Cheap/easy E89 upgrades?

J

jamesgarbett

Active member
 South Manchester
Any must haves on the E89?

I did a few things on my E85 starting with a stubby of course and moved on to a SmartTop, xenon lights and adding the 3.0si induction kit
 
Get rid of the run flats - best thing I did for mine (Bridgestone potenzas were terrible)

My next task is to change the speakers either to Crunch or Etons (depending on post covid cash)
 
Depends on your current spec and what interests you.

Stubby yup, ignore the haters :thumbsup:

Cruise control, alloys, M-sport kit, lots of tuning options for the turbo models, sport seats w/heat, sport steering wheel (heated?), smart top, MMI if you have iDrive, iDrive if you don't and feel brave, interior trim change - the list goes on.
 
Thanks both - tyres are on 6mm so will move to non runflats once theyre worn
Got cruise and idrive and heated M seats, the supplied alloys will be fine until they crack
I really fancy a heated wheel especially if it was alcantara rather than leather

Whats MMI?
SmartTop - is that just key based roof operation? Not sure if I already have that
 
Heated wheel can be retrofitted I believe - need a new wiring loom in the column, different plastic cover, heater button, different slip ring and obviously the wheel itself - they are very difficult to find and pricey, especially the M-sport version.

Smart top does lots of clever things including mirror folding on lock (if fitted), roof up on key etc. but one touch closing was my main reason for buying.

MMI box gives you wireless Carplay or Android Auto.

Worth a coding session too as lots can be tweaked e.g folding mirrors on lock, alarm chirps, alarm flash, key down on remote, change pdc orientation, digital speedo etc.
 
By cheap do you mean £10?
Those load spreader on the seat belts, tie them back so the seat belt doesn't rub on seat. £3 from Wilko.
Also bought some leather treatment, gives the leather a proper smell for a few days.
Reminds me of my father when in the leather trade.
 
The only 'must-have' I can add is to swap the 'salmon relay' out in the boot for a new one for ~£30 to hopefully prevent big roof mechanism headaches further down the road.

Not a 'must-have' but the LCI side indicators are a straight swap and make a nice aesthetic improvement on an '09 - '11 model. You can normally pick them up for ~£70 on BMW's website when they have a sale on.
 
Things that didn't break the bank that I've done:
1. Stubby
2. Bosch aero wipers
3. Led bulbs outside/inside
4. Brake calliper clean up/paint
5. LCI side indicators
6. De-badging the sides
7. BMW umbrellas for the door bins (they fit perfectly)
8. Refurbed tailpipes (and also bought a cheap set from Amazon)
9. New front grilles (G29 style)
10. Salmon relays
11. Genuine E89 rubber mats
12. Protective tape (stone chips) leading edge toward the front tyres on bottom sills

Slightly more expensive things I've done (costs minimised by selling on the original parts):
1. M sport seats
2. LCI M sport paddle shift steering wheel + Royals refurb
 
Get rid of the 19” bmw wheels if fitted, before they shatter like a dropped Ming vase.
Golf tee mod for a more sonorous exhaust
Code out the infernal stop/start function
Fit an additional led boot light
Smarttop module
Pre emptive salmon relay change.
Rob
 
Hey thanks

I suppose I could the sell the 19" wheels with runflats and get a set of 18" with non runflats

What's the golf tee mod and is it possible on a 20i?

Mine's an auto so don't think it has stop/start
 
Nictrix said:
Soap and water. :)
Im always amazed how much better cars look when they are clean.
Click to expand...
So true ! I think they also seem to drive better after a good valet :lol:
 
Huzee4 said:
Nictrix said:
Soap and water. :)
Im always amazed how much better cars look when they are clean.
Click to expand...
So true ! I think they also seem to drive better after a good valet :lol:
Click to expand...
Mine doesn't as once its clean I only want to venture out in perfect conditions which is all too rare :cry:
 
jamesgarbett said:
Hey thanks

I suppose I could the sell the 19" wheels with runflats and get a set of 18" with non runflats

What's the golf tee mod and is it possible on a 20i?

Mine's an auto so don't think it has stop/start
Click to expand...

Yes it’s possible on the 20i, the rear silencer has a vacuum operated valve in the r/h tailpipe, pull the rubber hose off & cap it with a golf tee/suitably sized object and the valve stays permanently open. It’s not deafening but just a subtle difference :thumbsup:
Rob
 
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