[CPT Smuggs]

Hi Everyone,

I am primarily creating this post as a journal for myself, which I hope to keep updated, but also to give back to the amazing community and everyone else that is posting. There is a lot of good information on these forums!

My first BMW was a 2006 330xi, black on black. I owned it for 10 years and loved every minute of it! Unfortunately, time has a way of catching up with even the best built and maintained cars, and after the repairs started piling up, I knew it was time for another car.

I researched and test drove a lot of cars, not just BMW, and it ultimately came down to 3 cars -- Nissan 370z, BMW 335xi, and the BMW 328xi. As much as my wife hated the 370z, I was really tempted. Ultimately, I decided against it during a test drive on wintery roads. I'm certain they are very fun cars in the summer, but I want to have fun year round!

The 335 vs 328 was a tough choice as both were in my price range. When I owned my 330xi, I always wanted a 335xi for the turbo factor, so I thought it was an easy decision. However, after test driving both back-to-back, to my surprise I fell in love with the 328! (Even now I have badge envy despite loving my car and having no logical reason)

For me, the 328 has similar power, slightly better gas mileage, and better handling. The 335 felt a little front heavy during high speed turns. The 328 also had the awesome coral red interior I wanted, which I couldn't find in an available 335. I'm sure I would have chosen the 335 if the price, options, and color schemes were identical. Both are amazing cars!

So, without further ado... Here is my new 2014 AW F30 328xi M-Sport with red coral interior! She came fully loaded along with low miles, existing factory warranty, and CPO!

Options
ZCW Cold Weather Package
ZDA Driving Assistance Package
ZLP Lighting Package
ZMM M Sport
ZPP Premium Package
ZTP Technology Package
2TB Sport Automatic Transmission
2VB Tire pressure monitor
302 Alarm System
319 Universal garage-door opener
337 M Sport Package
430 Auto-dimming mirrors
431 Auto-dimming Rearview Mirror
459 Power Front Seats
465 Split Fold-down-rear Seat
493 Storage Package
4DL High-Gloss Black Trim Highlight
521 Rain Sensor & Auto Headlight
534 Automatic Climate Control
563 Ambient Lighting
575 Additional 12-V Power Sockets
5AC Automatic high beams
688 Harman Kardon surround sound
6AC BMW Assist
8TN Daytime Driving Lights
9AA Transport Protection
S248A Steering Wheel Heater
S2PPA M 400 Wheels
S494A Seat Heating Driver / Passenger
S496A Seat Heating Rear
S508A Park Distance Control (PDC)
S522A Xenon Light
S524A Adaptive Headlights

Warranty
Factory thru 11/02/2017
CPO thru 11/02/2019

Stock


Current


Mods
- OEM Concept 437m 19x9.5 ET35/40
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 255/35
- BMW M Performance Exhaust
- Llumar CTX Ceramic Tint
- POR-15 Painted Rotors / Calipers
- BMS JB4 *future*
- M Performance Side Skirts (51192240983) *future*
- Rear Spoiler (51192349678) *future*

Care
- Leather Master Cleaner + Vital + Protection

[CPT Smuggs]

My first mod will be transferring the VMR V710 18x8.5 wheels from my old car to the new one. They have Continental DWS tires on them that are wonderful in the snow! I plan on keeping both sets of wheels.

[CPT Smuggs]

I decided to try Leather Master out first for taking care of those beautiful red leather seats. If that doesn't work as well as expected, then I'll give Leatherique a try. Both get very good reviews on these forums, however Leather Master is easier to use on a monthly basis and can be used in cold weather. Leatherique appears to provide the same or better results, but requires warm weather and a few days.

Zainos Z-9 and Z-10 will be my third option, if needed. Others such as BMW brand and Lexol get mixed reviews and suggest the possibility of a harder seat or slippery feel/look.

Bottom line, the BMW Dakota leather has a protective "plastic" layer over the leather, so water based solutions should be used, not oil. The seats also don't need conditioning, even though many owners swear it helps.

Update: After applying Leather Master two months ago, I'll give it a thumbs up. My seats stay clean and soft without any plastic feel or sheen. It applies quickly and easily, with a quick final buff after 1 hour. Will keep caring for my seats with Leather Master.

[CPT Smuggs]

For anyone wondering why I decided on the BMW M Performance Exhaust (MPE), in the end it was between that and the AWE setup. I wanted something that gives the car an audible note on startup (missed that from my 330) but isn't too loud or droning during normal driving. Both MPE and AWE seem to fit those needs, AWE being the more aggressive and expensive of the two. After a lot of positive reviews on the MPE and being a warranty friendly part (still have 3 years left on warranty), I decided that was the one for me.

I prefer the balanced look of the 335 exhaust and considered doing a conversion, but after reading smithf80's journey from stock to 435i stock to 435i MPE and ending up with 428i MPE, I thought I would save the pain and probably be happy with the 328i MPE setup.

New exhaust should be here early next week. I'll post some pictures and thoughts after it's installed!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats!!

sub'd for exhaust video


What else do you have planned for the car?

[CPT Smuggs]

Thanks Mike!

I bought some 40" race ramps today to help with the install, and because I'll need them in the future anyway. Should happen Monday.

Going to pickup my car now with VMR v710 wheels installed. Llumar CTX tint goes on tomorrow!

After that, we'll see how quickly the tune bug bites me.

[phefner]

For that MPE .. is it the entire exhaust system or just the mufflers? I'm guessing the right way to tackle some of the injector noise is with a full retro to the M exhaust. We have a 2013 328 M-Sport and really like it .. minus that diesel sound.

Thanks for posting the idea and look forward to hearing how it works.

[CPT Smuggs]

Originally Posted by phefner

For that MPE .. is it the entire exhaust system or just the mufflers? I'm guessing the right way to tackle some of the injector noise is with a full retro to the M exhaust. We have a 2013 328 M-Sport and really like it .. minus that diesel sound.

Thanks for posting the idea and look forward to hearing how it works.

It's an axle-back, so just the muffler. I know that it won't offer any performance gains, just trying it for the sound.

[CPT Smuggs]

Stock 400m wheels, no tint.


VMR v710 wheels, no tint.


VMR v710 wheels, 50% front, 30% rear, 15% back Llumar CTX tint.






Still deciding if 15% in the back is too dark.


Very happy with the quality of the tint clarity and install. Summer will tell how much heat reduction it provides.

[phefner]

Nice look .. We have the same car but with a Black interior.

Thanks for the MPE response above too.

[.BMW.]

Very nice F30!

Congrats.

[CPT Smuggs]

See http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...7#post21108597 for DIY MPE exhaust install.

[Aekdbrich]

Beautiful car. Are you planning on changing springs to modify the stance at all?

[CPT Smuggs]

Originally Posted by Aekdbrich

Beautiful car. Are you planning on changing springs to modify the stance at all?

No plans right now. I agree that springs will improve the look and handling, but probably won't do anything at least until it's out of warranty. I owned my 330xi for 10 years and never did springs, so this car may be the same.

[wdeerfield]

Car is looking good! those tires from your e90 are a little undersized though for the f3x platform. Its definitely throwing off your speedo and you will see more mileage in the odometer than you actually did. Itll improve your 0-60 time though. I discovered the same and went to a 235/45/18 on the 18x8.5s instead of the e90 235/40s

[CPT Smuggs]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

Car is looking good! those tires from your e90 are a little undersized though for the f3x platform. Its definitely throwing off your speedo and you will see more mileage in the odometer than you actually did. Itll improve your 0-60 time though. I discovered the same and went to a 235/45/18 on the 18x8.5s instead of the e90 235/40s

Good to know. Are we talking 1-2 mph or more? What is considered the perfect size wheel and tire for the f30?

[wdeerfield]

Originally Posted by CPT Smuggs

Good to know. Are we talking 1-2 mph or more? What is considered the perfect size wheel and tire for the f30?

you want to keep it to 26" diameter. right now you are at 25.4" and when your speedo says 60 you are actually doing 58.5 mph with the wheel doing almost 20 more revolutions per mile.

by going slightly taller than 26 (235/45/18 measures at 26.3") it will be only 1% taller and actually correct the bmw speedo as they read fast by 1% usually.

[CPT Smuggs]

After a lot of research and looking at wheels and tires, I have decided to try the OEMconcept 437m replicas in a square setup using 19x8.5 ET35 with a 255/35 tire. The square setup should be the best combination for balance, cornering, and protecting the xDrive transfer case and transmission.

A very close second option is a staggered 19x8.5 ET35 235/40 and 19x9.5 ET40 265/35 setup. I'll be using this if the 255/35 don't fit for any reason.

Both of these options allow for a slight to moderate drop without rubbing based on multiple users feedback. Special thanks for the following threads:

bzzzp
martsro
T4NZ4NIT3 335i
BIMMERGUY91

[barzul]

Originally Posted by CPT Smuggs

After a lot of research and looking at wheels and tires, I have decided to try the OEMconcept 437m replicas in a square setup using 19x8.5 ET35 with a 255/35 tire. The square setup should be the best combination for balance, cornering, and protecting the xDrive transfer case and transmission.

A very close second option is a staggered 19x8.5 ET35 235/40 and 19x9.5 ET40 265/35 setup. I'll be using this if the 255/35 don't fit for any reason.

Both of these options allow for a slight to moderate drop without rubbing based on multiple users feedback. Special thanks for the following threads:

bzzzp
martsro
T4NZ4NIT3 335i
BIMMERGUY91

no worries, they will fit your car

nice car btw

[insanecoder]

If I had a 328 I'd try to turn it into a Dinan 328 .. 300 ftlb+ of torque in a balanced sedan
http://www.tflcar.com/2016/02/2016-b...arison-review/

[CPT Smuggs]

Originally Posted by insanecoder

If I had a 328 I'd try to turn it into a Dinan 328 .. 300 ftlb+ of torque in a balanced sedan
http://www.tflcar.com/2016/02/2016-b...arison-review/

Thanks for the link. I'll likely do a lot of that without going as extreme. I.e. ACS springs, Bilstein shocks, and JB4 or similar.

[CPT Smuggs]

I just ordered a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S! Shown as in stock on the inventory computer and should be here next week! Possibly before my wheels arrive. I'm excited!