Jon's '04 Sedan Ownership Log

[JupiterBMW]

Thanks for the comments man. I really appreciate your input. I'm still not 100% sure about VANOS/DISA repairs as I'm still not 100% sure on the symptoms of each issue. My car definitely has a noticeable power surge, but I want to say its between 2-3K rpm... Of course, I don't know, she doesn't get driven very hard, and she spends a lot of time in the garage.

As for the Nav, yeah, I'm stumped. I'm a little hesitant to drop $200 on new discs because not sure that is my problem. We'll see, I don't really play with it much anyway... Back burner issue for now.

Rims, yeah, sorry, I should've specified replicas.. I don't have the coin for true OEM versions anyway... I'm thinking VMRs... Either the VB3 or V718s.. Not sure on the difference between them..

Homelink, good call on the Ebay. Thanks... I'm thinking I'll shoot for the rearview mirror one. That's where it is on our X3, and I'd like to keep the cars similar... You know how often I go for the window controls on the door panel of the ZHP before realizing I'm in the other car...?!?!

As for lights, yep, I'll do the Turner kit, it looks great and its complete, no fussing around for details.. Stealth bulbs too of course. As for the fogs, I'll have to look into them. On my last car, they weren't a problem, it was an H11 bulb which I believe is the same as the ZHP fogs... Either way, yes, yellow bulb, clear lens... I like subtle.

As for the Dinan intake... You're talking about the high flow intake on their site? Hmm, that would suck because that's 2 or 3 points toward the badge. I'll have to figure it out though as I want to truly build the car. And yeah, 10 points to get the badge. I've been looking on their site to see what else would get me there. I don't know, just always wanted to build a true Dinan car... So no eBay badge for me...

Thanks again for your input! Always open to suggestions from the veterans...

[nike001]

Your power surge could be a few things. VANOS, DISA, or you don't have the software update that fixes the power surge around that area.

I had yellow fogs with the clear lenses before I put my yellow lamin-x on and one of the reasons I put the lamin-x on was because when you would look at the car, the fog housing would look greenish white. The lamin-x took that away, along with the added deep yellow light that was put out.

As per the intake, yes, i was talking about the long tube/ high flow. You have a few options. Halogen lights with no ballast, AL lights with a relocatable ballast, or another intake such as the BMW performance/ AFe Intake.

Feel free to PM me with any questions you may have!

[JupiterBMW]

Yes, only one question... Are you buying the BMW Performance intake?? I'd love to have that one, but DAYUM its pricey... As for lights, I'm looking to do the E90 projector retrofit, so I guess the Dinan intake will be out of the question... No biggie, there are other options.

[nike001]

I snagged up a BMW performance intake while they were <$300

[BCS_ZHP]

Jon,
With your mileage, you might want to set aside some funds for known preventative maintenance items. LCABs are going to be due as well as a cooling system refresh. If you attack the PM first and mods second, you'll be happier in the end.

[JupiterBMW]

Oh yeah, being that I have a house to take care of, a wife and baby, and a payment on a brand new X3, its not like I'll suck my savings dry buying toys for the ZHP... That mod list will undoubtedly take me a couple years, it was just my entire goal for the car... But the car does look to have been well cared for. It has a new alternator and clutch in it and while underneath it the other day, I noticed the FCABs have been recently done. The bushing material is black with a purple center right where the control arm goes into it... Not sure if its just an OEM replacement or something better, but they look nice.

[bcleaver]

Oh yeah, being that I have a house to take care of, a wife and baby, and a payment on a brand new X3, its not like I'll suck my savings dry buying toys for the ZHP... That mod list will undoubtedly take me a couple years, it was just my entire goal for the car... But the car does look to have been well cared for. It has a new alternator and clutch in it and while underneath it the other day, I noticed the FCABs have been recently done. The bushing material is black with a purple center right where the control arm goes into it... Not sure if its just an OEM replacement or something better, but they look nice.

Sounds like powerflex FCAB's, which would be a nice upgrade. Loving the AW, nice car.

[JupiterBMW]

Yep, those are the ones! Sweet!

Hah, so those, along with the K&N air filter I found yesterday, I've already got 2 upgrades!!

[johnrando]

Looking good. Send me that envelope and I'll send you the NAV firmware upgrade CD.

[JupiterBMW]

Ahhhh sheeeeeet mang! I have been so busy, I forgot all about that. I gotta locate the thread with your address in it and I will send today!