New E90 M3 Owner Journal AW/FR

[Drifter2090]

I had my 335 for over 3 years, it was my first BMW and it got me hooked (Most my dailies were BMW's after that too, E60 530i, E53 X5, E90 335d, had some Benz's as well lol).

I was FBO, MHD Stage 2+ and a bunch of other mods. Loved the car but I've always wanted a E92/E90 M3. I finally made my decision over winter and started parting out and putting my 335 back to stock, it was a sad process but had to be done.

It was scary because I thought that I might miss all the torque from the N54 and the M3 would feel slow. But after test driving the first M3, I knew that would not be an issue. The first one I drove was a 6MT like my 335, but I did a ton of research and ended up deciding on DCT.

After test driving a few, I knew I wanted a E90, DCT, FR, I-Drive, Individual Audio. The exterior colour I wanted the most was space grey, I loved it on my 335 but would settle for any colour as long as the interior was FR.

I finally found a super clean 2009 E90 M3 DCT with all the options I was looking for, the only thing I didn't like was the Sycamore wood trim but that can be swapped later. The dealer put on fresh P4S, brakes, and swapped the valve cover gaskets, oil change and got a oil sample (Blackstone results came out great). Took it home as soon as I could.

Few pics of my 335:









Dealer M3 Pics;








Swapped over my weather-techs and my rear-view mirror with the compass and home-link from my 335 as soon as I got it.

Installed a tune2air BT adapter as well.

Drove it home on a day where there wasn't as much snow, washed it and stored it till all the salt on the roads were gone.


One of the first things was to remove the carbon spoiler and install the OEM one, it was the one mod on the car and I hated it





I had purchased a 2 pipe pe mod before I got the car, I swapped over my tips and installed the exhaust.



I was pretty disappointed with the sound, I was hoping it would be louder.

Sold the 2 pipe and got my OEM exhaust modded with the ACM method.



The car sounded amazing! Especially at WOT.

But then I started looking at videos on the 4-pipe method, it sounded more refined on the videos and I really wanted to try it.

Bought another OEM exhaust and got the 4-pipe mod done. Installed it and instantly fell in love with the new sound. It is much more refined compared to the ACM and not as loud at lower RPM's or on the highway. (ACM is for sale if anyone local wants it)

Did some maintenance, cabin air filter, spark plugs, K&N filter (had to shave down the airbox spring-tab to fit the filter)


Installed IND painted reflectors.


Got some Ebay DCT paddles and a red M button.




Installed some cheap carbon splitters (added black wrap to cover the white paint after) until I got a lip.






Originally was looking at KW V2's like I had on my 335 but a great deal on some H&R springs with Bilstein shocks popped up.

Read up on Malek@MRF's spring install guide, purchased E36 M3 front bump stops, and shaved down the top hats.

Installed the springs on a Friday and did the dif fluid as well.



Got an alignment and removed the splitters.



Car rides amazing on the H&R's and new shocks. Couldn't believe the handling difference and the comfort is almost like stock. Will be doing 18mmF and 15mmR spacers down the line as well.

Installed a cheap front lip for now, will get a carbon one when I get used to driving with this one lol.

[Banana Hammock]

Looks super clean man! That front lip really completes the look. I'm so glad you got rid of that carbon spoiler thingy. It's sooo much cleaner without it.

That Fujiwara Tofu Shop license plate frame was awesome. Do you still have it?!

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by Banana Hammock

Looks super clean man! That front lip really completes the look. I'm so glad you got rid of that carbon spoiler thingy. It's sooo much cleaner without it.

That Fujiwara Tofu Shop license plate frame was awesome. Do you still have it?!

Thanks man! Yeah it definitely does, once I get a carbon one it will be so much better.

Yeah it was gross! Someone bought it from me though so there are people out there that like it lol.

Haha yeah I do, I got a AKINA speed stars one for the M3 that I still need to put on

[Shiza]

Nice! Best color combo

I have that same lip in carbon. Broke 3 of them, just have to be real careful of inclines.

[s14_kev]

Nice work! OMG that CF spoiler needed to go, glad you replaced it with OEM

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by Shiza

Nice! Best color combo

I have that same lip in carbon. Broke 3 of them, just have to be real careful of inclines.

Yeah lol, my 335 was lower but the M3 front lip comes out much farther forward which makes it seem way lower than it is!

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by s14_kev

Nice work! OMG that CF spoiler needed to go, glad you replaced it with OEM

Thanks! Yeah, luckily the old owner didn't go crazy and do more mods like that!

[dinanm3atl]

Great upgrade. Going to get one very similar to this one tomorrow.

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by dinanm3atl

Great upgrade. Going to get one very similar to this one tomorrow.

Thanks! And make sure to post pics

[Conzyo]

Congrats and keep them mods coming.

[reidetailing]

So happy you started a journal!

[SkyM3]

looking good!!

[derbo]

I love journals! Looking great so far!

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by Conzyo

Congrats and keep them mods coming.

Thanks! They definitely will

Originally Posted by reidetailing

So happy you started a journal!

Yeah, I never ended up doing one for the 335 and regretted it. Might as well start with the M3!

Originally Posted by SkyM3

looking good!!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by derbo

I love journals! Looking great so far!

Thanks, hopefully it starts looking much better

[Senpai]

Congrats on the pickup, the car looks beautiful! I had the same worry moving from a 335 into an m3 but it definitely is more than enough power especially with test pipes and a tune.

[driveitryan]

Looking good! I just picked up an 09 AW/FR E90 M3 myself this past year. I absolutely love it! Looking forward to seeing the progress of this car. You've inspired me to start a journal of my own!

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by Senpai

Congrats on the pickup, the car looks beautiful! I had the same worry moving from a 335 into an m3 but it definitely is more than enough power especially with test pipes and a tune.

Thanks man! Yeah even stock it pulls great! I can't wait to try a tune and test pipes. I know it wont be drastic like the N54 with a tune but it should be nice.

Originally Posted by driveitryan

Looking good! I just picked up an 09 AW/FR E90 M3 myself this past year. I absolutely love it! Looking forward to seeing the progress of this car. You've inspired me to start a journal of my own!

Congrats we got twins haha, and thanks man. Do it up! Can't wait to see it

[Aktavate]

Congrats, great color combo 👌

[drivetolive]

Congrats on the pick up, I love local builds .

Apex is a great dealership. The owners are prime examples of honest car salesmen!

[Rochen_00]

Great look!

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by Aktavate

Congrats, great color combo 👌

Thanks! I wanted SG/FR but this is a great combo too!

Originally Posted by drivetolive

Congrats on the pick up, I love local builds .

Apex is a great dealership. The owners are prime examples of honest car salesmen!

Thanks man, and yeah, Neal was a great guy to work with, he always answered any questions I had instantly. He got everything I requested done as well

Originally Posted by Rochen_00

Great look!

Thanks!

[Drifter2090]

Found a good deal on brushed aluminium trim. Goodbye sycamore anthracite!