What have you done with or to your M3 today?

Just removed the last "improvement" from the previous owner, the cheapo LED angel eye bulbs have been glitching and causing occasional error messages since I bought the car, but recently it went to a permanent AE failure on one side.

Turns out the FRM module has some kind of short circuit sense/protection where it basically disables the light and it cant be recovered by removing the faulty bulb and resetting the error (this is widely known apparently).

So as I was scared by all the descriptions of randomly coding variables out, I looked into alternatives and came across the "protool" app from bimmergeeks. Awesome tool, issue resolved in 10 minutes using my phone and a D-CAN cable and lots of other interesting things to look at later.

So I now have lux bulbs ands both sides working again.

ziashasta wrote

Just upgraded my two diff front bushing bolts to 12.9 grade instead of the stock 10.9 grade. Read a lot of horror stories about the bolts shearing, so hopefully this helps! I was worried about the partial thread of the 12.9 not fitting, but they fit perfectly.

You have a link on where you picked those up from?

Vedubin01 wrote

You have a link on where you picked those up from?

Here you go:

https://belmetric.com/m12x1-5-fine-allen-socket-12-9-din-912/?sku=BSH12X1.5X80P&gclid=Cj0KCQiAxoiQBhCRARIsAPsvo-zl5KY9LVQdnRCrDeowKfGSK89YZSxi1qDUA78UL8m-AuoG2mMgfjgaAkIvEALw_wcB

It’s the 100mm length

Late post. Was at Sonoma Raceway last Saturday.

Removed my Borla ATAK and replaced it with an MPE.

The ATAK was awesome by itself but combined with test pipes it was very loud and changed the tone a bit, sounded like a GT350 which I'm not a fan of.

This is the first time I had the MPE combined with just test pipes and the sound is absolutely horrible, quiet like stock until 3k then the rasp hits and it kinda sounds like an angry duck, from 3.5K-5k it has a nice signature MPE "hollow" wail if you're half throttle, if you're full throttle it sounds wretched. A farting machine gun is what my 10 year old describes it.

Stock X-pipe/cats will be going back on tomorrow. It's unfortunate, I had high hopes for this setup after watching some youtube videos, the sound on videos definitely does not translate well to real life.

A farting machine gun, lol! I love it!

That is the very reason I sold my MPE because I was going to go with a catless x-pipe and by all accounts, including yours now, the MPE is simply terrible with anything other than the stock x-pipe. Seems as though BMW did this on purpose, as I am sure all the other companies designs took into account that test pipes are one of the most common mod done on these cars.

DanMpower wrote

Removed my Borla ATAK and replaced it with an MPE.

The ATAK was awesome by itself but combined with test pipes it was very loud and changed the tone a bit, sounded like a GT350 which I'm not a fan of.

This is the first time I had the MPE combined with just test pipes and the sound is absolutely horrible, quiet like stock until 3k then the rasp hits and it kinda sounds like an angry duck, from 3.5K-5k it has a nice signature MPE "hollow" wail if you're half throttle, if you're full throttle it sounds wretched. A farting machine gun is what my 10 year old describes it.

Stock X-pipe/cats will be going back on tomorrow. It's unfortunate, I had high hopes for this setup after watching some youtube videos, the sound on videos definitely does not translate well to real life.

That setup with the MPE and test pipes or aftermarket x pipe is well documented. I wrote about it myself about 2 years ago. Sounded like dog shit. Stock x pipe with MPE does sound pretty good though.

DanMpower wrote

Removed my Borla ATAK and replaced it with an MPE.

The ATAK was awesome by itself but combined with test pipes it was very loud and changed the tone a bit, sounded like a GT350 which I'm not a fan of.

This is the first time I had the MPE combined with just test pipes and the sound is absolutely horrible, quiet like stock until 3k then the rasp hits and it kinda sounds like an angry duck, from 3.5K-5k it has a nice signature MPE "hollow" wail if you're half throttle, if you're full throttle it sounds wretched. A farting machine gun is what my 10 year old describes it.

Stock X-pipe/cats will be going back on tomorrow. It's unfortunate, I had high hopes for this setup after watching some youtube videos, the sound on videos definitely does not translate well to real life.

That's a funny kid:lol:. I have a full Akrapovic Evolution that sounded muted to me so I took the rear section off and added my old ATAK and it sounds perfect. The ATAK is a great-sounding muffler. A member on here sells the adapters.

ziashasta wrote

Here you go:

https://belmetric.com/m12x1-5-fine-allen-socket-12-9-din-912/?sku=BSH12X1.5X80P&gclid=Cj0KCQiAxoiQBhCRARIsAPsvo-zl5KY9LVQdnRCrDeowKfGSK89YZSxi1qDUA78UL8m-AuoG2mMgfjgaAkIvEALw_wcB

Can you share the length and thread amount as well? Was it a simple DIY? Support the diff take old out, put the new one in and repeat?

Good looking muffler, nicely polished inner tips. I did that recently to mine.
And for sure, MPE sounds great/unique alone and like absolute trash with any midpipe change!

DanMpower wrote

Removed my Borla ATAK and replaced it with an MPE.

The ATAK was awesome by itself but combined with test pipes it was very loud and changed the tone a bit, sounded like a GT350 which I'm not a fan of.

This is the first time I had the MPE combined with just test pipes and the sound is absolutely horrible, quiet like stock until 3k then the rasp hits and it kinda sounds like an angry duck, from 3.5K-5k it has a nice signature MPE "hollow" wail if you're half throttle, if you're full throttle it sounds wretched. A farting machine gun is what my 10 year old describes it.

Stock X-pipe/cats will be going back on tomorrow. It's unfortunate, I had high hopes for this setup after watching some youtube videos, the sound on videos definitely does not translate well to real life.

Lol that's the best description ever.

Glad you provided the info. I'm still doing my research on a complete exhaust system setup.

So far I pieced together the RKP X-Pipe and a few rear muffler sections in mind.

I think I am going to roll with the test pipes and everything else stock in the meantime. I'd love to do something with the tips though. Maybe just get those powdercoated a darker color to match everything else.

DanMpower wrote

Removed my Borla ATAK and replaced it with an MPE.

The ATAK was awesome by itself but combined with test pipes it was very loud and changed the tone a bit, sounded like a GT350 which I'm not a fan of.

This is the first time I had the MPE combined with just test pipes and the sound is absolutely horrible, quiet like stock until 3k then the rasp hits and it kinda sounds like an angry duck, from 3.5K-5k it has a nice signature MPE "hollow" wail if you're half throttle, if you're full throttle it sounds wretched. A farting machine gun is what my 10 year old describes it.

Stock X-pipe/cats will be going back on tomorrow. It's unfortunate, I had high hopes for this setup after watching some youtube videos, the sound on videos definitely does not translate well to real life.

I thought it was pretty well documented at this point that MPE is awesome with stock X-pipe and pretty bad with just about anything else. It's a real shame too because I'd love that combo myself.

irokwrx wrote

Can you share the length and thread amount as well? Was it a simple DIY? Support the diff take old out, put the new one in and repeat?

Length is 100mm and partial thread. I had washers already to use with the new bolts.

I was replacing my driveshaft so I had the midpipe, heat shields, and driveshaft all removed which made it real easy to access the bolts. I don't remember off the top of my head if those bolts can be accessed without at least removing the heat shield. Yes, I just supported the diff with a jack and 2x4 while taking out the stock bolts and putting in the new bolts one at a time.

are injectors still hard to get/expensive/back ordered?
I'm looking ahead to maintenance items as i'm nearing 93k miles and will be hitting 100k before the end of the year

edit - am I looking for ignition coil? is it the same thing?

XKxRome0ox wrote

are injectors still hard to get/expensive/back ordered?
I'm looking ahead to maintenance items as i'm nearing 93k miles and will be hitting 100k before the end of the year

In Stock

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-fuel-injector-kit-bosch-0280158164kt#description

Change my engine/motor mounts with some Powerflex mounts. My newish OE mounts were not that bad since I replaced them 20k miles ago when getting my RB done. I did notice the drivers side was starting to collapse.

As far as NVH, there is some, I feel it in my wheel at lower RPMS but not much at all and is not that noticeable. I am sure with time it will just feel normal. Also during engine breaking its a more of a jolt but not that much. Overall I am happy with them, it makes me feel a little more connected with the car. I used 2 of the 4 stiffening pins on each side.

Shiza wrote

In Stock

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-fuel-injector-kit-bosch-0280158164kt#description

is the fuel injector the same thing as ignition coil?
i remember seeing discussion of the ignition coil being out of stock all the time and prices soaring
why am I so confused right now

Installed 19x10 +25 and 19x11 +25 M359 wheels. 275/30/19 front 295/30/19 rear.

No rubbing!

XKxRome0ox wrote

Shiza wrote

In Stock

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-fuel-injector-kit-bosch-0280158164kt#description

is the fuel injector the same thing as ignition coil?
i remember seeing discussion of the ignition coil being out of stock all the time and prices soaring
why am I so confused right now

Coils are the ones you're thinking of. NGK is like $75 per and OEM is well over $200 per. The former is usually sold out because of the silly price of the latter. Rock auto has some now I think.

XKxRome0ox wrote

are injectors still hard to get/expensive/back ordered?
I'm looking ahead to maintenance items as i'm nearing 93k miles and will be hitting 100k before the end of the year

edit - am I looking for ignition coil? is it the same thing?

There's a post somewhere that had a place selling injectors for under $30 each


Edit. $20 each

https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/458938/Fuel-Injector-62418/