[tetsuo111]

- My E91 is 6MT, RWD.

- There were only 429 E91s like this delivered in North America (actually, less because mine also has the ZSP Sport Package). The numbers make this one of the most unusual E9X-types. At the same time, it's simply a pedestrian 328i Touring.

- I took delivery from the original owner. The car was fully documented with all service work from the local BMW dealership, and had only 35k miles. The car is pristine.

- I enjoy personalizing my cars with performance mods to play on the track. For instance, this car is getting new suspension, coilovers, and brakes installed. I have cooling planned following the suspension and brakes work. After cooling, an M3 steering rack and PS pump are on deck, including the control systems for them to function correctly (SZL, DSC, etc).

- The Vision: this project was supposed to be an exercise in re-purposing a semi-modern BMW 'reimagined' in the spirit of pre-millenial BMWs that prioritized engineering performance over design and marketing. My upgrade path would result in this wagon out-performing a stock Cayman on the track, while retaining the utility value of a Touring platform. The planned mods include brakes and suspension upgrades beyond M3, M3 drivetrain, M3 steering system, and M3 intelligence / control systems. Basically, an M3 touring sans S65. A momentum car.

- The project intent is also to retain a stock appearance, and for most of the work to be reversible. For instance, the control systems and some of the hardware can be reversed, but not easily (think steering rack and PS pump, ABS module, SZL, etc.


As the owner / keeper of an unusual BMW, what responsibilities / obligations should I consider?


I realize this is a 328i wagon, not a M1 or 3.0 CSL, but it is one of the rarer modern cars around, and the sole modern BMW (except the 2-series) that still interests me.

Opinions from the community?

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by tetsuo111

- My E91 is 6MT, RWD.

- There were only 429 E91s like this delivered in North America (actually, less because mine also has the ZSP Sport Package). The numbers make this one of the most unusual E9X-types. At the same time, it's simply a pedestrian 328i Touring.

- I took delivery from the original owner. The car was fully documented with all service work from the local BMW dealership, and had only 35k miles. The car is pristine.

- I enjoy personalizing my cars with performance mods to play on the track. For instance, this car is getting new suspension, coilovers, and brakes installed. I have cooling planned following the suspension and brakes work. After cooling, an M3 steering rack and PS pump are on deck, including the control systems for them to function correctly (SZL, DSC, etc).

- The Vision: this project was supposed to be an exercise in re-purposing a semi-modern BMW 'reimagined' in the spirit of pre-millenial BMWs that prioritized engineering performance over design and marketing. My upgrade path would result in this wagon out-performing a stock Cayman on the track, while retaining the utility value of a Touring platform. The planned mods include brakes and suspension upgrades beyond M3, M3 drivetrain, M3 steering system, and M3 intelligence / control systems. Basically, an M3 touring sans S65. A momentum car.

- The project intent is also to retain a stock appearance, and for most of the work to be reversible. For instance, the control systems and some of the hardware can be reversed, but not easily (think steering rack and PS pump, ABS module, SZL, etc.


As the owner / keeper of an unusual BMW, what responsibilities / obligations should I consider?


I realize this is a 328i wagon, not a M1 or 3.0 CSL, but it is one of the rarer modern cars around, and the sole modern BMW (except the 2-series) that still interests me.

Opinions from the community?

Do as you see fit. In 10 years that car will be worth $2k like the rest of the E90s. I am almost done retrofitting every option that was ever available on any E90. When it comes time to sell my car it will hold a very little premium over a base model 325i.

[Needbmwpartzz]

in 30 years its pristine it may have value.....but still a drivers car....so drive and dont overthink it!

[tetsuo111]

Yours is still a desirable 330i model, yes? Only produced for one model year, before being de-tuned to 328i level. I think your point is simply that in spite of the passion and $$$ you poured into your car, you still feel it won't fetch anymore than a run of the mill 3-series.

Good point.

I'm just thinking that as a wagon guy, I'm plugged into the wagon scene better than some. In the wagon universe, the RWD 6MT is the Unicorn we all seek, but few catch. This configuration is more lusted after than any other, because the majority in N America are 328i xDrive Steptronic.

Now that I caught the Unicorn, is there any responsibility to preserve it?

Because I could get a more common E91, and perform the same mods, without molesting this special version.

Originally Posted by Nickco43

Do as you see fit. In 10 years that car will be worth $2k like the rest of the E90s. I am almost done retrofitting every option that was ever available on any E90. When it comes time to sell my car it will hold a very little premium over a base model 325i.

[Spitfire007]

Owner's obligations?

I just snarfed my bourbon. Good one.

Dude. It's a car. No offense but it's a machine, not a unicorn that provides you with magic jizz to ensure your hair doesn't go gray and you don't grow a gut.

Treat it well and it will last a while. Abuse it or neglect it, and it will not last a while. Pretty simple.

[kickserve]

Originally Posted by tetsuo111

- My E91 is 6MT, RWD.

- There were only 429 E91s like this delivered in North America (actually, less because mine also has the ZSP Sport Package). The numbers make this one of the most unusual E9X-types. At the same time, it's simply a pedestrian 328i Touring.

- I took delivery from the original owner. The car was fully documented with all service work from the local BMW dealership, and had only 35k miles. The car is pristine.

- I enjoy personalizing my cars with performance mods to play on the track. For instance, this car is getting new suspension, coilovers, and brakes installed. I have cooling planned following the suspension and brakes work. After cooling, an M3 steering rack and PS pump are on deck, including the control systems for them to function correctly (SZL, DSC, etc).

- The Vision: this project was supposed to be an exercise in re-purposing a semi-modern BMW 'reimagined' in the spirit of pre-millenial BMWs that prioritized engineering performance over design and marketing. My upgrade path would result in this wagon out-performing a stock Cayman on the track, while retaining the utility value of a Touring platform. The planned mods include brakes and suspension upgrades beyond M3, M3 drivetrain, M3 steering system, and M3 intelligence / control systems. Basically, an M3 touring sans S65. A momentum car.

- The project intent is also to retain a stock appearance, and for most of the work to be reversible. For instance, the control systems and some of the hardware can be reversed, but not easily (think steering rack and PS pump, ABS module, SZL, etc.


As the owner / keeper of an unusual BMW, what responsibilities / obligations should I consider?


I realize this is a 328i wagon, not a M1 or 3.0 CSL, but it is one of the rarer modern cars around, and the sole modern BMW (except the 2-series) that still interests me.

Opinions from the community?

My take: make it the bestest, funnest e91 you can and enjoy the process. And enjoy the ride. The path from your first wagon to this one has been a remarkable one that many of us have enjoyed tagging along. I think your only obligation is to yourself.

And like I mentioned before, I hope you stumble across an s65 engine.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

Dude. It's a car. No offense but it's a machine, not a unicorn that provides you with magic jizz to ensure your hair doesn't go gray and you don't grow a gut.

I just blew Coke Zero out of my nose...that’s the funniest thing I’ve read in a long time...

[tetsuo111]

Darn waste of good bourbon.

Yea, I get that it's just a bunch of stuff. I'm not implying Munich has magic powers or anything like that.

Just thinking out loud. I remember some cars that passed through my hands - cars that were nothing special at the time, but later were considered collectable or historically significant. Porsche 911E (super special), 911S (still not so special IMO), and a Dino 246 (that one would fetch more than many homes today).

So, with only ~400 around, is the 6MT RWD E91 special, or just another wagon?

OT - consider this whiskey instead of bourbon:

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

Owner's obligations?

I just snarfed my bourbon. Good one.

Dude. It's a car. No offense but it's a machine, not a unicorn that provides you with magic jizz to ensure your hair doesn't go gray and you don't grow a gut.

Treat it well and it will last a while. Abuse it or neglect it, and it will not last a while. Pretty simple.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Your responsibility is to enjoy the car the way that you want to enjoy the car. It's your car.

[tlow98]

Yeah, I think you can pretty much do what you like. If it’s reversible then I wouldn’t bat an eye.

[tlow98]

Also, after all that you might as well put the s65 in...

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

I just snarfed my bourbon. Good one.

Going to need a detailed description of what this actually means so I can visualize...

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by tetsuo111

Just thinking out loud. I remember some cars that passed through my hands - cars that were nothing special at the time, but later were considered collectable or historically significant. Porsche 911E (super special), 911S (still not so special IMO), and a Dino 246 (that one would fetch more than many homes today).

So, with only ~400 around, is the 6MT RWD E91 special, or just another wagon?

I feel your thoughts for sure. It is a very, very special car indeed. The only thing that can top it is the M3/S65 conversion. But yours is significant because it is special *from the factory*. That is uncommon.

A lot of car enthusiasts like to keep their cars in mint condition for investment reasons, some because of the historical significance. I think that BMW takes care of the preserving of special models and specs at their factory and museums, it's on the owners to go out and enjoy the cars. With your specific situation, I would keep it as bone stock as possible and baby it until you see fit. Then, eventually, pass it onto someone who will appreciate and preserve it as much as you do. (Hopefully, by the time you come around to selling it, you will remember my username!! )

[CSBM5]

Back in Dec 2005 we placed an order for a 2006 E90 330i 6MT ZSP, ZPP, ZCW, comfort access, idrive/nav, pdc, etc. Electric Red. Delivered in Feb 2006. It now has 157k miles on it, and has been treated well its entire life (7k mile oil changes, three trans fluid changes) including the "typical" OFHG, VCG and oil pan gaskets. Starter replaced, one window regulator, a few other minor things post-warranty, but overall a very reliable car. It's my wife's car, and it's been garaged 24/7 other than when on trips, etc, as she works from home (i.e. it's never been a daily commuter...lots of highway trips to Atlanta, Greenville SC, Florida).

It's in fantastic condition, never on a winter road so it looks great underneath, etc.

What's it worth? Nothing much. The market values it like a run of the mill beater 330i with 157k miles as best I can tell. Maybe an enthusiast would see it and pay $1k more than typical or something. I don't know what to do with it other than see if BaT will accept it as a no-reserve car. I sold my treasured E39 M5 on BaT this Spring and it worked out very well.

My advice would be to drive it, enjoy it, etc, like we did this 330i all these years. Keep all the removed parts and store them well. When the time comes put the car back to 100% stock condition and sell it on BaT. Sell all the mod parts separately. Awesomely cool car btw!

Regards,
Chuck

[rick100]

mod the crap out of it until you have nothing left to do , get bored of it , loose tons on money selling it , if you find someone that has the same taste as you or if you plan on putting it back to stock . Then realized how much money you wasted on it . Then do it all over again LOL

being there , done that, probably still do it with my next car....

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

My advice would be to drive it, enjoy it, etc, like we did this 330i all these years. Keep all the removed parts and store them well. When the time comes put the car back to 100% stock condition and sell it on BaT. Sell all the mod parts separately. Awesomely cool car btw!

Regards,
Chuck

Great post, I'm envious of your stable! Great selection of amazing vehicles! That E90 sounds like an amazingly specced daily driver. Props to your wife for driving a 6MT too.