[hoppy6698]

So, before the modding begins, I wanted to intro myself and my new baby.

Currently driving a 2009 Audi A4, 2.0T, Prestige. But I have finally ordered her replacement (because the Audi is sold) - Estoril M235i.

BMW M235i: (Ordered 31 Aug 2014)
Estoril Blue
Black Dakota Leather
Technology Pack
Premium Pack
Heated Seats
Sunroof delete
8 spd ZF Auto

Upcoming list of (damn this is addictive) mods. Put in a list of order of precedence as the Mrs is limiting me to one mod per month :thumb down
1) Painted front reflectors
2) 3M front bumper wrap (gotta keep her pretty!)
3) Sound system upgrade (new speakers, maybe amp, sub)
4) MP CF Mirror caps
5) MP CF Spoiler
6) MP Black Grilles
7) Huper Optik Tint (with winter coming, it can wait, will see :P)
8) MP Aluminum pedals
9) BMS Intake
10) BMS or ECS tuning spacers

No distinct order:
BBS CH-R Titanium wheels (19, staggered)
CF / Alcantara conversion
CF steering wheel
Tune (JB4 or other, will see)
aFe Catless downpipe

This is about to get expensive, but this will be SO much fun :P

[DanG]

Sounds great. Where did you end up ordering it?

P.S. You should go to M Car days next Sunday. I'll be there.

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by DanG

Sounds great. Where did you end up ordering it?

P.S. You should go to M Car days next Sunday. I'll be there.

Dan, I would if I could, but I may be flying out on business. If not, I will definitely be there!

Ordered with BMW of Seattle. Being a M Dealer, they had ready slots for orders. Kevin Shi and Andy Werner were great, but could have been more responsive. Busy week for them, I guess.

Thanks for tipping me to BMW of Seattle!

[jeremicium]

Congrats! Nicely optioned with some good mods planned. Get the 3M for the entire front including up the hood, its worth it.

If you don't mind me asking, I see you're from Tacoma, why didn't you go BMW Northwest?

I'm bouncing back and forth between the M235i and M3. I've test driven both. Seeing lots of M235s around (relatively speaking).

[pikcachu]

In my experience bmw nw is too small and you have hard time finding allocations. Also they don't participate of msft employee buying program either so there goes 5% discount

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by jeremicium

Congrats! Nicely optioned with some good mods planned. Get the 3M for the entire front including up the hood, its worth it.

If you don't mind me asking, I see you're from Tacoma, why didn't you go BMW Northwest?

I'm bouncing back and forth between the M235i and M3. I've test driven both. Seeing lots of M235s around (relatively speaking).

Originally Posted by pikcachu

In my experience bmw nw is too small and you have hard time finding allocations. Also they don't participate of msft employee buying program either so there goes 5% discount

This. They 'hoped' they would get allocations in September, but couldn't make any promises. I am sure for most of the other BMW line up, they are fine. For M series (and for allocations the M235i counts), BMW Seattle deals in more M-lines. Talking with the agents there, a recent buyer from Spokane had to order through them as well just to get a M allocation.

That said, BMW NW was more responsive and very friendly. I think they would even negotiate on price a little more, but for me it came down to the allocation since I just sold my DD. Getting my M sooner was important.

As for 3M, I prefer to detail my vehicles myself. I don't care for the 3M plastic everywhere and the hood doesn't really get hit very much. In 5 years on the Audi, I think mine had 2 knicks. But the front bumper was another matter entirely. It stood up well, but after 5 years you could really notice the rash up close.

[pikcachu]

I would go with xpel ultimate instead of 3m.

It's self healing pretty amazing. I did full front

[hoppy6698]

Is xpel another ceramic coating? The wife has aquartz on her Q5. But it's new so I have no idea how well it will stand up over time.

[Solarphil]

Xcel is like 3m, only better. Self healing, 10 yr warranty, won't turn amber and doesn't have the pebbly look I think 3m sometimes has. I had the full front done, and you really can't see it.

[Sportstick]

+1 on Xpel for reasons already mentioned. I had it done for full front fascia, usual half hood and fenders, mirror caps, headlamps/fog lamps for about $1,100.

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

+1 on Xpel for reasons already mentioned. I had it done for full front fascia, usual half hood and fenders, mirror caps, headlamps/fog lamps for about $1,100.

Thanks for all the notes on XPel, will definitely look up local dealers (we have a number of them). I think if I did anything on the hood, it would be a full hood though - I don't like the lines where polish can build up.

[KevinC]

[hoppy6698]

Latest drama - the build began production, but low and behold, the dealer screwed up the order with a Manual instead of an Auto (sorry, but I need an auto).

So, since the VIN was assigned, they said they could not change it from Manual to Auto and had to reorder the entire car. Stellar performance from the dealership, all they could offer in apology were winter mats. So it backs up my order another 2 weeks from when I ordered it.

On the upside - if you like my spec, there is one rolling across the manufacturing floor that is unspoken for. Maybe you can get a deal on it.

My questions:
Has anyone else experienced something like this?
If so, what were you able to get from the dealer in recompense?

And I added the LSD back in as a port install option (yeah). But the dealer says this will add 1-2 weeks to arrival. How hard is it to install a LSD? My guess is not a couple weeks. Anyone else with the LSD experience a long delay? Is this usual?

[ska///235i]

Wasnt lsd dealer only install??

[DanG]

No LSD can be port installed.

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by DanG

No LSD can be port installed.

Seattle BMW quoted me for the option, specifically at port since it was supposed to be available on 2015s.

However, given that I found the FAQ on the work time for install (2.5 hours), I think the extra $600 for install and a 1-2 week wait is a load of crap. Maybe I can speed that up by accepting the dealer install version. That way they can pre-order the LSD and have it waiting for the car.

[hoppy6698]

Order is finally in production and this time its even correct! Yeah!

[missxmelon]

Nice!! Love your build. I almost got Estoril Blue (ended up with Black Sapphire). I think it will look awesome with the black kidney grills and CF mods. LSD is going to be awesome. Hope you get it soon!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Good luck!!
I would start with a JB4

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Good luck!!
I would start with a JB4

Well, coming from a 2.0T Audi, this thing goes like stink already. I still have to put on XPEL front cover and AQuartz over the rest first (gotta start the long term protection).

After protection, thinking spacers or speakers .... still debating which one first. I guess that depends on how horrible the stock speakers are.

By Christmas, hoping to have all that done though :P

[hoppy6698]

M235i has shipped (10 Oct). Due to arrive 7 Nov. Tracking ship now

[hoppy6698]

Arrived at port today!

Any bets on how long it takes to offload, get through reception facility, install the LSD, and transport up to Seattle? :P



First Modification standing by for installation: MP grilles with M Sport colors.