[USC2000]

Originally Posted by tboooe

I do not have pic showing both. When I tried to take a pic the glare of the headlights just totally made it impossible to see anything, even the yellow turn signals. The only way I could take a pic was from the side, so that the camera was not directly in front of the headlights.

What is it that you want to see?

I was just curious to see how the entire front end look without the corner lights on. Since the F30 has eyebrows that go over the corner lights, it gives it a slightly different look compared to when I turned off the corner lights on my E90.

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by XenaBimmer

Great looking car, in for pics as you mod it!

Curious, why Dinan and not BMS?

Frankly because I am conservative and feel better with the matching warranty Dinan offers. Now if I get the tune once my warranty is over then I would consider BMS.

[tboooe]

UPDATE: 31 Dec 2014 - Got my windows tinted today, 40% all the way around. I will post pics shortly. I am happy with the way it looks.

[DrivenByE30]

Congrats on the beautiful car and all the progress made for coding !!! Can't wait to see the pics of the tint.

Are you planning on dropping the car? Should...

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by DrivenByE30

Congrats on the beautiful car and all the progress made for coding !!! Can't wait to see the pics of the tint.

Are you planning on dropping the car? Should...

Thank you for the kind words. I absolutely want to drop it a bit but right now there are no coil over options for the F36. I won't do springs because I want more control over the ride height. I'm very OCD about making sure all for corners are dropped the same amount. As soon as a solution available I'll be all over it.

[XenaBimmer]

Originally Posted by tboooe

Frankly because I am conservative and feel better with the matching warranty Dinan offers. Now if I get the tune once my warranty is over then I would consider BMS.

Sounds good and I agree, but just couldn't pass up the $300 and easy DIY install for the BMS. Main thing for me is that its easily removable if anything should go wrong as I'm not even a year into the warranty

[XenaBimmer]

Originally Posted by tboooe

Thank you for the kind words. I absolutely want to drop it a bit but right now there are no coil over options for the F36. I won't do springs because I want more control over the ride height. I'm very OCD about making sure all for corners are dropped the same amount. As soon as a solution available I'll be all over it.

I don't think the ride height is that bad as is, and like those stock wheels a lot. Maybe put some spacers on for a slightly more aggressive stance and then see if it could use a drop in ride height?

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by XenaBimmer

Sounds good and I agree, but just couldn't pass up the $300 and easy DIY install for the BMS. Main thing for me is that its easily removable if anything should go wrong as I'm not even a year into the warranty

Agreed! $300 vs $1500!! I may wait 1 year before doing a tune. Usually most warranty issues with cars work themselves out within the first year.

Originally Posted by XenaBimmer

I don't think the ride height is that bad as is, and like those stock wheels a lot. Maybe put some spacers on for a slightly more aggressive stance and then see if it could use a drop in ride height?

The stock wheels do look good. I am considering them more and more instead of going my usual aftermarket with BC Racing. But those will set me back about $4K while the OEM 403 wheel in 19" will be somewhere around $1500 and the 443 wheel is about $2500.

Spacers are definitely on my list! I normally like about 1/2" between top of tire and fender and right now its more like 1.5". But as you said, its not that bad, definitely not like a 4x4 or anything. Because of this I will be able to live with this current stance for a while until someone hopefully comes out with some coilovers. I am really hoping Bilstein releases the Comfort series for the F36 which only drops the car between 10-30mm which is perfect for me. The usual drop with Bilstein in stated as 30-50mm. I dont like the idea of being at the very limit of their minimum drop which would leave me no real room for error in case there is some variance in their stated drop range.

Or I could just get some 20s and some fatty sidewalls! Speedo be damned!

[tboooe]

Here is my 40% tint. It looks a lot darker than it really is. I prefer a light tint, almost smoked.

[Jimmy954]

Originally Posted by tboooe

Since its raining here in Socal and we all run for shelter I decided to do some more coding. Tonight I did the following:

Removed iDrive disclaimer
Removed PDC and camera disclaimer
Enabled door auto unlock when ignition is turned off

This coding stuff is definitely getting easier and easier.

Does coding void the warranty?

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by USC2000

I was just curious to see how the entire front end look without the corner lights on. Since the F30 has eyebrows that go over the corner lights, it gives it a slightly different look compared to when I turned off the corner lights on my E90.

I tried taking a photo from all different vertical angles from the front but could not overcome the glare. However, here is pic from Vossen that shows at least the DRL without the turn signal on.

Originally Posted by Jimmy954

Does coding void the warranty?

Good question. I do not know. However, most of these mods are things the BMW tech wont even notice. Besides, we are only activating features the car can already do so how could coding changes damage the car? Most importantly none of these changes impacts the car's drivetrain, engine, suspension, etc which is what I would be most concerned about anyway. From my experience coding my Audi, no tech has ever given me grief about it.

[USC2000]

Originally Posted by tboooe

I tried taking a photo from all different vertical angles from the front but could not overcome the glare. However, here is pic from Vossen that shows at least the DRL without the turn signal on.

Thanks for trying to get some different shots and finding a pic. I think that give me a pretty good idead of how it looks. Probably one that I'll try once I start coding.

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by USC2000

Thanks for trying to get some different shots and finding a pic. I think that give me a pretty good idead of how it looks. Probably one that I'll try once I start coding.

You are welcome. Once I get my white front turn signal LEDs I am going to turn them back on and see how they look. My feeling is that because the LEDs will be so bright, that it will just blend in with the Xenon headlight and be big white blob. I like the look of the whisker extending over a turned off turn signal (white or amber). It gives the front a bit of a sinister, beady eyed look!

[tboooe]

Got some goodies from the Far East today!

[XenaBimmer]

Originally Posted by tboooe

Got some goodies from the Far East today!

Nice! Care to relieve the suspense?

[tboooe]

UPDATE 02 Jan 2015 - Replica pedals

This is my second set of replica M Sport pedals I purchased from Ebay. The first set was a total disaster. The screws on the brake pedal were in different places than the OEM pedal but far worse was that the finish did match at all. The OEM dead pedal has a fairly obvious grain structure and has a satin like finish to it. This set is much closer to the OEM finish. The finish is bit shinier and the grain structure is not as obvious but overall I am happy, especially considering I spent 1/3 the price. From pics I have seen of the OEM pedals they too are a bit shinier than the dead pedal as well. I am sure one of these days my OCD will get the better of me and I will end up getting the OEM pedals but for now these will do.

Install was easy, taking about 2 mins. The gas pedal included some double sided 3M tape while the brake pedal is held in place securely by the form fitting rubber lip.

The parts came packaged nicely:


Instead of a flat piece of metal on top of rubber like the first set I purchased these have rounded edges:




And the install:

[fastflyer]

Very nice! Wanted to do this for ages but couldn't justify OEM price. Do you have a link?

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by fastflyer

Very nice! Wanted to do this for ages but couldn't justify OEM price. Do you have a link?

PM sent.

[tboooe]

UPDATE: 03 Jan 2015 - M4 grilles

Today I installed my replica M4 grille from JB Speed. I removed the OEM grille without any tools other than my fingers. I went in through the front, between the grille slates. I would recommend releasing the side clips first then moving towards the lower ones, leaving the tops ones for last. The top ones were easy to release. The bottom ones much tougher because of the need to pull up on the tabs which is made more difficult when there is pressure on the tabs when you release the top ones and pull the grille out a bit.

The quality of the JB Speed grille fine for a molded piece of plastic. Its not as sturdy feeling as the OEM part but I dont think that will be an issue. Overall fit is also ok. The gap between the top of the grille and the body panel is larger than with the OEM piece but you only notice if you consciously look for it. No one else accept totally OCD people like me would notice.

Overall, I love the look of the double slat M4 grille. Very worth upgrade and at the 1/3 the price of the OEM its a no brainer for me.

Grille came very well packaged:





Removing the OEM grille:





Installed:




Another beautiful day in Socal!

[XenaBimmer]

Looking Good!

[TMD29]

The new mods are looking great!

[TMD29]

Originally Posted by tboooe

Since its raining here in Socal and we all run for shelter I decided to do some more coding. Tonight I did the following:

Removed iDrive disclaimer
Removed PDC and camera disclaimer
Enabled door auto unlock when ignition is turned off

This coding stuff is definitely getting easier and easier.

I have added the current MPH in the kombi. It is very useful to see the actual digital speed. Changing the idrive start up logos are fun too. It's nice to change things up after awhile.