[alpineg20]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Congrats!! Looking good!!

You might want to check out these. The consensus seems to be they are the best. https://infiniteautowerks.com/shop/e...tips-clamp-on/

Thanks for the compliment! The IAW tips are the ones I have my eyes on. I am thinking black on carbon fiber. I plan to add some other carbon fiber bits in the future as my wife allows.

[alpineg20]

Performed my first oil change on the car today. It was super simple compared to my 200 Series Lexus LX, which requires you to remove skid plates. I have always been a Mobil 1 guy, but I decided to try out the Liqui Moly since it speaks the same language as the Bimmer. Curious to know if everyone follows the 11,000 mile interval suggested by the computer, or if people are changing their oil more frequently. Now I just gotta find some time to drive to HTX to pick up my MPE.

[alpineg20]

Made the trek to Houston this weekend to pickup my M Performance Exhaust (MPE). We got back at about 9pm last night, and naturally, I put the car on ramps and started the install. My wife thinks I am crazy. I ended up having to finish up this morning because I was given the wrong size clamps, so I had to make a run to the store to get the right size. Now just waiting on my IAW black on carbon exhaust tips to come in (hopefully this week). I will get those installed along with a couple other items I ordered.

Here's a quick video of the first cold start after install.
https://youtu.be/3ms2GGnKDPw

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

The bends in the tubing leading up to the muffler look much better on the MPE unit.

[alpineg20]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

The bends in the tubing leading up to the muffler look much better on the MPE unit.

I know right?! I was a little perplexed when I pulled down the stock unit and saw that. At first, I thought that maybe it had been damaged or something, but I guess that's how it came from the factory.

[alpineg20]

Today I installed my IAW black on carbon quad exhaust tips and carbon shark fin antenna cover. I also got the IND painted rear reflectors in today; however, those will have to wait until another day.

The tips stick out a little too much for my liking. I am probably going to take my car up to my brother's buddy's exhaust shop and see if they can shorten up the exhaust to pull the tips back under the car a little better.

[alpineg20]

I got my whip over to the muffler shop today to get the exhaust shortened up for proper fitment of the IAW black on carbon exhaust tips. We cut about 3/4" off the OEM exhaust where the MPE bolts on, which allowed the MPE to slide on a little further providing for perfect fitment of the tips. Now they are tucked up under the car for a much cleaner, OEM look. Without this modification, they were sticking out too far. Very pleased with the finished look.

[alpineg20]

I finally found some time to get the IND painted rear reflectors installed. That is a lot of work for a small modification. Not to terribly hard just requires a little patience when unclipping the bumper under the brake lights. I got everything put back together and realized I forgot to plug the brake lights back in. So, I had to disassemble and plug them back in.

[alpineg20]

My AA catted downpipe was delivered today! I got it from Mike over at Extreme Power House during the Labor Day Sale. Now I gotta find the time to make it over to my brother's shop to get it installed. Here's some pics to hold me off for a week or so. Hopefully, I can get some before and after videos to see how the MPE sounds before and after the downpipe install for those that may be interested.

[alpineg20]

Finally, got my car over to my brother’s shop yesterday and got my down pipe installed. It was challenging but not extremely difficult. The lift was a huge help. I couldn’t imagine doing it on ramps in my garage, so I’m glad that the community convinced me to wait on the availability of the lift.

I do feel like I can feel a slight power increase mainly through throttle response, and the increase in sound coupled with the MPE is awesome! The cold start is extremely loud though. 😳 I’m really looking forward to this cooler weather. I’ve only ever driven my car in 90+ degree weather. Now my next move is a tune.

[alpineg20]

My family knew exactly what I wanted for Christmas - stuff for the Bimmer. I got the black grill from AutoTecknic. Quality is 8/10. There are just some small imperfections in the plastic. No one will notice them but me. The install was a breeze. I also got the Dinan CAI and turbo inlet pipe from Extreme Power House; however, the turbo inlet pipe is on backorder, so I am going to hold off on the install until I receive it. Lastly, I got an oil change kit and brake fluid kit from FCP Euro.

[alpineg20]

I planned to change my brake fluid today; however, I broke not 1 but 2 wheel keys and the dealership didn’t have any in stock. Since I had already blocked off some time to work on my car, I decided to go ahead and install the Dinan CAI. I’ll just have to take it back off when the turbo inlet pipe comes in.

[alpineg20]

Thanks to the suggestion from vi3tr8cer, I decided to wrap my interior trim with Vvivid's carbon fiber vinyl. This was first time working with vinyl. It took a second to figure out the best way to handle it. All in all, I am very impressed with the outcome!

[MoeTE87]

Can you take a picture of your car from afar so I can see how the CF shark fin looks please? Debating to get one or not and I have a white m340 too.

Thank you! Great build!

[alpineg20]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Can you take a picture of your car from afar so I can see how the CF shark fin looks please? Debating to get one or not and I have a white m340 too.

Thank you! Great build!

Thanks! Here ya go.

[MoeTE87]

Thank you! Looks great!

[alpineg20]

Finished up wrapping the interior trim yesterday and still had some leftover carbon fiber wrap, so I decided to tackle the steering wheel also.

[alpineg20]

I’m installing my amp/sub in my car as soon as I receive my wiring harness from Technic PNP. I went ahead and installed the bass knob that is connected to the LOC. Thanks to this post by doctoe1101, I didn’t have to get real creative.

[alpineg20]

Got my wiring harness in from Technic PNP yesterday. Finished installing my Kicker Solo Baric L7 12” subwoofer this afternoon. Now I need to do some major sound deadening in the back. This thing rattles!!

[alpineg20]

I unlocked my DME using the Mission Performance M-Link tool, and I flashed the Mission Performance Stage 2 E30 map. I am very pleased with the tune so far. I have not gotten a chance to fully experience it yet, but the car is obviously WAY more powerful. I have only ran 93 octane so far, but I plan to try out the E30 soon. I just ordered my NGK spark plugs and gapping tool and will get those installed later this week.

[alpineg20]

I replaced the OEM spark plugs today with the NGK 94201 spark plugs gapped at .024, which was recommended by MissionPerformance with my Stage 2 E30 Tune. I purchased the spark plugs, gapping tool, and feeler gauges from Burger Motorsports. This was my first time changing spark plugs, and it was a breeze. Kies has a tutorial on YouTube that made it very simple. (For comparison purposes in the spark plugs pic, my car is sitting at 55k miles.)

After a week of driving with the tune, I am very pleased! The added power is night and day difference. Next mod is the Dinan turbo inlet pipe, which has been backordered for the past couple of months but is suppose to be shipping any day now.

My wife is over all the mods, but I am full on addicted to this car/platform. Every time I complete a mod, I begin dreaming/brainstorming of the next one. Not sure what is next, maybe some lowering springs. So far I have done all of my own mods, but I think I would have to let the professionals do the springs.