The Full Banana Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 I've been longing for a diffferent daily driver, and had been weighing different options. Ultimately, as a good balance between comfort, handling, reliability and cost of ownership, I decided I wanted an E90 330i with the six speed manual, and sport package. Luckily, one popped up a few minutes away so I took it for a drive and decided it was indeed the car I was looking for, so I bought it. I wont go too crazy with modifications or anything (another reason for going with the 330i as opposed to the 335i slippery-slope-mobile). I do plan to refresh some suspension bits and do a little preventative maintenance. So far I am very very happy with the car. It's exceeding my expectations. wasnt m3 and m42b32 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Full Banana Posted June 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 Step 1: Did a little clean up on the faded headlight lenses. Wetsanded with 600 grit Wetsanded with 1500 grit Meguiars ultra cut compound with the Harbor Freight DA Harken Team McLube hull coat (for boats) with UV protectant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungCR Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 Nice job on the lights and congrats on the purchase! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B C Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 Big improvement on the lights, and a very classy sedan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsbimmer1 Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 Congrats! Welcome to the club! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 Congrats=) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 Congrats, Looks like a comfortable ride! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suspenceful Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 Nice daily! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Full Banana Posted June 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2017 Thanks! I'd love any recommendations on experiences with various E9x suspension options. I'm considering going with the m3 control arms and other linkages while replacing things. Not so sure about shocks and struts at this point. Possibly just new sport units. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsbimmer1 Posted June 28, 2017 Report Share Posted June 28, 2017 I love my Bilstein b14 coilovers! The sport suspension was nice but I love the slightly firmer ride of the Bilstein's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Full Banana Posted May 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2018 Still have this, and still really happy with it. I've done some preventative maintenance, repair, and minor upgrades over the past 9 months. I went through the suspension and replaced shocks, struts, mounts, swaybar endlinks, etc with new OE BMW sport package units. I replaced the front control arms and tension struts with the ones used on the M3 that use solid rubber bushings and sealed sphericals, plus a bit more negative camber. Also a few other boring things like hood and trunk struts, spark plugs, coils, filters, serpentine belt kit, brake fluid flush, trans fluid flush, etc. IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr During the middle of winter, I developed a pretty significant leak under the engine, which looked a lot like blowby. I went ahead and geared up to replace all of the PCV components, and sure enough, that's what it was.IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr That led to a DISA valve replacement. The large valve was in a bad state. IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr While I had the intake off, I also replaced the starter, given that it looked original and they are known to fail. That made a big difference with cranking speed. Sometime around here, it also got a new BMW battery. IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr Immediately following the test drive after replacing all the PCV stuff, the top radiator hose broke. I decided it was time to replace all radiator hoses as well as the radiator just to be sure. The water pump appears to have been replaced in the not too distant past. I'll keep an eye on that. Lastly, a couple weeks ago my fiancé accidentally backed into the car in our driveway. Turns out there are new painted bumper covers available on eBay for $240 shipped. Not bad at all, considering! I ordered one up and also got new grilles with black inserts to tone down the chrome a tad, while still keeping the black and chrome motif. I don't really want this to look like a modified car. IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr While swapping everything over to the new bumper, I couldn't help but give the fog lights a quick polish. IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr IMG_0981 by Tom Elmendorf, on Flickr That's it for now! At some point I'll also drop in new engine mounts that I've had sitting around, but it's low on the list. suspenceful, jc43089, Jdesign and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted May 29, 2018 Report Share Posted May 29, 2018 NICE update! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Full Banana Posted January 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2019 I should be picking up this car's replacement later this week, so this will be going up for sale shortly. I'll post more about the replacement when I have it in hand, but it is a BMW. wasnt m3, patsbimmer1 and suspenceful 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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