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      05-06-2018, 09:41 PM   #1
smuttana
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Smuttana F30 Build Journey

Hey guys, what's up. Decided to make a build thread, consisting of all the modifications I have done thus far and in the future.
Throughout my build journey below, I have converted the car to an M-Sport, and recommend future buyers to purchase a nearly spec'd out car to avoid the hassle of upgrading everything
I previously had a 2010 Toyota Camry SE for 6.5 years, and decided to finally make the jump and purchased my 2013 BMW 328i X-Drive Sportline sedan in BSM on 08-23-16 from Park Ave Saab in NJ. The car was completely stock and a lease return, having 27k miles.

(My old Camry):
- Was parted out and traded in


(August, 2016):
- First Day with the car
- Added the Sportline all weather floor mats
- Tinted 35% all around in 3M (Except windshield)



(November, 2016):
- Got the P3 Multi Vent Guage
- Installed a replica F80 lip spoiler
- Purchased an M-Sport Exhaust


(April, 2017):
- Purchased an Injen Intake
- Installed replica gloss black kidney grills
- Added a tow hook license plate bracket
- Purchased replica 437m wheels 18x8.5 w/ 225/45/18 tires



(January, 2018):
- Ordered the following parts online and had Carsmetics in Mount Laurel, NJ paint and install everything:
- Depo Headlights
- F80 replica front bumper for F30
- M-Sport Rear Bumper w/ upgraded diffuser and painted reflectors



(February, 2018):
- Protune from Labworx in Cherry Hill, NJ flashed/unlocked DME (estimated at 320whp, will be getting dyno'd soon)
- Installed my M-Sport Steering Wheel w/ heating, no paddles (no coding required)
- M Sport Door Sills driver and passenger side




(March, 2018):
- Installed the SAT Shifter for a more modern look (no coding required)
- Debadged the "328i" and "X-Drive" badges



(April, 2018):
- Added the Bimmertech MMI w/ rearview camera & guidelines
- Installed M-Sport side skirts
- Purchased Avant Garde M359 Gloss Black. Front: 18x8.5 w/ 245/40/18 tires. Rear: 18x9.5 w/ 275/35/18 tires (0.4% Rotational diameter difference, suitable for X-Drive)




(May, 2018):
- New Tires all around - Riken Raptor A/S All Season Directional, with 2 year Road Hazard Warranty
- My old tires were worn and 1 bubbled, so had to upgrade
- Installed H&R X-Drive Sport Springs (Review in Comments)
- Thought of parting out and trading in for an F80 M3, but decided against it after Insurance nearly doubling and enjoying the F30 for a few more years instead

Before:


After:



(June, 2018):
- M Performance Interior Trim
- M Performance Center Console Trim
- M Performance Alcantara Handbrake
- M Performance Gear Selector
- iDrive larger knob




(July, 2018):
- BAVSound Stage One Speakers
- Consists of (2 Tweeters, 4 Door Mids, 1 Center Dash)
- BAVSound Ghost V2 Underseat Subwoofers
- Consists of (2 Subs under each front seat)



(August, 2018):
- Serviced at BMW of Mt. Laurel (Oil Change, etc)


(October, 2018):
- Depo OEM Red Style LCI Taillights
- Headlight Switch Silver Trim
- Ambient Light Interior Upgrade



(November, 2018):
- Navigation Road Map NORTH AMERICA Premium 2019-1 Update
- Red Start/Stop Button
- All Weather Black Floor Mats
- LCI Radio Trim





(February, 2019):
- M Performance Steering Wheel Trim
- ///M LED Door Lights (4)



(March, 2019):
- 60k Oil Change done at BMW of Mt. Laurel and Spark Plugs done at Indy Shop
- Mud-flaps




*Latest Mods/Pics will get Updated in this original post only for easier viewing*
Thanks for looking, and feel free to comment with any questions/concerns

Last edited by smuttana; 03-18-2019 at 05:55 PM..
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      05-07-2018, 01:51 AM   #2
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Looks great!
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      05-07-2018, 09:00 AM   #3
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      05-07-2018, 09:55 AM   #4
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I've never seen the vent gauge before. What are you monitoring with that?
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      05-07-2018, 10:00 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkStarBimmer View Post
I've never seen the vent gauge before. What are you monitoring with that?
Usually I just leave it on the Boost screen mode to view how many pounds when going WOT, etc. But you can also change it to other desired modes as well, depending on what info you want to see
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      05-07-2018, 10:23 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkStarBimmer View Post
I've never seen the vent gauge before. What are you monitoring with that?
P3 gauges. They're pretty neat. Can do 0-60s, monitor boost, among other things.
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      05-14-2018, 10:52 AM   #7
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Springs Installed (Updated 1 Month Review)

So I purchased the H&R X-Drive Springs New off of **********, lowest price on the Internet and arrived within 24 hours of placing the order!
My car has 49k miles, and I did not upgrade the struts or bump stops.

Install:
Overall time took 6.5 hours with myself and a friend have done numerous spring/coilover installs on our previous cars. Reason for that much time was getting stuck up on small stuff, such as lining up the shock and arm back, and having to search for the correct tools. If we had done it again, it would be done within 4 hours max.

Results:
Immediately it was noticeable that the car dropped nearly 1.5" all around, as expected, and upon test driving the ride quality felt nearly the same as stock surprisingly, as I read many reviews where people were mentioning it was stiff. In addition, no squeaking sounds or anything odd occurred. I'm assuming they may drop slightly more, but will be getting an alignment after 1 month/1k miles, as I purchased new tires too

Overall:
I am highly pleased with how the result, and the car now looks great. Handling wise, I do not feel much of a difference with aggressive cornering. Now, on normal flat roads the car drives smooth and great, however bumps in the road do feel noticeably stiffer and a bit uncomfortable. It really depends on how bad the roads by you are. Mine are decent in South NJ, hence I am happy with the overall outcome.



Last edited by smuttana; 06-08-2018 at 11:14 AM..
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      05-14-2018, 12:20 PM   #8
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Nice!
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      06-08-2018, 11:07 AM   #9
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Added some more pics in original post and picked up the M Performance Interior for a deal I couldn't pass up

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      06-11-2018, 05:34 PM   #10
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More Parts installed
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      06-11-2018, 06:07 PM   #11
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      06-12-2018, 11:09 AM   #12
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Looks awesome man. Love the look of the M bumper, and the wheels look beefy!
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      07-08-2018, 12:44 PM   #13
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Great car - and project manager behind the project. :-)

By the way, what's the weight of the current wheels? Lighter than OEM?
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      07-08-2018, 12:53 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cfm56d7b View Post
Great car - and project manager behind the project. :-)

By the way, what's the weight of the current wheels? Lighter than OEM?
Thanks!
The AG M359's are 24 lbs and the Style 397's are 26 lbs.
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      07-18-2018, 06:02 PM   #15
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Picked up the BAVSound Stage One Speakers, and installed them with the help of a friend in 2.5 hours.

I was initially skeptical on how much better of an improvement they would be compared to my Hi-Fi (676), but after finding them brand new off another forum member for nearly half price, I decided to give it a shot based on all the positive reviews.

Just hearing it for under 5 mins and I could already tell the difference. The bass came much more to life at lower volumes, while the mids/highs felt more filling and surround. Apparently they take upto 10 hours to "break in", which will take me 2-3 weeks worth of driving.
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      07-19-2018, 12:42 PM   #16
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Excellent close up shots of your car!! Love it!
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      07-19-2018, 12:47 PM   #17
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Quote:
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Excellent close up shots of your car!! Love it!
Thanks! Definitely need some better quality pics though, these are all iPhone X shots lol
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      08-16-2018, 10:15 AM   #18
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+More interior upgrades! Now waiting on those USR Depo LCI Tailights still
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      09-02-2018, 05:36 PM   #19
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Was bored and did a quick photoshoot and edit with Lightroom to make it pop


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      09-05-2018, 04:22 PM   #20
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Very inspiring build journey! And the car looks great!
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      09-08-2018, 08:56 AM   #21
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Quote:
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Very inspiring build journey! And the car looks great!
Thanks!
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      11-24-2018, 11:49 AM   #22
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+ Bunch of Interior New Mods!
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