Category: BMW

A couple cosmetic upgrades for my BMW 335i including BMW gloss black grills.

I bought a couple more cosmetic parts for my BMW 335i just recently. A set of paint matched Alpine White front reflectors that replace the stock amber colored reflectors as well as some OEM BMW gloss black grills. The install of the reflectors was a bit tricky. You must peel the stock reflectors from their double sided tape on the inside of the fender. I ended up pulling off the wheel well splash guard to make things easier. In addition, I used a wood chisel to slowly pry them off. Be sure not to twist the blade when prying the reflectors off, because it will bubble the outside of the fender. The instructions (from JleviSW) say to use a flat head screw-driver but that will very easily damage the outside of the fender. In any case, take care when removing the stock reflectors.

The BMW performance gloss grills were a snap to install. Simply remove the 4 hex screws that hold the bumper on the top, reach behind the bumper, and pop off the snap tabs one by one until you can pull out the grill. Snap the new ones in then re-install the 4 screws and you are done.  A few pictures below and more notations on the picture site:

• BMW Performance gloss grills
• AW paint matched reflectors

Burger Motorsports dual cone intake install for my BMW 335i.

I picked up some Burger Motorsports dual cone intakes (BMS DCI) recently. The DCI replace the stock airbox and filter found in the BMW 335i. Furthermore, they increase the airflow to the engine by reducing the air restriction from the stock air box. The dual cone intake install process was pretty simple and did not take that long at all.  Follow the simple instructions on the BMS Installation page and you should not have any problems. I snapped some installation pictures of the BMS DCI install process with a few of them below.

 The iconic BMW 3-series, my 2009 BMW 335xi.

The road to my 2009 BMW 335xi. I have been looking off and on for a new car for the past year or so. Originally, I was aiming for a c6 Corvette and keeping it as a 3rd car strictly for fun. As time passed and I had time to think about things, having 3 cars in the family was not the best idea. Mostly because we don’t have the space. I began looking at BMW’s, at first the 1 series BMW’s. However, I soon realized 2 doors would not cut it if I had to haul kids around.

Next up on the list, 3 series sedans with slush boxes and manual paddles. These cars are kid friendly yet still fun in sport mode. I have been watching the used and dealer market for the past 6 months or so, waiting for something to show up that met my requirements. Losing my patience, I was about ready to give up until next summer. Then, I saw a 2009 BMW 335xi that was fully loaded, had the M-sport package (rare!) and the exact color combo I like. I was upset when the seller told me it was pending sale. I began looking at other cars and was really close to buying a monaco blue 2007 335i.  Surprisingly, I got an email from the seller of the 335xi. He said the car was back on the market!

I talked to the buyer and found out the car had some Dinan modifications done to it as well. So, I went to look at it as soon as I could. This car is exactly what I wanted in a BMW; Alpine White, Premium pkg, Cold weather pkg, M-Sport pkg, Navigation, and black leather interior. In addition, the seller added some great modifications including BBS 19″ RGR wheels, Dinan stage 2 DME upgrade and suspension upgrades, Dinan exhaust, and Dinan upgraded oil cooler. All things that I would have done to a stock BMW 335. I went after the opportunity. Test drive, inspection, done. Needless to say I bought the car and I am loving it. This car is amazing! Enough talk, onto the pictures, you can see them all in my BMW 335xi album.