[thenewrick]

Hey, I just got a manual 2007 335i convertible in black sapphire a few weeks ago. I used to have a heavily modified 2004 Subaru STi and am looking forward to doing some work on the E93. I don't plan on modding it much. It looks like the, "Golf Tee" mod and the JB4 + DCI are a popular starting point so I'm thinking that's what I'll do first. I'm also interested in clearing out as many of the yellow lights as well and doing, "something" about those orange fender reflectors. I've read through a bunch of threads and I've noticed that very few people are modding E93s but I imagine most of the E92 mods will work the same.

First quirk I've noticed. When the top is down, the rear gets verrry herrrrafrush; less than an inch of gap. I guess that's the price you pay when you add 400 pounds to the rear of the car.

First impressions, the car drives smooth and is mechanically sound. It's definitely a big ol pig though. Acceleration, especially up-hill, is only adequate. I'm hoping the JB4 and DCI will give the car a much more spirited feel.

I may turn this into a build thread. I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place for it though.

[rylak]

Welcome.

For Golf Tee Mod: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=588901

Acceleration definitely feels alot better after a tune and dci.

As for painted reflectors, I would suggest the ones from ind-distribution.com over the ones from bimmian. iND uses the OEM reflectors to make theirs.

[fun2drive]

There are significantly more tuning options than JB4. That said I have a JB+ right now but will soon be installing my Cobb AP and larger FMIC. I like the ability to use thousands of tunes that Cobb has and also tweak my own tune to my own requirements.
Not that I know exactly what those requirements are but there is so much more information and tailored tunes for Cobb.
Each to their own.
I also suggest the wind blocker if you drive a lot top down it works really well.
Remember this is a convertible not a coupe or sedan and not something you race (a few people do but not most of us)/
Concept of the convertible is that it isn't where you are going because you are already where you want to be...

[thenewrick]

Thanks for the tips. I really like the JB4 because it's much cheaper than Cobb units. I used to have a Cobb Accessport for my STi and wasn't happy with it.

This is my first experience in a convertible and I love it! I went into this car with the mentality that it wouldn't be a sports car and more of a comfortable touring car. After my STi nothing really would feel sporty to me so I'm not trying to recreate that sensation. I just figured for under a grand I could get a lot out of the car.

The only power mods I'm considering at the moment are DCI, tuning software, and exhaust if I can find one cheap. I've been looking for a cheap wind blocker as well. It seems like everything that would cost $100 on the Subaru is now $1000 on the BMW but I knew that came with the territory.

I'm still going through the, "make sure nothing is broken and read through the manual and learn all about the car phase". Hopefully I can start modding within a month or so.

NASIOC was an amazing car forum for the Subaru. I'm hoping this forum will be as helpful and informative!

[droptop335]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Hey, I just got a manual 2007 335i convertible in black sapphire a few weeks ago. I used to have a heavily modified 2004 Subaru STi and am looking forward to doing some work on the E93. I don't plan on modding it much. It looks like the, "Golf Tee" mod and the JB4 + DCI are a popular starting point so I'm thinking that's what I'll do first. I'm also interested in clearing out as many of the yellow lights as well and doing, "something" about those orange fender reflectors. I've read through a bunch of threads and I've noticed that very few people are modding E93s but I imagine most of the E92 mods will work the same.

First quirk I've noticed. When the top is down, the rear gets verrry herrrrafrush; less than an inch of gap. I guess that's the price you pay when you add 400 pounds to the rear of the car.

First impressions, the car drives smooth and is mechanically sound. It's definitely a big ol pig though. Acceleration, especially up-hill, is only adequate. I'm hoping the JB4 and DCI will give the car a much more spirited feel.

I may turn this into a build thread. I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place for it though.

What the hell is "verrry herrrafrush"?

[thenewrick]

Haha, It's just an exaggerated way of saying, "Hella flush" which means a lowered suspension and negative camber on the wheels. I'm actually not a fan of the hella flush look. I won't be lowering the car anymore or be getting larger wheels; that's for sure.

[duky]

Love e93 wish I had one. Got pics?

[Blindside_137]

Welcome

As far as modding goes, you can do pretty much anything to the E93 that you can do to the E92's. The trunk has a different shape so a lot of the coupe spoilers won't fit perfectly.

They are just a lot less common than the coupes and sedans, so like you said you won't see as many modded.

[thenewrick]

It's very dirty and I haven't washed it yet. I'm a little picky about detailing so I want to put in a good 8 hours on the car before taking initial pics. I think I'm going to do the interior today.

Ya the mods seem about the same with the E92. There are just minor differences with the trunk like you said and some other little bracing differences.

[roadkillrob]

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

Welcome

As far as modding goes, you can do pretty much anything to the E93 that you can do to the E92's. The trunk has a different shape so a lot of the coupe spoilers won't fit perfectly.

They are just a lot less common than the coupes and sedans, so like you said you won't see as many modded.

+1 basically all coupe stuff works unless it is around the trunk area, like a spoiler, even the rear bumper is the same and everything in front of the a-pillars. Most of the interior is the same except the back seats and trim around the seats.

Good luck with the mods - a tune helps a lot with the extra weight, but once the top is down you forget about everything!

[Dark_Knight_335]

This! So worth it.

[thenewrick]

Ya, I bought the car with the intention of getting it tuned. I learned my lesson with the STi; always buy factory turbo and tune it.

I have at least 20 questions about the car but I figured I'd just piecemeal them with search and Google.

I just spent a couple hours cleaning the interior. At least an hour was spent on removing pointless stickers; ugh. I'm making progress but it needs at least another hour on the interior then another 6 on exterior. I'm getting those karate kid forearms; wipe on wipe off.

*I also haven't driven it hard at all yet. I haven't squealed the tires once. I still want to get more comfortable with the way it handles before much spirited driving occurs. This is my first RWD vehicle as well and I know a lot of unique driving dynamics come from that. I'm still a bit of an AWD fanboi though.

** I'd love to see some good E93 build-up threads if there are any famous/infamous ones

[andrew_b]

I suspect you'll enjoy your E93. Suggest you check out the excellent "Keeping Your 3 Series Origami Top in Tip Top Shape" thread over on another forum.

My mods so far:
- color matched front reflectors
- Aero lip
- Interior and license plate LEDs
- Angel eye and fog lamps replaced with GP Thunder Plasma White bulbs (not as bright as LED retrofit, but easier and much much cheaper, and almost as bright)
- BSH Oil catch can
- Cobb tune


New wheels and tires (Apex EC-7 and PS2) coming in spring, along with Bilstein B-12s. Thought about more performance mods, but honestly it's quick enough for me right now (Cobb 0-60 times of high 4s).

Only thing that's a pain is I had to join PCA for access to more DE, since BMW events still don't allow cabrios (even retractable hard tops) unless they have a full cage.

[Blindside_137]

You won't find many build threads.. not sure there even are any for verts..

But here's a few pics of mine

-Matte Black Grilles
-Gloss Black Badge
-Matte Black Window Trim (Vinyl)
-Painted Reflectors
-Avant Garde M359 19" Wheels
-M3 Style Spoiler
-Lux V3 Angel Eyes (not shown)
-Blacked out sidemarker (not shown)

Future mods
-35% Tint (this week)
-Aero Lip (xmas)
-M3 Skirts (spring)
-Mtech rear (summer)



window trim shot



spoiler

[thenewrick]

I really like the color matched reflectors and the vinyl trim. I think I'm going to plasti dip the front grills but there's so much awkward chrome trim that I don't know if I'll mess with the rest of it.

I'd really like to get white angel eyes, and clear out the orange in the corner of the headlight but I'm not sure what the easiest/cheapest/best way to do it is. I'm just looking for a clean white/clear look and they don't need to be bright. I've seen a lot of options but not sure exactly which one is right for me. I'd also like to change my dash display from orange to red if possible. I'd also like to find some inexpensive license plate LED lights.