M3ANMACHINE'S 2011 e90 M3 ZCP

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by Drifter2090

Great thread! Keep modding!!

For me, I just want a exhaust that will sound good all the time and not have crazy drone, that's why I went with the ACM mod, and I have no regrets!

I just don't want to always be playing with the valves because i'm lazy lol

Understandable!


UPDATE:
Corsa has been reinstalled.
I really enjoyed the Bomiz, however it just wasn't for me personally. Bit too loud when valves open (paired with Test Pipes), and too quiet when closed.
The Corsa fortunately was the sweet spot for me in terms of tone and volume.
Bomiz system has been sold to a local member today who will be installing today as well.

Secondly, I will be swapping the tips on my Corsa again. I originally had went with dual 90mm tips which fit great prior to my rear diffuser install, albeit a bit too long (like 1/2"), but they are unfortunately a tiny bit too large and have been rubbing my diffuser a tad. I will be downsizing to 80mm tips (which is what my Bomiz tips were and I liked the look), so I will be selling my 90mm tips for cheap.
All you'll need to do is have a competent muffler shop chop off the stock Corsa tips and weld these on. The length is more suitable for a Coupé, but will fit an E90 M3 WITH diffuser as long as it is more of a low profile style. HMU if you're interested!

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

Understandable!


[SIZE="5"][COLOR="Red"]UPDATE:[/COLOR][/SIZE]
Corsa has been reinstalled.
I really enjoyed the Bomiz, however it just wasn't for me personally. Bit too loud when valves open (paired with Test Pipes), and too quiet when closed.
The Corsa fortunately was the sweet spot for me in terms of tone and volume.
Bomiz system has been sold to a local member today who will be installing today as well.

Secondly, I will be swapping the tips on my Corsa again. I originally had went with dual 90mm tips which fit great prior to my rear diffuser install, albeit a bit too long (like 1/2"), but they are unfortunately a tiny bit too large and have been rubbing my diffuser a tad. I will be downsizing to 80mm tips (which is what my Bomiz tips were and I liked the look), so I will be selling my 90mm tips for cheap.
All you'll need to do is have a competent muffler shop chop off the stock Corsa tips and weld these on. The length is more suitable for a Coupé, but will fit an E90 M3 WITH diffuser as long as it is more of a low profile style. HMU if you're interested!

Had a feeling you were going to switch back haha, I'm gonna start looking for a corsa to replace my ACM in the future

[Aktavate]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

Corsa has been reinstalled.

Were you ever able to get clips with the bomiz similar to the ones you did with corsa? I really like my bomiz with stock xpipe and am afraid of making it too loud with a different xpipe

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by Aktavate

Were you ever able to get clips with the bomiz similar to the ones you did with corsa? I really like my bomiz with stock xpipe and am afraid of making it too loud with a different xpipe

Unfortunately no. I really wanted to but work has been so busy the past few months that i wasn't able to make time to go make a video.

What Xpipe are you running?

[shimmy23]

I told ya!!

[Aktavate]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

Unfortunately no. I really wanted to but work has been so busy the past few months that i wasn't able to make time to go make a video.

What Xpipe are you running?

Ah bummer, none yet but considering getting one as I'd like open to be just a little bit louder.

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by Aktavate

Ah bummer, none yet but considering getting one as I'd like open to be just a little bit louder.

Ah misread your original post.
Personally, it was too loud for me with Test Pipes when open. I think it's perfect with stock Xpipe.

[M3ANMACHINE]

July 2019
75,000 Miles

WHAT:
Install Dash Cam (Hardwire Method)

Manufacturer: BlackVue
Model: DR590W-2CH (Front & Rear)

_____________________________________________

After seeing SO MANY crazy dash cam videos on the interwebz lately of all the idiot drivers out there, as well as encountering countless amounts of them during my daily travels, I decided to bite the bullet and install one on my own car.

After a bit of research I decided on BlackVue for the brand but wasn't sure about the model that would best suit my needs. I knew I wanted front and rear recording, and after considering all of the options, I ultimately decided that I did not need the camera to record while my car is parked (switched off) since my car is always garaged, and VERY RARELY am I parked outside in an area that could be considered sketchy. Also, at work, my car is right outside the window of my office, so all good there.

BlackVue has a wide variety of options and features available and I didn't want to have to deal with pulling a memory card out to get footage off the camera, or turning the camera on/off manually, so the model that checked all the boxes was the DR590W-2CH. you can see it here: https://www.blackvue.com/dr590w-2ch/
This is a WiFi enabled dash cam so you simply press a button on the camera to enable WiFi, connect your phone to the camera's WiFi network and access & download whatever footage you need to via the BlackVue app. It really is extremely convenient! Also, both the front & rear cameras record in full 1080p, so the quality is great!

I ordered the camera with the hardwire cable as well as the smallest offered 16gb memory card. I figured that if I did ever get into some sort of incident, I would pull the footage immediately, so I don't need a ton of memory to look back thru. Even so, with the 16gb microSD, I am able to hold about 36 hours of footage from both the front and rear cameras, so it was more than sufficient. Also, the cameras will be a great addition for track-day recording!

As far as installation is concerned, it was very straightforward. Essentially you start by placing the cameras where you want (pictures below), then running the power from the front camera to, in my case, the fuse box behind the glovebox (However you have the option of simply plugging into the cigarette lighter outlet if desired), then running the power cord to the rear camera FROM the front camera. I simply tapped the BlackVue power into the same FuseTap that I have my V1 Radar wired up to, and I was good to go! I hid all the wiring in the headliner gaskets around the top of the dash and up and around the top passenger side roof gasket. Very clean install!

So far the BlackVue has already come in handy a few times to show my friends and family some of the lunatic drivers and close-calls that have occurred while driving, but i'm hoping that I will never have to use it for an actual accident! *knock on wood*

Overall, would definitely recommend for the affordability (~$275), ease of install, and most importantly, the peace of mind associated with it!

Box:


Front Install Location (and view of the rear camera as well):


Rear Install Location (right under the 3rd brake light - I also hid all of the additional wiring within the 3rd brake light housing):

[derbo]

Looks good man!

I installed a 590 2CH on wife's M2. Since the M2 fusebox is in the trunk, I went with Mirror taps with built-in fuses to tap into the mirror harness. I found that reflections hindering the quality of the videos so I ended up buying a polarizer for the front.

https://www.thedashcamstore.com/slip...-front-camera/

They go on sale sometimes.

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by derbo

Looks good man!

I installed a 590 2CH on wife's M2. Since the M2 fusebox is in the trunk, I went with Mirror taps with built-in fuses to tap into the mirror harness. I found that reflections hindering the quality of the videos so I ended up buying a polarizer for the front.

https://www.thedashcamstore.com/slip...-front-camera/

They go on sale sometimes.

That polarizer is a great idea! I may need to get one of those for my front cam as the reflection is definitely present sometimes! Thanks for the reference!

[cvstar9M3]

Great build bro... looks like you take care and enjoy the car tons. Great updates too; I started a build a while back but haven't posted on it in a while and car has a had a lot done to it lol...yours have inspired me to reactivate it.

[M3ANMACHINE]

Couple pics of the car in its current state while headed back from Buttonwillow last month!
Thanks to @connie.m3 and @buildjournal for the pics!

Got some nice additions lined up to come shortly


.

[derbo]

ooo how was BW?

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by derbo

ooo how was BW?

Awesome as always. Ran CCW1 which was a first for me and most of us out there since CW13 is the usual orientation. But it was a great time!

[christoepurrr]

Hey M3ANMACHINE would you say adding the test pipes significantly increased the volume of your Corsa exhaust?

I recently went from an ACM mod exhaust to a Corsa (stock x-pipe/cats) and am a little discouraged with the volume difference lol to make matters worse, my gf is now comparing the sound of the M to a Prius

Definitely looking into a test pipe setup.

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by christoepurrr

Hey M3ANMACHINE would you say adding the test pipes significantly increased the volume of your Corsa exhaust?

I recently went from an ACM mod exhaust to a Corsa (stock x-pipe/cats) and am a little discouraged with the volume difference lol to make matters worse, my gf is now comparing the sound of the M to a Prius

Definitely looking into a test pipe setup.

Yes it definitely takes the volume up to a level slightly louder than the ACM mod at WOT, but also more manageable volumes at lower daily rpm's along with less drone than ACM.

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by christoepurrr

Hey M3ANMACHINE would you say adding the test pipes significantly increased the volume of your Corsa exhaust?

I recently went from an ACM mod exhaust to a Corsa (stock x-pipe/cats) and am a little discouraged with the volume difference lol to make matters worse, my gf is now comparing the sound of the M to a Prius

Definitely looking into a test pipe setup.

I had an OEM mod, then resonated test pipes added, then swapped OEM mod to Corsa. Not sure if this will help, but the test pipes + Corsa is a very clean sound, pretty loud, but not crazy 'raspy' loud. To me, it's a perfect balance of tone and loudness, which usually go one way or another win many setups.. A few weeks ago I got to hear it for the first time outside of my car, I was surprised how good and loud it was compared to inside the car windows down.

This is just a boring sample clip I made right after I got the Corsa installed, so just one short run to capture the sound for comparison purposes. (mic mounted on bumper)

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

I had an OEM mod, then resonated test pipes added, then swapped OEM mod to Corsa. Not sure if this will help, but the test pipes + Corsa is a very clean sound, pretty loud, but not crazy 'raspy' loud. To me, it's a perfect balance of tone and loudness, which usually go one way or another win many setups.. A few weeks ago I got to hear it for the first time outside of my car, I was surprised how good and loud it was compared to inside the car windows down.

This is just a boring sample clip I made right after I got the Corsa installed, so just one short run to capture the sound for comparison purposes. (mic mounted on bumper)

Originally Posted by christoepurrr

Hey M3ANMACHINE would you say adding the test pipes significantly increased the volume of your Corsa exhaust?

I recently went from an ACM mod exhaust to a Corsa (stock x-pipe/cats) and am a little discouraged with the volume difference lol to make matters worse, my gf is now comparing the sound of the M to a Prius

Definitely looking into a test pipe setup.

[essjon]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

Sounds so good!

[wyatth]

Sounds great!

[M3ANMACHINE]

Been silently working on something

[M3ANMACHINE]

December 13, 2019
79,500 Miles


WHAT:
- Recaro Sportster CS
- Factory Fox Red BMW Performance Style Leather (from AMX Performance, Poland)
- Macht Schnell Floor Mounts w/ Recaro Sliders
- Glånz Ceramic Leather Coating by Protective Film Solutions

*Scroll to pics if you don’t care about the whole ordering and installation process. Cue wall of text:*


So i’ve had this in the pipeline for quite some time now. IT has always been a dream of mine since I purchased this car with fox red interior to have Recaro Sportsters back in the car since I previously had them in my old ’08 AW E90 M3. Naturally, I had multiple routes I could have taken with the seats, so I asked myself what the best method would be… Do I purchase the new Sportster GT’s with the red centers and live with a two-tone front seat with a non-matching red color? Do I simply run black front seats? Do I have the seats re-trimmed in a basic Fox Red looking vinyl? Do I go all out and get OEM Leather BMW Performance style leather covers?
Obviously, I opted for the final, and frankly the most expensive, option.

So I came across a page on IG a long while back called @AMX_Performance (I am sure many of you have already seen his work and drooled over it as much as I have) this gentleman is located in Poland and specializes in BMW Performance Seat re-trims and Recaro Sportsters in general. His work looked to be second to none, so I began chatting with him mid-year about what options he could do and pricing. I initially opted for a non-OEM leather which he said would be 9/10 color match compared to the factory leather, as the price point was slightly less than factory. Unfortunately, he ended up being unable to source a hide with close enough color after a month, so we had to upgrade the order to factory leather (which I am glad worked out anyways TBH).

All of our communication was done thru WhatsApp and payment done thru standard bank wire. Once we confirmed the order early September and I sent the deposit, he got to work on the covers. It was about 2 weeks until they were completed! I sent the final payment and they were delivered 2 weeks later. So overall once the details were confirmed, about 1 month total from order to delivery.

Once the covers arrived, they were packaged wonderfully in Recaro Boxes with plenty of foam and cling wrap. I was delighted to finally open them and smell fresh leather! Not only did they look amazing and were a perfect match to the factory Fox Red, but I’m gonna get some of that new-car smell back. Lol. Overall, the craftsmanship of the seat covers are wonderful. They have all of the factory Recaro Velcro and mounting features that the stock Sportsters come with, so they hold up extremely well once installed. We’ll discuss installation woes later.

So I knew that once I had the covers, I needed to get a pair of seats to put them on… Yes I know, a bit backwards of a process, but I wanted to get the longest wait out of the way and not tempt myself into installing the sportsters prior to having the covers on, then having to remove them just to install them again. I’m a bit impatient.

I had originally had a pair lined up from a vendor overseas at a great price, but figured that I had time to keep my eyes open for a local setup, preferably used since the condition of the existing covers was irrelevant to me. Well, I got very lucky and a friend Alec, who had purchased an e90 m3 recently that had Sportsters installed in it, was deciding to part out and make the car more street oriented since he already has one track focused e90 m3. It worked out perfectly. Picked up his seats and hardware on 12/11/19 and started my tear-down of them that same night when I got home from work. I’m impatient.. remember?

Alright, so moving on to the removal of the black vinyl covers from the Sportsters… This was not necessarily the easiest task. AMX has a brief series of how-to video clips that helped a lot, but it’s definitely tough if you’ve never attempted something like this before. I started around 7PM. Once I started to get the feel for it and how everything was connected I started to fly thru it. I had both the seat back and seat bottom covers off in about 30-35 minutes. In order to get the seat bottom cover off, you have to unscrew the seat bottom from the frame. This also makes it easier to re-install the seat back cover.

Once I had the foam inners exposed I noticed that the outer bolster on the drivers side was a bit worn and cracked from use (used seats this will happen to) so I simply duct taped it nicely and added some super glue and decided to swap the seat bottoms from the drivers seat to the passenger seat so that the foam thigh bolsters didn’t get even more worn in the future.

When it comes to the installation of the leather covers, this was not easy at all. I would rank this a 7.5/10 on the difficulty scale. While it is pretty “straight forward” it is a struggle muscling the edges into the seat backs and attempting to “stretch” the leather a bit to keep things tight and in their proper mounting locations. My finger-tips were beginning to get raw towards the end of the first seat, but I was determined to complete both in the same night, so I powered forward. I had the drivers seat completed in a grand total of 90 minutes from start to finish. I was excited but exhausted. Dinner time, thank goodness.

Now back to the second seat, same process, made good time on this one since I was familiar with all the clips and Velcro, etc, but would have been faster if my fingers didn’t hurt so bad along with the rest of my body for the most part. Who would have thought it would be a full body workout to get these bastards together. Right around 10:15PM I finished the job. I was so beat that I didn’t spend much time admiring my handy work, but hey, I accomplished the task.

So I woke up on 12/12 and finally got to view the seats in some natural sunlight, and man they look amazing. Couldn’t have asked for them to look any better. The hard work of the install paid off, so I was excited. I really wanted to install them immediately, but decided that the best next step in order to protect the “investment” would be to have the seats ceramic coated. Yes, just like you can ceramic coat your paint on the exterior of your car, you can also ceramic coat the interior.

I called up my friends over at Protective Film Solutions in Santa Ana, CA and asked if I could come drop the seats off for their Glånz Ceramic Coating. Thankfully they were able to squeeze me in with another job since they’re always so busy! Dropped them off and picked them up on the 13th, took them home and installed them in the car!

Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for!


Covers Delivered:

.
Packaging:

.
First Look:

.


Color Match:


Factory Black Vinyl Sportsters:


Tear down:


Assembly:


One done!:


One to go!:


Assembly Complete:


Ceramic Coating Completed:


Install Begins:


SUCCESS!!!:


If anyone is interested in getting a set of these covers for their own Sportsters, please let me know and I’ll be happy to help out in communicating with AMX and such. If you do get a pair and are local to me in SoCal would like me to install them onto your seats for you, let me know and I can certainly help you out with that as well for a reasonable fee for my time and pain and suffering. Lol.