Introducing Heidi

[aznclickster]

How do you like your current exhaust setup? Debating on eisenmann or akro setup

[aajami]

Originally Posted by aznclickster

How do you like your current exhaust setup? Debating on eisenmann or akro setup

I generally like the exhaust, but do have some reservations about it. I like the tip size, but am not a fan of the tip shapes. I like the minor increase in overall volume below 3,500 RPM, but am not a fan of the major increase in bass. This exhaust is very bassy at cruising speeds, and it overpowers the very interesting characteristics of the S65 motor. The Sport also drones a little between 2,900 and 3,300 RPM, and it has no weight savings over the OEM exhaust, though the canisters look a lot better than what comes on the car from the factory.

I'm strongly considering the BMW Performance when that comes out next month.

Originally Posted by OC ///M

Got it. The pic showing the LCI tail coding threw me for a sec.

You did such a thorough job on the conversion I figured you also had this done somehow.

Is the edc system controlled or run through the DME? If so, maybe you could eventually swap yours with one from a "junked" '11?

Believe me, I would have retrofitted the EDC and MDM if I could have I'm not sure how feasible swapping out internals with a MY11+ is, though to be honest, I don't feel like I'm missing either of the software updates. The suspension/EDC pairing is identical to JDM and Edition M3s, and I keep traction control off on the car at all times.

Judging by your sig, you've been busy with your car. How do you like the upgrades? We still need to find a time to compare rides.

[OC ///M]

Originally Posted by aajami

...I keep traction control off on the car at all times...

OK, I think an early morning GMR run is in order then.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by aajami

I've been on these forums for over 18 months and never once posted a single picture of my car. She's a 2009 Space Gray E92 M3, and her name is Heidi. I recently finished upgrading her with a number of subtle mods, and figure it's time for her coming out party. Full list of upgrades and pictures are below. All comments are appreciated - enjoy!

Mods:
Eisenmann Sport exhaust and OEM connecting pipes (uncut)
Style 359M wheels
255/35f and 275/35r Michelin PS2s
ZCP shocks and springs retrofit
European LCI taillights (w/ amber blinkers)
BMW Performance Mk. II carbon fiber spoiler
BMW Performance kidney grills
BMW Performance side gills (by IND)
BMW Performance emblem (by JLeviSW)
Space Gray bumper plugs
Carbon fiber license plate frame

Pics:
Out & About
















European LCI taillights. The amber blinkers don't come out in pictures or video very well, but they're really vibrant in real-life, like the blinkers on an F01 7-series or an LCI 6-series.


Style 359M wheels with 275/35 PS2s and ZCP suspension


BMW Performance Mk. II carbon fiber spoiler






Some forthcoming mods that I'm considering:
BMW Performance M3 exhaust, assuming it ever comes out.
BMW Performance carbon fiber mirror covers
AiB v3 or LUX H8 coronas
3D Design pedals, assuming I can convince myself to pay $300+ for pedals!

By the way, all of installs were done at EAS in Santa Ana, Supreme Power in Placentia, and VIP Status in Torrance. I would highly recommend all of these shops to any Socal locals. Thanks for looking.

Aajami...your car is beautiful..I'm sorry we weren't able to hook up for you to try out my ZCP but yours came out awesome. Would love to see the car in person, I love the rear spoiler.

Dave

[aajami]

Dave, I texted you but never heard back. I'm right down the street from you so let me know when you've got some time to meet up.

[catch]

looks good! love the spoiler!

[runnerguy1979]

I'm also a former S2000 owner. I absolutely loved that car.
My 2012 M3 6MT is being built at the moment, I'm expecting delivery around late Jan. My S2K was "space grey" which lead me to order my M3 the same color.

I'm curious what your thoughts are, transitioning from the S2K to the M3. I sold the car about a year and a half ago and can remember the epic handling, the intoxicating sound and the brilliant shifter.

Would appreciate your thoughts.

[JZBDCT]

asian people standing in line.... That looks like Irvine.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by runnerguy1979

I'm also a former S2000 owner. I absolutely loved that car.
My 2012 M3 6MT is being built at the moment, I'm expecting delivery around late Jan. My S2K was "space grey" which lead me to order my M3 the same color.

I'm curious what your thoughts are, transitioning from the S2K to the M3. I sold the car about a year and a half ago and can remember the epic handling, the intoxicating sound and the brilliant shifter.

Would appreciate your thoughts.

Nice. It's always a pleasure to meet another former S2000 owner on these boards -- there are more than you would expect. At any rate, here are some quick thoughts on the two cars:

• The engine dynamics are remarkably similar. Both the F20C and the S65 need to be revved high to utilize their torque. As with the S2000, there's plenty of juice in the lower RPM range, but the real fun begins once you get past 4-5K.
• Beyond the similarity in their high-revving engines, it becomes very difficult to compare the two cars. The M3 is a LOT heavier, and this weight is the first thing that you'll notice. I miss the nimble nature of the S2000, and how the steering wheel, gas pedal, brake pedal, clutch pedal, shifter, and seat communicated all kinds of road data back to the driver. The M3 does so more than any other car in its class, but it's no S2000 in this regard.
• Last note is on the shifter. The S2000's gearbox was a world class work of art. The only other car that came close to having that precise, rifle-bolt feel was the 370Z -- the 350Z's was pretty good too. Otherwise, you have to get into Porsche GT3 territory to start replicating the S2000's shifter's feel, and even that car's box is incredibly notchy and uncooperative (especially cold), with longer throws. So when I test drove a 6MT M3, I was really put off by the vagueness of the entire transmission. Clutch pedal was sloppy, throws were massive, gear engagement was vague -- the whole thing felt like I was making mashed potatoes. Now, plenty of people have a 6MT and love it, so it's a matter of different strokes for different folks. But coming from an S2000, I knew just about any car was going to be a downgrade in the shifter department.

Hope that answers your questions. Good luck with your delivery -- the M3 is a fantastic machine, and you will love it. Comparing it to an S2K is an apples to oranges proposition, but you will love it all the same.

By the way, I don't recall a Space Gray for the S2000. Do you mean Moonrock or Silverstone?

[IMG]

Love the SG !

[EdM5]

Heidi is stunning

[roastbeef]

beautiful.

[Powerbeast]

Heidi looks so purrrrty

[David@Sonic MS]

Very nice, I really like the european lci tail lights.

[runnerguy1979]

Originally Posted by aajami

Nice. It's always a pleasure to meet another former S2000 owner on these boards -- there are more than you would expect. At any rate, here are some quick thoughts on the two cars:

• The engine dynamics are remarkably similar. Both the F20C and the S65 need to be revved high to utilize their torque. As with the S2000, there's plenty of juice in the lower RPM range, but the real fun begins once you get past 4-5K.
• Beyond the similarity in their high-revving engines, it becomes very difficult to compare the two cars. The M3 is a LOT heavier, and this weight is the first thing that you'll notice. I miss the nimble nature of the S2000, and how the steering wheel, gas pedal, brake pedal, clutch pedal, shifter, and seat communicated all kinds of road data back to the driver. The M3 does so more than any other car in its class, but it's no S2000 in this regard.
• Last note is on the shifter. The S2000's gearbox was a world class work of art. The only other car that came close to having that precise, rifle-bolt feel was the 370Z -- the 350Z's was pretty good too. Otherwise, you have to get into Porsche GT3 territory to start replicating the S2000's shifter's feel, and even that car's box is incredibly notchy and uncooperative (especially cold), with longer throws. So when I test drove a 6MT M3, I was really put off by the vagueness of the entire transmission. Clutch pedal was sloppy, throws were massive, gear engagement was vague -- the whole thing felt like I was making mashed potatoes. Now, plenty of people have a 6MT and love it, so it's a matter of different strokes for different folks. But coming from an S2000, I knew just about any car was going to be a downgrade in the shifter department.

Hope that answers your questions. Good luck with your delivery -- the M3 is a fantastic machine, and you will love it. Comparing it to an S2K is an apples to oranges proposition, but you will love it all the same.

By the way, I don't recall a Space Gray for the S2000. Do you mean Moonrock or Silverstone?

Thanks for taking the time to respond thoroughly.

You're right, it was the Silverstone colour not SG. Just couldn't remember the name but I know it looked almost identical to the SG.

I'm glad to hear your take on the migration from S2K to M3. I'm expecting an entirely different vehicle because of the weight differences, engine size, manufacturer, etc. I felt a lot more refinement when I drove the M3....like it was an S2K "grown up" if that makes any difference. Not to mention all the tech packages that come with these cars now ().

I've read on the threads about mods to help with the shifter feel. I guess I'll wait to drive it and see if I feel these are necessary. I test drove the 6MT and it was a bit spongy w/ a rough 1st-2nd engagement but I still found it satisfying.....mind you, I was so memorized by the power I might not have noticed the shifter ;-)

Anyway, thanks again for your feedback, mate.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by runnerguy1979

mind you, I was so memorized by the power I might not have noticed the shifter ;-)

As great as the F20C was, the S65 is truly an amazing engine. Twice the displacement, but revs nearly as high. It sounds wonderful and breathes freely. I highly recommend that you pair it up with an M Performance exhaust -- the resulting sound is just perfect. Here's mine:

[Raja Ventureshield]

Heidi is hot.

[carlo168]

Originally Posted by ooowowizstev

+1 was thinking the exact same thing.

85 deg!

[Gkap]

looks great!

[Falcon23]

How is the sound from inside the car ? (windows closed)

[aajami]

Originally Posted by Falcon23

How is the sound from inside the car ? (windows closed)

Very subdued and only marginally louder than stock. That said, even though it's only a bit louder than stock with the windows rolled up, the kind of sound that emanates from the exhaust is noticeably different.

[Falcon23]

Thank you for your answer

So a bit louder but yeah .... I think it's better when you often drive on highway with this ///M performance exhaust than an Akrapovic Evolution full exhaust