E90 M3 DCT Stripper (Slicktop, Clothseats, Single Hump) Build Journal

[//steve\\]

Originally Posted by 911r

Would you go back to E88s?!

Maybe. If so, probably not soon. It's a great wheel but I'm tired of seeing the same thing done over and over again. They are still probably top 5 for me in terms of best wheels you could stick on this car. There are other wheels out there just as good though. The customizability of the E88 is awesome and can fine tune an exact spec and not need spacers but you can also do that with a lot of other wheels.

[911r]

First round of parts are here:









Had to opt for Hotchkis swaybar end links instead of SPL endlinks as the SPL endlinks wouldn't clear, plus I've heard more than enough stories about SPL rear endlinks snapping. I was also planning on going with swift springs as opposed to eibach, but eibach was the only spring manufacturer that had my spring #s readily available. I decided upon 5" 652lb front springs, and 8in 896lb rear springs. Keeping my KW helpers.

[911r]

A couple of small refreshes/updates to the interior. Next up for the interior, I intend on having the cloth inserts steam cleaned, and all four door panels replaced--as I found a deal on a set of cloth door panels that have ~20k miles on them.

Before:


After:


Cup holder surrond trim before/after:

[wyatth]

Nice!
Random, but would you want a BNIB PN 51459118703? Its the trim for the lower portion of the center console if you have no buttons (auto start/stop, window shades, '08 heated seats, etc.). I was going to experiment with it but decided to save my time, and it's been too long to return. I am not sure if you have buttons there or not, but based on the rest of your interior resto work, figured this could fit in.

[911r]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Nice!
Random, but would you want a BNIB PN 51459118703? Its the trim for the lower portion of the center console if you have no buttons (auto start/stop, window shades, '08 heated seats, etc.). I was going to experiment with it but decided to save my time, and it's been too long to return. I am not sure if you have buttons there or not, but based on the rest of your interior resto work, figured this could fit in.

Appreciate the offer! Will definitely have to consider it. Unfortunately I have sunshades (sunshades & DCT are my only options .. lol), but I'll think about it

[wyatth]

Ah, then I think you have a row of buttons there instead (as do I, but only auto start/stop which is lame). I was going to remove that and then swap in the blank panel.

[911r]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Ah, then I think you have a row of buttons there instead (as do I, but only auto start/stop which is lame). I was going to remove that and then swap in the blank panel.

Yeah, I have the row of buttons too. Not a fan, as there are so many blanks. Glad I missed out on the start/stop button though.

[wyatth]

That's what's what bugs me the most, is that it's my ONLY button and thus requires the row of blanks. MY11 (pre-11.5) did not have auto start/stop, so if you do not have an option with a button there, you would get the blank plate. I wanted to figure out how to remove/recode the auto start/stop and then swap in the blank, but I didn't want to guinea pig that so moved on. Worst case could just wrap the row of buttons in felt tape and stuff it behind the blank panel.

Car looks great, nice details!

[911r]

Originally Posted by wyatth

That's what's what bugs me the most, is that it's my ONLY button and thus requires the row of blanks. MY11 (pre-11.5) did not have auto start/stop, so if you do not have an option with a button there, you would get the blank plate. I wanted to figure out how to remove/recode the auto start/stop and then swap in the blank, but I didn't want to guinea pig that so moved on. Worst case could just wrap the row of buttons in felt tape and stuff it behind the blank panel.

Car looks great, nice details!

Cheers! Yeah that's too bad; whenever you start the car do you have to turn the auto start/stop off every time? Or can you code it to remember to stay off?

[wyatth]

It remembers the off setting, thankfully. So this is purely for the optics of a blank button row. I know, I have problems, and I accept that.

[//steve\\]

I'm surprised to hear you've heard of issues with the SPL links because I've had a few different ones and I think of the bunch they've been the nicest of them all. It's definitely easy to get the length incorrect though with coilovers if you don't know what you're doing.

[911r]

Originally Posted by //steve\\

I'm surprised to hear you've heard of issues with the SPL links because I've had a few different ones and I think of the bunch they've been the nicest of them all. It's definitely easy to get the length incorrect though with coilovers if you don't know what you're doing.

Just the rear ones in conjunction with a rear hotchkis swaybar. I love the front links they made for me.

[//steve\\]

Originally Posted by 911r

Just the rear ones in conjunction with a rear hotchkis swaybar. I love the front links they made for me.

Ahhh....makes sense. The Hotchkis links look good too. I recall those catching my eye at one point too.

[911r]

- New spring rates installed (672lb front, 900lb rear)
- SPL rear toe links w/ lockouts installed
- Hotchkis rear swaybar end-links installed
- New rear shock mounts installed (previous ones were trashed thanks to poor installation)
- Refurbished driveshaft installed w/ new Guibo (no more cow-bell noise)
- OEM exhaust mod installed @ EAS

Took the car up to Malibu to enjoy the new mods:









Huge props to StripclubDJ & joe@trinityautosport for everything. I've been to pretty much every "performance-oriented" BMW shop in SoCal and Trinity/TJ's work has easily been the most impressive.

Up next:
- Valve covers
- Spark plugs
- Fuel injectors
- DCT service (gaskets, filters, fluid, etc.)
- Stoptech ST60R front // OEM rear w/ DS2500 pads & Castrol SRF
- Macht Schnell test pipes
- Macht Schnell intake
- Macht Schnell pulleys w/ new belts & tensioners

[akkando]

Originally Posted by wyatth

That's what's what bugs me the most, is that it's my ONLY button and thus requires the row of blanks. MY11 (pre-11.5) did not have auto start/stop, so if you do not have an option with a button there, you would get the blank plate. I wanted to figure out how to remove/recode the auto start/stop and then swap in the blank, but I didn't want to guinea pig that so moved on. Worst case could just wrap the row of buttons in felt tape and stuff it behind the blank panel.

Car looks great, nice details!

I have no buttons and could use a trim refresh if you're not going to use it. I retrofitted heated seats but there is an HVAC control unit you can buy with those buttons.

[wyatth]

Great stuff! And I miss those canyons behind Malibu! What color are you thinking for the VCs?


Akkando - 51459118703 is all yours, I'll bring it whenever we get together. You'd get the upper HVAC panel with heated seat buttons. For some reason heated seat buttons were only on the lower panel in earlier years.

[911r]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Great stuff! And I miss those canyons behind Malibu! What color are you thinking for the VCs?


Akkando - 51459118703 is all yours, I'll bring it whenever we get together. You'd get the upper HVAC panel with heated seat buttons. For some reason heated seat buttons were only on the lower panel in earlier years.

Going with OEM! Buddy of mine works at BMW so I'm able to get OE parts @ cost +10%.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Great stuff! And I miss those canyons behind Malibu! What color are you thinking for the VCs?


Akkando - 51459118703 is all yours, I'll bring it whenever we get together. You'd get the upper HVAC panel with heated seat buttons. For some reason heated seat buttons were only on the lower panel in earlier years.

This was a production year change in MY2010.





Back on topic,

How did the car feel?

[911r]

Originally Posted by derbo

This was a production year change in MY2010.





Back on topic,

How did the car feel?

So much better. Whoever installed my rear shock mounts last installed them incorrectly, causing them to get destroyed. From what I'm told this allowed my rear shocks to pretty much move freely in and out of the rear strut towers ... incredibly disappointing. Now the car is back on track, and I'd equate the current ride to an F80 M3 with the dampening set to "sport".

Before:


After:


Before / After:


Not sure if my dampers suffered at all as a result of this error, TJ said things still didn't feel 100% haven driven other cars with KW Clubsports. No major red flags though so I'll most likely ride these dampers out until I can purchase some JRZs .. maybe even Bilstein Clubsports / Öhlins dedicated track.

[JBird..]

Originally Posted by 911r

- New spring rates installed (672lb front, 900lb rear)
- SPL rear toe links w/ lockouts installed
- Hotchkis rear swaybar end-links installed
- New rear shock mounts installed (previous ones were trashed thanks to poor installation)
- Refurbished driveshaft installed w/ new Guibo (no more cow-bell noise)
- OEM exhaust mod installed @ EAS

Took the car up to Malibu to enjoy the new mods:









Huge props to StripclubDJ & joe@trinityautosport for everything. I've been to pretty much every "performance-oriented" BMW shop in SoCal and Trinity/TJ's work has easily been the most impressive.

Up next:
- Valve covers
- Spark plugs
- Fuel injectors
- DCT service (gaskets, filters, fluid, etc.)
- Stoptech ST60R front // OEM rear w/ DS2500 pads & Castrol SRF
- Macht Schnell test pipes
- Macht Schnell intake
- Macht Schnell pulleys w/ new belts & tensioners

That road is a hidden gem! Just wish you could go up instead of just down. Great work on the car and looking forward to seeing the next stage

[//steve\\]

What size are your wheels/tires?

[911r]

@jzizzl Cheers! Amazing road, and I just stumbled upon it. For the ~30min I was on it I didn't see any other cars, which was great.