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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > 2012-2019 BMW 3 and 4-Series Forums > General F30 Sedan / F32 Coupe / F36 Gran Coupe Forum > Bye bye E92, hello F30! What to mod first?
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      01-16-2013, 04:54 PM   #1
bonsai
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So, it's that time again. I just pulled the trigger on an F30 335 fully loaded! Delivery on Friday

Unfortunately, that means it's time to say "fare thee well" to my beloved E92 335.

I got the F30 sight unseen from my longtime dealer - no test drive, no nothing. This is my 5th 3er since 2000, so I feel I know what I'm getting into.

BUT, I now find myself wrestling with a bit of buyer's remorse. I love my E92 to death, especially with the N54 motor's incredible tune potential. Looking at the current performance figures of the F30 and lower tuning potential, I can't help but feel that I'll be let down.

So, fellow F30 owners (especially those coming from E9X/N54), help me feel better about my new baby:

1) What are your planned/installed mods for the F30?
2) Any personal experiences out there comparing E9X to F30? Especially tuned E9X vs tuned F30? How do they compare in performance?
3) What are the new features in the F30 that make you forget about your E9X.
4) Any other tips for a mod-happy 3er fan who's dealing with N54-withdrawl?

I'm thinking my first mod (after wheels) will be a JB N55 tune...
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      01-16-2013, 05:44 PM   #2
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I'd cancel the order and keep the N54 man....
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      01-16-2013, 05:48 PM   #3
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Eibach lowering kit.

It is not like if the N55 was lacking power.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/EIBACH-PRO-KI...#ht_586wt_1397
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      01-16-2013, 06:11 PM   #4
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Well your getting a better transmission and more power tunes are coming. I mean don't expect to be bolting up aftermarket turbos anytime soon. One thing that will be I proved are your races from a rolling start. N54's with the six speeds suck from a roll.
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      01-16-2013, 08:32 PM   #5
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Went from e90 n54 to f30 n55. Prior long time manual guy but switched to auto for these cars. To be honest I like the n55 better. Smoother power delivery and torque definitely comes on earlier. The 8at is an amazing transmission and perfectly matched to the engine. I don't feel that it is any less powerful and actually feels a little quicker in the lower rpm range.
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      01-16-2013, 08:38 PM   #6
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F30 feels like a mature persons sedan. That's my best way to describe it. If you got the 19" wheels and Dynamic Handling, be sure your first few drives are with the car in Sport/Sport+ mode. It helps the transition from a more "raw" BMW to a more "mature" feeling BMW.

After 500+ miles I feel pretty good about this car. When I want a performance sedan I click Sport+, but often I find myself in Comfort or Eco Pro mode. Pretty happy with 21MPG compared to the 17MPG I got in my 2010 335i.
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      01-16-2013, 08:42 PM   #7
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Man, you jumped from an E92 right to an F30 without so much as a test drive?

Not saying you won't love it, but the cars drive and behave very differently.

I personally think the F30 is more refined, and I owned an E92 M3. But others still cling to the E9x cars like they're the best thing to ever have 4 wheels bolted on.
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      01-17-2013, 08:52 AM   #8
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OP - I'm doing the exact same thing, but I did test-drive a few F30s before placing my order on 12/15. I will miss the power level I have with my 07 E92, but I wanted something a little bigger, which the F30 is - same legroom as F10 5-series but not as wide or heavy. Currently, my plans for mods are limited to Dinan S2 (when it comes out) and probably an ETS 5" intercooler. I ordered the adaptive suspension, so that should be interesting as well. If it feels like a "mature person's car", that works for me - I'm 64, but as one of my T-shirts says, "still plays with cars".
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      01-17-2013, 09:20 AM   #9
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How bout take all that money for seat time and then mod accordingly??
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      01-17-2013, 12:38 PM   #10
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This is definitely a good read for me, currently on the fence whether to go with a late model E9x or an F30 model. Currently the price is a big of a factor but the longer i wait the more ill have for the newer model, unless there isn't that much of a difference. In either case both would be a 335Xi M-sport packages.

From a little research it is obvious that the N54 motors have a lot more tuning potential, just looking at the accessport dyno's the difference is unreal. Definitely is a mod that i will be doing on what ever model i get.
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      01-17-2013, 12:46 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SDV325 View Post
This is definitely a good read for me, currently on the fence whether to go with a late model E9x or an F30 model. Currently the price is a big of a factor but the longer i wait the more ill have for the newer model, unless there isn't that much of a difference. In either case both would be a 335Xi M-sport packages.

From a little research it is obvious that the N54 motors have a lot more tuning potential, just looking at the accessport dyno's the difference is unreal. Definitely is a mod that i will be doing on what ever model i get.
There really aren't any significant tunes for the F30's N55 yet - the DME is different than that of the earlier N55 cars (pre-2013). There's a PPK from BMW due out in March, and without a doubt we'll see something from Cobb, Burger, Dinan, and maybe Procede, but probably not for awhile yet. The J55 from Burger is available now, but will undoubtedly be superseded by a new JB with significantly more power.
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      01-17-2013, 01:52 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bonsai View Post
So, it's that time again. I just pulled the trigger on an F30 335 fully loaded! Delivery on Friday

Unfortunately, that means it's time to say "fare thee well" to my beloved E92 335.

I got the F30 sight unseen from my longtime dealer - no test drive, no nothing. This is my 5th 3er since 200, so I feel I know what I'm getting into.

BUT, I now find myself wrestling with a bit of buyer's remorse. I love my E92 to death, especially with the N54 motor's incredible tune potential. Looking at the current performance figures of the F30 and lower tuning potential, I can't help but feel that I'll be let down.

So, fellow F30 owners (especially those coming from E9X/N54), help me feel better about my new baby:

1) What are your planned/installed mods for the F30?
2) Any personal experiences out there comparing E9X to F30? Especially tuned E9X vs tuned F30? How do they compare in performance?
3) What are the new features in the F30 that make you forget about your E9X.
4) Any other tips for a mod-happy 3er fan who's dealing with N54-withdrawl?

I'm thinking my first mod (after wheels) will be a JB N55 tune...
Drive modes in the f30 give you 4 cars in one. The interior is incredibly more luxurious. The exterior styling is more aggressive. The engine, while less tuneable, is more reliable and has had no major issues.
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      01-17-2013, 11:00 PM   #13
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Great feedback folks! Thanks!

I'm actually getting excited for this car. The tech in it does sound interesting.

My last experience with a sedan was an 07 E90, but it sounds like the F30 is going to be night and day!

As for mods, I'm hesitant to do suspension given the adaptive kit. Or is this me being ignorant?

After reading this thread, I think my mod list will go in this order. Thoughts?

Immediate:
19" Breyton Race GTR-S

Post break-in:
1) Intake
2) BMS JB N55
3) Fingers crossed for a catless downpipe / supporting tune soon
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      01-18-2013, 12:37 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bonsai View Post
So, it's that time again. I just pulled the trigger on an F30 335 fully loaded! Delivery on Friday

Unfortunately, that means it's time to say "fare thee well" to my beloved E92 335.

I got the F30 sight unseen from my longtime dealer - no test drive, no nothing. This is my 5th 3er since 2000, so I feel I know what I'm getting into.

BUT, I now find myself wrestling with a bit of buyer's remorse. I love my E92 to death, especially with the N54 motor's incredible tune potential. Looking at the current performance figures of the F30 and lower tuning potential, I can't help but feel that I'll be let down.

So, fellow F30 owners (especially those coming from E9X/N54), help me feel better about my new baby:

1) What are your planned/installed mods for the F30?
2) Any personal experiences out there comparing E9X to F30? Especially tuned E9X vs tuned F30? How do they compare in performance?
3) What are the new features in the F30 that make you forget about your E9X.
4) Any other tips for a mod-happy 3er fan who's dealing with N54-withdrawl?

I'm thinking my first mod (after wheels) will be a JB N55 tune...
It has enough power - get something to fix the steering feel....its lifeless.
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      01-18-2013, 04:01 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Just a 3 View Post
It has enough power - get something to fix the steering feel....its lifeless.
No kidding. ESPECIALLY coming from E92.

OP, the F30 steering is not bad, don't get me wrong, but the initial shock when you get into it from E92 is going to be something you will have to consciously manage. After couple of weeks you will forget how E92 steering felt and everything is going to be groovy. Just don't go back to driving one later
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      01-18-2013, 05:32 PM   #16
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do the jb
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      01-21-2013, 08:40 PM   #17
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Pulling the trigger on the JB as we speak!

I've been driving the F30 and the E92 side-by-side for a few days now. I don't know if it's the steering, tranny or the differently-tuned N55 - but I am going to miss the directness, response and low-end grunt of the N54. Even without any mods, the N54 just feels more grunty in the low-end. Steering feels way more connected too. The F30 kind of feels like a boat, but it's one seriously planted boat! :P

Even with sport mode, I've rethought my aversion to getting a suspension.

This is my revised mod list.

Already done:
19" Breyton Race GTR-S

Post break-in:
1) Suspension
2) BMS JB N55 + Intake
3) Catless downpipes
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