[vitriol]

Hi everyone

Just a quick note to say hello and introduce myself.

I recently ended my lease on my 2011 E90 335 msport 6MT, and got into a 2013 F30 335 msport 8AT (ZMM, ZTP, 2TB, coral dakota).

Loving it so far. It was hard to make the transition to an automatic after 10+ years of driving nothing but cars with manual transmissions... but I decided it's worth the sacrifice so that my wife can drive the car.

Based on the infamous C&D article, I was really intrigued by the IS350 FSport. I test drove it... and all I can say is I do not get why anyone would put that car in the same category as the F30. Didn't feel fast, and the way Lexus pipes engine sound into the cabin is a total fail IMO (sounds like a video game).

Needless to say, I'm glad I stuck with BMW.

The car came with the 19" 403M wheels, which the dealer had powdercoated black. I know it's not a look everyone digs, but I really like it. I also installed black kidney grilles, and had 3.5" black exhaust tips welded on (the stock silver tips just weren't doing it for me).

Thanks for reading and looking forward to contributing to the forum.

Pics below.

[JN1]

Nice! Congrats and welcome!
I've never heard of a dealer powder coating wheels, thats a new one.

[BDWonder]

Steak sauce man! Btw, what exactly is this process? How long does it last, and how much?

[btbossman]

Damn, your car makes me miss my murdered out e92, looks great! Say, whats the width on those black wheels? They look better in black IMO.

[pazzo]

Nice! Like to see a close up of the wheels.

[Stillhart]

I test drove both cars too, and the IS is a really really nice car... except for the engine. I agree that the car just doesn't feel fast, even tho it supposedly has the same 0-60 as the 328. It handles superbly, though.

In any case, I made the same decision as you. My 335 will be arriving on Tuesday and I can't wait!

Where did you get the black exhaust tips and how much did it cost to get them put on?

[vitriol]

Thanks everyone for the comments

Originally Posted by BDWonder

Steak sauce man! Btw, what exactly is this process? How long does it last, and how much?

I don't know much about the powder coating process, other than it creates a very durable colored coating to metals. I believe metallic powder is applied to the surface and baked at high heat to cure. The cost is around $650 for four wheels (that's what the dealer told me, and I was separately quoted that price by a powder coating shop).

Originally Posted by btbossman

Say, whats the width on those black wheels?

I believe the 19" 403m's run 225/40 front and 255/35 rear.

Originally Posted by pazzo

Like to see a close up of the wheels.

iPhone shots so the quality isn't the best (wheels are pretty dirty too):

Originally Posted by Stillhart

Where did you get the black exhaust tips and how much did it cost to get them put on?

I bought the tips from my local exhaust shop ($100 plus $50 to weld them on). Plus another $80 to have them powder coated at another shop. If I had it to do over again I'd just by tips from DiMisa; I had the 4" black tips on my E90 and they looked great. http://www.dimisatips.com/

[Vervain]

Wow that looks good. Have you considered tinting the windows?

[GOLFFRR]

looks great! welcome and congrats

[vitriol]

Originally Posted by Anodite10

Wow that looks good. Have you considered tinting the windows?

Thanks! Yes I will probably tint the windows at some point soon. Thinking a light tint, maybe 50%. I had 35% on my e90 and it seemed a bit too dark. I will probably add painted side markers as well (in place of the orange reflectors on the front fenders).

[mdsbuc]

A really sweet looking ride. I like the things you've done.

.

[sn3rd]

I'm not usually a fan of that kind of thing, but those wheels look fantastic!!

[PARTS@STBMW]

Love the look of the powder coated wheels!

[pazzo]

Originally Posted by PARTS@STBMW

Love the look of the powder coated wheels!

A Big +1!!

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by vitriol

Thanks! Yes I will probably tint the windows at some point soon. Thinking a light tint, maybe 50%. I had 35% on my e90 and it seemed a bit too dark. I will probably add painted side markers as well (in place of the orange reflectors on the front fenders).

I would usually say always go 35%, since I've had a 50% tint previously and was disappointed, but I think 50% would be just right for your blacked-out combination. 35% would be a bit too much. Enjoy your new car..

[Ivan@PYSpeed.com]

congrats!!