BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > M3 (E90 / E92 / E93) > M3 Photos/Video/Media Gallery
 
EXXEL Distributions
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-31-2009, 02:56 PM   #1
TLud
Colonel
TLud's Avatar
United_States
108
Rep
2,279
Posts

Drives: '12 Golf R
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Texas

iTrader: (3)

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..
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2009, 02:57 PM   #2
TLud
Colonel
TLud's Avatar
United_States
108
Rep
2,279
Posts

Drives: '12 Golf R
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Texas

iTrader: (3)

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
TLud
Colonel
TLud's Avatar
United_States
108
Rep
2,279
Posts

Drives: '12 Golf R
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Texas

iTrader: (3)

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, 03:03 PM   #4
10M3MAN
Lieutenant Colonel
10M3MAN's Avatar
United_States
34
Rep
1,498
Posts

Drives: 2006 Nissan Altima SER
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Wharton, TX

iTrader: (0)

Very nice I like
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2009, 03:10 PM   #5
808MGuy
Colonel
808MGuy's Avatar
218
Rep
2,339
Posts

Drives: 2009 E90 M3
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Oahu, Hawaii

iTrader: (3)

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
BCA
Captain
21
Rep
793
Posts

Drives: 2015 M3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Houston, TX

iTrader: (1)

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
TLud
Colonel
TLud's Avatar
United_States
108
Rep
2,279
Posts

Drives: '12 Golf R
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Texas

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 808MGuy View Post
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?
The front wheels are turned slightly away from the camera, which makes them appear more tucked in than normal.

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
Ryan@IND
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
Ryan@IND's Avatar
United_States
1754
Rep
7,651
Posts


Drives: ACR
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (18)

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.
__________________
IND DISTRIBUTION | 866-963-4520 • INSTAGRAMFACEBOOKFLICKR
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2009, 03:47 PM   #9
J08M3
Major General
J08M3's Avatar
United_States
283
Rep
6,007
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3 COUPE
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NEW YORK

iTrader: (8)

nice
__________________
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2009, 03:50 PM   #10
Sako_335
Major
Sako_335's Avatar
32
Rep
1,129
Posts

Drives: Bmw 335
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Los Angeles, California

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 335 Sedan  [0.00]
nice
__________________
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2009, 03:58 PM   #11
Moxie
Lieutenant Colonel
Moxie's Avatar
United_States
67
Rep
1,895
Posts

Drives: AW 328d Touring/SG 335d
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: North Carolina

iTrader: (12)

Looks good - Add a shot from the rear maybe?
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2009, 04:27 PM   #12
inter1032
Major
Italy
31
Rep
1,460
Posts

Drives: 2013 m3
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: boston

iTrader: (0)

nice
have you thought about color matching the brakes?
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2009, 04:55 PM   #13
TLud
Colonel
TLud's Avatar
United_States
108
Rep
2,279
Posts

Drives: '12 Golf R
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Texas

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Moxie View Post
Looks good - Add a shot from the rear maybe?
I'll post some rear shots as soon as I get them from my neighbor.

Quote:
Originally Posted by inter1032 View Post
nice
have you thought about color matching the brakes?
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:
Originally Posted by Andrew@IND View Post
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.
Couldn't have done it without you, and I'm glad I had a chance to work with you guys.
__________________
'09 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 (sold to a good home)
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2009, 05:08 PM   #14
yamazaho
Wang D.D.S.
yamazaho's Avatar
Taiwan
185
Rep
7,057
Posts

Drives: 14' WRX, 15' W205
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Houston, TX

iTrader: (11)

Garage List
2006 325i  [7.76]
Looking really good man, love them BBKs.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2009, 05:20 PM   #15
DevJ
Colonel
DevJ's Avatar
United_States
154
Rep
2,736
Posts

Drives: R8 V10+/YMB M4
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tulsa, OK

iTrader: (1)

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
TLud
Colonel
TLud's Avatar
United_States
108
Rep
2,279
Posts

Drives: '12 Golf R
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Texas

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DevJ View Post
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?
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, 05:55 PM   #17
Epacy2
Major
Epacy2's Avatar
143
Rep
1,400
Posts

Drives: F85 X5M
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: KC

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2008 M3  [0.00]
2008 M3  [0.00]
Well done! Laundry list of mods!
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2009, 05:58 PM   #18
4emthree5
ooT ooT
4emthree5's Avatar
0
Rep
54
Posts

Drives: E46 M3
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: in the car going somewhere....

iTrader: (0)

So nice.....the RACs really set the car off
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2009, 06:02 PM   #19
Eugene-TAIWAN
Brigadier General
Eugene-TAIWAN's Avatar
Taiwan
249
Rep
3,157
Posts

Drives: E92 M3 Coupe
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Taiwan

iTrader: (4)

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
JC919
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
72
Rep
1,804
Posts

Drives: CSL
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland

iTrader: (0)

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
      12-31-2009, 06:37 PM   #21
Ajax-Prime
Hydrocarbon Man
Ajax-Prime's Avatar
United_States
32
Rep
427
Posts

Drives: Still waiting on Stuttgart...
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Houston

iTrader: (3)

I really don't want to spend $4k more on my car, but you're making it really tough...

Very, very, nice car sir.
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2009, 06:50 PM   #22
gthirtyfizle
Colonel
gthirtyfizle's Avatar
190
Rep
2,867
Posts

Drives: E92 M3 AW
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NYC

iTrader: (4)

Ur car looks incredible
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:34 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST