[staticalexus]

Hi guys, this is my first time on the forums. I just picked up my new to me, 328i i will include a photo. It has the N51 engine, can you all let me in on tips and tricks. staticalexus for ig purposes

[pbonsalb]

I’d look in the E90 subforum. N51 has some more restrictive emissions features that probably make legal modding harder if that is the goal. But you have one of the last naturally aspirated motors BMW put in a USA vehicle and that probably makes it more reliable though also less powerful.

[staticalexus]

pbonsalb Ah gotcha, i really am not planning on doing any engine mods, maybe other than a muffler.

[Efthreeoh]

Congrats on the new car. You've not told us anything to help you, like mileage, transmission type, and did you get any service history. Also, what is your DIY competency level and what facilities and tool kit do you have. If you plan on keeping the car for a long time, my tips are these:

Whatever the used car lot seller told you, don't believe them.

Buy a BMW scan tool of your choice and scan the car for trouble codes.

Baseline all the fluids by changing all the driveline fluids - engine oil, engine coolant, transmission oil, and differential oil. Use BMW LL-01 spec engine oil and an original equipment engine oil filter which is a MANN HU-816x. The engine does not need 3,000 or 5,000 mile oil changes. It easily can handle 10,000 mile oil changes IF the oil service is done correctly. Most owners are scared to go over 7,500 mile OCI and settle at 7,500 miles per oil change. But the N52 does well with higher intervals.

Flush and fill the brake system fluid and clutch circuit if it is a manual transmission car.

Educate yourself on the Condition Based Service (CBS) system. It is a helpful tool to use for service requirements. And please read this: www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1533444

Inspect the OFHG, oil pan gasket, and the valve cover gasket for leaks. Clean and swap the VANOS solenoids. DIYs are on E90 post for all of them in the DIY section.

Inspect the thermostat hose that leads to the cylinderhead. If it has a black plastic hose bibb, consider swapping to the aluminum hose bib. Google "N52 Mickey Mouse flange" for info.

This site has been up for 20 years. EVERY question you will have has been answered multiple times, if not hundreds of times. Search for answers and read the forum. Posting a "I just Bought a BMW, What should I do" thread is a little annoying TBH. All the answers are here already. Just friendly advice. We can help if you don't understand something after you've searched for the answer but don't understand the answer; we can offer clarification.

You have an old BMW, it will last a very long time and serve you to very high miles if you take care of it and service it properly and CORRECTLY. Save your funds for upkeep and maintenance. You do not need to over-service the E90, it will not make the car last longer or drive better, or breakdown less. Buying a muffler for it is a waste of money. Keep the car stock and it will not give you troubles. Use BMW parts.

Lastly, if you are not going to DIY, then find an Independent BMW specialist and tell him what your plans are for the car. Meaning, tell him how you plan to use it, how long you plan to keep it, and how many miles you want to get out of it. This develops a good relationship with your mechanic so he can service your car effectively and efficiently. It is not good to take a BMW to a random shop and ask them to fix it because you will get played for the most part. If you are going to use a mechanic, then use E90 Post to educate yourself on your so you can speak intelligently with your mechanic regarding your BMW's service needs and repairs when required.

[BWBike]

Congratulations on your car young man.

[StradaRedlands]

Congratulations on the new car!!! Space gray is a great color, probably my favorite of the neutrals. Based on it still having the original license plates starting with a 6, it hasn't changed hands a lot, so that's great! 2011 is a "newer" E90, so you can keep it for a long time. It is a N51 motor, so has some extra emissions equipment, but also what is called the SULEV warranty. That means all emissions related equipment is warrantied for 15 years, I think from date of first purchase. You should have approximately another year left on that... DRIVE IT HARD AND FIND SOME PROBLEMS TO GET FIXED before the warranty expires! Most common would be the valve cover and radiator (both part of emissions system).

As mentioned, fluids, fluids, fluids... change them all. If you live in an apartment it will be hard, but if you can, buy tools and learn to do your own work. Start with the fluids, which are pretty straightforward (other than transmission and maybe brakes). The more you work on your car, the more it will have a soul and you'll know it inside and out.

If the dealer steam cleaned the engine it will look lovely for a little bit, but if there are unresolved oil leaks, they'll pop up quickly. Those are the downfall of these cars. Research the oil filter housing gasket and what to look for... that leak is the easiest to fix, but also potentially the most catastrophic. DO NOT IGNORE IT! If you need a mechanic, Tim Zeiten is a mobile one in OC and South Bay. He posts a lot of great videos and seems to really be a real-world sort of a guy that gets these cars. No personal experience, but seems legit:
http://zeitenllc.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/@Zeiten

Learn to use INPA/ISTA for free, or purchase one of the user-friendly skins for it like Protool or BimmerLink/Code. You will save a LOT of money by getting proficient with these tools!

Do you have a sport package interior? If not, after you've done all the regular maintenance and you want to start upgrading, getting a sport pkg steering wheel and then seats are the best upgrades you can do. You can buy on eBay, but I'm into finding them at pick a part yards. There are several near you in OC and southern LAC. Then maybe consider upgrading to a folding rear seat to make the car truly versatile if you don't already have that option. Oh yeah, and a factory alarm. eBay for about $100 for the components.

If you're going to get the windows tinted, Signature Tint is in CM on Placentia is highly recommended (I prefer lighter tints but with IR blocking like Llumar IRX).

That's about it... keep it waxed to protect the clearcoat, buy good tires (I like Michelin), drive it longer distance drives (at least half an hour at speed) once a week to help reduce the oil contamination.

Post frequently here with questions, thoughts, observations, and most importantly pictures! Throw up some interior pics, engine pics, glamour shots in the mountains or at the beach... keep this thread going as a sort of personal blog and you'll see how you've progressed! Good times.

[Efthreeoh]

And one more thing... if the dealer did not have a 2nd set of keys, get a 2nd key!!!! Despite what you will read on the internet, just go to a BMW dealer with your registration and driver's license for proof of ownership and proof of identity. It will take a day for the dealer to get BMW to cut the metal key. You need at least one key to program the 2nd key.

[staticalexus]

Originally Posted by BWBike

Congratulations on your car young man.

Thank you sir

[staticalexus]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Congratulations on the new car!!! Space gray is a great color, probably my favorite of the neutrals. Based on it still having the original license plates starting with a 6, it hasn't changed hands a lot, so that's great! 2011 is a "newer" E90, so you can keep it for a long time. It is a N51 motor, so has some extra emissions equipment, but also what is called the SULEV warranty. That means all emissions related equipment is warrantied for 15 years, I think from date of first purchase. You should have approximately another year left on that... DRIVE IT HARD AND FIND SOME PROBLEMS TO GET FIXED before the warranty expires! Most common would be the valve cover and radiator (both part of emissions system).

As mentioned, fluids, fluids, fluids... change them all. If you live in an apartment it will be hard, but if you can, buy tools and learn to do your own work. Start with the fluids, which are pretty straightforward (other than transmission and maybe brakes). The more you work on your car, the more it will have a soul and you'll know it inside and out.

If the dealer steam cleaned the engine it will look lovely for a little bit, but if there are unresolved oil leaks, they'll pop up quickly. Those are the downfall of these cars. Research the oil filter housing gasket and what to look for... that leak is the easiest to fix, but also potentially the most catastrophic. DO NOT IGNORE IT! If you need a mechanic, Tim Zeiten is a mobile one in OC and maybe South Bay. He posts a lot of great videos and seems to really be a real-world sort of a guy that gets these cars. No [...]

Thank you, unfortunately no sport package, but the interior is very well kept

[staticalexus]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

And one more thing... if the dealer did not have a 2nd set of keys, get a 2nd key!!!! Despite what you will read on the internet, just go to a BMW dealer with your registration and driver's license for proof of ownership and proof of identity. It will take a day for the dealer to get BMW to cut the metal key. You need at least one key to program the 2nd key.

I will need to do that, i only have one

[kudos]

Not sure on the N51 but the N52 had oil gasket issues every 30,000 - 40,000 or so miles. If your car is paid off it's not so bad of a maintenece fee but it's not cheap if you're on a car payment as well. Also, check your ignition coils and spark plugs.

[vt100]

Originally Posted by kudos

Not sure on the N51 but the N52 had oil gasket issues every 30,000 - 40,000 or so miles. If your car is paid off it's not so bad of a maintenece fee but it's not cheap if you're on a car payment as well. Also, check your ignition coils and spark plugs.

N51 is almost the same as N52 aside from SULEV parts (that are terribly expensive, btw).
All the leaks that N52 is prone to - they are also there on N51.
But 30k-40k miles is a quite bit of exaggeration I'd say.
I did valve cover gasket and oil filter housing at 80kmiles and oil pan gasket at 90kmiles. Before 75kmiles the engine stayed bone dry. But maybe I've got lucky though

PS: staticalexus, FYI, for SULEV parts there is extended warranty in California up to 150kmiles / 15 years.

[kudos]

Originally Posted by vt100

N51 is almost the same as N52 aside from SULEV parts (that are terribly expensive, btw).
All the leaks that N52 is prone to - they are also there on N51.
But 30k-40k miles is a quite bit of exaggeration I'd say.
I did valve cover gasket and oil filter housing at 80kmiles and oil pan gasket at 90kmiles. Before 75kmiles the engine stayed bone dry. But maybe I've got lucky though

PS: staticalexus, FYI, for SULEV parts there is extended warranty in California up to 150kmiles / 15 years.

For me after 110k miles or so the oil started dropping much faster as well.

[erickonphoenix]

Congratulations! Beautiful car! Enjoy!

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by vt100

N51 is almost the same as N52 aside from SULEV parts (that are terribly expensive, btw).
All the leaks that N52 is prone to - they are also there on N51.
But 30k-40k miles is a quite bit of exaggeration I'd say.
I did valve cover gasket and oil filter housing at 80kmiles and oil pan gasket at 90kmiles. Before 75kmiles the engine stayed bone dry. But maybe I've got lucky though

PS: staticalexus, FYI, for SULEV parts there is extended warranty in California up to 150kmiles / 15 years.

Agree, oil leaks are age and heat cycle based, more than miles IMO. Running 35,000 miles annually in the early years of my car, the oil pan only started leaking at 205,000 miles 7 years in. It only got bad enough to address at 290,000 miles. My valve cover gasket never leaked before I replaced it at 305,000 miles when I replaced the ESS, which did have a slight leak at the ESS seal. OFHG were at 161,000 and 283,000 and now needs a 3rd at 426,000 (and it's not really bad, just stained).

My Z4's N52 now at 123,000 miles and just over 16 years old is dry in all three spots, though the oil cooler on the OFH has just started to show wetness.

[staticalexus]

First mod

New Grille and full buff and wax to the car, there were so many water spots

[StradaRedlands]

Looking good! From 10 feet it looks perfect... keep it up!

Some inexpensive mods you could consider is to add LED interior bulbs, smoked LED side blinkers, and smoked front reflector inserts. Like the grill inserts, Space Gray really lends itself to those darker pieces IMO.

Examples, no affiliation:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0186P1MUW

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNDR9RN7

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z916GQB

[apnar]

nice looking!

[staticalexus]

How the build is going. So far, added some wings to the mirrors. Im looking into coilovers, what would you guys recommend, i want something oem+

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by staticalexus

How the build is going. So far, added some wings to the mirrors. Im looking into coilovers, what would you guys recommend, i want something oem+

What do the wings do, exactly?

[staticalexus]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

What do the wings do, exactly?

Just for the rain, they stop drops from falling on the mirror, they’re useless but they’re a nice touch for $5