E90 M3 SS2 6MT Owner Journal

[Drifter2090]

With all this free time during the whole Covid-19 situation, I decided to finally make a build log.

Some of you may know that I had a 09 AW/FR DCT E90 M3 a few months ago. I recently sold that and picked up a 08 6MT SS2/NB E90 M3.

DCT Car Log: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1625351

How it sat before I sold it:


New owner picking it up (all the way from Quebec).




After having that car for almost a year, I was starting to grow tired of the DCT. It was an amazing transmission (especially with the GTS flash) but I found myself itching to drive a 6MT again. It was always amazing to drive fast and I'd be speeding all the time with the DCT because it was so easy! but when driving around the city or any slower driving, it was pretty much the same as any other auto car. With the thought of a 6MT in my mind, I stopped modding my white car and eventually posted it for sale.

Once sold, I started my hunt for a 6MT. This time I didn't want I-Drive or a sunroof, and I also started looking at E92's. Looked at a few cars but nothing ticked the boxes for me (There also weren't many posted during winter). Eventually a friend let me know one of his friends was thinking of selling his E90 SS2 6MT. I quickly got more info on the car, and it checked most my boxes (Only thing missing was M Drive and it had a sunroof).

I quickly picked up the car after getting a PPI done (Just needs a VCG).

The day I picked it up (after a car wash & with the winter set on).





Immediately sold the winter set and installed the BBS 219m's that came with it (Car will be stored in the winter).







Started the modding immediately!

A friend sold me his flat bottom alcantara wheel with a fox red 12 o'clock stripe.
Swapped out the M and Start/Stop button with red ones.
Swapped in a LCI headlight switch and LCI cup holder trim.
Installed a rear view mirror with Home-link and a compass that I had lying around.
Stole the gloss black interior trim off of my 335d and replaced the brushed aluminium trim.
Installed WeissLicht angel eye bulbs.

Before:



After:



Picked up some OEM black-line taillights (will eventually do a full LCI rear conversion).





Picked up an AFE Power intake with a dry and oiled filter. Installed it with the oiled filter.



As winter was ending, finally got the car plated.

A friend of mine was selling his 08 E90 M3, he offered to trade his fox red interior for my novillo black.
I quickly jumped on it!

Before:


During:


After:



Extremely happy with the new colour combo!

Still need to splice a wire for the lumbar and bolsters (Mine didn't come with that).

With most of the interior mods out of the way for now, I wanted more sound from the exhaust!

On my DCT car, I tried: Stock, ACM mod, 2 pipe mod and 4 pipe. Out of all of them I loved the 4 pipe.

Removed my stock exhaust and got the 4 pipe mod done. Deleted the primary cats and got the Active Autowerke tune done.
Very happy with the new exhaust note, much better than just 4 pipe and cats. I can actually hear it in the cabin (even with the induction from the AFE intake). Zero drone and quiet when not on it and just cruising.



Removed the clutch spring and installed a clutch stop (Huge difference!).

Been loving just going for back road drives, especially with nothing to do at home with the Covid-19 situation.

Finally decided to lower the car.

Installed Megan Racing springs with E36 M3 bump stops. Spring installs on these cars are a breeze!
Quick Review: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1714624

(Also installed gloss black kidney grilles)

Before:


After:




Did an oil change with OEM 10w60. Sent out an oil sample to black stone as well.

Engine bay needs a detail!


Ordered VCG, spark plug sleeves, spark plugs and cabin air filters from FCP, also got a set of OEM M driving gloves to keep the alcantara fresh.

Picked up some painted reflectors from IND.



Installed 18f 15r spacers. No rubbing or vibrations on the highway.

Bumper is covered in bugs from back roads haha






Pretty happy with the current progress after 2-3 months.
I'm just waiting on some more parts. Will keep the the thread updated

Also searching for a new daily after selling the 335d, any ideas?

[Richneerd]

E90 M3 will be the daily.

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by Richneerd

E90 M3 will be the daily.

Haha ill be driving it as much as I can! But for winter and when I want to haul around parts or go on trips I need something! Also my work commute is an hour in stop and go, so I need an auto

[E90M3velocity]

Good progress on the car, I don't see ss with fox red that often

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by E90M3velocity

Good progress on the car, I don't see ss with fox red that often

Thanks man! Yeah I love the new combo

[s1 s2]

Beautiful, was reading from LCI AW to a Pre-LCI SS2 dafuq. But once u had the Fox red interior, transforms the car.

How are you liking the long geared 6spd compare to the DCT?

[reidetailing]

Happy to see you starting a journal and documenting your build, Dinal.

Really excited to see what's in store for your car!

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by s1 s2

Beautiful, was reading from LCI AW to a Pre-LCI SS2 dafuq. But once u had the Fox red interior, transforms the car.

How are you liking the long geared 6spd compare to the DCT?

Haha thanks man! And I've been loving it!

It's so much more fun to just drive around now, so much more engaging. The gears are longer than the dct but I don't really notice much of a difference when driving.

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by reidetailing

Happy to see you starting a journal and documenting your build, Dinal.

Really excited to see what's in store for your car!

Thanks Alex!

I'll definitely keep it updated! But it won't be anywhere near as crazy as yours though haha

[swagon]

Love the plate frame.

[derbo]

Nice! I need to hear a video of primaries deleted with 4 pipe mod! I've been wanting to do that for awhile now.. :X

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by swagon

Love the plate frame.

Had to weeb out a bit

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by derbo

Nice! I need to hear a video of primaries deleted with 4 pipe mod! I've been wanting to do that for awhile now.. :X

Definitely get on that! Sound is amazing

[Richneerd]

Originally Posted by Drifter2090

Haha ill be driving it as much as I can! But for winter and when I want to haul around parts or go on trips I need something! Also my work commute is an hour in stop and go, so I need an auto

If that's the case, get a Toyota Tacoma, used.

[Blindside_137]

Looks awesome! Nice work

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by Richneerd

If that's the case, get a Toyota Tacoma, used.

Yeah I was looking at them and 3rd Gen 4runners but prices are crazy up here especially for the Tacoma. Also it's very hard to find one with minimum rust

[derbo]

Originally Posted by Drifter2090

Definitely get on that! Sound is amazing

I need video proooffff

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by derbo

I need video proooffff

Follow my Instagram! Drifter2080

[M3_Legend]

Love your current setup clean !!

[Space Fox]

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing. Car looks great.

[Conzyo]

Keep the mods coming 👍🏼

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

Looks awesome! Nice work

Originally Posted by M3_Legend

Love your current setup clean !!

Originally Posted by Space Fox

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing. Car looks great.

Originally Posted by Conzyo

Keep the mods coming

Thanks guys!! And will do