u/veRexion

I’ve got a 2007 E91 335i wagon (N54, auto) and I’m at the crossroads of either committing to the car properly or cutting my losses.

Current mods:
- FMIC
- charge pipe
- DCI
- catless downpipes
- LSD

Car still drives well overall and I genuinely love the thing. Goal would be a very sorted, reliable ~450whp street car, not chasing dyno numbers.

Realistically looking at:
- diagnostics/compression/leakdown
- cooling system refresh
- walnut blast
- plugs/coils
- fueling upgrades
- tune
- suspension/drivetrain refresh
- maybe turbos depending on health

I can do a decent amount of the work myself.

Question is:
Would you guys commit another ~$10-15k into a clean E91 at this point, or is this where you move on?

Feels like these cars are either:

1. amazing when sorted
2. absolute nightmares when they aren’t

Hey all,
Finally gave wrapping a crack for the first time and went all-in on a full DIY using some budget vinyl from Alibaba. I know… not exactly the “recommended” route 😅 but honestly, I’m surprised how decent it came out.
Car is now in a satin finish (metallic purple vibe), and from a few steps back it looks mint. Up close you can definitely spot some rookie mistakes like a few stretched areas, slight lifting on tighter curves, and a couple of panels that could’ve used more patience… but for a first attempt, I’ll take it.

Couple of things I learned the hard way:
Heat control is EVERYTHING
Knifeless tape is a lifesaver
Complex curves humbled me real quick
Clean prep makes or breaks the finish
Now I want to make sure I don’t ruin it in the first few months, so I’ve got a few questions for people who’ve done this properly:

1. Maintaining a satin wrap
What’s the best way to wash and maintain it without adding gloss or ruining the finish?
Any specific products you swear by (especially stuff available in Aus)?

2. Ceramic coating on vinyl
Is it actually worth ceramic coating a satin wrap?
I’ve seen mixed opinions… some say it helps with cleaning and longevity, others say it can mess with the look.

3. PPF over the wrap
Has anyone done PPF over a vinyl wrap?
Is that overkill, or actually a smart move for protecting high-impact areas?
Would love any tips, especially from people who’ve used cheaper vinyl long term. Trying to get the most life out of it before I eventually upgrade to something higher quality.