r/E90 • • 26d ago

/R/E90 - Monthly Discussion & Questions Thread

2 Upvotes

Welcome to our "Monthly Discussion & Questions Thread" for r/E90 .

Please use this thread for any general discussion relating to our wonderful vehicles as well as a place to ask general questions about the E9X platform in general. Sample questions include:

  • What type of oil should I use?
  • What tires do you recommend?
  • Why is my car shaking?
  • Should I add M badges to my 320i? (The answer is no)
  • And more common questions

Please remember that this thread is only helpful if you wonderful community knowledgeable community members get involved and answer some questions as well!

Hopefully you get some good use out of this, and hopefully we see less posts dedicated to oil leaks and their solutions.


r/E90 • • 10h ago

Single Hump vs. Double Hump Dashboard on E90

Post image
164 Upvotes

I currently have an E90 with a single hump dashboard (no iDrive). I’m thinking about upgrading to a double hump dashboard, but I wanted to get your opinions first.

Has anyone here made this switch?

Is it actually worth the hassle (time, effort, and cost), or is it more trouble than it’s worth?

How is the fitment and overall look afterward? Does it feel solid, or do you run into rattles/alignment issues over time?

For context, I'm planning to either install an aftermarket Android screen or keep it clean, but I'm on the fence about whether the double hump conversion is a good mod.

Would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, or any advice! Thanks in advance.


r/E90 • • 12h ago

328i Took the E91 to the beaver gas station

Post image
64 Upvotes

r/E90 • • 4h ago

328i 2011 || Can someone give me three things they would do to make her look better?

Post image
12 Upvotes

r/E90 • • 7h ago

328i Did I make a good decision? 120,000 miles.

Thumbnail
gallery
24 Upvotes

Good lookin coupe for 3 grand or nah?


r/E90 • • 4h ago

Feedback on DIY Gauge

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

11 Upvotes

Hey guys, quick introduction to myself: I’m an embedded software engineer with experience in avionics and aerospace systems. I am also a big car guy that’s always tinkering and creating gadgets for my own cars.

I’ve been working on this gauge for my F87 M2 and I’ve gotten quite a bit of traction on it. It has me considering offering a public version. I’ve worked on custom gauges for people with OEM ECUs and standalones. I developed this particular gauge out of necessity. I simply did not like using my phone to connect to the MHD app to view my cars telemetry and I did not like having to drive, do a few pulls, then send them to my pc and use another software to analyze the full throttle segments. And more importantly I did want to spend $500 on a mediocre gauge. This gauge is more than just a gauge for me it’s also a data logger, a black box, exhaust controller, and diagnostics controller.

Current features I’ve developed so far:
- Wireless. It can connect to any WiFi OBD2 Dongle. It currently connects to my MHD ENET dongle.
- Easy installation. Just connect to USB 5v power.
- Logs 70+ channels including RAM specific channels. Specific channels would vary by DME software version but a set of channels will be available for many cars not just BMW ( you can check my page for one I made for a Toyota Camry lol ).
- AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 30fps. If you’d prefer 60fps I can do that as well but I think it’s a bit overkill for this application. I have a demo of 60fps on my page if you’re interested in seeing it. The gauge is built on a waveshare esp32-s3
- Logging. It supports SD cards up to 128gb and it logs 70+ channels continuously at 20hz.
- Automatic Wide Open Throttle detection. Or full throttle events, or pulls. Whatever you wanna call it. Anytime you do a pull, the gauge automatically records it and gives you a small report right after the pull.
- Smart exhaust valve setup. If you have a valvetronics or other aftermarket valved exhaust that uses a remote then this gauge can communicate with that system. You can open/close the valves manually. And setup what I call Auto mode which controls the exhaust valves based on custom parameters like RPM and Boost. On my M2 I have it so that the controller sends the commands at over 3500rpm and over 10psi. This can be configured to your liking.
- Not showed in this post, but I also have a diagnostics page in which you can read and clear codes. You can check the gauge I made for the Toyota Camry with diagnostics page implemented.

This is my own setup but it’s very customizable and I’d like to see what you guys think. Anyone with a curious mind and a keyboard can build their own gauge nowadays. My target would be for those that don’t feel too comfortable doing it themselves and don’t want to spend $500 on a gauge like P3 and Canchecked. If a small round gauge isn’t your style then what size display would make you interested? I also have a 7in version I’m working on for a customer.

Again, very open to feedback since I’m considering full sending if there’s enough interest.


r/E90 • • 10h ago

335i Would you add this to your e9x?

Thumbnail
gallery
32 Upvotes

Hey guys and girls,

My wife got a 335i recently and i was thinking to add a digital gauge/dash to it.

I would use it to display boost, fuel pressure, water temps and many other things.

The car is 100% stock right now but since we are planning to do some engine upgrades we thought why not prepare for the future?

The gauge can log data and i think it will be a relief to have easy logging all times. It also allows for seeing live vitals at all times aswell as clear OBDII codes.

Would you guys add a gauge like this?
You can get it on https://pulseworks-engineering.com/


r/E90 • • 16h ago

325i My e90 so far

Thumbnail
gallery
66 Upvotes

Yo just wanted to share my e90 so far. It still needs a lot of work but im proud so far. The car is almost full options except for the heated steering wheel. Lmk what you think.


r/E90 • • 5h ago

didnt know they came in purple

Post image
6 Upvotes

how do i make the second eye brighter :(
rate the picture though 👀


r/E90 • • 6h ago

330i Transmission additives?

Post image
5 Upvotes

I have a 06 330xi e90 with 241,000 miles. I believe it has the ZF6HP19 and it slips from 4-5. 5th gear also seems like its had it. Just wondering if anybody has had any success with additives in these or if you can even do it. I’d love to save this car or even prolong its inevitable end. Thank you.


r/E90 • • 14h ago

335i Exterior dilemma

Thumbnail
gallery
21 Upvotes

I picked up this 09 335i a couple of months ago and I absolutely love it, but the exterior is really beat up and I plan to take it to a body shop for paint and dent repair. Problem I’m having is, I really like the M3 style front bumper that one of the previous owners installed, and I actually like the base rear bumper, but I’m afraid that they’re not cohesive together.

I also don’t have unlimited money. Initially my plan was to MAYBE get M3 style side skirts since I can’t find M Tech side skirts ANYWHERE, an M Tech rear bumper, and get a 335is style rear diffuser and paint it since the regular M Tech diffuser is really boring. I’m also getting a small trunk lip, paint matched. But I kind of like the base rear bumper.

Is it fine if I leave it as is? Or is the front bumper too sporty and the rear too plain?

I don’t know if it’s the psychology of “front is sporty and rear is not, therefore it doesn’t work”, or if it actually doesn’t work together.

I considered getting a base front bumper but to be perfectly honest, I just don’t like it. I also considered an M Tech front bumper and maybe leaving the rest as is, but honestly the M3 style and M Tech front bumper are so similar, it just seems like a waste of money.

Thanks in advance!


r/E90 • • 9h ago

Most impressive car you’ve spotted while road-tripping your E9X? [Post pics!]

Post image
7 Upvotes

Followed a Koenigsegg through the Swiss mountain passes a while back — easily the craziest sight I've come across on the road.

What's the rarest or coolest machine you've randomly run into during a trip? Drop your photos below!


r/E90 • • 10h ago

328i Found a possible 'smoking gun' while working on the beamer

Post image
5 Upvotes

Whilst changing out a front lower rear control arm, I found a failed/failing ground strap, driver side. Copper braid was totally degraded and crumbles in my hand. Have ordered an upgraded replacement from ECS TUNING, ...am hoping this was the cause of my pesky and fleeting electrical gremlins. Will post again when I get it in.


r/E90 • • 3h ago

335i “No Warning Tones” in E93

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/E90 • • 7h ago

328i Oil changes

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone i have a quick (maybe dumb) question. I got a 2009 BMW 328i from my parent's friend, who said they took care of it. Turns out they didn't and I'm fixing it. I changed the oil in later july early August with a new oil filter (the old one literally crumbled in my hand). Im changing the oil but do I need to change the filter too? The filter has lile 2 months, the oil about the same but idk when the last oil change was before me.

Edit: will be changing the filter then but tomorrow since i forgot to buy one and the store was closed. Also will be keeping a record of every maintenence done if I ever sell it.


r/E90 • • 4h ago

328i revisiting this sound (N52B30)

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

1 Upvotes

hey yall. was doing a bunch of maintenance work to get it prepped for winter and any future mods. this sound is still haunting me though, i genuinely have no idea what it could be. (best heard 8-10s into the vid)

stuff ive done that couldve been related:
- vanos solenoid (replaced both with brand new BMW ones)
- full valve cover assembly done by BMW
- idler pulley and tensioner though i doubt it wouldve done that

pushed the car hard to get oil to the top of the engine as some suggested.

things of note:
- ‘chugging’ sound kind of like a train
- there is a hissing sound coming from left side of the engine bay.
- removed the oil cap to see if it was a pressure thing, sound remained but smoke seen. exhaust has black soot on it too.
- occurs in idle in d, p, n and r, doesnt happen on start until idle settles to ~600-650 rpm
- no codes

vacuum leak? vanos check valves? my imagination?

pls halp


r/E90 • • 5h ago

335i Electrical Troubleshooting Help A0B4 & A0C1/2

1 Upvotes

08' 335xi N54 
Vehicle had been sitting for about 1.5 months due to work travel. Go to start up (without charging the battery first, my bad) and cranks but the interior lights flicker. Does not start. Use my NOCO to charge the battery up, and second time trying to start does not even crank. Electrics inside work, and can hear the fuel pump running when pressing the ignition to start. 

Pulled my ISTA laptop out to find codes and got the following
2E84 - BSD: electric coolant pump: missing (not existent)

5EBA - DSC: steering angle sensor, plausibility (existent)

A0B4 - CAS: engine start, starter operation (existent)

A0C1 - CAS: output, terminal 50 (existent)

A0C2 - CAS: output, terminal 50 RS (existent)

The battery is now having a hard time keeping a charge, and even getting to full with the NOCO directly. Work has kept me away so all of this has now happened last month. So the original problem was around 2.5 months ago for reference. 

I want to note the car had the DME blow late 2025 (new MSD80 installed), and in the hunt for that issue a new fuse box unit was installed, and all grounding straps were checked and cleaned (along with a bunch of other wiring). Since then, the car has been driven every couple of weeks around the block, but nothing more until it sat because of work travel. It has less than 100 miles since this work was done in April of 2026. 

I have yet to run the battery over to Autozone for a quick health check, but I figure that is a good start. Or a potential starter burnout?

Any help is appreciated. TIA! 

(also if you are selling a pre-lci black sapphire metallic hood let me know!)


r/E90 • • 6h ago

330i Oil leak

Thumbnail
gallery
1 Upvotes

Hello!
Do you think this oil is leaking from the cylinder head or from somewhere above.
Thank you in advance.
E90 330i N52


r/E90 • • 1d ago

M3 Upgraded the headlights on my E93 with LEDs.

Post image
89 Upvotes

The hand of small child is needed to install though.


r/E90 • • 17h ago

328i Can Somebody Explain

Post image
5 Upvotes

When I let my car sit for the night and turn it on, I get this light i’ll turn it off and recycle the key, and the light goes away for the rest of the day


r/E90 • • 8h ago

E90 318d 2008

0 Upvotes

J’aimerai changer les phafes sur ma e90 noir. Que me conseillez vous ..? Led ou non ? Xénon ? Anneau lumineux ? La couleurs...jaune... blanc ? Bleutée ?? Je sais pas quoi faire .. les miens sont d’origine mais tres ternie. Je ne vais pas les restaurer moi meme je vais repartir sur du neuf, je voudrais quelquechose qui garde un phare agressif et moderne...

Merci à vous.


r/E90 • • 16h ago

Heated seats retrofit

4 Upvotes

Hi,

I am looking to buy a 2009 E92 which is almost an ideal spec for me, but it lacks heated seats. It’s an M sport with sports electronic seats. Is a retrofit possible? I would prefer an OEM retrofit - I’m happy to find another set of seats and the buttons but my question is; is the wiring already there? Would it need coding? I couldn’t find a definitive answer on other forums, has anyone done this before?

Any help appreciated.


r/E90 • • 13h ago

320i Anyone know where I can get replacement studs, took off my bumper to find it sheared off

Thumbnail
gallery
2 Upvotes

r/E90 • • 13h ago

E92 fitment

Post image
3 Upvotes

Yo, if anyone has an idea how to run a tucked set up lmk I got rear aftermarket camber and toe adjusters and I’m running a 255/19/9.5j in the rear and 235/19/8j in the front looking for good amount of tyre stretch in the rear to show that outer lip currently the rear tyres are 255/35/19R if anyone got a clue lmk


r/E90 • • 19h ago

328i Fellow cold climaters, do you switch to 0w-40 in the winter?

6 Upvotes

Title basically. Just about due to change my oil and it's regularly dropping below 0° C overnight and is often still that cold when I start my car in morning. Is it worth switching to 0w oil or should I just stick with 5w? N52 if that effects your opinion.