E90 M3 Build Journal - AW 2009

[e46zhpbmw]

Hello everyone,

Love this site and all the information here. Thought i would create a thread to keep track of my car. Purchased it May 1 2020 after a long search.

My criteria was :
1. e90
2. AW
3. DCT

Interior wasnt my first option but all the other options were ticked. I drove out and picked it up about 4 hours away.

Pics of the Day i picked it up



Previous owner maintained it well. Tastefully modded, oem + lowered on H/R springs with a few carbon bits and a Euro Tune. Otherwise stock.

For me preventative maintenance was most important.
Second day of ownership did the following:

- All fluids flushed (power steering, brake, coolant, diff, dct, oil change)
- previous owner recently changed spark plugs, valve cover gaskets, oil cap leak, car was super clean underneath, no leaks anywhere

Second order of business to inspire confidence when driving was to change the rod bearings. Took it to a specialty shop in Toronto. ARP bolts and VAC bearings

Pics of old bearings (surprisingly not bad considering original and 170km)


Next i tackled the sound coming out of the rear. Getting a bit older i realized this was very important and i greatly disliked the low down noise inside the cabin. Went through three different exhaust setups before settling on the oem 4 pipe mod!

Pics of various exhausts



1. Magnaflow rear section (too bassy, came with the car)
2. Straight pipes (mind numbing headache)
3. Borla S type rear section (not too bad, a little mild but drone and bass)

Finally went back to oem 4 pipe mod. loving it since, also have secondary cats deleted. Car sounds like a monster on WOT and not that bad just rolling around town.

Next was time to get the proper stance! Always been a fan of Apex Arc rims.
After much consideration decided to go the 18' route with a square setup (275-35-18) with 15mm spacers in the rear.



LOVING THIS SETUP so far. car feels so much better. Rubber is potenza re71r (even though i dont track, love the way the rubber looks lol!)

Needed to ceramic coat them before putting them on. Got the wife to help out and make a project out of it


Car as it currently sits after a fresh alignment.






Thats all for now!

Currently waiting on my new steering wheel being shipped (Black leather with flatter bottom from Lazeez. no Alcantara, red start button, red m button) Also awaiting a GTS style front lip to replace the aging aftermarket splitters upfront.

I probably missed a few things. Loving the platform so far! cant wait to keep building and enjoying the car!

Hope you enjoyed my story! thank you

[wyatth]

Welcome, nice, congrats!

[Drifter2090]

Congrats! Great decision going with the 4-pipe. Look into black vinyl wrap behind the splitter to cover the white showing from the bumper

[e46zhpbmw]

Thanks, which part of the bumper? all along the bottom:? I was thinking of getitng a larger diffuser, but this might be a good idea.

[e46zhpbmw]

Full paint correction with ceramic coating. Also added new front lip!

[reidetailing]

Tristan did a great job on the ceramic coating!

Any plans to get a smaller M3 badge? It seems a bit big IMO.

[//steve\\]

Very clean! I like the simple look.