M3_TRISTAN's Build Journal

m3_tristan · 01-23-2020, 12:14 PM

Hello Everyone,

I just thought I'd share my build and my progression with my car throughout my ownership. My car is a 2011 Jet Black E90 M3 6MT. This car has been in my family since new and was stock for its whole life except for wheels and an axle back exhaust. I started modding it in 2018 and it has been growing in parts ever since.

If you are interested in the build consider following me on IG: M3_TRISTAN.

Below are pictures of the car stock.

The car was in great shape and only had around 80k kms. The car already had a Tubi axle back, which I decide to keep since I love the sound it produces and its unique. I have never seen, even on the forums, another M3 with it. But it needed more loud

So I picked up a MS catless xpipe and made me fall in love with the car.

I wasn't to keen on the M5 wheels so I ended up selling them and pick up some Apex PS7 18x10 et25 and 18x11 et 25 for a really good deal. Since Apex discontinued these, the look was unique. They came in this blue powdercoat which I did not like and refinished them in Hyper Silver.

Even though the car was in great shape, I decided to get the front end painted, filling in the holes for the plate and painting the reflectors along with the rear bumper to make the car brand new. At this time also I picked up a carbon front lip, rear diffuser and trunk spoiler. It completed the look of the car

Now that the paint was perfect, I knew I needed to lower the car. Decided to pick up the H&R race springs to get that track stance I was looking for. In my opinion it is the perfect amount of drop.

Next thing I needed to do was purchase some new tires. After much research I ended up getting the Hankook RS4 275/35 and 285/35. Once mounted on the car I knew I made the right decision and the wheels changed the look of the car. At the same time I also purchased a tune from Gintani since I went catless. It really woke up the car.

One day working on the car, I noticed the felt undertray was destroyed. Thought about ordering a new one from BMW but came across a forum member that provided a aluminum solution. I ordered it and was very pleased on the look and fitment.

At this point, I was very happy with how the car preformed and looked. I decided to tackle to paint next. I fully corrected the paint and coated it with Carpro Cquartz UK 3.0. I also coated the windows with Carpro FlyByForte. As many of you know, Jet Black paint is really soft and scratches easily. Now the paint looks perfect and it so much easier to maintain with the coating. While the exterior was dialed in, I dialed in the interior by doing the Leatherique treatment on the leather. The leather came out looking NEW! I also found a set of OEM carbon fiber mirror caps along with a set of OEM carbon fiber leather trim for the E90. I knew the trim was rare and since it was local I decided to jump on it. I also picked up an Autotechnic carbon fiber console, IND red start stop button and IND red M button. It did not stop there haha

My long time girlfriend decided to gift me for my birthday the F10 M5 shift knob and a carbon fiber steering wheel made by carbontastic. Lets just say all this really tied together the interior.

Now I was really enjoying how the car looked from inside and out. I really enjoyed photography so I ended up teaching myself and buying a camera.

It was always my dream as a kid to own a set of brembos and after seeing how much they were for the e9x platform I gave up. I was on the forums one day and came up on a forum member named Slonik. He modified brembo calipers to fit on the stock e9x rotors and also had the flexibility to upgrade my rotor when I wanted. So I pulled the trigger and ordered the front set and woow these things are beautiful and perform amazing.

Fast forward to Christmas, my long term girlfriend gifted my a custom plate for the M3. She nailed it since the car was memorizing.

Keeping with the OEM+ theme, I knew I needed to upgrade the headlights. They made the car look outdated. I found a set of headlights local for dirt cheap and used them for the modified headlights while keeping my stock ones. I brought them to GTA Retrofits and told Josh what I wanted and what he made blew my mind. It cleaned up the look so much.

That is currently how the car sits and it is currently in storage for the winter.
I currently have parts sitting in my basement awaiting the spring. Will update the thread with what my plans are this year!

acarr6 · 01-23-2020, 12:36 PM

Spring installs are gonna be fun hehe. Can't wait to see the updates

Conzyo · 01-23-2020, 12:55 PM

Thanks for sharing the build process. Thoughts on each mods are executed perfectly.
Question about the BBK from slon, was it a long wait?
Can't wait for more updates.

SAMM3Y · 01-23-2020, 01:39 PM

Clean.. I have a set of ps7s too.. I like yours in hyper silver. Very nice.

m3_tristan · 01-23-2020, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conzyo

Thanks for sharing the build process. Thoughts on each mods are executed perfectly.
Question about the BBK from slon, was it a long wait?
Can't wait for more updates.

I believe I waited 2 months, from ordering to them arriving.

m3_tristan · 01-23-2020, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

Clean.. I have a set of ps7s too.. I like yours in hyper silver. Very nice.

I love them! The colour complements them well

reidetailing · 01-23-2020, 08:06 PM

Great work Tristan! Glad to see you created a journal...I'm excited to see the progress!

m3_tristan · 01-24-2020, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reidetailing

Great work Tristan! Glad to see you created a journal...I'm excited to see the progress!

Will be posting soon what I have in store for 2020

NQRDDS · 01-24-2020, 08:42 AM

Excellent build!! Tagging along for updates

m3_tristan · 02-01-2020, 09:29 AM

Little peak of what 2020 has in store!

Recieved my rear brembo kit from Slon, great work as always. Also a pair of Recaro Sportsters with heat popped up local and I had to grab them. Super lucky to find these local here in Toronto.

acarr6 · 02-01-2020, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3_tristan

Little peak of what 2020 has in store!

Recieved my rear brembo kit from Slon, great work as always. Also a pair of Recaro Sportsters with heat popped up local and I had to grab them. Super lucky to find these local here in Toronto.

Oh my.

//steve\\ · 02-01-2020, 10:53 AM

Can you provide some details on the seat rails used for them?

m3_tristan · 02-01-2020, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by //steve\\

Can you provide some details on the seat rails used for them?

The ones in the picture came with the seats which can't be used. So I picked up some recaro sliders without the tabs

Drifter2090 · 02-01-2020, 10:45 PM

Wow! Those are gonna be awesome

m3_tristan · 02-11-2020, 05:43 PM

Always wanted a set of these! TE37SL Black Edition II
Can't wait to mount these on the car!!!

Conzyo · 02-11-2020, 09:04 PM

Can't wait for pics when everything is installed.

m3_tristan · 02-19-2020, 10:20 AM

I didn't really plan on this but thanks to acarr6 and OneWhite35 from our Whatsapp group, I landed coming back from vacation to my phone blowing up. Soon found out there was a local sale of extended fox red for the e90. Messaged the seller while still in the plane and made a deal

Still can't believe I got this and such perfect condition.
This is what I picked up so far, picking up the rest soon!

m3_tristan · 03-04-2020, 09:59 AM

Mod keep piling up haha.

Got my Aeuroplug euro bumper painted paired with IND's gloss black grills along with Pom's GTS1 front lip. I love how clean the euro bumper looks!

M3_Slayer · 03-04-2020, 01:13 PM

How's the driving feel with the H&R springs on?

HELROTM3 · 03-04-2020, 11:08 PM

Well done. Need to see some update photos of everything installed!

wyatth · 03-04-2020, 11:53 PM

Wow, nice stuff coming together!
Will you run the black sportsters with the extended fox dash?

m3_tristan · 03-05-2020, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3_Slayer

How's the driving feel with the H&R springs on?

They are great! No complaints when street driving or on the track.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HELROTM3

Well done. Need to see some update photos of everything installed!

I'll be sure to post everything! Got lots awaiting spring weather.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyatth

Wow, nice stuff coming together!
Will you run the black sportsters with the extended fox dash?

Yes I plan to run the sportsters with the full extended fox red but eventually I will get the sportsters reupholstered in fox red by AMX.

01-23-2020, 12:14 PM	#1
m3_tristan Be Original. 267 Rep 523 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	M3_TRISTAN's Build Journal - 2011 Jet Black E90 M3 Hello Everyone, I just thought I'd share my build and my progression with my car throughout my ownership. My car is a 2011 Jet Black E90 M3 6MT. This car has been in my family since new and was stock for its whole life except for wheels and an axle back exhaust. I started modding it in 2018 and it has been growing in parts ever since. If you are interested in the build consider following me on IG: M3_TRISTAN. Below are pictures of the car stock. The car was in great shape and only had around 80k kms. The car already had a Tubi axle back, which I decide to keep since I love the sound it produces and its unique. I have never seen, even on the forums, another M3 with it. But it needed more loud So I picked up a MS catless xpipe and made me fall in love with the car. I wasn't to keen on the M5 wheels so I ended up selling them and pick up some Apex PS7 18x10 et25 and 18x11 et 25 for a really good deal. Since Apex discontinued these, the look was unique. They came in this blue powdercoat which I did not like and refinished them in Hyper Silver. Even though the car was in great shape, I decided to get the front end painted, filling in the holes for the plate and painting the reflectors along with the rear bumper to make the car brand new. At this time also I picked up a carbon front lip, rear diffuser and trunk spoiler. It completed the look of the car Now that the paint was perfect, I knew I needed to lower the car. Decided to pick up the H&R race springs to get that track stance I was looking for. In my opinion it is the perfect amount of drop. Next thing I needed to do was purchase some new tires. After much research I ended up getting the Hankook RS4 275/35 and 285/35. Once mounted on the car I knew I made the right decision and the wheels changed the look of the car. At the same time I also purchased a tune from Gintani since I went catless. It really woke up the car. One day working on the car, I noticed the felt undertray was destroyed. Thought about ordering a new one from BMW but came across a forum member that provided a aluminum solution. I ordered it and was very pleased on the look and fitment. At this point, I was very happy with how the car preformed and looked. I decided to tackle to paint next. I fully corrected the paint and coated it with Carpro Cquartz UK 3.0. I also coated the windows with Carpro FlyByForte. As many of you know, Jet Black paint is really soft and scratches easily. Now the paint looks perfect and it so much easier to maintain with the coating. While the exterior was dialed in, I dialed in the interior by doing the Leatherique treatment on the leather. The leather came out looking NEW! I also found a set of OEM carbon fiber mirror caps along with a set of OEM carbon fiber leather trim for the E90. I knew the trim was rare and since it was local I decided to jump on it. I also picked up an Autotechnic carbon fiber console, IND red start stop button and IND red M button. It did not stop there haha My long time girlfriend decided to gift me for my birthday the F10 M5 shift knob and a carbon fiber steering wheel made by carbontastic. Lets just say all this really tied together the interior. Now I was really enjoying how the car looked from inside and out. I really enjoyed photography so I ended up teaching myself and buying a camera. It was always my dream as a kid to own a set of brembos and after seeing how much they were for the e9x platform I gave up. I was on the forums one day and came up on a forum member named Slonik. He modified brembo calipers to fit on the stock e9x rotors and also had the flexibility to upgrade my rotor when I wanted. So I pulled the trigger and ordered the front set and woow these things are beautiful and perform amazing. Fast forward to Christmas, my long term girlfriend gifted my a custom plate for the M3. She nailed it since the car was memorizing. Keeping with the OEM+ theme, I knew I needed to upgrade the headlights. They made the car look outdated. I found a set of headlights local for dirt cheap and used them for the modified headlights while keeping my stock ones. I brought them to GTA Retrofits and told Josh what I wanted and what he made blew my mind. It cleaned up the look so much. That is currently how the car sits and it is currently in storage for the winter. I currently have parts sitting in my basement awaiting the spring. Will update the thread with what my plans are this year! Last edited by m3_tristan; 01-23-2020 at 12:22 PM..
	Appreciate 8 acarr6406.00 SAMM3Y3085.00 Space Fox1042.00 Drifter2090908.00 wfdeacon881104.00 M3_Slayer22.50 xander_g989.50 divadp17193.50 Tweet Quote

01-23-2020, 12:36 PM	#2
acarr6 Lieutenant 406 Rep 584 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: GTA iTrader: (1)	Spring installs are gonna be fun hehe. Can't wait to see the updates __________________ *** 2011 M3 DCT * Built 4.4L Stroker * Gintani supercharger * Brembo GT * BBS FI * OHLINS * Nardo Grey ***
	Appreciate 1 m3_tristan266.50 Quote

01-23-2020, 12:55 PM	#3
Conzyo Pho is yummy 766 Rep 938 Posts Drives: E90 M3 & E70 X5M & 12' GTR Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: MN iTrader: (8)	Thanks for sharing the build process. Thoughts on each mods are executed perfectly. Question about the BBK from slon, was it a long wait? Can't wait for more updates. __________________ 2008 \| 6 SPD \| Fox Red \| Forgestars \| B&G Springs \| M Performance Exhaust \| Catless X pipe \| Alpine Tune
	Appreciate 1 wfdeacon881104.00 Quote

01-23-2020, 01:39 PM	#4
SAMM3Y Colonel 3085 Rep 2,747 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (2)	Clean.. I have a set of ps7s too.. I like yours in hyper silver. Very nice. __________________ 9ers
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2020, 08:06 PM	#7
reidetailing Alex - IG @screamer 601 Rep 471 Posts Drives: 08 SS E90, 11 Moonstone E92 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Toronto iTrader: (7)	Great work Tristan! Glad to see you created a journal...I'm excited to see the progress! __________________ Instagram: @screamer - 2013 Subaru STi Hatch - White - Racecar - 2011 BMW E92 M3 - Moonstone - Collector Car - 2008 BMW E90 M3 - Silverstone - Racecar
	Appreciate 1 m3_tristan266.50 Quote

01-24-2020, 08:42 AM	#9
NQRDDS Private First Class 54 Rep 121 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Excellent build!! Tagging along for updates
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02-01-2020, 09:29 AM	#10
m3_tristan Be Original. 267 Rep 523 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Little peak of what 2020 has in store! Recieved my rear brembo kit from Slon, great work as always. Also a pair of Recaro Sportsters with heat popped up local and I had to grab them. Super lucky to find these local here in Toronto.
	Appreciate 2 acarr6406.00 Drifter2090908.00 Quote

02-01-2020, 10:53 AM	#12
//steve\\ Major $//steve\\'s Avatar$ 1074 Rep 1,027 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (2)	Can you provide some details on the seat rails used for them?
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02-01-2020, 10:45 PM	#14
Drifter2090 Colonel 908 Rep 2,091 Posts Drives: E90 M3 \| E92 335i \| E90 335d Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	Wow! Those are gonna be awesome __________________ MGM F82 M4 DCT / MPerformance / Swift / CSF / IND / Turner / BimmerWorld BSM F87 M2 6MT / Fabspeed / MPerformance / Turner / AutoID - SOLD JB-NB E92 M3 6MT / IND / RTD / Alpine / KW / ActiveAutowerke / 360Carbon - SOLD SS2-FR E90 M3 6MT / IND / AFE / ActiveAutowerke - SOLD AW-FR E90 M3 DCT / ACM / IND / AutoTecknic / K&N / H&R / Bilstein - SOLD
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02-11-2020, 05:43 PM	#15
m3_tristan Be Original. 267 Rep 523 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Always wanted a set of these! TE37SL Black Edition II Can't wait to mount these on the car!!!
	Appreciate 4 noremaC241.50 reidetailing600.50 Drifter2090908.00 Conzyo766.00 Quote

02-11-2020, 09:04 PM	#16
Conzyo Pho is yummy 766 Rep 938 Posts Drives: E90 M3 & E70 X5M & 12' GTR Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: MN iTrader: (8)	Can't wait for pics when everything is installed. __________________ 2008 \| 6 SPD \| Fox Red \| Forgestars \| B&G Springs \| M Performance Exhaust \| Catless X pipe \| Alpine Tune
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2020, 10:20 AM	#17
m3_tristan Be Original. 267 Rep 523 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I didn't really plan on this but thanks to acarr6 and OneWhite35 from our Whatsapp group, I landed coming back from vacation to my phone blowing up. Soon found out there was a local sale of extended fox red for the e90. Messaged the seller while still in the plane and made a deal Still can't believe I got this and such perfect condition. This is what I picked up so far, picking up the rest soon! Last edited by m3_tristan; 02-19-2020 at 03:44 PM..
	Appreciate 4 reidetailing600.50 acarr6406.00 //steve\\1074.00 Drifter2090908.00 Quote

03-04-2020, 09:59 AM	#18
m3_tristan Be Original. 267 Rep 523 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Mod keep piling up haha. Got my Aeuroplug euro bumper painted paired with IND's gloss black grills along with Pom's GTS1 front lip. I love how clean the euro bumper looks!
	Appreciate 4 xander_g989.50 Conzyo766.00 ccbl557.50 Drifter2090908.00 Quote

03-04-2020, 01:13 PM	#19
M3_Slayer Private 23 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: New York City iTrader: (0)	How's the driving feel with the H&R springs on?
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03-04-2020, 11:08 PM	#20
HELROTM3 Captain 911 Rep 693 Posts Drives: 1995 e36 M3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: So Cal iTrader: (2)	Well done. Need to see some update photos of everything installed!
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03-04-2020, 11:53 PM	#21
wyatth Colonel 3549 Rep 2,823 Posts Drives: E90 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Wow, nice stuff coming together! Will you run the black sportsters with the extended fox dash?
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