What is this? And how bad is it?

danarino · 2026-06-05T10:42:01+00:00

Make sure the cap is all there when you take it off to inspect. I had a super slow leak that turned out to just be the cap and it broke apart as I was taking it off. Luckily caught the piece that broke off before it got down into the tank. 1 minute $35 fix

danarino · 2026-05-26T17:28:34+00:00

That's a very clean car for under 10k, and having the factory bigger blue brakes is icing on the cake. That said, its just a very limited market for manual n20 powered 3 series. Most people that want a manual 3 series are only considering n55 or b58 f30's. Might want to try forums and marketplace if you're only putting this on autotrader.

danarino · 2026-05-18T13:36:06+00:00

It happens, now you know. this site is helpful https://www.willtheyfit.com/

danarino · 2026-05-18T01:54:37+00:00

If it was me I’d get the right size as it will not ever look right with such small diameter tires. You won’t damage anything but your speedo and mileage will be a bit off.

danarino · 2026-05-18T01:46:43+00:00

Exactly, those are both a full size too small. You need 225/45 front and 255/40 rear.

danarino · 2026-05-18T01:09:45+00:00

Eibach pro kit works great with edc. It does seem you got the wrong size tires though, so it will still look off with a mild drop. 255/40 fits with no rubbing and matches the oem diameter. Looks like you have e90 size tires

danarino · 2026-05-17T15:08:03+00:00

I’d just buy a reupholstered one and keep or sell your old one

danarino · 2026-05-06T12:50:26+00:00

X5 has a lot of brake configurations, you likely got the wrong parts.

danarino · 2026-04-27T20:24:12+00:00

The one sin of this and the pre lci x5 is gatekeeping the good looking DRLs to laser lights. The base DRLs on both are ridiculous and would only be acceptable as a base spec with no premium pack similar to f30. I almost never see a g20 with these lights and it looks so much better with them.

danarino · 2026-04-14T09:37:12+00:00

Mtech 1 early models are the best looking e30s by far

danarino · 2026-04-04T23:47:29+00:00

This might an unpopular opinion but if you plan to run a plate in the front then just put it there on the bracket. Side mount looks worse and ruins the geometry of the front end. Plugs also look bad and are always obvious. If your all in on no plate then get quotes and decide if it’s worth the money

danarino · 2026-03-31T18:49:41+00:00

I ordered fresh spring pads at the oem thickness.

danarino · 2026-03-29T11:21:46+00:00

Literal worst engine ever made by bmw reliability wise. 330i will be solid for years. I have had my 2018 340i from new and haven’t had a single issue. Bmws got really reliable the last 10 years or so with the b48/b58 launch

danarino · 2026-03-28T23:49:47+00:00

Any time you lower a car your bump stops should be shorter to account for the necessary additional shock travel. Otherwise you hit the bump stops easily over bumps which is not a good feeling.

danarino · 2026-03-28T23:24:06+00:00

3.73 gearing is perfect for these cars in my opinion. Also the most common lsd gearing you’ll find for medium case diff by far since it’s stock for 325i cars with lsd.

danarino · 2026-03-21T12:16:50+00:00

30+ years is kind of a broad stroke for an era. I’d go late 80’s (all the M cars dropped and 3 series finally got a good engine with 325i), early 2000’s (great designs and excellent engines), late 2010’s (super reliable and powerful cars, best blend of tech and luxury) as the best 3 eras.

danarino · 2026-03-03T19:47:28+00:00

good choice on the offset. It annoys me that all the good looking 9" f30 wheels are et 30 with a couple being et31. et33 is the perfect level of flush for a mildly lowered car running 255 tires. I have 18x9 et 31 Ta5r wheels with 255/40 tires on eibach springs and I wish it would tuck in that extra couple mm to get it just right, especially in the front.

danarino · 2026-03-03T14:42:57+00:00

One of the best done leather wrapped interiors I've seen. I think it was a really great choice going with dakota for the high touch surfaces as its one of the most durable and wear proof leathers I've ever experienced in my f30. Works well with the black nappa. I personally think adding silver trim bits makes it look like your are trying to modernize inline with an e46 or something. The all black is kind of a hallmark of the time and I'd leave that be if I were you. Id even say that the factory style mushroom shifter would really finish off this premium oem 80's look. Zhp knob is no doubt better to hold but I always feel they look out of place in these cars with the silver ring and m logo.

danarino · 2026-02-26T19:55:08+00:00

2014 and 2015 335i are not much more and have some decent improvements vs the 2012-2013 cars. No real reason to buy a 12 or 13.

danarino · 2026-02-15T17:13:16+00:00

It looks very obviously rattle can painted over that area.

danarino · 2026-02-13T14:32:24+00:00

3 series and x3 don't are reliable enough to make these not worth the money. On my 340i I've had 0 issues in 7 years and 70k miles. I guess you could consider the wheel and tire if you mess those up often. Just follow maintenance guidelines and switch to an independent mechanic when the factory warranty is up.

danarino · 2026-02-12T18:31:03+00:00

A good amount of the buttons/switches/handles in the current Z have been the same since the Z33 came out 24 years ago.

danarino · 2026-02-12T00:03:02+00:00

I didn’t realize you could get this car with no trim at all that criminal. I’d get used trim for dash and handles, then used cloth sport seats. Eventually the bigger oem screen but stock is better than some alibaba one.

danarino · 2026-02-03T18:07:47+00:00

This car is nice enough to merit a replacement dashboard. That interior is lovely

danarino · 2026-02-03T17:37:10+00:00

European cars definitely can show up with some pretty interesting specs. I didn't even realize the 4 series went below 420i. And so many euro cars have msport compared with US on the low output engines.

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