What did you do for your ZHP/ BMW / MINI today? #2

[Galapolis]

I’m done with projects for a while.

That's exactly the kind of thing someone would say who secretly wants more projects.

[Will]

...The E46 M3 Needs a new head gasket ...

What happened to the M3 that it needs a new head gasket? Did it run lean?

[t.er]

The E46 M3 Needs a new head gasket...

[Rovert]

What happened to the M3 that it needs a new head gasket? Did it run lean?

Exhaust leak out the side and low compression test dry and wet. I happened to be the chosen one which sucks.

[Will]

Exhaust leak out the side and low compression test dry and wet. I happened to be the chosen one which sucks.

Damn, that sucks.

[Rovert]

I’m just glad it happened to a car that is worth something and continues to be gaining worth as I wait. That’s probably my Achilles heal to fixing it. I’m so comfortable that I bought the 335d. First world problems are solved with first world purchases.

[t.er]

I’m just glad it happened to a car that is worth something and continues to be gaining worth as I wait. That’s probably my Achilles heal to fixing it. I’m so comfortable that I bought the 335d. First world problems are solved with first world purchases.

I was about to say... you're really lucky to have such an awesome spec that makes it so worth it! Estoril is I think my favourite colour on our cars

[Rovert]

I was about to say... you're really lucky to have such an awesome spec that makes it so worth it! Estoril is I think my favourite colour on our cars

I love it! It’s easy color to maintain too. Win win!

Silver while it’s not as dynamic unless it’s perfectly polished and clear is swirl free and deep….it does hide stuff to make it easy…..

[Will]

That silver hides it well, I couldn't tell there was any soot or other dirt until you captioned / labeled it on the bumper.

Estoril's classic, I love it. Glad you have a 335d in the mean time. Did you consider the F30 diesel (I know, it's a four banger rather than the i6) or were you specifically after the e90?

As an aside, I'm sad to see diesel's being pushed out of the market in the US.

[Rovert]

I have a friend here with an F31d...it's great! And with a tune it makes it as quick, if not quicker than a sorted M54B30.

Most of last year I drove my Dad's F10d (535d xDrive M sport) and just kept falling in love with the power delivery since during heavy Covid restrictions he wasn't using it very much. In the city it's easy to be quicker than my M3 because of the torque and AWD which is surprising because it's not a small car. I knew I needed a "35d" for myself before they aren't allowed on the roads or too hard to find. A mint one came along locally on Craigslist and it was mine 2 days later.

My close friend works at a well respected worldwide tuning shop for diesels and they are familiar with the E90 335d / E70 X5d so that's what helped me go in that direction because they knew a lot about the engine. The good thing is they are a 20 minute drive away from my home. LOL

I really wish the F31 came in a 35d format in NA but I'm sure the lack of market acceptance was a major cause of it not being available. Having AWD and that amazing ZF8 is a sweet spot to a BMW diesel power plant. At the end of the day it is still internally, a dirty technology and I get it. The manufacturers are forced to make it "clean" but it can only get so clean until you resort to extreme measures to keep selling them. Performance TDIs are a gem when sorted. They really are one of the best kept secrets for "cheap" and refined power.

My new tune is running around 400hp or even just a tad more with just under 650ft lbs torque now. This is kind of an early mid point of what the engine can truly do. I think I'll keep it here because it's still not enough to overwhelm the E90 chassis because of great computer torque management but enough to raise your hairs and swear as you transition to the brakes to avoid going to jail. LOL

An NA engine like the M54/S54 still has its place and it's very relevant in fun factor and pure emotion. Having the M57 diesel has made me appreciate the NA engine even more and it'll always be in my heart!