Just picked up an E93? Last night... need direction!!

[DrVolkl]

Ok, so I sold my Z4 M Coupe and picked up an E90 Convertible... which someone informed me is an E93. I'm a total BMW noob as it is, was just getting to know my Z4 but wasn't driving it near enough.

So what mods should I start doing. It's a 2008 with a 6spd.. silver/black interior.

Seems to be all stock.

I want a kick ass exhaust that isn't too loud with the top down...

Maybe some rims...

Blacked out kidney grills? My Z4 had this and looked good.

Intake?

What do you guys suggest? I'll spend the next few days reading through the forums, but any pointers, links to cool vender sights, "must haves" etc would be GREATLY appreciated.

This is not my daily driver... just my fun car.

Thanks!!!

[mrMTB]

Did you trade in the Z4M, or sell it? I was looking for one before I bought my e92.

[Bushum]

The first thing I would do is go over all of the service records and see what, if anything, needs done. You have Trans fluid, differential fluid, oil, brakes and rotors. Some of this is pretty expensive and more important than mods IMO. For example, an entire brake job will cost around $1500 or so when you DIY. Also oil and fluids are pretty expensive for this car.

For visual mods, my car is silver and all of the chrome pieces have been replaced with carbon fiber pieces. I think it looks really good and will look equally good on a grey car.

[///M Power-Belgium]

A kick ass exhaust that isn't too loud with the top down ?
Here my thread with pics , DIY-video and of course sound => http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=733817

[Rich150001]

Exhaust compilation:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1155190

Although not on there, I would suggest the Dinan exhaust! I love it.

[Ashley Schaeffer BMW]

IPE FTW

[Alohaaaaa]

Originally Posted by Ashley Schaeffer BMW

IPE FTW

"Isn't too loud"

I love my Gintani.

[digitalpersona]

How about just enjoying the new car as-is for a little while. Mods can come later. The car is a beast just the way it is. When the top is down the Stock exhaust sounds great once the car is warmed up and you hit MDM mode. Doesn't really need aftermarket IMHO. easy things to do might be wrap the chrome trip, swap out grills for black, slap on splitters etc. all DIY stuff. And doesn't cost much or make the car go faster.

[STooK]

Congrats! E93 is a great car, I love driving mine every time I get behind the wheel.

A few subtle but MUST mods I consider for the e93 is blacked out window trim, gloss black kidney grills and painted reflectors. From there you can add a rear spoiler and maybe a front lip and a minor drop with spacers to complete the look.

As for the exhaust, try out the OEM mod. You wouldn't believe how good it sounds for just a couple hundred bucks. Easily one of my favorite mods for this car. It's louder than stock but not overpowering. Oh and post some pics when you pick her up!

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by digitalpersona

How about just enjoying the new car as-is for a little while. Mods can come later. The car is a beast just the way it is. When the top is down the Stock exhaust sounds great once the car is warmed up and you hit MDM mode. Doesn't really need aftermarket IMHO. easy things to do might be wrap the chrome trip, swap out grills for black, slap on splitters etc. all DIY stuff. And doesn't cost much or make the car go faster.

I agree with you, but I will say that after keeping the exhaust OEM for 5 years, I changed it to a borla and really, the car came alive. Felt like the car should have sounded like that all along.

[quiksi]

slightly off topic but pix of the polestar?

[Newb17]

Originally Posted by STooK

As for the exhaust, try out the OEM mod. You wouldn't believe how good it sounds for just a couple hundred bucks. Easily one of my favorite mods for this car. It's louder than stock but not overpowering. O

Are you speaking for the 2 pipe non perforated mod?

[STooK]

Originally Posted by Newb17

Are you speaking for the 2 pipe non perforated mod?

I have the perforated method done. The bypass method aka acm mod is too bassy and loud for my tastes. Perforated is a great balance.

[Newb17]

Originally Posted by STooK

I have the perforated method done. The bypass method aka acm mod is too bassy and loud for my tastes. Perforated is a great balance.

Right, but did you have 2 or 4 pipes changed to solid piping?

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by STooK

I have the perforated method done. The bypass method aka acm mod is too bassy and loud for my tastes. Perforated is a great balance.

I have the ACM mod and do not find it too bassy or too loud. I actually wish it was louder most of the time. It's super quiet when cruising on the highway and really only comes alive when you step on the gas. I'm sure it's much louder from outside the car, but really not loud at all from inside unless you are getting on it. Granted I own a coupe, not a convertible so YMMV.

I also own a 2002 WRX (aka practically no sound deadening) and it has the quietest aftermarket exhaust they make for it (not a fartcan). It is significantly louder when cruising than the M3 is. That's my main point of comparison. A buddy of mine also had an 03 Cobra with full exhaust and that thing was LOUD. Makes my M3 look like a damn Prius.

It's all relative but I'd definitely recommend the ACM mod over the perforated mod. No question.

[Ezio]

first thing i also do is get rid of the little things i dont want. like chrome, reflectors, tint windows.

then i usually work on the exhaust.

[wsybert]

I went with the Corsa exhaust. Nice tone and just loud enough at WOT. No drone either. Most of the others I heard were way too loud for my taste.

I blacked out the chrome window trim with shadowline tape. Matches the factory shadowline perfectly.

[Newb17]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

I have the ACM mod and do not find it too bassy or too loud. I actually wish it was louder most of the time. It's super quiet when cruising on the highway and really only comes alive when you step on the gas. I'm sure it's much louder from outside the car, but really not loud at all from inside unless you are getting on it. Granted I own a coupe, not a convertible so YMMV.

I also own a 2002 WRX (aka practically no sound deadening) and it has the quietest aftermarket exhaust they make for it (not a fartcan). It is significantly louder when cruising than the M3 is. That's my main point of comparison. A buddy of mine also had an 03 Cobra with full exhaust and that thing was LOUD. Makes my M3 look like a damn Prius.

It's all relative but I'd definitely recommend the ACM mod over the perforated mod. No question.

This helps. Thanks.

Even just part throttle driving around town, it's fairly quiet(ACM)?

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by Newb17

This helps. Thanks.

Even just part throttle driving around town, it's fairly quiet(ACM)?

If the windows are rolled up, you can hear some of the engine/exhaust tone but it's still very quiet in my opinion, especially if you're listening to music. I almost always roll down both windows and open the moonroof to get as much noise out of it as possible. I end up giving it extra bits of throttle when I really don't need to just to hear it sing. Those are the times when I wish it were louder . It's very mild when cruising on the highway, practically stock when you're not accelerating.

I think it would be just right if you're cruising with the top down since it is louder from the outside like I mentioned.

[Newb17]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

If the windows are rolled up, you can hear some of the engine/exhaust tone but it's still very quiet in my opinion, especially if you're listening to music. I almost always roll down both windows and open the moonroof to get as much noise out of it as possible. I end up giving it extra bits of throttle when I really don't need to just to hear it sing. Those are the times when I wish it were louder . It's very mild when cruising on the highway, practically stock when you're not accelerating.

I think it would be just right if you're cruising with the top down since it is louder from the outside like I mentioned.

Exactly how I would think.

[DrVolkl]

Thanks! You guys are great... already a big help. I think I will drive it for awhile and just kinda see what happens. I'm a car nut.. been on every forum on the planet... think the only cars I haven't owned are Ferrari, Lambo and Mercedes.. but there's still time lol.

I'm in heaven right now.. My Z4 was awesome, no doubt.. I flew one way to Cali to drive her back to Seattle last year. However, it was just too harsh for me... I wasn't driving it. The roads around here aren't great, it was lowered, etc etc. My buddy bought a Z4 M vert a few weeks ago and I was sold... reminded me of my 997 Turbo Cab, so off I went searching. Got lucky and found a nice 2008 6spd with 37k miles. It has all the service records, etc... so it should be good to go. Thanks again for the tips.. I'll be active here, I always am.

Pic today... Polestar in the background for the guy who wanted to see it, it's #31/80. I traded my Cayenne GTS in on it only to find out they're making another batch this year. Kinda pissed about that, thought I had a rare car lol.... I put my paddle boards on the roof btw...


I should mention... bought the M3 on Friday.. the polestar hasn't moved since.... whoops. Kids this weekend tho, so back to duty.

[Flying Ace]

^did someone spray paint your car?