[charrison1019]

Hello all,

I'm very new to this BMW ownership thing so I thought I should document this journey for anyone else who may be new or thinking about ownership in the future. I'll try to quickly provide a bit of my automotive background for context.

I came from a good history of Subaru ownership having had a '99 Outback Sport that got me into college. Eventually that car was getting a bit old (260k miles) so traded it for a lower mileage '00 model year and modded that mostly with suspension components to make it more competitive in my AutoX class.


After my undergrad the car became a bit much to commute every day in being that it was low, absorbed bumps like a baseball bat to the face, and had an exhaust that droned constantly. I, like a fool, thought trading that in for a '04 Land Rover Discovery was a great idea, but quickly learned what owning one of those was all about and sold the truck in less than 10 months.

My current car however returned me to Subaru and I managed to find a 1 owner and fully documented '06 Legacy 2.5 GT Spec.b. This is actually one of the most rare cars Subaru made so my mods were very carefully chosen to keep the car tasteful and ensure it's re-sale value and heritage.


However this car was sold last weekend and I'm borrowing a car from my parents in the mean time while I wait for the new car, a 2016 435i Gran Coupe xDrive. I put my order in on the 18th and according to the phone number I am scheduled to end production on the 29th. I ordered mine in Mineral Grey, with the Saddle Brown interior and Anthracite trim. I loaded it up with every option except for the track handling package, and luxury package (M-Sport all the way). Optioned up the 442 style wheels, and included the adaptive cruise so I can relax a bit in the lovely Chicago rush hour.

However, the modification bug is strong and I have already purchased painted reflectors, a blacked out grill, MSport pedals, and an ENET cable. This weekend I'll be adding a front lip and rear deck lid spoiler to my growing pile of parts. Future mods may include lowering springs (we'll see how I like the adaptive M suspension), an intake and a Dinan Stage 1 tune.

Hopefully my dive into BMW ownership will be as awesome as I hope it will be.

[ronanz]

Enjoy your build! I'd save your money and bypass Dinan for JB4 or flash tune tho...


.

[charrison1019]

Originally Posted by ronanz

Enjoy your build! I'd save your money and bypass Dinan for JB4 or flash tune tho...


.

Any pros / cons on this. I'm all for saving a buck when it makes sense (my fiance will disagree though).

[ronanz]

Originally Posted by charrison1019

Any pros / cons on this. I'm all for saving a buck when it makes sense (my fiance will disagree though).

Dinan's a rather mild tune and won't produce their advertised gains. Their pricing is tied to their "Warranty" (which is subjective) and the dealer benefits from their inflated labor rates...

HERE'S a Thread I started, comparing MPPK, Dinan S2 , and Enzo Tunes...

.

[charrison1019]

Originally Posted by ronanz

Dinan's a rather mild tune and won't produce their advertised gains. Their pricing is tied to their "Warranty" (which is subjective) and the dealer benefits from their inflated labor rates...

HERE'S a Thread I started, comparing MPPK, Dinan S2 , and Enzo Tunes...

.

Much appreciated. That's one hell of a build you have there, I love all those carbon fiber details.

[tboooe]

Bitchin' Subarus! 260K miles! I thought my old Toyota Solara beater had some miles (330K and running strong when I finally sold it).

I too have an F36. My fav mods:
M Performance rear diffuser (replica to save money)
Ditching the run flats
Coding out yellow turn signals

Looking forward to your build!

[charrison1019]

Originally Posted by tboooe

Bitchin' Subarus! 260K miles! I thought my old Toyota Solara beater had some miles (330K and running strong when I finally sold it).

I too have an F36. My fav mods:
M Performance rear diffuser (replica to save money)
Ditching the run flats
Coding out yellow turn signals

Looking forward to your build!

Wow, your F36 is amazing. Really thoughtful and tasteful mods. Out of curiosity, where did you get your diffuser? I was planning on picking up my lip and spoiler from RW Carbon as I have heard good things about fit, shipping speed, and customer service and they have a diffuser but wasn't totally sure about it yet.

[tboooe]

Thank you for the kinds words. I definitely try to keep an OEM+ type look.

I got my diffuser from BavAuto but I am certain all the ones on ebay and other vendors like RW come from the same place in Asia. For the lip, I was planning on also getting a replica from Ebay but some other members turned me on to this one from Lightweight. Its more low profile and once you add in paint its roughly the same price as a replica front spoiler



http://www.lightweight-titanauspuffa...m435i-f32.html

[charrison1019]

Just called the number, car is in the paint shop currently with an anticipated completion date of the 30th. This waiting is killing me.

[D_Frost]

Congrats and good luck with the mod bug!

[charrison1019]

According to the 800 number the car is wrapped up and waiting for the exporter already. Also put my order in for that RW Carbon lip and spoiler. I'll do a full write up on the parts when everything starts coming together.

[Labeef]

Originally Posted by ronanz

Dinan's a rather mild tune and won't produce their advertised gains. Their pricing is tied to their "Warranty" (which is subjective) and the dealer benefits from their inflated labor rates...

HERE'S a Thread I started, comparing MPPK, Dinan S2 , and Enzo Tunes...

.

While I agree with the power gains being mild. Dinan gives numbers at the crank, not at the wheels like JB4 etc. In addition, allot of the cost is not warranty, it's the R&D that goes into each product. Youtube some interviews with Mr. Dinan him self. He makes allot of valid points on piggybacks and what Dinan does differently. Sure JB4 is good, but I rather buy something that has been created in a sterile lab and tortured on a dyno for max efficiency and reliability.

[ronanz]

Originally Posted by Labeef

While I agree with the power gains being mild. Dinan gives numbers at the crank, not at the wheels like JB4 etc. In addition, allot of the cost is not warranty, it's the R&D that goes into each product. Youtube some interviews with Mr. Dinan him self. He makes allot of valid points on piggybacks and what Dinan does differently. Sure JB4 is good, but I rather buy something that has been created in a sterile lab and tortured on a dyno for max efficiency and reliability.

Hmmmmmmmm.....that's weird, cuz here's his view just two years ago. You know, before the BMW ECU Encryption's writing was on the wall...

His thoughts on the Future of Tuning (Beginning 9:45) Reality kicks in...

.

[mike@x-ph.com]

charrison1019 Congrats!!

[charrison1019]

Thanks everyone. As of now she's waiting at the port for assignment. I've been looking and I'm having a hard time finding info on the ships and their schedules / ports of call. If any one has some info about that so I can really stalk my car that'd be great.

Also, reached out to my dealer and asked if it would be cool for them to put on my parts for me while the car is still clean and in a warm garage before I officially pick it up. Guy basically told me that they'll only touch genuine BMW parts and we could try to talk to the head service tech when my actually shows up. I think my salesman is just lazy.

[charrison1019]

She's on the Tugela heading to Baltimore with an arrival date of the 20th!


The tentative plan is to take ownership on the 26th or 27th, get the winter wheels and tires mounted, then drop it off to get the lip, spoiler, painted reflectors, and grill installed along with the windows tinted the following week so I can give my loaner back on the 5th.

Shout out to Matt with RW Carbon for being totally awesome to work with as well. Stellar customer service all around.

[charrison1019]

This waiting is killing me.
Today when I got home instead of doing homework I decided to mock up what I hope my car will look like in the very near term after I take delivery... and then make this post, because procrastinate.

Also, my guest room has totally been taken over by parts, my fiance is thrilled.
Between wheels & tires, RW Carbon stuffs, Weather Tech, and other IND odds and ends there isn't a whole lot of space for actual guests.
Oh well, 10 days left....

[VMRWheels]

So close, yet so far away! You're almost there!

[Bols]

Woo! Very excited in your place It's gonna look stellar!

[charrison1019]

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

So close, yet so far away! You're almost there!

Originally Posted by Bols

Woo! Very excited in your place It's gonna look stellar!

Thanks, I appreciate it. Looks like she's been delivered in Baltimore over the weekend. I would assume I'm just waiting on customs and ground transportation to my dealer now.

I got to spend a little time over the weekend up in Milwaukee at Concours BMW (although new name is coming) and met with some of their team there while a buddy of mine was having his X5 worked on. I have to say, I was extremely impressed by the space, showroom, attentiveness of the staff, and overall experience. I almost wish I had made the drive up there just for that during my buying process. So if anyone hasn't been there and is in the area is definitely worth it.

[charrison1019]

Just got word that I'm picking her up tomorrow!!!

I cannot wait, I better take some sleep aids now otherwise I won't get a wink of sleep. Also got the first round of aesthetic upgrades scheduled for next Thursday and a full 3 day paint correction and CQuartz Finest application for the weekend of the 25th.

[bortnedrick]

Can't wait to see this come together! I have an F33 alpine white convertible on the way - just hit Nova Scotia today - port at Newark, then home to Boston!