Limey's E90: Daily Driver Evolved

[Limey]

09/01/16 edit: THIS CAR IS NOW FOR SALE. PM ME WITH SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY.

Here's an overdue retrospective build photo/video thread of my E90 project now I'm close to finishing it off finally.

It's my daily driver and I was envisaging modifying it fairly heavily, particularly on the performance side. But I wanted to maintain somewhat of a clean, sleeper look; a balance between everyday practicality and track-ready performance. I have yet to hit the track however. Soon maybe...

Custom ordered a fully loaded late 11 e90 6MT with silver novillo leather. Just love the more aggressive look of the sedan and unique interior.

Here's the complete list of mods, which I'll try and keep updated:

INSTALLED

30% window tint
BMW carbon fiber wing mirror caps
BMW carbon fiber rear spoiler
UUC short shift kit
BMW Performance steering wheel
RPI air scoops
Macht Schnell cold air intake
Macht Schnell air filter
Macht Schnell 10mm front spacers
BMW F10 Performance shift knob
LeatherZ custom Alcantara shift and brake boot w/LSB stitch
BMW Performance hand brake
Custom interior upholstery in black Napa leather, Black Alcantara and LSB stitch
Autotechnik carbon fiber center console
Autotechnik carbon fiber steering wheel cover
IND gloss black M3 trunk logo
IND keyhole delete
IND gloss black hood vents
IND gloss black kidney grilles
Interior white LED kit
LUX H8 160 angel eyes
GP Thunder corner bulbs
GP Thunder License Plate LED
IND gloss black painted M3 trunk emblem
Yokohama Advan AD08R 265/295
Macht Schnell stud conversion
Project Kicks lug nuts
Full exterior Ceramic Pro 9H Nano-coat
Harrop Supercharger Stage 1
EAS custom coding package
Recaro Profi XL seats
Planted floor mounts
Recaro sliders
IND custom floor mats w/ LSB trim
2015 navigation update
DVD in Motion
Ultimate Clutch Pedal
Custom gloss black painted front bumper lower grille
Remus Sport muffler
Vorsteiner GTS3 Front Bumper
Arkym Aerorace Rear Bumper
Harrop Ultimate Brake Kit-polished raw w/LSB logo and Ceramic Pro 9H coating
Gloss black vinyl roof wrap
Custom painted LSB start button halo
H3R 2.5lb fire extinguisher w/ Speedtactics seat mount
Recaro side mounts
ARP rod bolts & WPC treated bearings
UUC polyurethane engine mounts
BMW Enhanced Premium Sound door speaker covers
Turner Test Pipes
Rays G07EX wheelset 19x9.5 et 25 / 19x10.5 et 25

REMOVED

BMW OEM carbon fiber splitters
AE Performance axle back
M branded aluminum pedals
Macht Schnell pulley
Evolve tune
BMW Performance shift knob w/custom Alcantara shift boot
Autotechnik CRT style front lip
Pedal Haus pedals and heel plate
EAS Ceramic Black exhaust tips
Challenge Sport X-Pipe
Planted side mounts
Umbra Grey powder coated OEM ZCP rims

All work performed by European Autosource-Anaheim, and BBI Autosport-Huntington Beach, California.

[Limey]

After falling in love with my first E90, which I kept stock I got a very favorable deal on a lease and pretty much committed myself to buying it off lease when I got it. Good job I stuck to the plan. Test drove the F80 several times and it just didn't do it for me. Was still enjoying my E90 too much.

Dyno'd stock at BBI's Dynojet at 363whp STD.

[Dunk89]

wow, really nice m3
what is the name for the color of your wheels?

[Limey]

Umbra grey powder coat

[Dunk89]

Oh thank you.
Do you have more pictures from your wheels?

[Limey]

Originally Posted by Dunk89

Oh thank you.
Do you have more pictures from your wheels?

Close up

[Limey]

The modding affliction started with:

AE Performance Exhaust, Challenge Sport X Pipe, Macht Schnell spacers and cold air intake/pulleys, and tune by Evolve, powder coated rims, tinted windows, BMW performance steering wheel, UUC short shifter/BMW performance shift knob (one of my favorite mods), and e brake handle, and aftermarket M foot pedals for starters. Also painted side markers white, IND keyhole delete, neutralized the bumper reflectors, IND gloss black grilles and hood vents to clean it up a bit.

[Limey]

Performance wheel and Autotechnik cover

[Limey]

AE Performance muffler

[Limey]

Saw some solid gains. Dyno'd at 403whp STD on EAS's dynojet I think. Looking good.

More mods: KW sleeve over kit. Project Kicks and Macht Schnell stud conversion, Yokohama Advan R 265/295, angel eyes, clear indicators, interior LED conversion, BMW carbon fiber dash, door panels, Autoteknic carbon fiber steering wheel cover and center center console. Also got a ton of custom coding by EAS. Well worth taking advantage of this very affordable customization option.

[Limey]

More

[Limey]

Lots of carbon

[Limey]

Recently bought the car off lease and still plan on keeping it long term so thought I'd go on a final (?) modding spree.

Naturally now it's officially mine, it would be rude not to supercharge. Had driven ESS and VF and wasn't completely sold. Just didn't make enough impact in the lower rpm band. BBI had a relationship w/Harrop. Their new twin screw supercharger offered potentially higher torque and comparable power than other systems. Perfect solution for a daily driver-tons more power at low rpms. I was lucky enough to get my hands on their new twin screw supercharger. It's not cheap and the whine is not for everyone, but so far it's proven to be a lot of fun.

[Limey]

The quality of this kit is amazing. It's a piece of art and I love how understated it is.

[Limey]

Freeway driving the S/C is barely audible but hit the throttle and it screams. But you have to be ok with the whine. The car sounded nuts with my AE Performance and Challenge x pipe setup.

[Limey]

The car was just too loud after the S/C upgrade so stuck the stock muffler back on. Zero drone. Engine and exhaust volumes much more balanced now. Car still sounds great but I do miss the AE exhaust. Just no way to quieten it down. But I swear the stock muffler feels more restrictive (anyone have any thoughts on this?). Think I've found a less restrictive solution for an aftermarket muffler that won't drone with my x pipe. Will update later.

Finally pulled the trigger on some seats. Love the Profi XL. I'm 6'5 and they fit me perfectly. May get them reupholstered. And some nice light M blue IND floor mats for a more Motorsport look. Plan on extending this theme very subtly throughout the interior and brake caliper logos.

[Limey]

Currently in relative sleeper mode even considering all the mods. Except for the S/C whine. Plan to focus final mods more on performance parts-sub frame bushings etc. And I have VAC coated rod bearings ready to be installed when next in BBI.

Hope to wrap this project up by April. Looking forward to the likelihood of a stage 2 upgrade for the S/C later in the year perhaps.

Next up more Harrop stuff, rod bearings, front/rear bumper upgrades, and some external changes, more interior parts, possibly new wheels and some other fun stuff.

All work carried out by EAS/BBI Autosport. Highly recommend them both. Hope you like it. This forum's been a great resource for this project.

More to follow...

[tjsabec]

Nicely done, I thoroughly enjoyed the write up, awesome collection of mods

[ashtaron14]

Love your car as it reminds me of my car With a swap from LHD to RHD

I had a load more wheel hopping after installing the Harrop Supercharger, and the Solid Aluminum subframe mounts def. took away some of it, so I think you'll like it. It also takes away the strut of the rear before launching when you stomp on it in say 3rd gear 2700rpm. You get some clink clank clunking at low speeds but that's expected.

I only ran my car with OEM Modded exhaust so I can't comment on the restriction issue, but I did notice that the exhaust note changing after supercharging. It sounds loud enough on the outside so I'm happy that I can listen to music on the inside.

Seats are something that I want too, but with a Fox Red interior I am just reluctant to change to other seating atm.

Good health to you and your car!

[roastbeef]

very nice. tell me about the heat exchanger that can be seen inside the throttle body ports... air to air? how does it work? 50 state legal?

[OneSickM]

Amazing mods man, I got a question regarding your tire setup. Any rubbing from front or rear after KW v3 with Yokohama Advan R 265/295?

let me know

[Limey]

Originally Posted by OneSickM

Amazing mods man, I got a question regarding your tire setup. Any rubbing from front or rear after KW v3 with Yokohama Advan R 265/295?

let me know

None but it's v close.