[terminator335i]

Ok, so I’ve had the car for more than a year now, and a few friends have asked me to do a build thread…so I guess it’s time.

Owned a lot of cars in the last 15 years, some have been doosies, some bought off a cheesy salesman with 70’s porno mustachio, some imported, and some I guess I got lucky. But only three have been straight from the showroom. This is one of them.

My first BMW was a 2007 e92 335i. What a car that was.
Over the years, I’ve learnt a lot about the car, all the problems (the dreaded HPFP, Sparks and Ignition coils misfire) and all the tuning potential.
When it was first released, the abundance of tuning and the tuners themselves were limited. I had a JB, then intake, then exhaust work. It really made the car alive. Towards, the end of the ownership, I got a proper ecu tune (via OBD port). Such a different car with it. There are now MHD tuning, Trebila custom ECU tuning, Meth Injection, integrated flash with e85 compatibility, Port injection, Inlets, and turbo upgrades available (RBs, VTT, Hexons and Pure) none of which was around when I had it, which many of my e90 crews have and are raving on about.

So with a second kid on the way, its time to let the coupe go and settle for a practical sedan. Was contemplating on the F80 M3, but couldn’t justify its price, so ended up getting another 335i. (The difference between a new 335i vs new M3 is $50k in Australia)

2014 F30 335i M-sport. Fully loaded with all the extras I wanted and all the luxury features I could think of.

Such a refined car, the F-series compared to the E-series, and the ZF 8 speed is so smooth. It feels more calmer than the e92, not as raw or loud, but certainly more sophisticated and classy. I missed the sheer raw of my e92, so it didn’t take me long before the modding started. I’ve slowly done this over time, since I’m so busy with my kids every weekend, but when the mod bug bites, the urge kicks in!!!

Here it goes:

1. H&R supersport springs: Although it was an M-sport, it didn’t look sporty enough, so I wanted to reduce that awful wheel gap.
2. M-Performance carbon fibre rear spoiler
3. AFE Momentum Stage 2 Cold Air Intake system (Pro-Dry S)
4. Racechip PiggyBack Plug n Play
5. 437M wheels (F80 M3/M4 wheels) and average Kumho tyres
6. M-sport Tri colour kidney grills inserts
7. Full Exhaust system: HFC 200 CPI Wagner tuning downpipes, and Full Cat-back Supersprint with resonator delete mid pipes
8. Gloss Black Double slatted (M3/4) kidney grill with Tri-colour finish
9. Chargepipe upgrade
10. LCI AC trim with illuminated LED lighting
11. ECU Flash tune

I will update the list as I go. Currently sitting comfortably around the 250rwkw mark (+300kw crank power or +400hp for the USA/UK boys)


Now for the photos:

[.BMW.]

It's a beautiful F30.

New wheels and lowering really improve the look!

[terminator335i]

Mod 1: H&R Supersport springs:

Didn't take long for me to get this done (within the first month).
Got it Professionally installed and after the install, got a wheel alignment done aswell. H&R from Germany, so can't go wrong.
People ask me: How's the ride?
Answer: Still very comfortable (80% compared to stock with M-adaptive sport suspension), less bouncy and less body roll when turning.
Why not Sport instead of Supersport? Coz I wanted a more compelling drop.
Why not go Coilovers? Too expensive, and I don't track the car as much as my previous other rides.

[terminator335i]

Mod 2. M-Performance carbon fibre rear spoiler

Bought online and installed it myself with 3M tape.
Never buy it from the dealer, because they will overcharge the hell out of you.
Very easy DIY job (15min job).
This YouTube video clip may help.

[terminator335i]

Mod 3. AFE Momentum Stage 2 Cold Air Intake system (Pro-Dry S)

Again, bought the item online, had it shipped to me and installed it in 30mins.

Here's the link to the youtube video for installation if anyone is interested.

[u2b]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuKkaCqzmDE[/u2b]

After the install, the gush of extra air sound is pretty nice....wooooossshhhsssttt.

[donkey]

Originally Posted by terminator335i

Mod 2. M-Performance carbon fibre rear spoiler

Bought online and installed it myself with 3M tape.
Never buy it from the dealer, because they will overcharge the hell out of you.
Very easy DIY job (15min job).

Looks clean!! Next you need the CF mirrors and black kidney grills

[terminator335i]

Mod 4. Racechip Ultimate PiggyBack Plug n Play

Again, bought online, had it shipped to me and had it installed easily. First time took about 30mins because the pins in the sensor plugs were a bitch to take out - had to use a small flathead screwdriver, but the subsequent ones only take 5mins to install. The installation manual is garbage, but I found a youtube clip for anyone interested who wants to install it on their M135i/M235i/335i/435i (it's in Russian and the car is filthy but it shows you how to install it very well). Installs exactly like the JB1, Remus Powerizer and Afe scorcher, but has the advantage of adjusting the boost setting.

[u2b]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHtkPBSrw9k[/u2b]

Why did I go with Racechip instead of other piggybacks like JB4? Much easier to install (only two plugs - TMAP and MAP sensor), and its Made in Germany.
Their website quoted an increase from the stock 225kw (300hp) to a maximum of 280kw (370hp), and 400 NM to 520 Nm torque.

Please note people: I don't want a f%ck'n war to brew out of this one.
I considered a lot of PB before going with racechip (my e92 335i had a JB Piggyback). I am familiar with them and know the pros and cons to each one. Plenty of threads about different PB tunes, and this aint one of them.

How do I find the Racechip Piggyback tune?
A very noticeable increase in torque!!! I really don't care too much about the advertised increase in performance, I just care about how noticeably different the car felt to me personally, and I am satisfied.
No jerkiness, no CELS, no errors, no Engine warning lights, no rough idling, no issues to date.
Drives very smooth, like a stock car (comfort mode is actually more responsive), and in Sport and Sport +, it pulls very well.

Best bang for your buck Stage 1 tune for any car.

[terminator335i]

Mod 5. 437M wheels (F80 M3/M4 wheels) and average Kumho tyres

The best exterior mod to the car since Mod 1 (H&R springs).
Love the wheels since it is the gives the car a genuine BMW look to it. I know there are plenty of nice wheels floating around at the moment, and I have seen so many that people have posted up and there are so many mouthwatering pieces of art (especially the Vosteiner VFF ), but I went with the F8x M3/M4 wheels.

tyres are 235/35/19 fronts, and 255/30/19 rears (originally had 275 in the rears but there was rubbing, so had to go back to 255). No issues with the tyres and the profile. Ride is very comfortable and the looks turns a lot of heads.

Photo time:

[terminator335i]

Mod 6. M-sport Tri colour kidney grills inserts

Arguably the cheapest Mod to date. bought it on ebay for $13 delivered.

Here's the link if anyone interested in a cheap DIY enhancement:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/M-Tech-8-Sla...RWb1QK&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/M-Tech-8-Sla...RWb1QK&vxp=mtr

plenty of guys changing out their kidney grills, to either gloss black, matt black or M3 double slatted lines, so thought I might aswell jump on the band wagon and add some colour to my grills.

Mixed reviews on this one from people here I'm sure, but ehhhh takes one minute to install and remove. Very simple DIY job that even Simple Jack (from Tropic Thunder) can do.

[terminator335i]

Mod 7. Full Exhaust system: HFC 200 CPI Wagner tuning downpipes, and Full Cat-back Supersprint with resonator delete mid pipes and dual 4inch (10cm) exhaust tips.

Easily the most expensive Mod to date (unless I do a turbo upgrade to Pure stage 2!!!) but it puts a smile on my face everytime

Now, what's the purpose of building a nice looking BMW, that looks fast, performs fast but doesn't sound fast?
If you increase the performance and make it look aesthetically sexy, it has to match it in the sound department.

I looked at many types (M-performance, Akrapovic, Borla, Corsa, Eisenmann, Meistershaft etc...) and finally settled for the "Supersprint Cat-back system". Made in Italy (they design exhausts for Lambos, Ferraris and Maserati), it is a full stainless steel catback with the resonator delete mid pipe (optional). No Drone. Loud on Cold-start, but settles well during normal driving in Comfort mode (F-series is very well insulated compared to the e9X so don't hear too much noise in the cabin) but in Sports/Sports + with Manual shifting or Sports Shifting, it sounds very tough!!! Nice burble and crackles on the downshift and letting off the throttle
It's not ridiculously annoyingly stupid loud like other systems. Sounds similar to an M2 with M-performance exhaust, but best appreciated in real life.

To maximise the tune, the restrictive factory Catalytic converter needs to be replaced, so I opted for a High Flow Catted 200 CPI Downpipe From Wagner Tuning. (Hate the nasty smell of catless DP and I have young kids and don't want them to breath in that unfiltered crap). Made in Germany and designed for our BMWs, you can't go wrong.
Because I have no hoist, jacks, or ramps, this mod was carried out at a Professional BMW tuning Shop and they installed it with no issues.
Turbo spool is much better and the sound department will put a grin on your face everytime.

[terminator335i]

.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Nice!

[JerseySteve]

Looks awesome! Question, you bought the parts online, but where? I am new and want to use someone reputable, so far I have used x-ph.com for performance parts, but I am looking for the rear spoiler and can only seem to find knock offs on eBay or use BMW website, which is not cheaper than my dealer. terminator335i

[theEZV]

Need some vids/sound clips of that exhaust!

[335iOnATuesday]

Gorgeous

[wdeerfield]

car looks great with the 437m and it seems the front springs settled some from your install pics to the final posted pics. wheels are oem?

[terminator335i]

Originally Posted by .BMW.

It's a beautiful F30.

New wheels and lowering really improve the look!

Cheers.

Originally Posted by drive335

Looks clean!! Next you need the CF mirrors and black kidney grills

On the list to do....

Originally Posted by theEZV

Need some vids/sound clips of that exhaust!

Will do sound clip and video of the exhaust soon and will post it up...

Originally Posted by 335iOnATuesday

Gorgeous

cheers.

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

car looks great with the 437m and it seems the front springs settled some from your install pics to the final posted pics. wheels are oem?

Got the wheels from a local tyre and wheels shop, which was advertised and I thought they were Reps due to their bargain price, but the boss told me that an F80 owner swapped his 437M for Vorsteiners and took the original MPSS tyres, so he sold me these ones for an incredible price and I got average Kumho tyres to go with it. Who knows, but they fit and look real good. Ran over a few pot holes already and still no damage or flat tyres.

[terminator335i]

Originally Posted by JerseySteve

Looks awesome! Question, you bought the parts online, but where? I am new and want to use someone reputable, so far I have used x-ph.com for performance parts, but I am looking for the rear spoiler and can only seem to find knock offs on eBay or use BMW website, which is not cheaper than my dealer. terminator335i

JerseySteve
For a cheap replica Try this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CARBON-FIBER...5UDrch&vxp=mtr

For real carbon fibre ones that are a little more expensive, try these sites:
a. http://www.**********s.com/autoteckn...nk-spoiler.htm from **********s

b. http://marsperformance.com.au/M-Perf...BMW-F30-F80-M3

I personally find that the replicas made in Taiwan are a hit and miss. My brother who has an F30 328i ordered one and it was in perfect condition. The Carbon fibre wrap they used is very well crafted without any uneven creases or bumps. It also came with 3M tape and was shipped and received within 3days!!! Fits like a gem and no one can tell it is a Replica. He laughed at me when he found out that I ordered a genuine carbon fibre for double the price and looked and weighed the same.

Bmw dealer quoted me a ridiculous price (for all their M performance accessories) which I was not prepared to bring lube along...

[terminator335i]

A few people asked me how to do Mod 2: installing the spoiler.
I did it myself, with the help of this YouTube clip.

Note: as you pull the 3M tape back, start to push the spoiler down on the boot as you go.
An extra pair of hands will certainly make it a lot easier.

[terminator335i]

So the downpipe of the exhaust installed has thrown a CEL!!! (its a High Flow Catted one, not a catless btw)

Not to worry,
For all those who do experience it and wanna clear it, this is by far the most easiest and cheapest option.

A. Buy this:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-ELM3...sAAOSwyQtVsJvB

B. Go to the App store on your phone and download "Torque Pro Lite", its free and its the program that will connect to the car via the Bluetooth wireless adapter above to read error codes on the car.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...rquefree&hl=en
One of the features is that it can read the error code thrown by the downpipe (O2 sensor error - due to the reduce backpressure) and it can clear it in seconds.

I must say this app is impressive. Tells you a lot of data such as air intake temps, engine coolant temps, MAF, revs, engine load, fuel level, boost, throttle response and much more. Can do a 0-60mph test and a few other neat features.

The best thing about it is that the dongle cost $5 and the app was free. You really dont have much to lose.

[MMOTION]

Nice! Post up some exhaust clips when you get the chance!

[F30_SixSpeed]

nice thread... and good looking f30.

thanks for the detailed reviews on the various parts/installs.