bmwmike

That tracking sheet shows F30 as the target geometry so is presumably not an f10.

What are the manuals like to drive ? I'd imagine a bit clunky vs the auto?

I'm not recommending miller's, quite the opposite in fact. Blackstone is US, and they send you the sample kit then you send it back and pay iirc. I used them a couple of times and no problem, but was quite a few years ago. I'd use them over miller's. Iirc the time to results was similar as I had to chase miller's for a reply, which I didn't appreciate.

@Andrewwho was that with? Iirc Blackstone send the kit for free and you send it back at your cost plus a online fee. Miller's was pay online then get the kit sent out. I found the Blackstone one more concise. Miller's didn't even include fuel dilution until I specifically asked about it then I got a email back saying it was less than 2% but not on the actual report. Odd. Wouldn't recommend them tbh.

My n53 (now sold) was showing minor flecks of aluminium in the oil filter, as I used to inspect between the pleats at every change. Every oil filter in my ownership between 33k miles and 83k miles showed the same amount. A miller's oil analysis came up clean, as did a Blackstone labs one. I reckon in my case it was cam bearing ledge wear or possibly timing chain related. Never affected how it ran so I ignored it. @Steve84N interesting photos. Do you know what caused the failure yet or any plans to find out?

Very nice ! Congrats

Riiight, but we were discussing your comparison of a manual n52 e90 330i (presumably 250bph?) with an auto f10 n53 272ps? The n55 is a great engine no doubt and shuffles the f10 a whole half a second faster than the n53 (auto vs auto) so there is little arguing on out right performance. I've only driven one and that wasn't for long, but personally i felt the n53 was more lively and eager to rev out than the n55, which being a turbo is not surprising. Manual n55 535i would be interesting to drive. I think it would work very well, provided the gear change was actually decent. Anyway, all good, hope the f11 535i is treating you well. I miss my f10, not replaced it yet.

Yerp - 4th is usually 1:1 in a manual, and you'd not use 4th to engine brake in a manual, more like 2nd, or maybe 3rd depending on speed ? So i think 4th on a zf8 is probably nearer 3rd on a manual or thereabouts. The ratios are squashed together and 7th/8th is overdrive, the 1-6 are 1-4 on a manual. Hence my previous points, really. 🤓

Yep, exactly, zf8 in manual mode, didn't think I needed to mention that to get the most out of the box. Correct that 6th on zf8 is 1:1. Thanks

Start with the simple stuff. Check tyre pressures and make sure they are spot on. Check tyre wear carefully it will tell you lots about how the suspension is working. Check ride height for evidence of broken spring Check shocks for leaks. Then start for fixes.. alignment, new tyres if needed, get the suspension linkages check for play and replace if needed.. etc.

Did your indy confirm that warp diagnosis with an actual runout dial indicator or did he just eyeball it as an easy brake job? No disrespect intended here but for those with multiple occurrences of "warped brakes" have you considered that maybe the common denominator is actually the way the car is being driven and not a component fault? Sitting with hot brakes pressed on at lights etc can lead to hotspots and raised pad deposits. When you come to a stop try after moderate or heavy braking leave it no more than a second or two stopped then move forward a few feet which moves the wheel and disk around, so the pads don't sit in the one spot? If they really are running out of true has it been confirmed if the actual disk is at fault or the hub?

You need the revs higher with a nasp as they produce power through revs. An auto does equate to more torque at the road wheels because they have a different final drive ratio and 2 more gears. So yes you are right in that there is no more power from the engine but the engine output torque is increased via the transmission in an auto - literally what a torque converter stator does: multiplies torque, plus the 2 extra gears, plus the different final drive ratio. Add to this a zf8 will change gear quicker than most manual boxes but that's sort of irrelevant to this discussion. Hope that helps explain why a manual and auto comparison for the exact same engine (yours was n52 anyway) is apples and oranges.

@McBeemer congrats on new car. What did you get, 535i?

Comparing a manual 330i and auto 530i is like comparing apples and oranges. Auto is a very different prospect. I agree a manual f10 with NA engine might feel sluggish (dunno, haven't driven one).

Yep those ones