Good mods, bad mods.... whatta ya got??

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Tracyis300

E90 M3 mods:
Evo sport Power pulley
Full ipe exhaust (but running stock X, too lazy to put back plus i live in Cali and exhaust laws suck out here)
LED package
TE37rt
H&R race springs
FancyWide diffuser
Light window tints

regrets? Just one.. The infotainment is outdated and plan to upgrade it to Apple CarPlay

What's your plan for getting apple car play?

[akkando]

Originally Posted by marc6SPD

Haven’t done much to my E90 as I like to keep it close to stock, but the things I have done, mostly cosmetic, I really like. Black kidney grills, carbon mirror covers, carbon front splitters, F10 shift knob and lastly but the best one was the M performance exhaust, which I think sounds awesome. I had an Eisenmann Race at one point but thought it was too much and it droned a lot

Have you compared m performance with OEM exhaust mod?

[MechEngineer408]

Mods done so far:
Alpine stage 2 Tune
Alpine DCT tune
Evolve x-pipe
Borla ATAK exhaust
MS spacers 15F/12R
Black chrome side gills
Swap all interior lights to LED

Future mods:
Swift springs
MS underdrive pulleys

I'd probably do them all again. Biggest improvement by far was the DCT tune. Car drives so much better around town with it. I go back and forth on the Borla. It sounds awesome but it's loud as hell and can drone on the freeway. May swap the stock box back in and see how it sounds with the x-pipe.

[daarts]

Originally Posted by akkando

Have you compared m performance with OEM exhaust mod?

OEM exhaust mod generally adds a throatier deeper tone. M performance has more of a high pitched slightly hollower sound which comes from inconnel. Both have a pretty screamy, high pitched rasp with test pipes, but OEM mod is still a little deeper sounding. Neither one has much noticeable drone or resonance.

[M3Raw]

Originally Posted by amrazM

Avoid KW HAS
Avoid AVIN HU
Avoid cutting your stock X pipe for test pipe
Avoid BC Coilovers


I haven’t done any of these mods FWIW.

I agree^

[Redd]

Two mods I would absolutely do again are solid subframe bushings and MFactory CF driveshaft.

[leemik]

i have accumulated a few mods over 6 years .. my stand out favs are:

Bayoptiks headlights using Bavgruppe designs parts - I think it really freshens the look of the front end and makes the car look "modern" again. The lights were completely plug and play as well, no extra wring or harnesses and no error lights.



Autosolutions.net short shifter + UCP Clutch pedal - a must for all 6mt owners.. the car should have been like this from the factory.

P3 Gauge (Turner version).. The ability to read and clear error codes has been extremely handy. It also has so much other functionality as well!




---

As for mods I disliked there's not much as I wouldn't buy them if I didn't like them...maybe the OE M3 trunk mat would be offender #1. It doesn't match the rest of the trunk and it blocks the handle to pull the trap door up. What are you thinking BMW? I saw the Alpina version at least has a cut out for the trap door.

[Grip Addict]

I have done recommend:
- Driver mod
- Borla ATAK Exhaust (just google "E92 M3 Borla", should direct you to one video of Borla's and two of mine, i'm good at SEO)
- all the OEM carbon bits, I like real carbon, not 90% plastic 10% carbon crap
- Coby Alcantara bits (emergency brake, handle, etc.) I would have done a steering wheel from them had I not already bought the M Performance blue stripe one
- longer paddles, just installed them and it is amazing and it is something you feel everyday. Not a mod you don't even notice
- IND red M button, just a little accent that seems to bring it up to snuff with the current gen

I have done, prob wouldn't do it the second time:
- I have done spacers, 12.5 all four corners from Turner. They were great quality, but at 80+ mph (not that I do such things) I had significant vibration in the steering wheel. No amount of Scotch Brite would make the contact smooth.
- getting a winter set of wheels/tires, I bought them for $1000, but I probably could have bought a beater Jeep Grand Cherokee and just went nuts for 4 months a year with it

I haven't done, will never do:
- straight pipe
- titanium lug studs/bolts, just google the damn things shearing off. Titanium is great, but not at such a load bearing point on a car in my opinion.

[wyatth]

Originally Posted by Redd

Two mods I would absolutely do again are solid subframe bushings and MFactory CF driveshaft.

Subframe bushings are so tempting for me. Some absolutely love them and swear by them, their favorite mod. Others don’t even notice them. And with the cost of necessary labor, it’s a lot to bite off. They seem like a great idea and nobody has anything bad to say (other than not really feeling much difference).

[Iyzmi]

Good mods:

ESS 650 - because more power.
ACM exhaust mod + welded test pipes - sounds fantastic, and cost effective.
Forgestar F14 SDC + MPS4S - best looking aftermarket wheels on best tires.
30% tint - no more fish bowl.
Edition grilles and gills - prefer the black chrome over gloss black because they look like metal instead of plastic.
Silver Pedal Haus pedals - match brushed aluminum trim, EPS speakers, gauge rings, etc.
AutoSolutions short shifter kit + F10 knob + clutch stop - critical mod for 6MT.
AAZ rounded flat bottom perforated leather steering wheel - looks and feels great, and inexpensive.
Ceramic paint coating - no more wax jobs and makes touchless car washes more effective.
CF Splitters - make the front end more aggressive without sacrificing much ground clearance.
BE Bearings - peace of mind.
OEM sunglasses holder - replaces driver side grab handle, very convenient.

So-so mods:

P3 boost gauge - looks cheesy with the fake slats and too bright at night. Also probably should’ve went for the full P3 gauge.
Painted reflectors - I’m too cheap to get a euro bumper.

Future mods:

Wireless Apple CarPlay once all the kinks are worked out. Maybe next year.

Luckily I don’t have a bad mods section.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by daarts

OEM exhaust mod generally adds a throatier deeper tone. M performance has more of a high pitched slightly hollower sound which comes from inconnel. Both have a pretty screamy, high pitched rasp with test pipes, but OEM mod is still a little deeper sounding. Neither one has much noticeable drone or resonance.

I definitely do not want drone. I might as well do the OEM exhaust mod first because a reputable place will do it for $250. I guess if I don't like it then I go M performance. I can't really tell which I like better from audio clips. I find things sound different in person than in recorded audio.

Not sure if ACM or original exhaust mod.

[R-35]

I just installed RE test pipes and loaded Alpine's stage 2 tune....feels like a different car, I definitely recommend those two mods. Tomorrow I'll be installing the modified 2.5 pipe OEM exhaust, hopefully it sounds great.

[fs34]

Best mod=Driver mod

i.e learn how to drive these cars at the limit. I’m struggling with this but hope to get better at driving this beast.

[Skhan109]

Originally Posted by R-35

I just installed RE test pipes and loaded Alpine's stage 2 tune....feels like a different car, I definitely recommend those two mods. Tomorrow I'll be installing the modified 2.5 pipe OEM exhaust, hopefully it sounds great.

Originally Posted by R-35

I just installed RE test pipes and loaded Alpine's stage 2 tune....feels like a different car, I definitely recommend those two mods. Tomorrow I'll be installing the modified 2.5 pipe OEM exhaust, hopefully it sounds great.

Plz post video of a sound clip inside the cabin . Just want to know how it sounds inside and if you are able to carry a convo with someone in it

[Redd]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Subframe bushings are so tempting for me. Some absolutely love them and swear by them, their favorite mod. Others don’t even notice them. And with the cost of necessary labor, it’s a lot to bite off. They seem like a great idea and nobody has anything bad to say (other than not really feeling much difference).

They don't notice them cos there's zero NVH. But you definitely feel a tighter chassis, and the annoying rear end wiggle over ruts is gone.

[daarts]

Originally Posted by akkando

I definitely do not want drone. I might as well do the OEM exhaust mod first because a reputable place will do it for $250. I guess if I don't like it then I go M performance. I can't really tell which I like better from audio clips. I find things sound different in person than in recorded audio.

Not sure if ACM or original exhaust mod.

From the ones I’ve heard, ACM is by far the loudest but also has the most drone, so might not be for you. If you want something a little louder than the original oem 2 pipe mod, you could get the shop to cut the perforated section and weld in solid pipes instead of just wrapping them. Seems to be the best of both worlds.

[that_grey_m3]

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

-Ultimate clutch pedal.. total waste of $ with stock clutch. Don't do it.

- I do agree that catless m's are tough to daily, the smell is noticeable and living in California I constantly await a state ref ticket. They'll let the Harley guys get away with it all day but not us. I do enjoy a sweet sounding M though...

- I do think a shift kit for the 6 speed guys is a great mod. Definitely a good value mod which one will appreciate every time you drive.

Why is the Ultimate clutch pedal a waste of money compared to stock? I have heard people say good things about it for faster and smoother shifting

[chrisg123]

Stage 2 AA supercharger, test pipe, exhaust, ap racing front breaks, spacers,
I don’t regret anything.
I’d love to put nice seats in to lower ridding position, and new wheels. Maybe swift springs to lower the stance slightly.

[New2Roundel]

Originally Posted by fs34

Best mod=Driver mod

i.e learn how to drive these cars at the limit. I’m struggling with this but hope to get better at driving this beast.

For a car of this caliber, I would tend to agree. There was a point in my life where I was somewhat stuck with the cars I had. I couldn't afford a nicer, faster car. I had to make the best of what I had and so I modded the car. It was more fun and cheaper than just buying a better car.

Personally, this is the first car that I have owned where I do not feel obligated to buy go-fast mods. For the driving I do, it's about perfect as is. However, the big deficit from the factory is noise. Fine for a 328, but not ideal for a M car. I have the ACM exhaust mod and a Dinan intake. I think the combination of both is about perfect. Fits the personality of the vehicle nicely.

I can't say I've added anything to the car that I regret or dislike.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by daarts

From the ones I’ve heard, ACM is by far the loudest but also has the most drone, so might not be for you. If you want something a little louder than the original oem 2 pipe mod, you could get the shop to cut the perforated section and weld in solid pipes instead of just wrapping them. Seems to be the best of both worlds.

I've had ACM for the last 5 years, both with and without test pipes, and have not heard any of this drone people speak of. I've also heard it side by side with a 2 pipe mod and while it is louder, it is an exaggeration to say it is "by far the loudest." At idle and while cruising they are identical. The difference is noticeable above 4k RPM, but still not night and day. I've seen Auto Couture Motoring (the "creator" of the ACM mod) concur with these findings multiple times on the forums, and they should know as they've heard hundreds of these and every other possible exhaust combination out there.

[SAMM3Y]

Originally Posted by that_grey_m3

Why is the Ultimate clutch pedal a waste of money compared to stock? I have heard people say good things about it for faster and smoother shifting

It's placebo effect... might be a slightly shorter throw is all your getting and the "feel" can be yielded by just removing a helper spring. Rowing the gear is where your gonna save any beneficial shifting time, not worth $300 imo

[Drifter2090]

Would do again:
4 Pipe Exhaust Mod
OEM GTS DCT Flash (Free and its amazing!)
Larger DCT paddles

Would NOT do again:
H&R Springs (Malek@MRF Method)(Rides too harsh even compared to my slammed 335 on KW V2's) (Next time I'd do coilovers)
ACM Exhaust mod (not sure if mine was done right but it was just too loud cruising on the highway)
2 Pipe Exhaust mod (Waste of money, way too quiet)