Ryan's IB E90 Slicktop 6MT build

[lagunablue1]

Hi all,

I figured I would make this build thread to document the progress on my 08 e90 M3. This is my first BMW but I grew up learning to wrench with my dad on his project 2002s, E24s, and E28s. Sadly, he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and now lives in long-term care but I consider this build to be a bit of a tribute to how he'd do it (though, when it came out, he considered the E9X to be a bit sacrilegious for not having a straight 6 haha).

Prior to the M3 I had three S2000s - loved them all and there is nothing quite as "pure" as one. However, I found that it mostly sat in the garage. Not having a backseat for my 60lb dog meant I never got to take it up north to the cottage to properly enjoy the twisty backroads, and I didn't get to track it as often as I'd hoped. Here was my 06 prior to putting it back to stock to sell:



Enter the E90. I had been looking on/off for a few months and after missing out on a Melbourne Red car, I posted a WTB add for a 6MT E90, preferably not in black. When someone messaged me with an IB slicktop car I saw it that same day. The car has about 100,000 miles and definitely needs a little love, but I'm not one to buy garage queens anyways.

I picked the car up last July and mostly drove it as-is after having a local independent (RMP) take care of the rod bearings. I also installed a set of swift springs and low mileage takeoff shocks prior to winter hibernation, and spent most of the winter planning out what I wanted to do to the car this spring. Here she is just prior to storage.



To get the "build" started, one of the first items I needed to address was the stock shifter. Coming from an S2000, the M3 felt like I was shifting a bus. So, I picked up an Autosolutions 20% reduction SSK with 80a bushings and installed it along with a new selector shaft seal and rear carrier bushing. I also replaced my clanking CSB and guibo.



I've got a few more maintenance items to address, but will also be throwing on test pipes, a rear section, MS underdrive pulleys, Stoptech BBK, and a new set of wheels. Lots planned for the car so stay tuned!

[br2wdc]

Beautiful car and welcome to the rather exclusive IB/LMB E90 M3 club!

Every BMW prior to my current one had a manual transmission, so before I finalized my decision for DCT over 6MT (Wash DC traffic finally killed the 6MT option for me), I drove a couple 6MT E9x M3's and I concur that the shifting was not what I'd deem "great" so smart move to start there.

Originally Posted by lagunablue1

Hi all,

I figured I would make this build thread to document the progress on my 08 e90 M3. This is my first BMW but I grew up learning to wrench with my dad on his project 2002s, E24s, and E28s. Sadly, he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and now lives in long-term care but I consider this build to be a bit of a tribute to how he'd do it (though, when it came out, he considered the E9X to be a bit sacrilegious for not having a straight 6 haha).

Enter the E90. I had been looking on/off for a few months and after missing out on a Melbourne Red car, I posted a WTB add for a 6MT E90, preferably not in black. When someone messaged me with an IB slicktop car I saw it that same day. The car has about 100,000 miles and definitely needs a little love, but I'm not one to buy garage queens anyways.

I picked the car up last July and mostly drove it as-is after having a local independent (RMP) take care of the rod bearings. I also installed a set of swift springs and low mileage takeoff shocks prior to winter hibernation, and spent most of the winter planning out what I wanted to do to the car this spring. Here she is just prior to storage.



To get the "build" started, one of the first items I needed to address was the stock shifter. Coming from an S2000, the M3 felt like I was shifting a bus. So, I picked up an Autosolutions 20% reduction SSK with 80a bushings and installed it along with a new selector shaft seal and rear carrier bushing. I also replaced my clanking CSB and guibo.


I've got a few more maintenance items to address, but will also be throwing on test pipes, a rear section, MS underdrive pulleys, Stoptech BBK, and a new set of wheels. Lots planned for the car so stay tuned!

[Ubersmooth]

Love the S2k, need more pictures!

Congrats on the pick up. Just got an IB E92 myself recently. Curious to see how you like the SSK and upgraded bushing. Looking to go a similar route myself but I wanna make sure I don't bring any extra NVH.

Excited to see the progress you make on this.

[wyatth]

Congrats and welcome! S2000s are a common genesis for many of us here. I had two myself, both AP1s.

[Ubersmooth]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Congrats and welcome! S2000s are a common genesis for many of us here. I had two myself, both AP1s.

I think it's because anyone coming from an S2K wants a car they can still (almost) rev to the moon. S65 is great at that!

[lagunablue1]

Originally Posted by br2wdc

Beautiful car and welcome to the rather exclusive IB/LMB E90 M3 club!

Every BMW prior to my current one had a manual transmission, so before I finalized my decision for DCT over 6MT (Wash DC traffic finally killed the 6MT option for me), I drove a couple 6MT E9x M3's and I concur that the shifting was not what I'd deem "great" so smart move to start there.

Thanks - tough to go wrong with blue on this chassis! If my car was a frequent commuter I would have seriously considered a DCT but as a pure "fun"/weekend car I was set on manual. With the autosolutions SSK the shift mechanism is hugely improved and feels like how the car should have come stock!

Originally Posted by wyatth

Congrats and welcome! S2000s are a common genesis for many of us here. I had two myself, both AP1s.

Originally Posted by Ubersmooth

Love the S2k, need more pictures!

Congrats on the pick up. Just got an IB E92 myself recently. Curious to see how you like the SSK and upgraded bushing. Looking to go a similar route myself but I wanna make sure I don't bring any extra NVH.

Excited to see the progress you make on this.

Glad to hear from some fellow S2000 lovers! The S65 reminds me a lot of the f20/f22 which is what steered me to this chassis - it really makes you work to get the most out of it. It took me a long time to build up confidence driving the S2000 quickly on the backroads, whereas the M3 seems much more approachable. Both are very special cars in their own way and I have seen a fair share of former E9x owners on S2ki. I still have a spare F20c with a spun bottom end sitting on a stand - I'd love to rebuild it an throw it into an E30 or 2002 hah.

Here's two more of the S2k - it had a kraftwerks supercharger kit, Ohlins coilovers, Stoptech BBK, TE37s, ASM front bumper, Mugen replica hardtop and hood, and a bunch of other small bits and pieces.




Couple of updates from the past few days.

Diff fluid drained and filled with Redline. You can see how nasty my diff and subframe look. Next winter I'd like to drop the rear subframe to powdercoat it and repaint my diff, plus refresh all of the bushings and control arms.


Next, I threw my Gintani Sport rear section on. I have a CF diffuser that will be going on in addition to an LCI rear trunk when I have the front/rear bumpers resprayed (likely this fall). I'm hoping the Gintani isn't too loud but we'll find out!


I also replaced the old alternator which was throwing a voltage regulator code for a new Valeo unit.


Finally, "while I was in there", I opted for a set of MS underdrive pulleys. I'm looking forward to the car being a bit quicker to rev as well as the slightly increased steering feel.


Next up - I will be refreshing a few other items in the cooling system and tackling my horridly leaking valve covers and timing covers - check out how nasty they look!

[br2wdc]

Congrats on the build so far, and I see you have already taken care of the rod bearings, but next up on the E9x replacement item list would be the T/A; do you know if the throttle actuators have ever been replaced?

Originally Posted by lagunablue1

Thanks - tough to go wrong with blue on this chassis! If my car was a frequent commuter I would have seriously considered a DCT but as a pure "fun"/weekend car I was set on manual. With the autosolutions SSK the shift mechanism is hugely improved and feels like how the car should have come stock!


Next up - I will be refreshing a few other items in the cooling system and tackling my horridly leaking valve covers and timing covers - check out how nasty they look!

[lagunablue1]

Originally Posted by br2wdc

Congrats on the build so far, and I see you have already taken care of the rod bearings, but next up on the E9x replacement item list would be the T/A; do you know if the throttle actuators have ever been replaced?

Thank you! I'm fortunate that the previous owner took care of the T/A, as well as the starter the year before I bought the car.

It's been a busy few weeks!

I persevered through the valve cover job, and also replaced the oil filter housing gasket, fuel tank breather valve, water pump, thermostat, radiator, and rad hoses. I also decided to replace the injectors preventatively.




After finishing my work in the engine bay, I moved on to the steering system - my old rack was weeping, so I went ahead and had the rad rebuilt locally and installed it with a Bimmersport reservoir and new Lemdorfer tie rod ends.



Next, I rebuilt the OEM rear calipers, rebuilt my used Stoptech ST40s, and reinstalled with brand new parking brake components, stainless lines, Apex 75mm studs and new Zimmerman rear rotors.





Finally, threw my new wheels on, flashed a BPM tune, and have really been enjoying the car the last few days.

[lagunablue1]

Sadly, about to put her away for winter storage. Had a really great season with the car, managed a couple road trips up north to the cottage. Unfortunately didn't make it to the track this year, but hopefully next season.

I just picked the car up from a minor makeover - OEM Euro front bumper, CF GTSv1 lip, OEM grilles, OEM rear LCI conversion, brand new OEM rear bumper, and a new windshield. Well deserved after 170k km - though I definitely need to replace the headlight lenses this winter.

Other winter plans include a CIC retrofit and hopefully replacing all control arms + GAS front monoballs.

Here it is next to the new DD:

[tdott]

Awesome work so far!

[EnVe46]

Originally Posted by lagunablue1

Sadly, about to put her away for winter storage. Had a really great season with the car, managed a couple road trips up north to the cottage. Unfortunately didn't make it to the track this year, but hopefully next season.

I just picked the car up from a minor makeover - OEM Euro front bumper, CF GTSv1 lip, OEM grilles, OEM rear LCI conversion, brand new OEM rear bumper, and a new windshield. Well deserved after 170k km - though I definitely need to replace the headlight lenses this winter.

Other winter plans include a CIC retrofit and hopefully replacing all control arms + GAS front monoballs.

Here it is next to the new DD:

Awesome work! Love seeing these types of builds! I picked up a 113k E90 LMB that I'm doing similar things to it. I have been debating going back to the chrome grille and side gills. I really feel it helps LMB/IB pop just a tad bit more.

[reidetailing]

Excellent work Ryan! Happy to see the build continue to progress...it's like a totally new car!!

[Ubersmooth]

The more and more I see these beautiful E90's in IB the more I start to think E90>E92.

And this is coming from someone with 2 E92's 😂

[lagunablue1]

Originally Posted by Ubersmooth

The more and more I see these beautiful E90's in IB the more I start to think E90>E92.

And this is coming from someone with 2 E92's 😂

Haha thanks - it's tough to go wrong with either body. If only the E90 slicktops got the CF roof too.

Originally Posted by reidetailing

Excellent work Ryan! Happy to see the build continue to progress...it's like a totally new car!!

Thanks so much Alex - can't wait to see how you put the bumper to use on Sky!

Originally Posted by EnVe46

Awesome work! Love seeing these types of builds! I picked up a 113k E90 LMB that I'm doing similar things to it. I have been debating going back to the chrome grille and side gills. I really feel it helps LMB/IB pop just a tad bit more.

Thank you - I remember seeing your post in the general section when you got it! Will have to check out your build thread for sure. I definitely agree with you that the chrome grilles help the color pop. I think the black grilles look great on lighter colors but the chrome is a nice accent for us. Tough to go wrong either way!

[Richneerd]

Originally Posted by lagunablue1

Sadly, about to put her away for winter storage. Had a really great season with the car, managed a couple road trips up north to the cottage. Unfortunately didn't make it to the track this year, but hopefully next season.

I just picked the car up from a minor makeover - OEM Euro front bumper, CF GTSv1 lip, OEM grilles, OEM rear LCI conversion, brand new OEM rear bumper, and a new windshield. Well deserved after 170k km - though I definitely need to replace the headlight lenses this winter.

TE's make it look so pretty

[ccbl]

Nice work fellow Ontarian. Winter looked rough for the subframe. Its so nice to see you pay close attention to detail to refresh everything. Love the blue!

[cnofar]

Congrats to the OP on a beautiful ride!

We have a lot in common. I came from three (3) S2000s (both AP1 and AP2) and eventually made it to M3s (E46, then F80, then E90).

Been looking to get back into a S2000 but prices have sky rocketed. Wish I would've keep one of them now.

Cheers,
Christopher

[mashimarho]

I'm a sucker for the blue!

[e46zhpbmw]

Awesome progress Ryan! MY Canadian IB twin! cant wait to picture them together next season

[M3@Apex]

Can you post more pics of how the ST40 brakes look behind your TE? It's oddly hard to find lots of pictures; mostly everyone has the ST60.

[zareff]

Congrats on the build. Have you felt any difference after installing the MS pulleys?

[lagunablue1]

Originally Posted by cnofar

Congrats to the OP on a beautiful ride!

We have a lot in common. I came from three (3) S2000s (both AP1 and AP2) and eventually made it to M3s (E46, then F80, then E90).

Been looking to get back into a S2000 but prices have sky rocketed. Wish I would've keep one of them now.

Cheers,
Christopher

Thank you sir! Seems like lots of fellow S2000 owners on this board. I always remember there being plenty of e92 M3 (or ex e92 M3) owners on S2ki as well.

Whenever I pass an S2000 I'm always looking at them in envy... but I do find the driving experience tougher to justify at the current prices. If I ever pick another one up I think I would have to go back to a beat-up, high mileage AP1 to use as a pure track toy. An S2000 in it's purest form!

Originally Posted by M3@Apex

Can you post more pics of how the ST40 brakes look behind your TE? It's oddly hard to find lots of pictures; mostly everyone has the ST60.

Of course! Here are 2 from storage. Lots of clearance on my 18x9.5 +21 fronts! ST40 is definitely the less popular route, but I did quite a bit of research and there appears to be plenty of frequent trackers running them without issues. I guess I'll find out for myself next track season!

Originally Posted by zareff

Congrats on the build. Have you felt any difference after installing the MS pulleys?

Tough to say as I did the MS pulleys, test pipes, and BPM tune at the same time. I definitely felt a noticeable power bump (especially midrange) from the 3 mods together, but tough to pinpoint exactly how much each one contributes. I will say I definitely felt a noticeable increase in steering feel after the MS pulleys which I really love!