Hello

[UdubBadger]

A bit about me...

Name is Seth, photographer going back to school get my BFA in Digital Photography (AKA the stupid obligatory piece of paper to get you BETTER jobs and be able to charge more). 30 is right around the corner for me, recently got married this summer and have been in Chicago my whole life other than 4 glorious years in Madison Wisconsin.

A bit about my BMW background...

Started one day in 2007 when I was driving my cool Acura TSX 6MT with some upgraded suspension and a cold air intake, got a ride from a buddy at a meet who had just gotten a 335i and I was blown away. I ditched the TSX for a 2008 328xi E90 as I was still in Madison and needed some AWD love for winter work travel and snowboard trips. I got bit by the modding bug and joined E90post.com... thats when it all went down the toilet (at least my savings account did). New trim turned into a new steering wheel, new rims, springs, intake, exhaust... ect (you get the idea). Soon I was driving a base car that had more modded parts on it than stock. I began showing it and hooked up with a few companies who I've done some work for and become friends with the owners such as WheelSTO, IND Distribution and Eurocharged Performance (who I now sell tunes for part time). I drove the E90 for 38,000 miles and then sold it to a nice young man who 3 weeks later totaled the car on the interstate - no I'm just kidding, that would be terrible. I was lucky to find another enthusiast to buy my car with some mods on it and I in turn picked up the 2nd 2011 BMW 135i powered by the single turbo N55 motor in the country from Cincinnati Ohio (in early June of 2010). Since then (about a year) I've put about $15,000 into the car and absolutely :wub driving it. Dyno'd at 391ft/lb WTQ in this past April and I've been showing it in Chicago for various events since last October.


A bit about why I am here...

My current gig (or one of them at least) is shooting for a company that does HS and Youth League sports portraits. We travel all over Chicagoland and Southern Wisconsin so 1. I don't want to put all those miles on the 1er and 2. I could really benefit from some extra cargo room, though I've managed so far. I really do love my car, but I love my wife and would love a house a little more. That is another reason why I am here, I am considering trading in my 135i to drop my monthly expenses for a better mortgage.

So as a consolation, I said I would try to pick up a ZHP sedan either in addition to (if that somehow works out) or to replace my 1er. The ZHP has always been one of my favorite BMW's and I almost picked one up a few years back when I was feeling self conscience about the amount of power my bulky AWD 328xi was putting out but I realized it wouldn't have done well in the winters so I think I made the right choice there. Anyway, here I am and hopefully I'll find something in the near future cuz if not I might have to get a B7 A4 2.0T. :(

[GSEN820]

Welcome love the car. I have been thinking about a 1 series as well. Still debating as e46 M3 is the car I have been wanting a little longer.

[Alphatek45]

Hey Seth. Welcome to the site. Sounds like you have some major decisions ahead. Other than the significant HP drop, I doubt the ZHP will disappoint you.
Anyway, make yourself at home. Lets see some of your work! 1er pron plz ;)

[UdubBadger]

Welcome love the car. I have been thinking about a 1 series as well. Still debating as e46 M3 is the car I have been wanting a little longer.

S54 is one of BMW's masterpieces. However it needs to be coupled with forced induction of some sort to really keep up with whats going on in the BMW world currently.

[kayger12]

Welcome to the site.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[UdubBadger]

Hey Seth. Welcome to the site. Sounds like you have some major decisions ahead. Other than the significant HP drop, I doubt the ZHP will disappoint you.
Anyway, make yourself at home. Lets see some of your work! 1er pron plz ;)

Yeah not too worried about the HP. I can easily get 15hp out of just the ECU mapping and then after adding a few bolt ons and maybe pulling some strings on to snag a twin scroll I should be ok. That would only be if this becomes my only car. If I keep the 135i then I might just leave the ZHP alone as a fun and energetic daily driver.

I'll attach a few pix in a min.

[UdubBadger]

A little progression (not all my photos)

328xi
http://www.e90post.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=94&pictureid=509
http://www.e90post.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=94&pictureid=2478
http://www.e90post.com/forums/e90garageimg/2600/IMG_0114.jpg
http://www.e90post.com/forums/e90garageimg/2600/3649641240_784505577f_b.jpg

135i
http://www.e90post.com/forums/e90garageimg/5217/IMG_0013-2.jpg
http://www.e90post.com/forums/e90garageimg/5217/135i-build-19.jpg
http://www.e90post.com/forums/e90garageimg/5217/135i-build-50.jpg
http://www.e90post.com/forums/e90garageimg/5217/135i-build-44.jpg
http://www.e90post.com/forums/e90garageimg/5217/243450_10150661155340298_248481410297_19750109_458 7485_o.jpg

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Seth, welcome to ZHPMafia.com.

[danewilson77]

Welcome to the fold, Seth.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[UdubBadger]

Thanks Marcus, been nice chatting with you guys so far.

[GSEN820]

328xi is sick man. I love that one too.

[UdubBadger]

Thanks,
I grew pretty fond of that one and even after getting the 1er I had 2nd thoughts about selling it, despite the drastic power difference between the two. A sedan just feels more me for some reason. That being said, I love my 1er and wouldn't even think of trading it in unless I absolutely had to. To me it's always been a modern take of the E46/E36 platforms. All of the new 3's and M's got so bulky looking and while they are great, the 1er still has that E36/E46 M look and feel to it... at least to me it does.

[Johnmadd]

Welcome. Nice pics.

[static667]

Welcome to the Mafia! A ZHP may just be the balance you want of performance and space. Then there is always the option of boosting the horses, as you have mentioned. Great pics of your rides, man. Hope to see you around.

[T.Bird]

Welcome, nice pics and PS skills! I like the motion shot on the parking garage.

[UdubBadger]

thanks

[RVAzhp]

both cars are super dope. love the picture with the chicago skyline.

[mimalmo]

That screen name looks familiar. Welcome to the family Seth.

[UdubBadger]

both cars are super dope. love the picture with the chicago skyline.

thank you, yeah thats one of our favorite spots to shoot. Need to go back there with the 1er.

[UdubBadger]

That screen name looks familiar. Welcome to the family Seth.

Hahaha, I get around. I'm like 28k posts deep on bimmerpost/e90post/1addicts and I'm on e46fanatics, 6speedonline, L4P and a few other ones.

[UdubBadger]

Oh and 1 thing I forgot to mention, let me know if anyone is interested in buying my 135i ;)

[danewilson77]

Oh and 1 thing I forgot to mention, let me know if anyone is interested in buying my 135i ;)

I'm a purist. Really doesn't fit me.

[billschusteriv]

:hi Welcome Seth!

Love the 135! Great shots. Unfortunately, it isn't in the cards for my growing family.

GLWS. Keep us posted on your search!

[UdubBadger]

I'm a purist. Really doesn't fit me.

hahahaha, well I agree partially, I'd take the S65 V8 over my engine any day but I can't complain with the gobs of power this turbo 6 puts out.

[UdubBadger]

:hi Welcome Seth!

Love the 135! Great shots. Unfortunately, it isn't in the cards for my growing family.

GLWS. Keep us posted on your search!
thanks, yeah I know the feeling.

[danewilson77]

hahahaha, well I agree partially, I'd take the S65 V8 over my engine any day but I can't complain with the gobs of power this turbo 6 puts out.

Yeah...just playing. That's a sweet car. I should have it as my daily.

[tripod06]

Welcome Seth! great pix! nice to meet you!

[UdubBadger]

thanks

[johnrando]

Welcome to the family Seth. On a side note, really looking forward to Nebraska Wisconsin game!

[UdubBadger]

Gonna be a great game of 2 teams that historically have HUGE O-Lines and love to pound the football down the opponents throat.

We lost 2 really good starters on the line last year but thankfully one of them is now starting for Da Bears

[Ryans323i]

Welcome aboard. Great looking 135. My buddy's got one in the same color. It's nice to see what it could look like if he ever modded it.

Bone stock:
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/aprilsmom04/Mountain%20Drive%2031311/1-1.jpg

[UdubBadger]

nice. is that montego blue? looks lighter than mine

[Ryans323i]

No his is Monaco Blue. Definitely a beautiful color IMO.

[UdubBadger]

oh this is Deep Sea Blue

[danewilson77]

no this is Deep Sea Blue

You mean swirley durly gumbdrop blue.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[UdubBadger]

that too

[cakM3]

A little progression (not all my photos)

328xi
http://www.e90post.com/forums/e90garageimg/2600/IMG_0114.jpg
http://www.e90post.com/forums/e90garageimg/2600/3649641240_784505577f_b.jpg


Brings back memories when I used to live in Chicago. Love the Hancock building in the background....awesome pics...:thumbsup

I go through Chicago every summer with my M3....that would make for a great sig pic...:biggrin

Love your car and welcome to the family :thumbsup

[UdubBadger]

I think you might need one of those Chicago Architectural boat tours next time you're in town... thats the Sears Tower (Willis). :p

[cakM3]

oops, my bad! Yes it is the Sears tower...I love the Chicago skyline nevertheless...:biggrin No excuses there...:slap

[UdubBadger]

hahaha, no worries... just havin fun with ya.

[cakM3]

It's all good...:biggrin

[Ryans323i]

oh this is Deep Sea Blue

Learn something new every day. I was only aware of Montego blue and Monaco blue.

[UdubBadger]

They actually don't even offer Monaco blue (which was VERY navy blue colored) anymore. Montego blue has a purple undertint to it, LeMans blue has more of a neutral blue in it and is a bit more vibrant of a color on the surface, kinda like mystic blue. Deep Sea is little darker than LeMans in the shade but very vibrant metallic blue when in direct sun. Some of the photos make it look lighter than it actually is.


Monaco - DISCONTINUED
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=716&stc=1&d=1113880697

Montego
http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/135ibluedt3.jpg

LeMans
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226491&stc=1&d=1210948914

Deep Sea
shade
http://img.cars.cozot.co.uk/pics/uk/2011/06/15/BMW-Z4-Roadster-35I-sDrive-2dr-Deep-Sea-Blue-2009-20110615095551.jpg
sun
http://wap.bimmerfest.com/forums/image.php?u=228985&type=sigpic&dateline=1311826174

[johnrando]

Great pics to show the different blues. It's amazing how different Deep Sea is shade vs. sun, thanks for posting those. Looks like you've answered that question before. :)

[Ryans323i]

Great pics to show the different blues. It's amazing how different Deep Sea is shade vs. sun, thanks for posting those. Looks like you've answered that question before. :)

Lol, that's what I was thinking.

[UdubBadger]

So I went in and test drove a few B7 Audi A4 Quattros today. WOW...

I don't see where they get off trying to 1 up BMW left and right in the media... those cars drive like shit.

[GSEN820]

HAHAHA I had an Audi B7 for two weeks. I took it right back. The car is really crap.

I drive a 2001 325ci as a daily. The B7 was a 2007 2.0t Quattro S Line package. While the boost was a little fun, it lacked the solid feeling of the BMW. I thought with 6 years different it would be a whole lot better. Nope, far from it.

Maybe I am partial to my 10 year old BMW but Audi was not the answer. Glad to know that others share the same feeling

[UdubBadger]

Yeah i mean I knew the power would be less than i have now - almost 1/2 but thought it'd still be fun to drive. even on a simple test drive it sucked.

[UdubBadger]

if i don't find a gem of a zhp I might just look for an 06 330i e90

[UdubBadger]

Well figured I'd update... Keeping my 1er for another year and unfortunately I'm not going to be getting a 2nd car for work because the mortgage is more important at this point.

thanks for all the help guys.

[M3TA5IN]

hey i never saw this, so instead of welcome I hope you stick around. and if I remember I am going to PM you in a few to ask some questions.

[UdubBadger]

sounds good and yes I like it here so I plan on hanging around ;)

[Hermes]

hey i never saw this, so instead of welcome I hope you stick around. and if I remember I am going to PM you in a few to ask some questions.

I gotta agree to that, never did say hi... so hi!


So I went in and test drove a few B7 Audi A4 Quattros today. WOW...

I don't see where they get off trying to 1 up BMW left and right in the media... those cars drive like shit.

hahaha... your comment reminded me of these billboards from a couple years ago
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/04/BMW_V_Audi_Sign_War.jpg

[UdubBadger]

I gotta agree to that, never did say hi... so hi!



hahaha... your comment reminded me of these billboards from a couple years ago
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/04/BMW_V_Audi_Sign_War.jpg

hello and yes I remember seeing those a while back... hilarious. I dunno if its just cuz I'm on the BMW side or what but it always seems like Audi is trying to take unprovoked shots directly at BMW in their marketing... kinda annoying.

[cakM3]

I gotta agree to that, never did say hi... so hi!



hahaha... your comment reminded me of these billboards from a couple years ago
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/04/BMW_V_Audi_Sign_War.jpg

Love that pic :thumbsup !

[UdubBadger]

if i'm not mistaken Audi also fired back with an R8 billboard about "the king" or something. then BMW pulled the Motorsports card.


edit:

found it
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/attachments/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/87711d1250922007-awesome-bmw-advertisement-owned-again.jpg

[danewilson77]

if i'm not mistaken Audi also fired back with an R8 billboard about "the king" or something. then BMW pulled the Motorsports card.


edit:

found it
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/attachments/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/87711d1250922007-awesome-bmw-advertisement-owned-again.jpg

Love it. I was waiting for someone to post that up.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Hermes]

Just so you guys know Im pretty sure that's all photoshop, that audi billboard doesn't exist (I havent been on that corner in a while so could some LA/OC people chime in)

EDIT: Ignore what I said, I was thinking of this they had on their website right after BMW put up their billboard

http://www.autointhenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/audi-facebook-image.jpg

[UdubBadger]

yeah that one was real

[danewilson77]

yeah that one was real

The one with the balloon was real as well, correct?

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Marcus-SanDiego]

The balloon was real, too.

[danewilson77]

The balloon was real, too.

Thanks.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[UdubBadger]

The one with the balloon was real as well, correct?

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

was referring to the 1st posted one that he said was only for facebook.

[SC4ME]

welcome. I really like the 1 series. Will be a consideration if I ever have to give up my beloved ZHP.

[imola red zhp]

Welcome, nice rides.