Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Kitchener, ON
    Posts
    6,019

    Not A Project: Peter’s 2009 335i M Sport

    SPECS
    year: 2009 (5/4/09 build date)
    model: 335i M Sport
    trans: 6MT
    drive: RWD
    color: alpine weiss mit schwarz leder
    mileage at purchase: 73K KM (~45K miles)
    current mileage (11/21/18): 78K KM (5K KM in the first month!)
    spec: 1/10 for canada


    WTF?!
    let me get one thing straight: this thing is Not A Project car. which... despite the crazy 'tuner' appeal of this car, especially in this spec... it's going to stay pretty much stock.

    i needed a calm, sedate car for my increased long commutes... and something my wife wouldn't hate (this aspect alone has a lot of depth to it). i hate turbocharged cars. i don't like automatics. and i don't like AWD very much. yet, for some reason, i was drawn to a 2011 335ix M Sport steptronic that was for sale at a local GM dealership. it only had 85K KMs on it, and was a 1-owner car. it was super clean... i actually really liked it. enough to negotiate with them and come to an agreement. and while the steptronic was awesome with the paddles (and the option of aftermarket software enhancements), the E90 xi front suspension really sucks - it has limited damper travel, and was constantly crashing over bumps. i actually drove another low-mileage 335xi to confirm it's the design and not the individual car.

    so that naturally led me to find a RWD one... and while i hate turbos, the N55 (2011) is a twin-scroll, single-turbo engine that has almost zero lag. it's pretty darn quick in stock form. but i couldn't find a RWD 2011 model, so i elected to check out a 2009 335i RWD 6MT that was a 2-owner car (last owner had it since 2011), with only 73K KMs (45K miles!!). it already had the HPFP replaced, water pump replaced, and some other good maintenance. it came with a new set of firestone firehawk indy 500's, and a separate set of winter wheels with almost-new blizzaks. and it was cleeeeeean (look at the engine bay pic - that is a stock 45K mile canadian engine bay, never been cleaned - WTF? it even smells like a new car). before i even left the parking lot with this thing, i knew it was the right choice.


    THE RESTRAINED PATH
    so...... i hate turbos. and here i am with a stupid twin-turbo engine'd car. it makes 300hp and 300ft-lbs of torque and can be knocking on 400hp with, um, very little effort (software flash and bigger intake plumbing). BUT... i'm going to keep it stock. any maintenance or mods will be for reliability, efficiency, safety, comfort, or utility.

    and i've modded it already: i installed some retractable grocery bag hooks in the trunk (utility) that i had in my ZHP sedan. and i put on some 10mm/12.5mm (F/R) spacers (safety). other than that, i replaced a dead windshield washer pump (maintenance).

    and i will mod it further: i'm retrofitting OEM lumbar support into the seats (comfort).


    IMPRESSIONS/COMPARISONS
    i should discuss the E46 vs E90 differences, from my point of view:

    - ergonomics: E46 wins here. with M3 seats (lower) in the Touring, i am more comfortable in the E46. which sucks. that said, i do not have lumbar in the E90 sport seats yet, so i am looking forward to installing that. and if they still aren't working, then maybe some E90 M3 seats. but i'm nitpicking (as i do, LOL).... the E90 sport seats are actually more padded than the E46 and feel more 'plush' if you want to call it that.

    - build quality: E46 doors close nicer, but E90 feels really well-put together.... although quality of materials isn't as nice on some things. i can live with it.

    - motor: M54B30 ZHP is a honey of an engine. the N54 is super smooth... and makes stupid power even in stock form. tons of torque down low. my only gripe is the lack of engine braking... but again, nitpicking. it delivers 30mpg on the highway, is super smooth and makes great power, with almost no lag.

    - trans: E90 M Sport is really nice. they really did a nice job with the stock shifter - super smooth, but almost no slop; the knob is quite low, but i may extend this to be a bit higher. definitely better than the E46 here.

    - braking: both ZHP and 335i deliver stellar braking performance.

    - suspension: the E90 M Sport suspension is exactly how i wanted the ZHP to feel stock - good damping (not GREAT damping, but a set of dialed-in koni yellows would help a lot), good spring rate, VERY rigid chassis, and very little body roll - way less than the ZHP. the rear end feels kinda squirmy under load, but i'm pushing a LOT more power through it than i ever felt in the ZHP. so subframe lockdown and strategic bushing upgrades would help a lot here. if feels very, very composed.

    - steering: E90 wins here, hands-down. wonderful linearity and a nice heavy (read: positive) feel.

    - lighting: E90 stock xenons are great. as good as the TRS EvoX kit i've got in the Touring.

    - tech: i think it may be a toss-up.... i like simple, and i like the old-school key-in-the-ignition system in the E46. as for the E90...my car is a non-iDrive car, so i just have basic audio and hands-free BT calling. it's simple and sufficient. the trip computer is superior in the E90, always showing temp and time in the top part of the cluster, and you can then cycle through the other metrics. the lighting is cool with the under-door lighting and the lighting in the door handles - and everything is LED. triple-blink is stock, and the blinkers never fully engage... you just press them up/down one 'click' and they turn on. weird, and still getting used to it.

    - interior: i actually prefer the cupholders in the E90 - i don't like them getting in the way of the shifter. i like the E46 dash and cluster design way better. the M Sport steering wheel in the E90 is actually a bit smaller than the E46 M Sport wheel, which is subtle, and nice.


    CLOSING THOUGHTS
    and that's it for now. i'm actually really pleased with the car in stock form - it could stand some improvements in a few areas (dampers, rear subframe bushings), but it's damn good for a stock car. i hope nate will give his impressions - he drove it a couple weeks ago when he was up here for work.

    and now for some crappy iPhone pics! i actually really like the stock wheels (193M), but i also really like the apex EC-7 on this body style. thoughts?










    EDIT: added some more info...
    Last edited by slater; 11-21-2018 at 11:45 AM.
    peter

    2005 330iT ZHP | the Growlour

    2010 328iT M Sport | smooth operator

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    10,242
    Well, you've successfully owned the three colors of many national flags (red, white, and blue)

  3. #3
    I’ve always liked the e90 MSport...


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


    2006 Coupe | Black Sapphire Metallic | Natural Brown | Gruppe M Intake | Corsa TSE3 | Michelin PSS on Apex ARC-8 | Koni Yellows |

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Austin TX
    Posts
    7,597
    Looks good ! We need moar details.
    2005 IR / black / 6MT
    157,000 miles

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Charleston SC
    Posts
    6,149
    Great choice... not modding that is going to drive you crazy
    Dinan CAI &Throttle body, ESS Tuning TS2, Bimmerbrakes gen3 headers, UUC SSK & DSSR. Achilles oil pump, VAC oil pan baffle
    M3 Motor mounts, UUC Trans mounts, Modified clutch style LSD 3.15, TMS front subframe reinforcement, Koni Yellow sports,
    H&R sport springs,
    UUC sway bars, BMW Perf. Rotors, UUC SS brake lines, Hawk HPS pads, CSL replica wheels,
    Rotora strut bar, FXR HID conversion, M3 Mirror conversion, BSW stage 1 speakers

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    3,130
    Hell yes. I was actually going to start a not-a-project thread on this for you today, but look at you, doing it on your own. Big boy!

    I'll start with my thoughts: I got to drive this thing a few weeks ago when I was up north hangin with the Peterman. The twin turbos feel more like a supercharger: smooth, linear power throughout with no hesitation at low rpms. Apparently it falls off after 5k rpm but I never got over 5k because I was going too fast already and didn't want the mounties to catch me. It is a well mannered torque monster and I love it.

    That engine had me sitting up late in my hotel browsing Autotrader for a 335is even though I still don't like the way the e9x look. I'm hoping that their styling grows on me like the e46 so that I can have a Bavarian turbosled one day.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Kitchener, ON
    Posts
    6,019
    Quote Originally Posted by BMWCurves View Post
    Well, you've successfully owned the three colors of many national flags (red, white, and blue)
    LOL. i never thought of that. you always have unique insight.


    just added a ton of content to the first post!
    peter

    2005 330iT ZHP | the Growlour

    2010 328iT M Sport | smooth operator

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Charleston SC
    Posts
    6,149
    Quote Originally Posted by ZHPizza View Post
    Hell yes. I was actually going to start a not-a-project thread on this for you today, but look at you, doing it on your own. Big boy!

    I'll start with my thoughts: I got to drive this thing a few weeks ago when I was up north hangin with the Peterman. The twin turbos feel more like a supercharger: smooth, linear power throughout with no hesitation at low rpms. Apparently it falls off after 5k rpm but I never got over 5k because I was going too fast already and didn't want the mounties to catch me. It is a well mannered torque monster and I love it.

    That engine had me sitting up late in my hotel browsing Autotrader for a 335is even though I still don't like the way the e9x look. I'm hoping that their styling grows on me like the e46 so that I can have a Bavarian turbosled one day.

    N54 is over built too, can take up to around 600 hp I've heard. Easiest mod is a JB4, lots more HP in 20 minutes
    Dinan CAI &Throttle body, ESS Tuning TS2, Bimmerbrakes gen3 headers, UUC SSK & DSSR. Achilles oil pump, VAC oil pan baffle
    M3 Motor mounts, UUC Trans mounts, Modified clutch style LSD 3.15, TMS front subframe reinforcement, Koni Yellow sports,
    H&R sport springs,
    UUC sway bars, BMW Perf. Rotors, UUC SS brake lines, Hawk HPS pads, CSL replica wheels,
    Rotora strut bar, FXR HID conversion, M3 Mirror conversion, BSW stage 1 speakers

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Kitchener, ON
    Posts
    6,019
    Quote Originally Posted by san View Post
    I’ve always liked the e90 MSport...
    yeah, the bumpers are nice!


    Quote Originally Posted by fredo View Post
    Looks good ! We need moar details.
    details added.


    Quote Originally Posted by Sockethead View Post
    Great choice... not modding that is going to drive you crazy
    haha!! see the details i added above. great minds....


    Quote Originally Posted by ZHPizza View Post
    Hell yes. I was actually going to start a not-a-project thread on this for you today, but look at you, doing it on your own. Big boy!

    I'll start with my thoughts: I got to drive this thing a few weeks ago when I was up north hangin with the Peterman. The twin turbos feel more like a supercharger: smooth, linear power throughout with no hesitation at low rpms. Apparently it falls off after 5k rpm but I never got over 5k because I was going too fast already and didn't want the mounties to catch me. It is a well mannered torque monster and I love it.

    That engine had me sitting up late in my hotel browsing Autotrader for a 335is even though I still don't like the way the e9x look. I'm hoping that their styling grows on me like the e46 so that I can have a Bavarian turbosled one day.
    LOL, i actually put "i hope nate chimes in" in the first post, which i wrote while you posted this, ha!
    peter

    2005 330iT ZHP | the Growlour

    2010 328iT M Sport | smooth operator

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Kitchener, ON
    Posts
    6,019
    Quote Originally Posted by Sockethead View Post
    N54 is over built too, can take up to around 600 hp I've heard. Easiest mod is a JB4, lots more HP in 20 minutes
    i think the JB+ is good for 40-60hp and installs in about 2min. but................ no modding.
    peter

    2005 330iT ZHP | the Growlour

    2010 328iT M Sport | smooth operator

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