What's this third pedal for? New from Minneapolis.

Aces · 11-30-2011, 08:32 AM

Hello all!

Two weeks ago I purchased an '06 330xi with a 6 speed. I am a car enthusiast and not a fan-boy of any particular brand although BMW is certainly very near the top for me.

Previously I have always owned a Pontiac. I'm an active member of three Grand Prix clubs, SCCA and two LS4 forums. Starting with a 1991 Grand AM, that thing kept going all the way through college for me but it was a massive pile. I then purchased a 2005 Grand Prix GTP. The modding bug bit me with that car and I had it setup almost exactly like I wanted it to be. I replaced that car with a 2006 Grand Prix GXP. It was loaded, Nav, heads up display, paddle shifters, very powerful V8, Bilstein Monotube shocks as well as upgraded suspension components all around.

Well, the GXP started having massive maintenance problems. I knew I needed to make a change and I started 10 months ago to search for a vehicle.

I re-learned how to drive a manual in an '04 M3, so I knew I wanted a 3 series. Living in Minnesota a daily driven M3 is not really an option. I started to search for anything with a stick in the 3 series trim. One of my best friends picked up an '06 330Xi with a manual for around 7k more than I wanted to spend and after searching for a couple of months I deemed it impossible to find and gave up.

I was test driving trucks, Audi's, an Impreza and several others. The trucks were because I have been considering starting SCCA racing. I've been a member of a two car national points series SM team for a few years and in that time I've learned a few things. Among them was that you must have a trailer.(Had a friend that used to drive to sanctioned events in their race car. )

I had settled on going to test drive this A6 that had been sitting for sale over two weeks. I knew the dealer would be willing to make a deal on it and it looked okay. I woke up on that Saturday morning and I just could not bring myself to leave and drive that car. Before leaving to go drive it I did one final search on autotrader. <$22,000, AWD, Manual and Sort by mileage low to high. What did I stumble across on the third page back? 6 speed? AWD?! '06?! 51,000miles?! Too damn good to be true. Turns out that the car was listed 2 hours prior to me finding it. I test drove it one hour later and purchased it the next business day. I really like this car a lot.

I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions for you guys so I thank you in advance and I look forward to helping where I can!

Yeah, it snowed the day after I purchased the car so it's dirty but here's the pics.

CJ421 · 11-30-2011, 08:37 AM

Nice find, your patience paid off!!

A stick shift is great in these cars. I wouldn't buy a 3-series without one.

Welcome to BMW!

shazzy04 · 11-30-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ421

Nice find, your patience paid off!!

A stick shift is great in these cars. I wouldn't buy a 3-series without one.

Welcome to BMW!

1

Wheres the grand prix pics!

obert · 11-30-2011, 10:05 AM

Welcome and great looking car

Aces · 11-30-2011, 10:13 AM

The GTP:

The GXP:

tunachris · 11-30-2011, 07:37 PM

Nice score! Hard to find a MT. Can't figure out why so few are around. IMHO I can't see driving a BMW with an auto. My family has owned 7 BMW's, starting with my Mom's 1968 2002. Every one was or is MT!

33beto · 11-30-2011, 08:30 PM

Welcome ACE. Beautiful machime you got there. I was part of the 3800 S/C community myself I had a 2000 Regal GS modded to the very core: 5th Generation supercharger swap, XP cam, HP Tuner, P&P heads, TOG headers, and LS1 throtle body. Low 13's to high 12 all day long. I just loved that car, but it became a money pit (a new transmission every year)

And here I am. missing those days, but enjoying my E90 more and more each minute.

Welcome again and keep the mod going.

Lou.

Bavarian Tech · 11-30-2011, 08:37 PM

Nice lookin 330

Its snowing already there already...Geezzz

Aces · 11-30-2011, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33beto

Welcome ACE. Beautiful machime you got there. I was part of the 3800 S/C community myself I had a 2000 Regal GS modded to the very core: 5th Generation supercharger swap, XP cam, HP Tuner, P&P heads, TOG headers, and LS1 throtle body. Low 13's to high 12 all day long. I just loved that car, but it became a money pit (a new transmission every year)

And here I am. missing those days, but enjoying my E90 more and more each minute.

Welcome again and keep the mod going.

Lou.

Right on! The only part I'm not recognizing are the P&P heads, were those a local thing to you?

Thanks everyone for the kind comments, I'm still stoked to be here.
I tried really driving it tonight for the first time. Wow does that cam profile turn aggressive above 4k rpm! That was freaking awesome!

John 070 · 11-30-2011, 09:06 PM

330's are uncommon....was my dream car in late 2005. I guess for me it was a good thing I felt I couldn't afford it so by the time I could the E92 was coming out. But the capabilities of the 330 are pretty surprising, I rode in them with professional BMW drivers...welcome!

rudebwoi · 11-30-2011, 09:18 PM

Looks clean, congrats bro.

P.s. BLACK OUT THOSE KIDNEYS ASAP!!

33beto · 11-30-2011, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aces

Right on! The only part I'm not recognizing are the P&P heads, were those a local thing to you?

P&P: Ported & Polished. Yes, Local. Work done at DINOTECH by Eric (R.I.P)

Lou.

ndog14 · 11-30-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudebwoi

Looks clean, congrats bro.

P.s. BLACK OUT THOSE KIDNEYS ASAP!!

+1

Let me help

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-15...-facelift.aspx

be1ieve1111 · 11-30-2011, 09:36 PM

There is nothing wrong with an m3 in minnesota btw. It's fine in Canada with winter tires and I'm talking about a E9x not an 04.

Regardless awesome buy and have fun with it!!!

onevrsix · 12-01-2011, 11:08 AM

how far under $22k did you get that for...$22k seems a bit high for an 06'

AndreyT · 12-01-2011, 11:36 AM

It is a good thing they kept it in the freezer. Preserves it much better.

Aces · 12-01-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onevrsix

how far under $22k did you get that for...$22k seems a bit high for an 06'

Little over a couple thousand.

11-30-2011, 08:32 AM	#1
Aces Enlisted Member 1 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi 6 Speed Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (0)	What's this third pedal for? New from Minneapolis. Hello all! Two weeks ago I purchased an '06 330xi with a 6 speed. I am a car enthusiast and not a fan-boy of any particular brand although BMW is certainly very near the top for me. Previously I have always owned a Pontiac. I'm an active member of three Grand Prix clubs, SCCA and two LS4 forums. Starting with a 1991 Grand AM, that thing kept going all the way through college for me but it was a massive pile. I then purchased a 2005 Grand Prix GTP. The modding bug bit me with that car and I had it setup almost exactly like I wanted it to be. I replaced that car with a 2006 Grand Prix GXP. It was loaded, Nav, heads up display, paddle shifters, very powerful V8, Bilstein Monotube shocks as well as upgraded suspension components all around. Well, the GXP started having massive maintenance problems. I knew I needed to make a change and I started 10 months ago to search for a vehicle. I re-learned how to drive a manual in an '04 M3, so I knew I wanted a 3 series. Living in Minnesota a daily driven M3 is not really an option. I started to search for anything with a stick in the 3 series trim. One of my best friends picked up an '06 330Xi with a manual for around 7k more than I wanted to spend and after searching for a couple of months I deemed it impossible to find and gave up. I was test driving trucks, Audi's, an Impreza and several others. The trucks were because I have been considering starting SCCA racing. I've been a member of a two car national points series SM team for a few years and in that time I've learned a few things. Among them was that you must have a trailer.(Had a friend that used to drive to sanctioned events in their race car. ) I had settled on going to test drive this A6 that had been sitting for sale over two weeks. I knew the dealer would be willing to make a deal on it and it looked okay. I woke up on that Saturday morning and I just could not bring myself to leave and drive that car. Before leaving to go drive it I did one final search on autotrader. <$22,000, AWD, Manual and Sort by mileage low to high. What did I stumble across on the third page back? 6 speed? AWD?! '06?! 51,000miles?! Too damn good to be true. Turns out that the car was listed 2 hours prior to me finding it. I test drove it one hour later and purchased it the next business day. I really like this car a lot. I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions for you guys so I thank you in advance and I look forward to helping where I can! Yeah, it snowed the day after I purchased the car so it's dirty but here's the pics.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-30-2011, 08:37 AM	#2
CJ421 Brigadier General 1559 Rep 4,109 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Blue Bell, PA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2024 BMW M3 Sedan [9.50]	Nice find, your patience paid off!! A stick shift is great in these cars. I wouldn't buy a 3-series without one. Welcome to BMW! __________________ 2024 BMW M3 Sedan Frozen Pure Grey II/Fjord Blue, 6MT Past: 2021 Z4 M40i Frozen Grey II/Black Alcantara \| 2017 F30 340i Mineral Gray/Coral Red, 6MT \| 2011 E92 335i Le Mans Blue/Black, 6MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-30-2011, 10:05 AM	#4
obert Brigadier General 1781 Rep 4,456 Posts Drives: 2013 328i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Seattle Wa iTrader: (49)	Welcome and great looking car
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-30-2011, 10:13 AM	#5
Aces Enlisted Member 1 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi 6 Speed Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (0)	The GTP: The GXP:
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-30-2011, 07:37 PM	#6
tunachris First Lieutenant 17 Rep 363 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Azusa, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E92 [0.00]	Nice score! Hard to find a MT. Can't figure out why so few are around. IMHO I can't see driving a BMW with an auto. My family has owned 7 BMW's, starting with my Mom's 1968 2002. Every one was or is MT! __________________ JB4, BMW Perf. Exhaust, DCI, Strut Brace, KW Series 1, Quaife LSD, Black Kidneys.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-30-2011, 08:30 PM	#7
33beto Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 275 Posts Drives: R.I.P. 08 E90 328i/GM 6L45E Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Welcome ACE. Beautiful machime you got there. I was part of the 3800 S/C community myself I had a 2000 Regal GS modded to the very core: 5th Generation supercharger swap, XP cam, HP Tuner, P&P heads, TOG headers, and LS1 throtle body. Low 13's to high 12 all day long. I just loved that car, but it became a money pit (a new transmission every year) And here I am. missing those days, but enjoying my E90 more and more each minute. Welcome again and keep the mod going. Lou.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-30-2011, 08:37 PM	#8
Bavarian Tech Major 267 Rep 1,203 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pittsburgh/Harrisburg iTrader: (15) Garage List 2006 330i [10.00]	Nice lookin 330 Its snowing already there already...Geezzz
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-30-2011, 09:06 PM	#10
John 070 Lieutenant General 1706 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	330's are uncommon....was my dream car in late 2005. I guess for me it was a good thing I felt I couldn't afford it so by the time I could the E92 was coming out. But the capabilities of the 330 are pretty surprising, I rode in them with professional BMW drivers...welcome!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-30-2011, 09:18 PM	#11
rudebwoi Second Lieutenant 48 Rep 216 Posts Drives: 17 F82 6MT ZCP Mineral White Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SoFlo iTrader: (2)	Looks clean, congrats bro. P.s. BLACK OUT THOSE KIDNEYS ASAP!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-30-2011, 09:36 PM	#14
be1ieve1111 Thread Killer 20 Rep 930 Posts Drives: 2014 EB M235i Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana iTrader: (9)	There is nothing wrong with an m3 in minnesota btw. It's fine in Canada with winter tires and I'm talking about a E9x not an 04. Regardless awesome buy and have fun with it!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-01-2011, 11:08 AM	#15
onevrsix New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: RIP 330xi Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: illadelphia iTrader: (0)	how far under $22k did you get that for...$22k seems a bit high for an 06'
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-01-2011, 11:36 AM	#16
AndreyT Major 57 Rep 1,038 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Sedan, Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0)	It is a good thing they kept it in the freezer. Preserves it much better.
	Appreciate 0 Quote