[MattOz]

Those Rays look the mutts Raj! Lovely alloys!

[RajB]

Originally Posted by old grey steve

Interesting wheel choice Raj, shows off the Alcon's a treat but I'm as you know a BBS fan love these wheels always will, but on reputation Ray's are well known and respected and you can't argue with that

I do like to be different for sure lol.

I too am a massive BBS fan and have run a set of BBS's on pretty much all my cars over the years.

I just got such a good deal on the Rays and they truly are individual and rare (which is a massive plus point). They are lighter and just as strong as the CH-R's and showing off the BBK's is a huge bonus.

[RajB]

Originally Posted by MattOz

Those Rays look the mutts Raj! Lovely alloys!

Cheers buddy.

A mate popped over yesterday so I could swap his steering wheel trim over for him and he certainly thought they were better than the BBSs.

[mob17]

Just by chance i saw a silver 335i with a black boot today on my way to Wrexham, pmd raj and it was him! Nice looking car

[RajB]

Originally Posted by mob17

Just by chance i saw a silver 335i with a black boot today on my way to Wrexham, pmd raj and it was him! Nice looking car

Thanks bro

How did the wheels look on the move LOL?

[mob17]

Originally Posted by RajB

Thanks bro

How did the wheels look on the move LOL?

As you can imagine hard to see the wheels when moving fast but the whole car looked sweet which is why i looked over and spotted the car. Then something in my head said "silver 335i...with black boot...must be Raj!"

[RajB]

Originally Posted by mob17

As you can imagine hard to see the wheels when moving fast but the whole car looked sweet which is why i looked over and spotted the car. Then something in my head said "silver 335i...with black boot...must be Raj!"

Cool and thanks for the kind words

[RajB]

Ok so diff lock plate fitted after having to drill the subframe (due to the car being an early example the subframe doesn't have the holes already pre-drilled).





You can see where the bolt holes should be:


Drilled and bolted:


Sooooo, is there any improvement.... well it's marginal but there is a difference on standing start and in gear acceleration BUT you have to remember I do already have M3 subframe bushes, solid bushed adjustable rear arms and the Quaiffe so it was never going to be night and day difference. However for the cost and ease of fitment it's a no brainier to ensure that no matter what, it's removed any chance of the diff twisting with the power and doing any damage to the drive shafts etc.

So a thumbs up from me for sure.

[mob17]

Looking good Raj!

For me it was definitely night and day but thats because, as you say, i have oem bushes and no diff. But glad to see you have felt a difference

[BMWChap]

As you said you'll probably notice it more on the track, thanks agin dude, got another small mod happening soon...

[Ao1]

How is the new build coming along Raj? Can't wait to see it.

[RajB]

Originally Posted by Ao1

How is the new build coming along Raj? Can't wait to see it.

Still accumulating parts with the costs spirally as we speak LOL.

I'll post up some pics of the new rims test fit and the parts so far.

It's booked in for 5th November for the arches.

[Sukh Singh]

Originally Posted by RajB

Still accumulating parts with the costs spirally as we speak LOL.

I'll post up some pics of the new rims test fit and the parts so far.

It's booked in for 5th November for the arches.

what you having do to the arches buddy?

flared or just a small pull?....

a friend of mine wants to give his 335d the m3 muscular look so will be keeping a eye for your updates

[RajB]

Well it has been a while since updating this thread.

Just been crazy busy hence less activity on the forum too.

So first update is the newly acquired Vorshlag camber plates. Decided after a sprint day that I needed to be able to dial in some more camber at the front.

Out of those available figures Vorshlag were the best and was advised as such too.





Certainly look the part and went on a treat. And certainly makes the adjustment of camber easier and allowed some castor too which is a superb bonus.

[RajB]

So after buying and fitting the Rays I suddenly found myself doing another deal on an additional set of alloys. I did the deal and took delivery within 4 weeks of fitting the current rims LOL.

So these are the bad boys:









Yup MORE Rays

However these are a touch aggressive.
Fronts are 9.5j et25
Rears are 10.5j et35

No way these are going to fit as is to my car.

Sooooooooo, decision made to widen the car to fit the rims

[RajB]

Now of course the decision was how to widen it. Can go custom arches or some sort of aftermarket body kit etc but as I like to use genuine bits to ensure good fit and finish I figured (and lots will hate on this) but the obvious choice was to use M3 bits.

So the hunt started to source then it's required to basically convert the front end with M3 components and then custom the rear arches (same route as Az did - thanks for the inspiration).

After a little road trip I collected this little lot:







Front/rear bumpers, side skirts, front arches and a bonnet.

However to fit this lot I need to acquire a hell of a lot or other oe components like arch liners, undertrays, slam panel, head light brackets, etc, etc, etc

[RajB]

Managed to source the front arches, undertrays, bumper bars and a few other small pieces through the likes of eBay and friends.

They're under there somewhere lol:



And the bumper bars:





They're made from CF on the M3

[RajB]

So due to the much wider rims I needed new tyres too

So thanks to Mo I bought his MPSS 295/30/19 tyres:



They are bloody wide when you see them in the flesh.

Also managed to get a set of 255/35/19's for the fronts off a member off cutters too so it's saved me a good few quid.

Got the tyres mounted on Saturday:


They do look good.

[RajB]

So as the tyres were mounted thought it'd be a good opportunity to trial fit them.

I needed to check for clearance and actually if my rims would clear the suspension etc. I know they will stick out the arches.

So firstly see how the rear sits:




And how it looks:




And comparison of new to old:


Liking the look. Will look superb me thinks with the M3 bits too.

And the front fitment:




Front look with the Alcon BBK:




Will have to use a 5mm spacer for the front to clear the Ohlins.

Will probably run a 5 or 10mm rear too.

And need new nuts too as unfortunately I found that being a 19mm head the socket won't fit the bolt hole LOL.

So more costs and parts needed.

I've also ordered a whole heap of the other oe components required from the dealers. Luckily I get really good discounts.

Cars booked in for 5th November for the custom rear arches and then the 15th for the respray.

So will update accordingly.

Thanks.

[RajB]

Originally Posted by Sukh Singh

what you having do to the arches buddy?

flared or just a small pull?....

a friend of mine wants to give his 335d the m3 muscular look so will be keeping a eye for your updates

As above I'm going with flared (basically M3).

[mob17]

Looking good raj, bet your excited to see the final look! I really wanted to find some way of keeping those 295s but they were too big lol.

Your car will be epic in the corners with those wider tyres, if its not already

[RajB]

Originally Posted by mob17

Looking good raj, bet your excited to see the final look! I really wanted to find some way of keeping those 295s but they were too big lol.

Your car will be epic in the corners with those wider tyres, if its not already

Thanks buddy.

I am excited for sure. End of the month I'll be bolting all the front on.

She handles well anyway but recon for traction and getting the power down should certainly make a huge difference.