|
|
|
|
Post Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
12-31-2009, 02:56 PM | #1 |
Colonel
108
Rep 2,279
Posts |
Smoke on the Water - TLud's E92 M3 build page (Updated with Rolling Shots)
I bought my '09 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 on October 18, 2008 with every intention of keeping it stock. Here's how she looked the day I brought her home:
Everything changed in May 2009, when I jumped in on the RAC RG63 wheel group buy. I was bitten by the mod bug, for which we all know there is no cure. My goal was to improve the power, braking, and shifting for the track without negatively affecting daily driveability. I also wanted to give the car a unique look: aggressive, all business, and not flashy. I wanted a look that subtly states that function takes precedence over form with this car. To add some power, I went with the following bolt-on mods: Powerchip custom dyno tune Dinan free flow exhaust AA pulley kit Macht Schnell air filter By my estimate and based on a couple of dyno sessions, these mods added a total of approximately 35 whp and 30 lb-ft of torque. Obviously, the best bang for the buck was the Powerchip tune, which not only accounted for a significant power gain, but also significantly improved driveability. The Dinan exhaust and the MS filter also gave a nice improvement in sound - they added some muscle to the stock engine and exhaust notes without being obnoxious or creating any drone. The additional power required additional control. For the brakes, I went with a StopTech BBK with 6 piston calipers and 15" rotors in front and 4 pot calipers and 14" rotors in back. I had the kit repainted without the StopTech stickers for a more subtle look. For the street, I'm running StopTech Street Performance pads, and I'll be using PFC 01/06 pads on the track. I also wanted to improve the stock shifting, the throws were long and notchy and the engagement rubbery and vague. I installed UUC's SSK, which shortened the throws nicely without adding much effort. I later installed UUC's double sheer selector rod, which initially failed to eliminate slop in the stock setup like it was advertised to do. However, my shop has made some additional modifications and it is much improved. The icing on the cake was installing an illuminated E46 ZHP shift knob, which is about 3/4" shorter than the stock knob and nicely weighted, which shortened the throws further and really smoothed them out, all while keeping a very OEM appearance. On the visual side, I had a very specific picture in my mind, and I turned to the masters to turn my ideas into reality. IND Distribution, and particularly the newest member of their team, Andrew, did not let me down. As a lawyer, the most challenging part of my job is to always put my clients' interests before my own. IND takes that same principle and applies it to the aftermarket automotive business like no other company I've ever dealt with. There were the inevitable hiccups along the way, but IND was fantastic with their proactive communication and extreme attention to detail. In addition to various trim pieces like the gloss black kidney grills and the color-matched side gills with tinted LED lenses, IND supplied one of the two visual center-pieces for this car, the RDSport Stradale bumper. This was the perfect bumper for me because it has a very subtle OEM appearance, but makes the front look much more aggressive. It also flows really well with the lines of the car from every viewing angle. And, of course, it eliminates the ugly orange corner markers. The paint matched up perfectly with the rest of the car. The other visual focal point of this car are the wheels, RAC RG63s. Much has already been written about these masterpieces, but to briefly summarize, these are 20-21 lb. 8000 ton forged one-piece wheels designed by RAC (Shep and Chuck) specifically for the E9X M3 in a limited run of 50 sets. I chose gunmetal sight unseen, and I'm completely happy with the way they came out. The strength, weight, and numerous unique design details set the RG63 apart from any other wheel available for the M3, and I feel privileged to have been part of the group buy process. Spec List Gunmetal RAC RG63 (19x9/19x10 f/r with ET 22) Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta 255/35/19 and 275/35/19 StopTech BBK Eibach Pro Kit Dinan free flow exhaust Powerchip custom dyno tune AA underdrive pulley kit Macht Schnell air filter from EAS UUC SSK and DSSR Illuminated E46 ZHP shift knob from LeatherZ E92 Lighting clutch stop OEM aluminum pedals RDSport Stradale front bumper from IND Vorsteiner Type II rear diffuser IND gloss black kidney grills IND color-matched side markers with tinted LED lenses AngeliBrights from EAS Rear fog light mod Hardwired Escort 9500ix ClearShield clear bra Formula1 Pinnacle ceramic tint (35% on sides; 20% on back) Special thanks goes to IND for helping me make this car look as good as it drives, to Mike and Jeremy with Powerchip for making the group buy happen and turning this car into the beast it is, and to everyone on this forum who has offered advice, suggestions, and knowledge. Last, but certainly not least, I'd like to thank my neighbor, Luis, for taking the excellent photographs to follow. More pics to follow shortly.
__________________
'09 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 (sold to a good home)
Last edited by TLud; 01-25-2010 at 12:14 AM.. |
12-31-2009, 02:57 PM | #2 |
Colonel
108
Rep 2,279
Posts |
More pics (1/24/10)
Here are a few more pics I took around downtown Houston with my new camera. These are some of the better ones I got. While I was taking these, I met some cool guys who took some rolling shots of my car that came out amazing. I'll post those up when I get them.
__________________
'09 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 (sold to a good home)
Last edited by TLud; 01-25-2010 at 12:05 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-31-2009, 02:58 PM | #3 |
Colonel
108
Rep 2,279
Posts |
Update 1/31/10 - Rolling Shots
While I was taking pictures of my M3 in downtown Houston last weekend, I had the pleasure of running into a group of photographers. A couple of them offered to take rolling shots of my car, and of course, I accepted. I love the way they came out. Here's a few of the better ones, courtesy of and major props to Jeremiah of distortography and Dan McCarty (Jeremiah took the shots from Dan's Mazdaspeed 3 using Dan's camera).
__________________
'09 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 (sold to a good home)
Last edited by TLud; 01-31-2010 at 12:31 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-31-2009, 03:10 PM | #5 |
Colonel
219
Rep 2,339
Posts |
Looks good! Is your car that low with just Eibach springs or is it an optical illusion that makes your front tire look like its tucking into the wheel well?
__________________
2016 Porsche Cayman GTS - Sapphire Blue / Black Full Leather Interior / Carrera S Wheels
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-31-2009, 03:12 PM | #6 |
Captain
21
Rep 793
Posts |
Looks good!
I'll keep an eye out for you around town...
__________________
2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S
2019 Porsche Cayenne Past BMWs: 2015 M3, 2014 550i, 2013 M3 ZCP, 2012 535i, 2011 E90 335i, 2009 E90 M3, 2008 X5, 2006 330i, 2004 330i |
Appreciate
0
|
12-31-2009, 03:13 PM | #7 | |
Colonel
108
Rep 2,279
Posts |
Quote:
Here are some from my Blackberry that show the gap a little better:
__________________
'09 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 (sold to a good home)
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-31-2009, 03:17 PM | #8 |
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
1767
Rep 7,651
Posts |
Thank you so much for your kind words! As the newest member of IND's team, coordinating your project was really my rite of passage, and it truly touches me to read that you were pleased with the help I was able to offer.
I love the look of the RD Sport bumper on your car, and combined with the RAC wheels the look is completely unbeatable. I am truly honored that you entrusted me to be a part of the project.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-31-2009, 03:50 PM | #10 |
Major
32
Rep 1,129
Posts
Drives: Bmw 335
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Los Angeles, California
|
nice
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-31-2009, 04:55 PM | #13 | |
Colonel
108
Rep 2,279
Posts |
I'll post some rear shots as soon as I get them from my neighbor.
I did think about going that direction, and I may try it if I ever decide to repaint my calipers, but I wanted to have just a little red to accentuate an otherwise fairly dark car. Quote:
__________________
'09 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 (sold to a good home)
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-31-2009, 05:08 PM | #14 |
Wang D.D.S.
185
Rep 7,057
Posts |
Looking really good man, love them BBKs.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-31-2009, 05:20 PM | #15 |
Colonel
154
Rep 2,736
Posts |
Hey Tom,
Beautiful car! It's very nicely done. Question for you though- why did you decide to go with the AA pulley rather than the Dinan?
__________________
‘23 RRS First Edition
'22 X7 M50i '18 R8 V10+ http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=133578&d=1204654487[/IMG] |
Appreciate
0
|
12-31-2009, 05:45 PM | #16 |
Colonel
108
Rep 2,279
Posts |
Because the Dinan one took too long. I kept hearing it would be out "next month," so I finally ordered the AA. The next week, the Dinan pulley kit was released. Go figure.
__________________
'09 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 (sold to a good home)
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-31-2009, 06:02 PM | #19 |
Brigadier General
249
Rep 3,157
Posts |
nice touch Tlud, I think all the us guys should go for the Euro bumper.
__________________
Past: Gintani stage3 M3, Cayman GTS present: Porsche 993RWB, 964RS America,996 cupcar, 964 turbo 3.6,Macan Turbo,997GT2,930 turbo,i3, MINI JCW |
Appreciate
0
|
12-31-2009, 06:15 PM | #20 |
Lieutenant Colonel
72
Rep 1,803
Posts |
Very well done Tom, as I've said before, it's the best looking M3 in Houston
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
2007 GT3 Clubsport w/CGT buckets in Scotland 2003 CSL, SG, Alcon BBK SOLD 2002 M5, SSII/Blk and bone stock. In storage back home in TX 2008 M3, AW/Blk 6MT, lots of track stuff SOLD |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|