D3 Modifications

[sumpcracker]

Hello.

I recently bought a D3MT, and it may be my other cars by comparison or maybe its tired after 100k. Or maybe they are a bit overhyped as I cannot really feel much/any difference in driving between it and a late 320d.

I would just throw it back out on the market and buy something else, but it seems to take at least 9 months for one to sell, the lack of interest makes me feel stuck with it so modifying it closer to the car I expected seems viable.

I like the look of it, but I now plan to fit a set of coilovers, bigger front brakes, a quick shift as the throw is very long before swapping in an engine with more cylinders..
(im well aware it will ruin the cars history and value, but I am stuck with a mint E90, I may as well make it what I want.)


Has anyone fitted coilovers to their E90? if so what did you use?
Has anyone fitted 335 brakes?

[jolls]

Part exchange it for a D3 bi-turbo?

[John_C]

Bigger brakes won't fit behind the wheels afaik.

Personally I don't think there's any point in throwing bigger brakes and coilovers at a car where the basics aren't right.

It should certainly feel considerably more sprightly than a 320d so I'd also be looking for typical mileage related issues - tired boost actuators, leaking boost hoses, that sort of stuff.

Before doing any suspension work I'd checkout the condition of the bushes, no point in chucking new suspension on tired bushes.

It would have to be a very, very tired D3 to not be able to tell the difference between it and a 320d. Any history with it? What's the build number?

Edit: when you say "late" 320d what age are we talking? Still an E90 I assume?

[Paulb]

Yes you can increase the brake size on it.
There are also tuning possibilities for the engine.

Coilovers will give it a very harsh ride, the D3 ride is already a good combination of sport and comfort.

As John_C said, get all the suspension checked out before you do anything with the suspension.

[sumpcracker]

Hi, thanks for replys, the car has a full Sytner history,( I am also a vehicle technician), the suspension is harder than I expected and the road holding is not as good as I expected, some coilovers I have used on cars are better in both departments.
The does have the correct tyres, but it could be possible as with any Alpina that the shocks/springs have been replaced with lesser parts.

At the same time as fitting coilovers I will also be doing wishbones, roll bar links and top mounts.

It could be down on power, however it has no fault codes, I haven't had a chance to do a boost leak test (I will) but I cant see any oil hue from boost pipes or cooler. It pulls well to 3000rpm, not much happens after that, I even checked to make sure I had the larger turbo as I suspected it wasn't Alpina spec.
I have cleaned out the EGR and inlet manifold when I removed the swirl flaps and changed the air filter.

The wheels seem to have plenty of clearance for big brakes, I have some 4 pot Porsche calipers, which I may use with 335 discs, I just wonderd if 335 calipers will bolt up?

Im not going to throw mods on a car that isn't mechanicaly correct, but I think it is. I did drive a few before buying, but you cant really get the revs up in 3rd and 4th on a test drive so I have no comparison.

[sumpcracker]

Hi, thanks for replys, the car has a full Sytner history,( I am also a vehicle technician), the suspension is harder than I expected and the road holding is not as good as I expected, some coilovers I have used on cars are better in both departments.
It does have the correct tyres, but it could be possible as with any Alpina that the shocks/springs have been replaced with lesser parts.

At the same time as fitting coilovers I will also be doing wishbones, roll bar links and top mounts.

It could be down on power, however it has no fault codes, I haven't had a chance to do a boost leak test (I will) but I cant see any oil hue from boost pipes or cooler. It pulls well to 3000rpm, not much happens after that, I even checked to make sure I had the larger turbo as I suspected it wasn't Alpina spec.
I have cleaned out the EGR and inlet manifold when I removed the swirl flaps and changed the air filter.

The wheels seem to have plenty of clearance for big brakes, I have some 4 pot Porsche calipers, which I may use with 335 discs, I just wonderd if 335 calipers will bolt up?

Im not going to throw mods on a car that isn't mechanicaly correct, but I think it is. I did drive a few before buying, but you cant really get the revs up in 3rd and 4th on a test drive so I have no comparison.

[MCB]

My only thoughts on this is after carrying out such extensive modifications it will no longer be a true Alpina. Coil-overs are for the street racer/drifter brigade. Alpina never intended there cars to be used in that way.

You say that you would have to wait a long time before finding a buyer if selling it on now. But if you do those modifications I doubt you will ever find a buyer when the time comes.

Maybe you should of bought a Bi-Turbo instead.

[Paulb]

Hi, thanks for replys, the car has a full Sytner history,( I am also a vehicle technician), the suspension is harder than I expected and the road holding is not as good as I expected, some coilovers I have used on cars are better in both departments.
The does have the correct tyres, but it could be possible as with any Alpina that the shocks/springs have been replaced with lesser parts.

At the same time as fitting coilovers I will also be doing wishbones, roll bar links and top mounts.

It could be down on power, however it has no fault codes, I haven't had a chance to do a boost leak test (I will) but I cant see any oil hue from boost pipes or cooler. It pulls well to 3000rpm, not much happens after that, I even checked to make sure I had the larger turbo as I suspected it wasn't Alpina spec.
I have cleaned out the EGR and inlet manifold when I removed the swirl flaps and changed the air filter.

The wheels seem to have plenty of clearance for big brakes, I have some 4 pot Porsche calipers, which I may use with 335 discs, I just wonderd if 335 calipers will bolt up?

Im not going to throw mods on a car that isn't mechanicaly correct, but I think it is. I did drive a few before buying, but you cant really get the revs up in 3rd and 4th on a test drive so I have no comparison.

Seems a bit bizarre that the suspension is very hard. Yes the damping is harder than a 320d but softer than an M spec suspension car. Perhaps it's been replaced in it's past with a stiffened suspension set up.

Power delivery is narrow in the mono turbo variant, far smoother and wider a rev range in the bi-turbo. There are mods though that will improve that both engine remaps and exhaust changes that will release more of the hidden horses.

[seanb]

It pulls well to 3000rpm, not much happens after that, I even checked to make sure I had the larger turbo as I suspected it wasn't Alpina spec.

Does not sound right, my MT used to go from 2k-4.5k very quickly, mileage was 100k when I traded it in and it was still as good as it was when I bought it with only 20k on the clock.

Maybe the DPF is a bit clogged up and slowing he exhaust gases. You can see expected DPF replacement mileage from the on-board computer with the MT. Icon is a cylinder with dots inside it I think.

[Evoman]

I agree, that doesn't sound right, one of the things that continues to impress me with the D3 is its ability to rev and keep pulling where other diesel turbos tend to run out of puff. It should haul from 2000rpm and even a little lower and build strongly right through to 4500rpm.

Has it had a recent fuel filter and service? The suspension should feel supple not harsh. The rubber band tyres can make potholed roads tricky and a little harsh so best avoided but overall the suspension is so well judged and I'm comparing this to cars with great handling.

Good luck! Hope you get it running as it should. What number is it?

[taffy223]

I went from a Subaru Impreza to a D3MT and I have to say even though I'm down 20-30 bhp and the powerband requires different handling she goes like stink....If this is not enough for you then go for the BT.
while I love my MT when the day comes to change her I'll go for a BT.
Handling with the tyres and suspension is pretty neat for a big lump although not as sprightly as the Impreza but there is a weight difference.

Taffy

[Easy-pd]

I was quite underwhelmed when I test drove. It was ok and I liked the looks and marque.




Then I leaned to drive it properly. Use the torque, not the revs. Keep it in the power band. May need to change gears a bit more often in moving traffic, but drive it right, not like a petrol and it's a stormer. Imo, it's not a shopping car either. I'm motorway, fast roads. 0-30 it's a diesel. 30+, ride the torque and love it for what it is. Don't rebuild it to a car it's not. Sell now and get a petrol!

[DonFlintoni]

It could be down on power, however it has no fault codes, I haven't had a chance to do a boost leak test (I will) but I cant see any oil hue from boost pipes or cooler. It pulls well to 3000rpm, not much happens after that, I even checked to make sure I had the larger turbo as I suspected it wasn't Alpina spec.
.

Just wondered if you discovered what the issue was? It should pull well past 3000 revs so it sounds lke youve got a back pressure fault due to partially blocked DPF.

I had a similar issue and the DPF was blocked up and the pressures right down. the DPF wouldn't regenerate though due to glow plug faults.

Once new plugs were fitted and the DPF stripped and cleaned the fault codes were cleared and a forced regen initiated.

Its back to its best again.

[D3-No.435]

Interesting - Were any of the suspension/brake modifications ever carried out?

[hicky73]

Interesting - Were any of the suspension/brake modifications ever carried out?

i was thinking the same thing but as mentioned here. any mods i feel carried out on these cars are just not right.... they are not true Alpinas if tinkered with.