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      05-14-2016, 02:46 PM   #1
starkfu
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Member introduction - starkfu

Intro to myself and my new project. While I am new to m3post, I am not new to BMW (been on e46fanatics and m3forum.net for a few years now) and definitely not new to modding.

Backstory:

Got my first car at 16 and started doing car stereo at 18. Modding was a way of life for many years. Then I had kids (4 to be exact) and had to buy these nasty things called "family friendly vehicles" aka minivan.... After going through withdrawals for a few years, I decided to buy a fun car again - enter my E46 M3 - AW SMG all options. This car was fun, but E46 M3 is not a suitable DD. I have another project car (91 integra) which is close to running again, but that one is even less DD friendly. So for the last 2 years I have been driving a 2006 Acura TL, which I hate and finally decided to replace.

This car:

My first BMW I bought in 2009, it was a 2004 330CI - I loved it, being a Honda guy for so many years, I fell in love with RWD. I did all the maintenance myself and started to like the way it was engineered when put against Honda's (previously a die hard Honda guy). My wife also liked it and ended up driving it more than I did. I found myself coming up with every reason under the sun to take it here or there..... but it just wasn't enough, I found it lacking from the high revving Japanese imports I was used to.

So when I embarked on another journey, I knew I wanted an e46 again, but with more power - enter my E46 M3. It is currently my weekend car and undergoing major rear end surgery at the moment. so time to replace my Acura!

I found this Jet Black '10 E90 M3 on USAA car buying service and reached out - seemed legit so I am taking a chance on it buying it sight unseen. I rate my DIY level 10/10, so I am confident I can fix any issue the car may have including rod bearings or throttle actuators.


Paid - 31,900
Shipping - 845

Options:

DCT
19" rims (BMW 220)
Moonroof
Premium package
Tech package


Plans:

As I learned with my first few BMW's, preventative maintenance is #1 priority. So I am going to make sure all the proper fluids are in it and make sure it is in good working order before modding. As I will be DDing it, I want tasteful mods that make it look and sound good. Exhaust, lowering, rear diffuser and front lip, brakes, and other minor mods. I doubt I will go big with this one as that is what I am planning for my e46.


Car history:

1987 Mustang LX 4 cylinder (LOL)(first car - fond memories)
1991 Accord EX (first show car, first custom stereo, trunk leaked - had to get rid of it!)
1994 Civic EX (super show car, had I invested the money I spent on this damn thing, I'd be a millionaire today)
2000 Prelude (one of my favorite cars I ever owned, also the fastest I ever drove until I went on the Autobahn - ended up being a lemon - guy that owns it did hot import nights for years with it!)
1988 Integra RS (winter car for the Prelude, neighbor offered me 200 for it to use it as a race car in the 4cyl shootout)
1997 Del sol (ex wife's car..... was a lot of fun this one.... one of the few cars to scare me)
2002 Accord LX (ex wife's family car, she just got rid of it a few years ago)
2001 Civic EX (worst car I ever owned.... Honda really fell off with this one)
1998 Accord EX V6 (still own - my grandfather has this in his garage and drives it once a week)
1991 Integra GS (still own - bought in CA, did a ground up restore, close to being able to drive this again!! Engine done, body work in progress, suspension and steering done - just need to paint it and add turbo)
1987 Integra GS (technically still own, but its in CA, I still have a key, but I'm sure its been towed and auctioned / scrapped)
1998 Explorer Eddie Bauer (first SUV, loved it so much I bought another!)
1994 Accord EX (still own - my dad drives this daily)
2007 Explorer Eddie Bauer (still own - absolutely love this thing - got the 4.6L V8 too)
2004 BMW 330Ci (This was the first car to trump my prelude in driving fun, my first RWD sports car, loved it so much it fueled my need for an M3)
1999 Civic EX (winter car for the BMW 330, put a lot of time, money, and sweat into this and it will be a show car soon for the guy that built the engine in my Integra)
2012 Toyota Sienna SE (sold for Acura)
2013 Toyota Carmy SE V6 (This car had so much potential, but it sucked horribly)
2005 BMW M3 SMG (incidentally this was only the second car I've owned to scare me in a turn... this of course only excites me living so close to the blue ridge!!)
2006 Acura TL (not a fan, I think I'm done with FWD Japan)
2012 Toyota Tacoma TRD off road (love this thing - wife is driving ATM)
2010 BMW E90 M3 (should arrive soon!) Running out of garage and driveway space, having some quotes done up to expand both!



I will try to document my time with the car here!
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      05-14-2016, 02:52 PM   #2
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Congrats & Welome

And your list = 22 cars !
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      05-14-2016, 03:14 PM   #3
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Congrats and enjoy responsibly!
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2013 E92 M3 Mineral White Fox Red / Black
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      05-14-2016, 05:13 PM   #4
starkfu
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Thanks!

I'll post pics when it arrives!
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      05-14-2016, 06:46 PM   #5
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Hey thanks for all those car ownership details...I would've been lost w/o such a list

Welcome to the club...looking forward to seeing the pics of your new love!
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      05-15-2016, 03:34 AM   #6
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Off topic: what makes u say the Camry has potential but sucked?
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      05-15-2016, 10:44 PM   #7
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The engine and transmission package in it was the 2GR-FE, when used in Lotus applications, the drivetrain is not only bullet proof, but impressively quick!! This unit is also used in some kit cars.

In the Camry SE for that year, the steering is electronic and not tuned for 'sport' at all, there is such a disconnect between the road and the driver's senses you might as well be driving an early 80's Cadillac....

Beyond that, the interior had points where it shined, and having 6 speeds at the disposal of my wheel mounted paddles was amazing, but the shift timing sucked and there is no way short of a stand alone ECU to tune the engine or trans.....

There were so many little things that if tweaked could have made this a great car, but the disconnect I felt with it was enough for me to sell it at a loss.... The HP was impressive at 268 for a 3.5L family sedan at under 30k brand new..... but for that price, I will take the used E90 I just bought!

I had high hopes when I saw paddles in a camry with the 2GR-FE which is also used in the *350 lexus vehicles and other applications.... but toyota is not tuner friendly.
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      05-15-2016, 11:01 PM   #8
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Sorry but the E9x M3 isn't DD friendly ether:
But congrats, you will love everything about what this car represents. And welcome to the club. (I completely understand about what your saying about the camry. I'm coming from a lexus is300/2jzge and love everything about that car. Too bad it got totaled)
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      05-16-2016, 11:30 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by starkfu View Post
The engine and transmission package in it was the 2GR-FE, when used in Lotus applications, the drivetrain is not only bullet proof, but impressively quick!! This unit is also used in some kit cars.

In the Camry SE for that year, the steering is electronic and not tuned for 'sport' at all, there is such a disconnect between the road and the driver's senses you might as well be driving an early 80's Cadillac....

Beyond that, the interior had points where it shined, and having 6 speeds at the disposal of my wheel mounted paddles was amazing, but the shift timing sucked and there is no way short of a stand alone ECU to tune the engine or trans.....

There were so many little things that if tweaked could have made this a great car, but the disconnect I felt with it was enough for me to sell it at a loss.... The HP was impressive at 268 for a 3.5L family sedan at under 30k brand new..... but for that price, I will take the used E90 I just bought!

I had high hopes when I saw paddles in a camry with the 2GR-FE which is also used in the *350 lexus vehicles and other applications.... but toyota is not tuner friendly.
Lol, fair enough.

I ask bc my daily is a 2012 Camry SE V6. I share your sentiment. The motor is impressively quick and a couple times I have been tempted to source the supercharger for it, but ultimately the same issues that you mentioned have stopped me from going for it.

The paddle shifters are far too slow and while the chassis isn't total crap (there are some curves I can take close to the speeds of my M3) the suspension is sort of a let-down. It is comfortable however and it makes me forget I'm driving, which I guess is the point haha.
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      05-17-2016, 04:41 PM   #10
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I am willing to bet the e90 will be far more DD friendly than my e46 M3 is!!

I drive 120 miles a day - 90% freeway 10% windy country roads - the e46 broke down almost weekly - expected though....

I don't expect from the research that I have done, that things will break on the e90 as much..

cmo_93 the camry was better than the Acura I am driving now, but agreed - I just couldn't do it anymore, my commute is too long and it was affecting my day driving it in to the office.... I don't expect the e90 to affect my day, in fact I think the opposite will happen!
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      05-17-2016, 05:10 PM   #11
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Wait, we talking about a Camry?

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      05-18-2016, 12:52 PM   #12
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yes sir!

Camry V6 SE - 2GR-FE - same engine in IS350 and Lotus Evora (lexus uses different transmission, but Evora uses same with upgraded solenoids).

Sport tuned everything, but it is still bland..... paddles were nice, but you had to finess the throttle to get it to shift quick or it was super delayed - hell, E46 tiptronic was lightyears faster than the Toyota's shifts.

Car definitely had potential, but was a fail in the end. IS350 (which I had ordered back when the new model came out) was a hopeful fix to those, and the 8 speed tranny on the RWD was heaven..... but..... car was unmodifiable due to unshared and unbreakable encryption on ECU - AND - direct port injection required special everything and it didn't take well to modifications at all - ended up cancelling my order and getting my money back and went and bought an E46 M3 instead - couldn't be happier!
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      05-18-2016, 02:26 PM   #13
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      05-19-2016, 08:12 AM   #14
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Still waiting for delivery.... was supposed to happen last night, but didn't.

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      05-19-2016, 09:26 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tracyis300 View Post
Sorry but the E9x M3 isn't DD friendly ether
I totally disagree. The e9x M3 makes a really nice commuter. I do ~50miles a day, mostly hwy with some stop and go traffic spots here and there occasionally. Even with the 6MT it's a joy to drive in traffic. My previous commuters were a Jeep TJ (TERRIBLE commuter) and a '05 TL. The TL is pretty much the same as the M3 comfort wise. I don't care about the M's low MPG.
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      05-19-2016, 09:31 AM   #16
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TL is what I am replacing - a great car, but doesn't make me smile as I walk into the office.

What is it with people having TL's as DD's on this forum?!
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      05-20-2016, 02:27 PM   #17
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so.... no E90 in my driveway yet....

Apparently the shipping company attempted Delivery on Wednesday. however, someone was home, no calls or texts came to my phone which is the number they were given, and my August Doorbell recorded no doorbell rings that day or the next (logs when door bell rings and takes a high resolution snapshot).

Called Salesman and he tells me he will reach out and get back to me. Was supposed to be Wednesday night / Thursday morning....

Should have flown down and drove it back, just didn't have the time!
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      05-20-2016, 02:41 PM   #18
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See if you can get the the driver's contact info. The last time I shipped a car I was in contact with the driver and we coordinated everything.
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      05-20-2016, 02:47 PM   #19
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Well that was what was supposed to happen - I've asked the salesman to give it to me now.
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      05-21-2016, 09:02 AM   #20
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I have the number - called the guy - no answer.

Called the dealership back, apparently he gave my number incorrectly to the driver. So god knows where it is not - and I am going to miss an M club skyline drive tomorrow....

GRRRR
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      05-21-2016, 09:51 AM   #21
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Don't stress dude, it will be worth it. Shipping always has setbacks. The drivers really bust their butts on the road. Hope you get it soon!
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      05-21-2016, 04:04 PM   #22
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I know - I'm trying to stay patient - the skyline Dr. run got rescheduled to June, so now I am not as upset.... but it is grating at me cause every minute it stays on the truck is a chance for road damage or something strange to happen....
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