Interlagos Blue E90 Build

[neilum]

Hi Everyone, I wanted to share my build thread of my 2011 Interlagos Blue E90 ZCP. Getting this far into modifications and long term ownership was never in the original plans for this car. I just wanted a fun daily driver that was livable with two little kids until I figured out my next car.

I was coming from an F80 White/Sakhir Orange that was decently modified (tune/305 AD08/MPE Exhaust) but never lived up to expectations and the cost to fun/enjoyment ratio was way off for a $60K car at the time when I bought it in 2016.

I didn’t have any pre-requisites in my search for an E90 except no black and mainly stock. My 3rd day searching the for sale forums here I stumbled on a stock 2011 IB ZCP w/ 72K miles being sold by a financial executive down in VA. Fast forward 4 days of back and forth negotiations, and I was on my way in a rental car to pick it up. The car already had valve cover gaskets, throttle actuators and thermostat replaced as well as a stack of receipts so it was well kept.

F80 -





MPE Exhaust on the F80. It was really light easy to pickup with one hand.



Meaty (still sounded like shit)




First time bringing it home -






I drove it for 10 months without modifying anything. The only thing I did was drop all fluids and put on new rubber Ps4s when I first got it. After ~1yr of ownership I picked up an 08 MDX as a family hauler and daily driver which opened the door for me to make this car mine while not considering family trips etc so the fun begins!

At this point in time I briefly listed the e90 for sale as I was going to buy a 997 911. Problem is I quickly realized I’d need a $50 - 60K 911 for it to be worth replacing. 911’s are awesome but I felt that’s the line in the sand that exists between where these cars are, and live on the performance spectrum versus one another. Anything less than a 2009 + 911 Carrera S and I’d just rather have this. So, game on!


Replaced the silly orange reflectors and kidney grills

[neilum]

Replace your rod bearings!

Next up was to tackle exhaust as stock is criminally neutered. Luckily I live 20 minutes from Auto Couture and at this point, I still didn’t have big plans so I just had them modify the OEM exhaust as it was just too easy.

After the exhaust mod I really began to enjoy the car and saw it more clearly as more of a long term project and ownership experience. The S65 is just magical. I’ve owned an S2000’s, FBO 335, FBO B8 S4, F80 and out of them all this car is in my opinion offer something unique and special so my plans expanded into addressing the E90 Mx weaknesses and making the car more badass, trackable and overall more focused.

First things first to lay the foundation for any future plans. Off to ACM to get RB’s and motor mounts

Not too bad but it had to be done. What they looked like in 7/19 @ 84,512 miles.



I felt the most important aspect to address next was the suspension. Originally I didn’t intend to modify the suspension and naturally ZCP was supposed to stay, but let’s be honest even the ZCP is not perfect. It’s a bit floaty, sport is unusable on rough roads with the family in the car and turn in could be a lot better. So I consulted with with ACM and they recommend Ohlin’s without hesitation.

12 rear spacers next. I left the front stock as I am not a fan of the bulldog look. Maybe I’ll do 5 mm up front we’ll see.





To be continued...

[gilberjj]

Nice. Subscribed!

[neilum]

One of the few cosmetic flaws the car had when I got it was peeling paint on the steering wheel trim, and some minor black paint specks on the shift paddles from the prior owner trying to fix, or paint the peeling wheel trim. It's like he had overspray from the trim that splattered onto the paddles a little. Well, we have a solution for that! OEM M Alcantara performance steering wheel, new paddles and new steering wheel trim.



I also added color matched fender grills -

Ahhhh much better




The car is headed to Auto Couture to get a Corsa rear, test pipes and stage 2 tune next week. Stay tuned!

[Blindside_137]

Very nice!!

[wfdeacon88]

you are going to LOVE the Corsa + TP combo.. Good choice sir! can't wait to hear your report back.. I went from OEM mod to that combination and its incredible.

[br2wdc]

I believe this is the 3rd time I have commented on a post/search for a car that was very similar to mine! My requirements were E90 M3 with DCT, no black/black cars, mainly stock, and preferred AW or IB/LMB.

I live in Northern Virginia, and missed on two local cars, an was about to throttle back my search, and stumbled upon a 2011 E90 M3 LMB with 77k miles in Ohio that was a 2-owner car.

In other posts I have described the 2nd owner as "meticulous" and I'll also add "proactive" because every service and every fluid was changed well before it was "due", and he had BMW dealer receipts for everything.

So in the span of 6 days, we spoke for the 1st time and had the parameters of a deal done on a Monday, PPI was completed with flying colors on Wednesday, and that Saturday I was on my way to Ohio in a one way car rental to pickup the car.

Only option it didn't have that I wanted was ZCP, and the competition type wheels are not OEM, but as you can see I think I did OK ...

Congrats on your car!

Originally Posted by neilum

I didn’t have any pre-requisites in my search for an E90 except no black and mainly stock. My 3rd day searching the for sale forums here I stumbled on a stock 2011 IB ZCP w/ 72K miles being sold by a financial executive down in VA. Fast forward 4 days of back and forth negotiations, and I was on my way in a rental car to pick it up. The car already had valve cover gaskets, throttle actuators and thermostat replaced as well as a stack of receipts so it was well kept.

[M3ANMACHINE]

Agreed with the above sentiment that you'll love the Corsa with TP's.

Make sure you upgrade those tips!

[neilum]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

Agreed with the above sentiment that you'll love the Corsa with TP's.

Make sure you upgrade those tips!

Yeah buddy! It's the best sounding combo for this car in my opinion.


Funny you say that, we are going to modify the tips.

Jeff suggested these -

https://vibrantperformance.com/catal...8ab5f8c505d399


ACM is going to figure it out, weld these on and make them look good. I'm not coming this far in the build and leaving droopy ass tips on it.

[neilum]

Originally Posted by br2wdc

I believe this is the 3rd time I have commented on a post/search for a car that was very similar to mine! My requirements were E90 M3 with DCT, no black/black cars, mainly stock, and preferred AW or IB/LMB.

I live in Northern Virginia, and missed on two local cars, an was about to throttle back my search, and stumbled upon a 2011 E90 M3 LMB with 77k miles in Ohio that was a 2-owner car.

In other posts I have described the 2nd owner as "meticulous" and I'll also add "proactive" because every service and every fluid was changed well before it was "due", and he had BMW dealer receipts for everything.

So in the span of 6 days, we spoke for the 1st time and had the parameters of a deal done on a Monday, PPI was completed with flying colors on Wednesday, and that Saturday I was on my way to Ohio in a one way car rental to pickup the car.

Only option it didn't have that I wanted was ZCP, and the competition type wheels are not OEM, but as you can see I think I did OK ...

Congrats on your car!

Beautiful! Blue works so well on this car.

[Space Fox]

Originally Posted by neilum

Yeah buddy! It's the best sounding combo for this car in my opinion.


Funny you say that, we are going to modify the tips.

Jeff suggested these -

https://vibrantperformance.com/catal...8ab5f8c505d399


ACM is going to figure it out, weld these on and make them look good. I'm not coming this far in the build and leaving droopy ass tips on it.

I've always thought the Corsa was by far the best sounding rear section for this platform but don't believe I've heard it with test pipes. Would love a video clip of the set up after install if you can manage!
Excellent looking car. If I went for an e90 this spec would top the list. Love the mods so far

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by neilum

Yeah buddy! It's the best sounding combo for this car in my opinion.


Funny you say that, we are going to modify the tips.

Jeff suggested these -

https://vibrantperformance.com/catal...8ab5f8c505d399


ACM is going to figure it out, weld these on and make them look good. I'm not coming this far in the build and leaving droopy ass tips on it.

These are what I used my second time around as I previously had a larger set that ended up being TOO big : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Exhaust-qua...72.m2749.l2649

Originally Posted by Space Fox

I've always thought the Corsa was by far the best sounding rear section for this platform but don't believe I've heard it with test pipes. Would love a video clip of the set up after install if you can manage!
Excellent looking car. If I went for an e90 this spec would top the list. Love the mods so far

Here ya go. I may be biased, but I think this is the best vid of the setup:

[neilum]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

These are what I used my second time around as I previously had a larger set that ended up being TOO big : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Exhaust-qua...72.m2749.l2649



Here ya go. I may be biased, but I think this is the best vid of the setup:

I'll note those tips for future reference in case I don't get it right the first time.


I'll post pictures and a video but it won't be that high quality for sure. He used a mic and everything! Sounds so good!

[Matt@AUTOcouture]

Nice Neil, it's comin along great! Can't wait to see how this progresses.

[akkando]

Damn I remember when this went for sale and I thought I could buy it. Found another e90 zcp in IB though.

Also considering a Corsa exhaust with black tips.

Have you considered a CF plenum?

[neilum]

Originally Posted by akkando

Damn I remember when this went for sale and I thought I could buy it. Found another e90 zcp in IB though.

Also considering a Corsa exhaust with black tips.

Have you considered a CF plenum?

Oh man I definitely have thought about a Venturi or Karbonius. This mod is further down the must-have-to-do list but they do sound amazing.

How far down this rabbit hole do I want to go?

TBH I am a crossroads right now w/next steps after the Corsa.

Solid subframe bushings?
Monoballs thrust arms?
BBS wheels?

[martgsr]

Very nice.
It's interesting to see many people going from F80 to E9x.
At the same price, would you still choose the E90 ?
Never been in a F80 but the main reason I sold my E46 M3 for my E90 was to get the s65 engine.
The F80 is very nice and agressive but still more expensive than E9x.

[neilum]

Originally Posted by martgsr

Very nice.
It's interesting to see many people going from F80 to E9x.
At the same price, would you still choose the E90 ?
Never been in a F80 but the main reason I sold my E46 M3 for my E90 was to get the s65 engine.
The F80 is very nice and agressive but still more expensive than E9x.

No doubt the F80 looks very nice and is newer, more reliable, and faster.

I'll still take the V8 for $xx,000, Alex.

[M3@Apex]

What did ACM end up doing in terms of tips for the Corsa rear section?

[neilum]

Originally Posted by M3@Apex

What did ACM end up doing in terms of tips for the Corsa rear section?

We're going w/these but they are back ordered due to Covid and not ready yet.

It'll probably be a few more weeks

https://vibrantperformance.com/catal...8ab5f8c505d399

[M3@Apex]

I've been noticing that too! We are after the same thing; I got the Corsa installed on my E90 a couple days ago and I've noticed options are thin.

I looked at the vibrant tips and my only concern wjth them is they're not staggered. Otherwise they're perfect.

[Senpai]

Loving the classy oem+ look lowered on the ZCP wheels! Also, keep us posted on how those tips turn out for the corsa! I'd like to have ACM change the tips on my corsa setup as well. I think the tips that come on that exhaust just look so out of place.