[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Stück

I'm at about $21,100 right now +- some pocket change..

It'd be pretty interesting to include hours you put in, at say 2/3 of dealership rate into this calculation. You know, your research, running around and doing the actual work on the car.

I get this is something that you like to do, and likely will end up with better car in the end. I mean, you're paying close attention to every single detail comparing to some random dealership shop, but it'd be interesting to compare the numbers once it's all said and done.

Congrats on reaching that first milestone, test drive.

[UA_civ_eng]

Originally Posted by Stück

Drove the car in to work this morning, ~25mi trip. No problems. Just before I exited the freeway the iDrive mouthed off with low coolant level, I didn't note any leaks so its likely just settling from initial fill.

Oil temperature gauge runs about a needles width backed off of 250F. Is that normal? Seems high... My E39 m54b30 ran about 220F.

Also, don't forget that these cars frequently leak coolant at the turbos, but yeah that rapid decrease was most likely due to air being in the system initially. I have to add a few ounces every couple of months and just don't bother with fixing the slow leaks.

In regards to the oil temp, my 550i runs that temperature when in city traffic and over ~80 degrees outside.

Glad to hear she's running and riding nicely.

[blackberrycubed]

Does the car have a salvage title ?

[Stück]

Originally Posted by blackberrycubed

Does the car have a salvage title ?

The car was written off by USAA, so yes the title will bear a "rebuilt salvage" or something to that effect brand in the remarks box on the normal title once its registered in my name.

In Texas Salvage Titles are only used when transferring ownership from the insurance companies to the next buyer. Once registered you get a normal Texas title back with a simple remark on it.

[Rat70fj]

My oil temp runs just below 250 as well. '13 535i. Seemed high to me, too.

Nice work on the rebuild, can't wait to see the stereo upgrade as well. I'm not too impressed with the hi-fi either.

[03BeastCharmer]

Impressive work. That first silver E30 you did is still one of my favorites.

[UA_civ_eng]

You can get your cooling remapped with a tune if you want it to run cooler. I would if I could, but I'm one of the unlucky N63 guys.

[Stück]

Not too worried about it, my car has the stock pathetic oil cooler but its better than nothing. After a highway run coolant is sitting at 220F and oil at 235F. Everything is within spec so far as I can tell.

Finally found some time to drive over to by buds shop with an Autologic and I was able to encode the STML by the VO, and get the LED's up and running with the learn in procedure.

No more annoying BC end of the world messages! Yay!

I also ordered my first round of modifications yesterday from another member, a LNIB set of BavSound Stage 1 speakers with Ghost subwoofers.

Very much looking forward to getting those in as I am an audiophile and several days into daily driving I'm starting to really dislike the sound quality of the factory SA676 Hifi.

I'm right at 250mi now on the tripometer. No problems, rock solid!

[lsturbointeg]

[mgattmch]

I enjoyed reading you post immensely; thank you very much.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Stück

I also ordered my first round of modifications yesterday from another member, a LNIB set of BavSound Stage 1 speakers with Ghost subwoofers.

Very much looking forward to getting those in as I am an audiophile and several days into daily driving I'm starting to really dislike the sound quality of the factory SA676 Hifi.

I'm curious to hear what you think after this upgrade?

Many criticize base audio system in these cars, so when I was shopping for a new car I was prepared to be dissapointed. I always use few Naim, Roksan and Chesky CDs to try to demo, and honestly, don't find the base system to sound that bad at all.

Yes, the bass is "loose", not "tight" at all, but not much else I find wrong with it. Better source and a bit of volume make it sound even better. That same imperfect bass reproduction, though not ideal, eliminates any kind of listening fatigue on the long trips. Think of it as equivalent of lower end tubes system, kinda makes things more sweet than they are.

Bluetooth audio is bad, and FM radio sounds bad, but that's true for most cars out there due to horrible compression stations use these days. iPod, and especially CDs (yes I know who uses those anymore) with a bit of adjustment, I found OK.

[Stück]

I guess it what you think of the factory stereo really depends on where you're coming from.

My E39 at one point had a $2800 Hybrid Audio Legatia LE 3 way front component set in it, with a McIntosh headunit and 3 McIntosh amplifiers running full active.

On the same token I'm also realistic of what I can expect out of the factory NBT headunit as a source, regardless of what is down stream on the signal path. I've installed BavSound speakers for customers before and they definitely do improve the sound significantly. Along with the Bimmertech amp (there is a Group Buy open now) it should be good enough I can leave it alone from there.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Stück

I guess it what you think of the factory stereo really depends on where you're coming from.

Absolutely true, I can certainly understand that.

Guess I'm fine with "good enough" in the car, I mean, we're not using high resolution source to start with.
At home I'm a lot more selective - which as you already know gets very expensive.

[Stück]

Oh and do also realize that NBT equipped cars can play high resolution lossless FLAC files off a USB stick :-) They sound oh so much better than any other source I've tried thus far.

[m_alnimah]

Originally Posted by Stück

Oh and do also realize that NBT equipped cars can play high resolution lossless FLAC files off a USB stick :-) They sound oh so much better than any other source I've tried thus far.

Any pics of the finished product?

[Stück]

I'll have some this weekend when I get a chance to finish finite alignment of the front end body panels and clean up / detail the car. I was in such a rust Monday evening to get it drivable I didn't concern myself with perfect alignment. Stuff still needs to be loosened, adjusted, etc.

[frivas]

Originally Posted by .BMW.

Here is a good DIY post: f10.5post.com

thanks!! just what I needed!!!

[UA_civ_eng]

Car still doing well? Are you going to get M Sport wheels to complete the appearance?

[Stück]

Car is doing great, its got about 400 me miles on it now. Daily driven it since the 7th.

I got the panel gaps set about as perfect as I think is possible and I'm pleased with the outcome.

I've already added BavSound Stage 1 speakers with the Ghost subwoofers, I've got a nice alloy charge pipe sitting on the tool box, and I'm in the middle of a LCI MSport steering wheel swap... on hold for dealer parts. Both of those mods are covered with pictures in the Navi-Coding sub forum.

No intentions of getting the MSport 19's. They are way too heavy and they don't look "all that" for what it would cost to do the upfit.

I'm looking at a couple different sets of Forged 20's, staggered.

I'm currently waiting on responses from both manufacturers on final costs for desired finishes, and estimated lead time. In that regard both companies are being pretty bad. For wheels that retail for 1000-1500ea they seem in no hurry to make a sale....

I'm looking at the Niche Alpine Monotec


and the BC Forged HC-S03

[auaq]

I prefer to have wheels that have less number of spokes and are much easier to clean them. Plus they just look simpler in my eye. And appear to be lighter as well.

[auaq]

Been a while but how's it running so far? Any more interesting thing(s) you're liking about this car?

[Stück]

Originally Posted by auaq

Been a while but how's it running so far? Any more interesting thing(s) you're liking about this car?

Slummin' it over here on account of your TO on BFc huh? :rofl

Love the car. Needs more power, and better wheels/tires.

Wheels and tires should be here end of the month. I decided on those Forged 20" BC's, partly because they looked cleaner and partly because Niche can't return a damn phone call like... -at all-