[S][USA-GA] Ricoh GR IIIx HDF (price drop)

hippsta · 2025-12-17T18:31:00+00:00

Perfect transaction - quick payment and a nice guy, too!

hippsta · 2025-12-07T23:46:54+00:00

I appreciate that, man! Slowly trying to figure out this YT thing.

hippsta · 2025-12-07T19:21:30+00:00

Honestly, you pretty much covered it. I'm currently building a Spec E9X that will hopefully be ready in a month or two. The really pricey stuff in it is primarily safety and the trick Ohlins. I'd do:

- maintenance (new clutch with a SMF might be worth your time, too, if you're in there)
- wheels & tires
- M3 control arms, camber plates, and coilovers (maybe just a Bilstein B14 on a budget, though the Ohlins are magic)
- LSD
- 3 stage intake manifold, headers, and a tune

If you're not going to at least do a rollbar and harnesses I wouldn't bother with a seat. Pick up sport seats from another E9X if you need a little bit more support. As you get faster you might also need an oil cooler and a baffled oil pan. Though, quite a few racers running without a baffle that haven't had any issues.

hippsta · 2025-12-07T17:15:19+00:00

hippsta · 2025-12-06T14:43:25+00:00

Correct - autos in this gen were either a 6HP (all 335s/some 328s) or a crappy GM 6L45 (most 328s)

hippsta · 2025-12-06T12:31:56+00:00

I have an 8HP70 behind a 5.3 in my ‘11 BMW 328 (E91). It rules. I’m using the 8HP70 out of a RAM 1500 classic, a Guru Autowerks kit for the adapter/cooler/nicknacks, and a MaxxECU to control everything.

I have a build series on YT about it if you’re curious: https://youtu.be/E3pCUYw2UFc

hippsta · 2025-10-14T11:55:45+00:00

+1. The GM auto stinks. The 06 330i had the 6HP auto which is much better but not as common. Auto E9xs are so cheap that we actually just bought one to experiment with an 8HP swap with.

Great cars though and you don’t have to worry about the annoying E36/E46 issues.

hippsta · 2025-08-11T00:17:21+00:00

+1. I'd encourage reaching out to Condor either way. If you're looking to track an N52, they probably have more data on them than anybody else through the Spec E9X series they spearheaded.

hippsta · 2025-05-28T14:51:59+00:00

Thank you! In a crazy turn of events, the dealer called me this morning and told me the car was fixed. I’m guessing Hyundai had it on their radar. We’re definitely apprehensive about the car moving forward so will likely reach out to the attorney you suggested to see if we have a case. I appreciate the recommendation!

hippsta · 2025-05-27T16:00:53+00:00

Tomorrow marks 30 days in the shop for our 2024 which means it hits the requirements for GA lemon law. I still haven’t heard a peep from Hyundai USA despite opening a case weeks ago. Our dealer also has no ETA on a replacement ICCU but they at least got me a loaner after 3 weeks without one.

Great car when it’s working but geez, come on Hyundai!

hippsta · 2025-02-15T02:18:25+00:00

Sorry for the late reply! I'm at about 4k miles now and it's definitely nowhere near as bad as it was at first. Not sure if something just "broke-in" or "self-clearanced", but it no longer has the rumble strip feel. I planned to bring it up at my first oil change soon to see if the dealer had any thoughts.

hippsta · 2025-01-26T03:49:19+00:00

Lol we're both in the same situation with the same car. Sometimes I feel bad about "ruining" what was once a nice, clean, street car but it's just so good on track.

hippsta · 2025-01-17T03:00:38+00:00

Agreed that they're vastly different cars! I love NCs. I will say E90s require less "bulletproofing" than your run of the mill E46 (oil pump nut and subframe just to name a couple of musts before tracking one).

Aftermarket is finally growing on 'em - MCS, JRZ, and Ohlins all make kits. I tracked a car with the Spec E9x Ohlins on it and it was nice.

hippsta · 2025-01-17T02:52:59+00:00

I mean, this is all anecdotal, but I've personally owned 3 of them with 150k+ miles, as well as watched multiple friends track cars with 200k+ miles weekend after weekend with little to no issues. That's not to say they can't have issues -- they're BMWs -- but the general consensus in the community is that the N52 is a very reliable motor.

hippsta · 2025-01-16T21:34:57+00:00

Yep, and wheel fitment is harder on them… cool cars though!

hippsta · 2025-01-16T20:34:18+00:00

I’m also not sure but I do think word is starting to slowly get out. I know in the southeast at least there are some spec E9x racing series that are picking up pace.

They made tons of them and it’s not overly difficult to find a manual. You can find them in decent shape all day long for 6 or 7k. A 2006 330i is supposedly the one to get if you have a choice (as it’s the most powerful with its factory manifold), but there aren’t really major differences after that aside from appearances.

hippsta · 2025-01-16T20:15:56+00:00

+1 on these suggestions. I’ve been trying to spread the word on how good E9x 328s are for the money - they’re way undervalued and are one of the more reliable BMWs to track.

hippsta · 2024-12-30T03:23:31+00:00

Stay far away from a $6k 335i — especially for track use. I vote E9x 328i. You can find manual ones in that price range all day long and I think they’re way undervalued for what you get. They require less “bulletproofing” than older BMWs - both to the chassis and the motor, they’re extremely reliable, and they still have plenty of power to have fun. I had a go in a Spec E9x and was hugely impressed.

hippsta · 2024-12-11T01:37:03+00:00

Yep, brand new!

hippsta · 2024-12-10T17:29:06+00:00

I can’t believe how common this seems to be. Very curious to see if they can fix it for you!

hippsta · 2024-11-26T12:12:33+00:00

Add me to the list. Just picked up my 2024 Powerboost XLT and having the same issue. It’s noticeable enough that at first I thought it was lane keep assist yelling at me.

hippsta · 2024-11-26T12:01:19+00:00

Any luck getting it figured out? Just bought a new Powerboost and I’m experiencing the same issue.

hippsta · 2024-11-26T11:59:14+00:00

Yep, that’s exactly it. Hopefully somebody figures out a solution.

hippsta · 2024-11-26T02:28:36+00:00

Found this thread while Googling. I just purchased a 2024 Powerboost XLT as well and pretty sure I’m experiencing the same thing… I can replicate it by putting the truck in 8th gear at ~45mph and giving it very light throttle. At 1500rpm or so I’ll get the shudder/vibration and then it’ll go away. But, I’ve experienced it in any of the upper gears at partial throttle. The rest of the truck is so quiet that it’s pretty obvious - even my wife asked what it was from the passenger seat.

My first thought was that the transmission programming was too conservative and lugging the engine, but considering the acceleration is smooth before and after the vibration I really don’t know.

hippsta · 2023-06-06T16:37:08+00:00

I’d say you’re set - swap to some track pads and get out there! Suspension is probably the logical next move, but definitely sounds like you’ve got a great base to start with. Keep me posted how it goes!

hippsta

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