Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Get Tom over there, he's a RTV master, he'll git it dun up rite fer ya.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

At this point, it seems silly to even run a spacer if it gives you this kinda grief.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I don't know that its giving me grief, well excuse me, any more than it already has I mean. I think I have a solution.

I looked at it this way. I spent 80 bucks on the thing, it gives measurable gains and I can't give it back. I thought I could spend 30 and throw away the 80 and any gains it gives to run just the OEM gasket or spend 60 and try it out and maybe I will get the benefits I am looking for.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I know what your saying,I was just trying to redirect you to the KISS principle and for what these few extra ponies are starting to cost. If it were me, I would have a for sale thread in without a second thought for a MAP Intake manifold and plastic spacer. Then post a wtb stock manifold thread. Since I know you do the opposite of what I do. I will let this one be. :D

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Car still isn't back together, mainly due to me just not having time with weddings, girlfriend time, traveling etc but right now the 22nd is the plan for finishing it up. Unfortunately its a weekend thing and that is the next free weekend.

In the meantime i have been debating about just selling the car. I know a lot of you guys have bimmer experience.

Thoughts on 135i? I am quite tempting to trade the evo for one. Almost had a great setup at WBL as bobby took one in on trade but then they traded it to another dealer right away.

Talking with my tuner he said the 135's with bolt ons and e85 can do 450whp. Sounds like a fun car.

Ever since I drove Shawns 335 i think to the store to grab parts while we were working on the evo i have been interested.

I mainly like the idea of moving to something more hassle free but I don't know that BMW = that...I just assume less modded, more stock = less hassle but dunno.

At that price point though, ~30k, a few other cars I like are in the running too though, mainly c6. I'd like to do a c6z but then I'd have to go to 40ish for something that is in good condition in my mind. Plus the c6z's have to have the head built for the valve dropping stuff.

Anyway, thoughts on BMW 135i? I am going to wait until my evo runs again and see if I still "love" it but at this point I feel like a new/different car would be fun. If I ever want something different I will have to take the hit of selling the evo and losing tons of money but I don't think that is a reason to never try other cars.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

If you fuck with it, it won't be hassle free.

However, a few bolt-ons and not trying to push the envelope should net you a pleasant experience.

I'd pick the C6Z anyday, easily one of my fav cars. I agree with you on finding one it's $40+ but people keep on telling me that I'm wrong about that.

I was in the same spot as you for the last few months before my car ran, selling it has not crossed my mind once since it runs and its a very 1-dimensional car.

Good luck.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I think those new bimmers are quite potent platforms. But I always worry about Euro gremlins. I've heard from a few people recently that these are definitely no exception, and not always a cheap/easy fix when things do go wrong. I've since been reconsidering if I want one of these too.

I've been looking at Coyote Mustangs a lot more though. I just have a hard time getting over the fact that it's a Mustang, and I'd really like AWD again someday.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I'd be looking at the 2011's probably, maybe 2010, nothing brand new, maybe 30-50k miles on them.

I worry too about the "euro gremlins". But I can exactly say mitsu is any better. I suppose if I didn't go full retard on this car it might have been a little more reliable though.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Dude, complete your car and you will love it. I think you'll be surprised how fun a stockish Evo X can be, look at how much fun Shawn has racing his, they are fast cars.

IF you want a reliable high HP car and like 2 seats, I would suggest the C6 with a built motor or something. Sure the Z06 has RARE valve failures, so if you don't need the widebody then just go for a built Z51 (plus you'll get a targa top). I sold mine with a stroked 427 with supercharger for 35k a couple years ago. No need to buy a Z06 if you want speed.

But really, if your Evo runs great after the manifold fix, just enjoy it for the next year. And then maybe move onto something else if you get bored. Didn't you buy this to replace a BMW that required a bunch of maintenance????

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Thoughts and comments of selling the Evo and "losing money" have come up a lot in this thread but I'm not sure you're looking at things in the right way. I don't advocate you sell the Evo at all, I'm just providing another perspective.

You've already spent money on the various builds, rebuilds, parts, different parts, replacement parts, etc, so those are sunk costs and you should treat them that way. More directly, you'll never recoup those costs so ignore them when making decisions about the future.

The car itself isn't a sunk cost, it just represents an economic loss, so your primary consideration should be whether you'll derive more future value-- tangible (money) and intangible (enjoyment, etc)-- from selling it or keeping it.

This explains it well: https://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/t...unk_costs.html

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

If either of you guys want a ride in a 335Xi with just a tune, let me know! It is pretty damn quick for tune only and has been quite reliable. There are a few quirks, but nothing major with the N55 engine. Water pump goes after 60k, they are $250 and a few hours to change. High pressure fuel pump can go, but they should be covered under extended warranty for a while. That is pretty much it. The N54 has a couple more issues, but they have bigger twin turbos and can make more power on them. I am really liking the N55 though.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Ill put mine out there too, I have a completely stock (except a BMW tune that someone before me paid way to much for). Mine has a manual too, which can be hard to find if anyone is curious that way.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Well, so it sounds like no one really dislikes the BMW as a car idea. Meaning no one things its a terrible idea to buy one.

So at this point, I am going to get the evo driving and maybe try to find some time to test drive a 135i.

A lot of people seem to say the 335i's are the way to go, but I don't really want 4 doors as its not a daily and any weight savings are good in my eyes. HOwever, I have read reviews saying even the though 335 is heavier that the chassis balance is better and handling is "better" because of it.

But anyway, first thing first, get evo back and see how I feel before I make rash decisions.

I just wanted to get a feeler on people that have drove both the BMW's and evo's and if its something I would regret moving to from a performance perspective.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

They make a 335i coupe, it is now the 435. The 335 is better balanced and you are not going to notice less than a 200 lbs difference with all the torx it has. Not to mention the rear end of the 135 just looks goofy because it is so short.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

My coworker's husband had a 135i that I rode in a few times, holy F that interior was tiny and cramped, the cup holder looked like a tacked on afterthought, and the navigation screen was smaller than a phone. Never been in a 335, but there are my thoughts on a 135 (I was semi-interested in the 1M or whatever its called until riding in the 135).

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Just an FYI based on Jets post.

A close friend has arguably the cleanest used 335 coupe you'll ever find. He is beyond anal when it comes to cleanliness/waxing etc and maintenance of his cars.. makes his the best used cars to buy. He's in Chicago but is a MN native so getting it here would be no problem. His car is not actually for sale, but he is looking at 997tt's and would sell if someone made and offer. Oh, and the car isn't modded other than suspension and wheels (looks great).

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

PM me a price if you wouldn't mind, just curious.

I haven't looked at the 335's yet so no idea on pricing. I don't want to go to much above 30k as I already have one car payment.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

FYI, 2011 and up is the N55 engine, 2010 and down is the N54 for 335's. You could sell the Suzuki if you got the BMW.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

He said he won't sell before March, which may work for you. I'll get some info from him, but I'd guess below 30k for sure.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

No go on selling the suzuki. I don't want 1 car again, that is going backwards i think.

Plus, I don't really want xdrive if I get a BMW, I prefer to stick to RWD if I do that. I have a dd and only use the fun car when its nice so I don't "need" AWD anymore but I still might prefer it, dunno.

Anyway, I won't be doing anything this year most likely, so March would work mo.

All I know is my tuner said get a 2008-2011. For some reason he said the 2012's and up are harder to work with, didn't ask details. I figured those years were all the same motor, but sounds like 2011 was the start of something different.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

135/335 got the N55 in 2011. There are a lot of enhancements to that engine, the only downfall is the stock turbo is smaller. There are turbo upgrades on the market now. I should have the stage 1 in a couple of weeks. RWD's have the problem of trying to put the power down. Too much torque. Mine is AWD and I wouldn't have it any other way.

If the car is reliable why would you want more than 1 car? That is one of the reasons I went with this car. I hated being in the commuter car when you pull up next to someone that would have been a good race and wishing you were in the fun car. I drive my fun car every day!

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Sounds like you are very indecisive. To be honest none of your decisions make any sense and it seems to end up costing you tons of money over and over.

I would say finish the evo and DRIVE IT, stop changing set ups every 6 months.

Or finish it, cut your losses and sell it and move onto a diff platform.

Also do a lot more research on the BMW idea, as you seem to have no clue on models, years, engines, or any specs, you are just going off hearsay.

BTW non M cars have no LSD, so if you get a RWD 335, you will have to upgrade the diff. Also to get the 335 as aggressive as your evo, will require drastic suspension set up and a big HP increase. If you want a fun luxury fast comfy car, go for it, but dont expect race car unless you go balls out with mods.

I think a C6 Z06 makes more sense but I dont know what you are looking for as these two cars are very different.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Agreed with Peter, I think a Vette makes a lot more sense for you since it will not be your only vehicle. I know Andrew mentioned this as well, but you don't necessarily need a Z06, the Z51 is still a very potent platform, and gets up to 436hp with the LS3 & dual-mode exhaust I believe.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I am a little indecisive yes. I think some of you guys forget that this is a forum, I am posting on here because I am bored at work and start to think of other cool shit to do! This site has almost nothing to ever read, so I figured I would share my thoughts about a car I am considering, nothing more. I have zero plans set in stone except finish evo, drive it and enjoy it. I simply saw a bmw 135 and liked it, and drove shawns 335 and really liked it so I thought I could see myself in one.

This is the beginning of my research, I don't see why that is so hard. Instead of googling through bs, I prefer to talk to locals who have bmw's or have expereince. Obviously by the responses you guys have knowledge, so why not use it. I am not directing this at you sir, but just bringing it up, this site seems to encourage not posting and not asking questions. Who cares if the answer is on google, lol. Aren't we all here to help and talk cars? I'd rather go to one site for all my nonwork activities at work but this site seems to not like talking cars, it's weird.

Anyway, you gave some good feedback on the LSD. Knowing that, I don't like the 135 idea really anymore at least without AWD. Very surprising that they wouldn't do that.

The only downfall of the vette kracka is the size, I feel like the car is huge. I still love them and will probably eventually cave and get one.

As far as the fun car being my daily, I just can't. I drive 60+ miles a day. I already almost have 50k miles on my kizashi in under two years. I prefer something slow, comfortable, better gas mileage than a fun car, more reliable and also cheaper to fix/maintain. I just don't see a BMW or any of my fun cars being good fits for that. A two car system makes sense to me. Otherwise, I would sell the kizashi, the evo and get something in the 40k range, maybe a used m3 or something, no idea lol.

Also, I don't want to drive something that flashy every day and into work. Don't want people at work (we are a smaller company, only 400 people and the execs don't even drive that nice of stuff, mostly new ford company cars) thinking I make bank or something as I don't really in the grand scheme, just average and I like my normal/boring car.

Anywho, was just wanting to chat with forum peeps on bmw's.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

They look it, but they're actually smaller than the Evo X. The C7 is shorter but wider than the X, and the C6 is even smaller (dimensionally) yet.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

If I was going to get a 'fun' car as my 2nd car, it wouldn't be a bmw. The only way I'd get the bmw was if it was my only car and wanted something fun but still nice to daily.


I'd say don't even look at other cars until you get the car up and running. I have that same problem of when my fun toy doesn't run I start looking at other stuff. Then once its running so I can sell it, I usually like it enough to keep around a while.

If you do sell it, get a vette for sure.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

W x L x H (inches) & curb weight (lbs)
Evo X: 71.3 x 177.0 x 58.3 & 3517
C6: 72.6 x 174.6 x 49.1 & 3208
C7: 73.9 x 176.9 x 48.8 & 3298

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

So my buddy had stuff pop up last weekend and the date we scheduled like 5 weeks back to fix/finish my car has come and passed (it was the only free weekend we both had in august at that time, both been busy as hell). Sucks but it is what it is. I did get the intake manifold fixed though. MAP put it on the flat sander and it only touched in 3 spots, so it was far from flat. Now that is fixed and I have OEM gaskets to toss back on.

Anyway, I am to the point of just finishing it by myself I think. I wanted my buddy as he is awesome with cars and a legit mechanic in case anything in startup goes wrong but I am getting impatient and as he is helping I can't really yell at him or anything.

My torque wrench is messed up i think so I am going to go exchange that at sears if they let me and then probably start trying to put it back together by myself. There is a bunch of stuff removed that I have never done before so I am a little nervous but still just nuts and bolts.

Anyone feel like helping out? Probably would be Friday night for a bit and then Sunday as saturday is fair time.

Otherwise I will just go slow and pick at it. It's just a mess in my garage right now with Evo parts everywhere and so I just don't want to miss anything. Anyone who knows the X is bonus points :)

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Maybe I'll swing by Friday... take the afternoon off and I'll come boss you around.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

You are going to be in town? I can't take friday off unfortunately or the afternoon. I could go in early and be home by 330 or 4 though if that would work.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Get it done!

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Tune time!

Startup Tonight:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiWAfsU2Ev0&hd=1


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpR4uaq1UDM&hd=1

And new E85 Bitches!
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps923e7726.jpg

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Congrats! Hope you get some good miles in before winter.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Yay!

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

The lack of Murlostands in this post disturbs me.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

No murlostands here! :) At least until snow flies.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

If this thing isn't on the spring cruise I'll be breaking into your house to steal all your liquor!

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

It'll be there as long as it doesn't actually break from usage, which with my luck is no guarantee.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Just in time for the fall cruise! :)

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

We have a fall cruise? I didn't think we did.