[Andrewhutch1]

That looks great! I'm getting my car detailed professionally next week too and seeing yours has wetted my appetite even more.

[Rich9600]

Looks great! M+ and MR really work well together. I think the 442M Bi-colour wheels are a great fit with red.

Enjoy!

[GaryUFM]

Originally Posted by siross

Nice! Great colour choice

From a man of great taste and refinement! I see you've got the black grilles, looking at going that way myself. Keep an eye out for me on your travels around Lancashire!

Originally Posted by Andrewhutch1

That looks great! I'm getting my car detailed professionally next week too and seeing yours has wetted my appetite even more.

You know we'll want pictures, right?

Originally Posted by Rich9600

Looks great! M+ and MR really work well together. I think the 442M Bi-colour wheels are a great fit with red.

Enjoy!

Thanks! I don't think I've ever looked back at a car as I walk away as much or as long as I do with this one

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by GaryUFM

I'll get you Butler! In truth it's easier to swing a one-off payment to a guy

Can I be really cheeky and ask how much it cost you?

[Ti Rich]

Looks great. MR looks totally different in the sun, especially when clean!

The light interior and black grills really fine sh the car off. Go for it.

[GaryUFM]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

Can I be really cheeky and ask how much it cost you?

PM comin' atcha!

[Grant_7]

Originally Posted by Rich9600

Looks great! M+ and MR really work well together. I think the 442M Bi-colour wheels are a great fit with red.

Enjoy!

Totally agree (and that's coming from someone who doesn't particularly like the 442Ms)) - they look great together.

[GaryUFM]

The mileage of the Beast!

[Andrewhutch1]

Originally Posted by GaryUFM

You know we'll want pictures, right?

It's in with the detailer today, expect a pic-heavy thread tomorrow or Friday.

[GaryUFM]

About 25 miles off being run in!

Also, call yesterday saying my MPPK has arrived at the dealers!

Things are about to get even more fun

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by GaryUFM

About 25 miles off being run in!

Also, call yesterday saying my MPPK has arrived at the dealers!

Things are about to get even more fun

Nicely timed. Once installed and mechanicals ran in you can flog the newly updated car to your hearts delight!

[GaryUFM]

MPPK fitting booked in for Friday 14th!

[GaryUFM]

Car is in the workshop as I type, getting the MPPK fitted. Borrowed the guy's 430i to go mooching while I wait. Currently sat in Costa in Sleaford...not worth the effort!

[GaryUFM]

Question for those that know ( Chompers ?) : MPPK for 330d...are there any outward signs it's been done? I read on the .pdf spec sheet available on the internet (http://www.matlawrence.com/images/bmw/powerkit.pdf) that the order includes:

- New ECU
- New intercooler
- MPPK Aluminium Badge
- M Performance sticker for side skirt (as per that on the M Performance carbon sills?)
- Upgraded brakes for front axle (drilled and grooved discs where you already have the blue M Performance calipers - with the 18 inchers an optional enhancement in addition to the base MPPK kit)

I seem to recall a post-MPPK photo of an engine bay, showing an M Performance badge on the intercooler (the aluminium badge?). There is no visible change to the engine bay either, that I can spot. Power gauges on the sports display have been increased.

Should I be expecting to see some of this stuff somewhere? Also, they did say that they had no use for my ECU or intercooler, so had left that in the boot. Got home - a good 3hrs drive away - and it wasn't there.

So should I be back in touch asking where all my extra stuff is?

Assuming though, that they did actually fit the stuff that matters (the ECU and intercooler), and that I've not been sold and bought into the Emporer's New Clothes, I did have the chance to stretch the car's legs coming home, and it definitely feels a different animal.

After taking 40 minutes to drive the 2 miles to get fuel and get out of Boston(!), I covered the next 46 miles in 50 minutes. Single carriageway A & B roads all the way*, and through a couple of towns (I pretty much observed every limit 40mph and below, give or take), so not a bad average rate.

First part of the journey to Horncastle was typical Lincolnshire roads: straight and flat, so easy to dispense with a few vehicles - who did not want to overtake the tractor or the truck, or grandma - at once. In doing so, it was very easy to find myself doing 80-90 the speed comes up that quick. I'd echo other feedback here in that it does not hit you aggressively, it is just smooth and continuous. It's testament to the overall build and refinement of the car that the speed comes as a surprise: it is just so at ease with it, it feels as though you're doing 50.

After Horncastle, the road goes north through the Lincolnshire Wolds, so rises, twists and turns -all in manual, of course! Great when you've got a clear road, and when I didn't, I still found I had enough to make the most of whatever opportunity to overtake that presented itself.

After filling my coffee cup at my folks', more of the same on the road to Brigg, before I settled in to 70mph ACC in Eco mode on the motorway. The odd roundabout/slip road in between there and home saw me engage sport again, but otherwise, nice and relaxed listening to iPlayer. Got home and had averaged 42mpg.

This is what I love most about the car - it can just be exactly what you want. Effortless, smooth motorway cruiser? Check. Car that puts the biggest grin on your face in the twisties? Check. The latter does definitely seem to have been improved by the MPPK. Not that it was a slouch before...

*Route for those in the area who like a 'spirited' drive is N from Hubbert's Bridge (W of Boston) through New York to pick up A153 to Horncastle. In Horncastle head NW on A158 before splitting off to the right (N) on B1225 all the way to Caistor.

[Consett Mag]

Yeah the colour is just fab Gary. Top work. I see your dog also approves

[GaryUFM]

Originally Posted by Consett Mag

Yeah the colour is just fab Gary. Top work. I see your dog also approves

Thanks: The Ultimate Canine Machine!