New M3 owner

e93-M3 · 12-28-2014, 08:54 PM

Just wanted to introduce myself as i just picked picked up an e93 M3 a few months ago. I am excited to be back in an enthusiast car again. Had a Lexus GS as a DD for thee past few years, but after having kids and my wife having to sell her JCW Mini Convertible for a family car, I decided I could get something a little more exciting than the Lexus.

After loosing the drop top with the sale of my wife's car, I knew I wanted a convertible and I also wanted something that had legitimate performance and wasn't just suspension/wheel/trim package. I looked at the 911, but really wanted something with a hard top. That pretty much left the Lexus IS, BMW 3 series, and the Infinity G. Obviously not a single one of those can compare to the M performance wise so the hunt was on for an e93 M3.

After walking away from a few negotiations with dealerships locally, I finally found my car out of state. A fully optioned Silverstone Metallic with 7k miles. The car is immaculate and needless to say I was hooked form the first drive.

After a few weeks of owning the car, I became very ill....with the mod bug. After starting a local car club and being very active for years, I had (and still have) my MR2 with too many mods to list sitting in the garage only to be taken out once every three weeks for a short drive to keep it from just sitting.

I started with a custom clear bra install to protect the front end and then some led angel eye upgrades. Then a mods4cars top control module to give more control of the top.

I drove the car like that for a few months, but lurking on this forum got me wanting more. I was torn between modding now or waiting until the factory warranty was up. I ended up deciding to go with a Dinan stage one package as it seemed they would give me the best of both worlds with the ability to maintain a matching warranty through them and modify the car. They are also local for me which made it easy.

After installing the Stage one suspension, Carbon fiber intake, exhaust, engine tune, DCT tune, strut tower bars, pedals, and underdrive pulley, I put some more miles on the car. I was very happy with the car overall, but felt the car lacked pull for daily driving. As the car is used to commute about 80 miles a day, I wanted more power without the need to downshift to pass on the freeway.

After doing a bunch more research I decided to go the supercharger route. I found a shop locally and just two weeks ago picked the car up from Aleks at Alekshop complete with a backup camera, Awron guage, Alekshop oil cooler, and ESS VT2-625 supercharger kit.

As of now I am very happy with the car, but still have a few bugs to workout. The car runs great, but has a slightly rough idle and a less than smooth pull in the higher rpm range (5k plus). ESS and Aleks think it is most likely an injector problem. My Awron gauge also seems to have some issues as it will revert back to German and metric settings intermittently on its own.

Hopefully I will have this all sorted out within the next week or so and can move on to upgraded wheels and tires to help put the added power to ground. Then I will sit back and enjoy the car for a bit before the next mod comes along.

I am looking forward after going from a very being very inactive in the car community to getting more involved again.

bronch · 12-28-2014, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e93-M3

Had a Lexus GS as a DD for the past few years... I ended up deciding to go with a Dinan stage one package... After installing the Stage one suspension, Carbon fiber intake, exhaust, engine tune, DCT tune, strut tower bars, pedals, and under drive pulley... I found a shop locally and just two weeks ago picked the car up from Aleks at Alekshop complete with a backup camera, Awron guage, Alekshop oil cooler, and ESS VT2-625 supercharger kit...

Nice! Lexus GS to Dinan M3 then supercharged M3, LOL! You don't mess around, I guess you scratched that itch! But, you know what they say, if there's no pics it didn't happen.

quicktwinturbo · 12-28-2014, 10:10 PM

Welcome!

e93-M3 · 12-28-2014, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronch

Nice! Lexus GS to Dinan M3 then supercharged M3, LOL! You don't mess around, I guess you scratched that itch! But, you know what they say, if there's no pics it didn't happen.

You got me, I just realized that I don't really have any good pics other than the ones I took after the first wash. It looks a little different now. Also realized I left off the tinting of the windows, that was actually my first mod to this car.

I will try to get some better more up to date pics soon.

Bavarian Beast · 12-29-2014, 10:35 AM

Love it! Glad to see another 'vert owner who isn't afraid to mod. I don't have near your mods, but it looks like your ride is doing us E93 owners proud!

e93-M3 · 02-06-2015, 09:02 PM

Ended up with some BBS CH-Rs in titanium on the car and some bigger rubber for the new found power. As soon as this rain passes, I am going to get some updated pics posted here.

BzsBimmer · 02-06-2015, 11:06 PM

Wow... your car is awesome. Love that blue color and those wheels are pretty nice but then again I've always admired those Prius's lol.

The M3 is ok looking too.

e93-M3 · 02-07-2015, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Wow... your car is awesome. Love that blue color and those wheels are pretty nice but then again I've always admired those Prius's lol.

The M3 is ok looking too.

Thanks, the M3 pulled right in front of me while i was snapping the pics. Really ruined a great photo.

BzsBimmer · 02-07-2015, 01:42 PM

Let us know how that supercharger issue goes. Verts are awesome for our CA weather!

e93-M3 · 02-22-2015, 08:33 PM

Here are some pics of the car in its current form. The tires are 285 rear and 255 front which will be swapped for 295 rear and 275 front this week. supercharger issue seems to be resolved, but I haven't really had a chance to push it much yet.

The only issue I am having at present is with the Awron gauge. I am trying to work with Alekshop to get it resolved, but he has been a challenge to deal with. I am hoping he will eventually take care of it.

Anyways, on to the pics. Let me knwo what you guys think. I plan on adding a CF front lip (still undecided on which), rear CF spoiler, and black grills and side gills. Possibly CF mirror caps as well.

Let me know what you guys think.

STooK · 02-22-2015, 09:55 PM

Amazing! I love seeing modded e93 M's. I too settled for the e93 because I love the feeling of driving top down too much. Add some CF splitters/caps/spoiler and black out the window trim and it'll be perfect.

e93-M3 · 02-22-2015, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STooK

Amazing! I love seeing modded e93 M's. I too settled for the e93 because I love the feeling of driving top down too much. Add some CF splitters/caps/spoiler and black out the window trim and it'll be perfect.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that. I am planning on blacking out the window trim with a matte black wrap. I am undecided on the trim where the base of the top sits. Anyone have any pics of it blacked out? I normally don't like chrome, but on this color it seems less obnoxious.

lorinzo · 02-22-2015, 10:53 PM

Very nice!

wildwestm3 · 02-23-2015, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e93-M3

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that. I am planning on blacking out the window trim with a matte black wrap. I am undecided on the trim where the base of the top sits. Anyone have any pics of it blacked out? I normally don't like chrome, but on this color it seems less obnoxious.

This is a realy easy DIY project. Do the rear (pictured) in one piece placed flat across it, as well as the curved pieces behind the rear windows. The rest is a piece of cake...

loveskiing · 02-23-2015, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e93-M3

Here are some pics of the car in its current form. The tires are 285 rear and 255 front which will be swapped for 295 rear and 275 front this week. supercharger issue seems to be resolved, but I haven't really had a chance to push it much yet.

The only issue I am having at present is with the Awron gauge. I am trying to work with Alekshop to get it resolved, but he has been a challenge to deal with. I am hoping he will eventually take care of it.

Anyways, on to the pics. Let me knwo what you guys think. I plan on adding a CF front lip (still undecided on which), rear CF spoiler, and black grills and side gills. Possibly CF mirror caps as well.

Let me know what you guys think.

What do I think? I think your nuts...crazy...gone insane with loving your M3 and making it the car you want it to be!

Congrats and drive it with good health!

htwnlovaboy · 02-23-2015, 07:21 PM

congrats

redpriest · 02-23-2015, 07:41 PM

I bet it sounds amazing with the top down. Congrats!

e93-M3 · 02-24-2015, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redpriest

I bet it sounds amazing with the top down. Congrats!

The car is so different with the top down. Such an awesome sound and feel.

Thanks to all for the kind words.

briggs · 02-24-2015, 03:18 PM

Ive been thinking about an ESS kit. Whats a good price range for one? Car looks great btw I had a e93 for a bit as well.

e93-M3 · 03-06-2015, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briggs

Ive been thinking about an ESS kit. Whats a good price range for one? Car looks great btw I had a e93 for a bit as well.

Thanks for the kind words. Seems like about $9k new around $6k used is the going rate.

e93-M3 · 03-06-2015, 11:39 PM

Thought I would update the thread.

Got the new tires installed last week PSS 275 front/295 rear. Slight rubbing on the driver side rear, but barely noticeable.

I also picked up a brand new GTS steering wheel and some verstrabe gun metal DCT paddles.

I also snagged a set of euro sun visors, but I am still undecided on installing them or letting them go.

I am wanting to get some CF front splitter, m performance style rear spoiler, rear diffusor and mirror caps.

I am leaning towards OEM mirror caps and front splitters, but with the splitters, I am afraid that they may wear from rubbing on driveways so maybe it makes sense to go with a cheaper aftermarket copy. If you guys have any experience with any let me know.

Also, trying to find an OEM (or very close to OEM) quality rear CF spoiler as the OEM one won't fit the e93.

I was thinking the challenge race or maybe arkym or vorsteiner rear diffusor, but it is tough going off of only pictures.

Thank again for all the comments everyone.

Alen E90 · 03-07-2015, 12:40 AM

Well, first of all congrats on your new E93! 7K miles is just insane!!

Second of all, your car looks sick with all these mods...especially the ESS blower

Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work!

12-28-2014, 08:54 PM	#1
e93-M3 Private 14 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 M3 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (4)	New M3 owner Just wanted to introduce myself as i just picked picked up an e93 M3 a few months ago. I am excited to be back in an enthusiast car again. Had a Lexus GS as a DD for thee past few years, but after having kids and my wife having to sell her JCW Mini Convertible for a family car, I decided I could get something a little more exciting than the Lexus. After loosing the drop top with the sale of my wife's car, I knew I wanted a convertible and I also wanted something that had legitimate performance and wasn't just suspension/wheel/trim package. I looked at the 911, but really wanted something with a hard top. That pretty much left the Lexus IS, BMW 3 series, and the Infinity G. Obviously not a single one of those can compare to the M performance wise so the hunt was on for an e93 M3. After walking away from a few negotiations with dealerships locally, I finally found my car out of state. A fully optioned Silverstone Metallic with 7k miles. The car is immaculate and needless to say I was hooked form the first drive. After a few weeks of owning the car, I became very ill....with the mod bug. After starting a local car club and being very active for years, I had (and still have) my MR2 with too many mods to list sitting in the garage only to be taken out once every three weeks for a short drive to keep it from just sitting. I started with a custom clear bra install to protect the front end and then some led angel eye upgrades. Then a mods4cars top control module to give more control of the top. I drove the car like that for a few months, but lurking on this forum got me wanting more. I was torn between modding now or waiting until the factory warranty was up. I ended up deciding to go with a Dinan stage one package as it seemed they would give me the best of both worlds with the ability to maintain a matching warranty through them and modify the car. They are also local for me which made it easy. After installing the Stage one suspension, Carbon fiber intake, exhaust, engine tune, DCT tune, strut tower bars, pedals, and underdrive pulley, I put some more miles on the car. I was very happy with the car overall, but felt the car lacked pull for daily driving. As the car is used to commute about 80 miles a day, I wanted more power without the need to downshift to pass on the freeway. After doing a bunch more research I decided to go the supercharger route. I found a shop locally and just two weeks ago picked the car up from Aleks at Alekshop complete with a backup camera, Awron guage, Alekshop oil cooler, and ESS VT2-625 supercharger kit. As of now I am very happy with the car, but still have a few bugs to workout. The car runs great, but has a slightly rough idle and a less than smooth pull in the higher rpm range (5k plus). ESS and Aleks think it is most likely an injector problem. My Awron gauge also seems to have some issues as it will revert back to German and metric settings intermittently on its own. Hopefully I will have this all sorted out within the next week or so and can move on to upgraded wheels and tires to help put the added power to ground. Then I will sit back and enjoy the car for a bit before the next mod comes along. I am looking forward after going from a very being very inactive in the car community to getting more involved again.
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12-28-2014, 10:10 PM	#3
quicktwinturbo Lieutenant 33 Rep 547 Posts Drives: Limited Ed Toyota Camry Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: IL, AL, ATL, SC iTrader: (2)	Welcome!
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12-29-2014, 10:35 AM	#5
Bavarian Beast Too many wagons on the bahn..... 98 Rep 582 Posts Drives: LMB 2011 BMW e93 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Hawaii iTrader: (1)	Love it! Glad to see another 'vert owner who isn't afraid to mod. I don't have near your mods, but it looks like your ride is doing us E93 owners proud!
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02-06-2015, 09:02 PM	#6
e93-M3 Private 14 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 M3 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (4)	Ended up with some BBS CH-Rs in titanium on the car and some bigger rubber for the new found power. As soon as this rain passes, I am going to get some updated pics posted here.
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02-06-2015, 11:06 PM	#7
BzsBimmer Major General 3274 Rep 6,723 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3, M3 & MY Tezzy's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	Wow... your car is awesome. Love that blue color and those wheels are pretty nice but then again I've always admired those Prius's lol. The M3 is ok looking too.
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02-07-2015, 01:42 PM	#9
BzsBimmer Major General 3274 Rep 6,723 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3, M3 & MY Tezzy's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	Let us know how that supercharger issue goes. Verts are awesome for our CA weather!
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02-22-2015, 08:33 PM	#10
e93-M3 Private 14 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 M3 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (4)	Update Here are some pics of the car in its current form. The tires are 285 rear and 255 front which will be swapped for 295 rear and 275 front this week. supercharger issue seems to be resolved, but I haven't really had a chance to push it much yet. The only issue I am having at present is with the Awron gauge. I am trying to work with Alekshop to get it resolved, but he has been a challenge to deal with. I am hoping he will eventually take care of it. Anyways, on to the pics. Let me knwo what you guys think. I plan on adding a CF front lip (still undecided on which), rear CF spoiler, and black grills and side gills. Possibly CF mirror caps as well. Let me know what you guys think. Last edited by e93-M3; 02-22-2015 at 10:09 PM..
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02-22-2015, 09:55 PM	#11
STooK Lieutenant Colonel 726 Rep 1,974 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (6)	Amazing! I love seeing modded e93 M's. I too settled for the e93 because I love the feeling of driving top down too much. Add some CF splitters/caps/spoiler and black out the window trim and it'll be perfect. __________________ 2013 BMW E92 ///M3 AW/BLK ZCP CF Roof 6 Speed - Perfection 2011 BMW E90 328i xDrive Space Grey/Black - Daily 2011 BMW E93 ///M3 MW/FR/BLK 6 Speed - Gone but not forgotten
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02-22-2015, 10:53 PM	#13
lorinzo Captain 84 Rep 953 Posts Drives: e90 M3; i3 rex; e46 M3 vert Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Very nice! __________________ \| 2011 M3 Sedan \| Le Mans Blue \| M-DCT \| ZC2 \| ZCP \| ZP3 \| Moonroof \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| Dinan exhaust \| Dinan software \| Dinan pulley \| Dinan intake \| Dinan pedals \| Bimmian LED interior \| Lux H8 V3 \| WeissLicht PY24W LED \| 20% tint \| IND reflectors \| IND front grills \| IND key hole cover \| IND hood vents \| IND M5 mirror covers \| Reus Systems audio \| Verstraβe shifter paddles \| BBS LM 20x9 et 15 and 20x10.5 et 15 \| Hankook Ventus V12 255/30/20 and 295/25/20 \| Red BBS Racing lug nut kit \| H&R Sport springs \|
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02-23-2015, 07:21 PM	#16
htwnlovaboy Private 6 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 M3 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Katy, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	congrats __________________ Techo Consulting We Repair Computers
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02-23-2015, 07:41 PM	#17
redpriest Colonel 2147 Rep 2,527 Posts Drives: 2011 M3/Porsche 992 GT3RS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Porsche 911 GT3RS [0.00] 2021 Porsche 718 Sp ... [0.00] 2021 Mazda Miata MX-5 [0.00] 2006 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [10.00]	I bet it sounds amazing with the top down. Congrats!
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02-24-2015, 03:18 PM	#19
briggs Private First Class 9 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 2012 e92 M3 ZCP MW 08' Smart Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	Ive been thinking about an ESS kit. Whats a good price range for one? Car looks great btw I had a e93 for a bit as well.
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03-06-2015, 11:39 PM	#21
e93-M3 Private 14 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 M3 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (4)	Thought I would update the thread. Got the new tires installed last week PSS 275 front/295 rear. Slight rubbing on the driver side rear, but barely noticeable. I also picked up a brand new GTS steering wheel and some verstrabe gun metal DCT paddles. I also snagged a set of euro sun visors, but I am still undecided on installing them or letting them go. I am wanting to get some CF front splitter, m performance style rear spoiler, rear diffusor and mirror caps. I am leaning towards OEM mirror caps and front splitters, but with the splitters, I am afraid that they may wear from rubbing on driveways so maybe it makes sense to go with a cheaper aftermarket copy. If you guys have any experience with any let me know. Also, trying to find an OEM (or very close to OEM) quality rear CF spoiler as the OEM one won't fit the e93. I was thinking the challenge race or maybe arkym or vorsteiner rear diffusor, but it is tough going off of only pictures. Thank again for all the comments everyone.
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03-07-2015, 12:40 AM	#22
Alen E90 Lieutenant General 764 Rep 10,033 Posts Drives: E90 328i TiAg Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (7)	Well, first of all congrats on your new E93! 7K miles is just insane!! Second of all, your car looks sick with all these mods...especially the ESS blower Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work! __________________ TiAg FTW!
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