, playing the 'what does this button do' game, and this thing has enough of buttons to keep me busy for days to come, must admit I do love the adaptive cruise, great option.

I'll crack on with a quick clean of the interior tomorrow, weather permitting, it will get a much more intensive clean when I have a clear weekend to really get stuck in to it.

[Drew986]

Even though I had intended not to start modding the car for a couple of months so i could get to know the car, and to give me time to address any maintenance points that need addressing, Well... things took on a whole different tack over the weekend when I found a Cobb access port for sale, for a really good price, I had intended going down the MHD route for engine mapping, but the Cobb is a tried and tested platform so though it worth a punt.

I may well swap the Cobb out at a later date if I'm not happy with the way the car drives, but for now, I'm sure it will add a little additional Oomph

I should be picking up the Cobb at the weekend, I don't think I'll be mapping straight away, I will have the car checked over and diagnostics checked prior to doing any re-flashes.

[Drew986]

tbourner said:

Nice car!
I've never even heard of Cobb/MHD/JB4 - does this mean I can remap the car with my phone? Is there an idiots guide somewhere? Or is this not something an idiot should be attempting!
we were planning on taking our 335i to a standard remapping place, although today it developed a cold start misfire - so that's off for a bit.

The Cobb is a handheld device that is plugged in to the OBDII port, it can down load and save the cars default DME calibration files and replace them with an altered (remapped) versions. the standard calibration file can be returned to the DME by reversing the process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyjMCxLSoP4

The JB4 is a box of tricks that is plugged in to the cars wiring loom between the cars DME (ECU) and alters the signals being received and alter the perimeters of things such as boost targets and fueling ETC.. prior to handing the information on to the ECU, The JB4 has the ability to alter the cars mapping on the move via the steering wheel controls, as well as a host of other nice features, the only down side of this platform is it requires a lot more in the way of installation than either the Cobb or MHD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBDdo28DH_g

The MHD seems to be the most up to date remap method for the N54/N55 and can be done via any android device using a K+DCan cable (USB to OBD) simply a case of down loading the MHD App from Play store, plugging your cable in, again via the OBDII, letting it connect with the cars DME and purchasing the map that compliments the other (if any) modification fitted tot he car.

MHD can also be used in conjunction with the JB4 in whats known as a BEF or back end flash, doing this means you have the best of both the platforms good points.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP5Y6lXkiwI&t=...


Like all these things it's a case of pays your money makes your choice.

[Drew986]

Acidrop said:

Please do yourself a favour and bin the Cobb AP. It's old and unsupported now and you would be doing yourself a disservice. MHD is the only way to go and you won't look back. Plus you can do live logging with MHD where you can monitor around 50 different parameters and see exactly what your car is doing. Checking boost levels, timing, all temps, fuel trims etc. It's invaluable and a godsend if you're trying to diagnose any problems!

While I understand the Cobb is no longer supported I don't see what problems that can cause, I'm really not interested in squeezing every last hp from the engine, I'm limited by the flow of the stock turbos, which I have no appetite in upgrading (unless the die) so other than increasing the boost, fuelling and timing adjustments to suit I want no more from any remap.

I may look at a inlet pipe replacement and larger intercooler further down the line, more for reliability than power, from what I've read the expensive 7" intercoolers only net a hand full of additional hp and that's in far hotter climates than here in blighty a reduction in pressure drop is probably more of a benefit to us than reduction in inlet temperatures.

I can absolutely see the benefits of the monitoring side of MHD but from what I can see, the Torque App I have covers most of the parameters the MHD could log, for the limited mileage the car will be doing annually, 2-3k I feel the Cobb will suffice for a while.

One thing you may be able to tell me is the cost of the MHD maps?, a good K+Dcan cable is £50 give or take, but I cannot see what the individual maps cost on top of this cost.

Edited by Drew986 on Wednesday 9th May 16:48

[Drew986]

Dannbodge said:

Good to see another well spec'd N54 manual.

Looks like a good example. With that mileage I'd have a look at the BMW warranty.
It's been worth every penny for me so far.

I remember when I picked mine up, it was the first time I'd driven it and I made sure I went the long way home down the country A roads.

First thing I did was golf tee mod, I suggest you do the same

Mine has Active cruise control too, it's brilliant until there are hills or bends in the roads as it tends to get a bit confused. Manual and ACC isn't really an issue as you can change gear whilst it is still active.

A BMW warranty is nit something I had considered but worth investigating, I'll have a word with my local dealers see what the coat would be.

Golf Tee mod, done, the day after I picked it up.
https://flic.kr/p/JRrgsm

Along with a really good clean of the exhaust tips.
https://flic.kr/p/25iTShi

Edited by Drew986 on Wednesday 9th May 16:43