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      07-15-2021, 07:21 PM   #1
ambitiousn20
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n20 noob with mod questions

hey y'all, brand new here. i got a 2018 320i n20 a few years ago as my first car and i'm looking to start upgrading it. i only have 10k miles on it.

ideally, i'd like to run a stage 1 or 2 flash tuner. problem is, i don't want my parents knowing it isn't stock.

this means i can't get a catless dp and loud ass exhaust. apologize for being so new, but are there valve "covers" i can get so that it sounds stock when i start it in my garage? if so, i plan on going all out with a new inlet, intake, FMIC, charge pipe, etc.

any help would be very much appreciated, and no, getting a 328/335 is not an option lol.
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      07-15-2021, 08:48 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ambitiousn20 View Post
hey y'all, brand new here. i got a 2018 320i n20 a few years ago as my first car and i'm looking to start upgrading it. i only have 10k miles on it.

ideally, i'd like to run a stage 1 or 2 flash tuner. problem is, i don't want my parents knowing it isn't stock.

this means i can't get a catless dp and loud ass exhaust. apologize for being so new, but are there valve "covers" i can get so that it sounds stock when i start it in my garage? if so, i plan on going all out with a new inlet, intake, FMIC, charge pipe, etc.

any help would be very much appreciated, and no, getting a 328/335 is not an option lol.
Get a exhaust cut out valve when you away from home you can open it up as far as tuning Bootmod3 the only way I would go
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      07-15-2021, 10:45 PM   #3
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stage 1, and use valvetronic exhaust so you can choose from silent to loud
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      07-16-2021, 04:59 AM   #4
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Bootmod3 stage 1 flash tune will give you a nice bump in power and requires no hardware modifications. There's no way you're parents can tell.
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      07-16-2021, 09:43 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Bootmod3 stage 1 flash tune will give you a nice bump in power and requires no hardware modifications. There's no way you're parents can tell.
+1

You can also add an intercooler, charge pipe, and catted downpipe. I doubt they would ever notice these mods.

Just don't upgrade the exhaust
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      07-16-2021, 11:00 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ambitiousn20 View Post
hey y'all, brand new here. i got a 2018 320i n20 a few years ago as my first car and i'm looking to start upgrading it. i only have 10k miles on it.

ideally, i'd like to run a stage 1 or 2 flash tuner. problem is, i don't want my parents knowing it isn't stock.

this means i can't get a catless dp and loud ass exhaust. apologize for being so new, but are there valve "covers" i can get so that it sounds stock when i start it in my garage? if so, i plan on going all out with a new inlet, intake, FMIC, charge pipe, etc.

any help would be very much appreciated, and no, getting a 328/335 is not an option lol.
Just to let you know - your engine is not n20 but B48. N20 was in pre LCI(before 2015) and after 2015 we got B48.

btw. Im doing my stage 1 bootmod3 in same engine on tuesday =)
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      07-16-2021, 11:08 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elborczi View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ambitiousn20 View Post
hey y'all, brand new here. i got a 2018 320i n20 a few years ago as my first car and i'm looking to start upgrading it. i only have 10k miles on it.

ideally, i'd like to run a stage 1 or 2 flash tuner. problem is, i don't want my parents knowing it isn't stock.

this means i can't get a catless dp and loud ass exhaust. apologize for being so new, but are there valve "covers" i can get so that it sounds stock when i start it in my garage? if so, i plan on going all out with a new inlet, intake, FMIC, charge pipe, etc.

any help would be very much appreciated, and no, getting a 328/335 is not an option lol.
Just to let you know - your engine is not n20 but B48. N20 was in pre LCI(before 2015) and after 2015 we got B48.

btw. Im doing my stage 1 bootmod3 in same engine on tuesday =)
it's an awd xdrive tho, with the research i've done, i'm pretty sure it's n20. if it's b48 i'll be very pleased lol
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      07-16-2021, 12:38 PM   #8
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Send me the VIN number on priv msg, I can check what does VIN say
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      07-16-2021, 12:40 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elborczi View Post
Just to let you know - your engine is not n20 but B48. N20 was in pre LCI(before 2015) and after 2015 we got B48.

btw. Im doing my stage 1 bootmod3 in same engine on tuesday =)
You're actually wrong.

N20 was available in USA through MY 2018.
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      07-16-2021, 12:42 PM   #10
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ambitiousn20 if you have a 2018 320i xDrive then its powered by the N20 motor, end of story.
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      07-16-2021, 12:44 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
ambitiousn20 if you have a 2018 320i xDrive then its powered by the N20 motor, end of story.
alrighty then, time to get bm3 and a charge pipe
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      07-16-2021, 01:04 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Bootmod3 stage 1 flash tune will give you a nice bump in power and requires no hardware modifications. There's no way you're parents can tell.
+1

You can also add an intercooler, charge pipe, and catted downpipe. I doubt they would ever notice these mods.

Just don't upgrade the exhaust
so a valvetronic dual exhaust and rear diffuser swap wouldn't be a good idea? closed valves and taking off cold start shouldn't be too loud right? just enough to tune burbles when i'm on the road

if that's not a good idea, what's your opinion on getting an upgraded intake and inlet pipe solely for the sound?

ty for the recs
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      07-16-2021, 01:05 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ambitiousn20 View Post
alrighty then, time to get bm3 and a charge pipe
Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
You're actually wrong.

N20 was available in USA through MY 2018.
Yeah just checked it with google and you are right. Sorry for this fake info N20 was available in EU market only until 2015 and thats why I thought so.
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      07-16-2021, 02:44 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ambitiousn20 View Post
so a valvetronic dual exhaust and rear diffuser swap wouldn't be a good idea? closed valves and taking off cold start shouldn't be too loud right? just enough to tune burbles when i'm on the road

if that's not a good idea, what's your opinion on getting an upgraded intake and inlet pipe solely for the sound?

ty for the recs
I don't think these 2 mods are a good idea if you want to keep it a secret

the inlet is fine, intake will be obvious if they open the engine hood or ride in the car with you
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      07-16-2021, 11:28 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com View Post
I don't think these 2 mods are a good idea if you want to keep it a secret

the inlet is fine, intake will be obvious if they open the engine hood or ride in the car with you
That's true lol, I got an MST Intake and it sounds really loud in sport. You could also hear this on comfort mode, a lot louder too if you have your ac running
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      07-17-2021, 06:42 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ambitiousn20 View Post
hey y'all, brand new here. i got a 2018 320i n20 a few years ago as my first car and i'm looking to start upgrading it. i only have 10k miles on it.

ideally, i'd like to run a stage 1 or 2 flash tuner. problem is, i don't want my parents knowing it isn't stock.

this means i can't get a catless dp and loud ass exhaust. apologize for being so new, but are there valve "covers" i can get so that it sounds stock when i start it in my garage? if so, i plan on going all out with a new inlet, intake, FMIC, charge pipe, etc.

any help would be very much appreciated, and no, getting a 328/335 is not an option lol.
Don't think the exhaust is valved like the 328 but if you do end up tuning, software like bootmod3 gives you features like enabling or disabling cold start
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      07-21-2021, 05:05 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Erebus_F30 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com View Post
I don't think these 2 mods are a good idea if you want to keep it a secret

the inlet is fine, intake will be obvious if they open the engine hood or ride in the car with you
That's true lol, I got an MST Intake and it sounds really loud in sport. You could also hear this on comfort mode, a lot louder too if you have your ac running
MST sounds sick on thic whips f30, did u change ur charge pipe as well or only intake? i kinda wanna just ball out FBO and bm3
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      07-22-2021, 02:48 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ambitiousn20 View Post
hey y'all, brand new here. i got a 2018 320i n20 a few years ago as my first car and i'm looking to start upgrading it. i only have 10k miles on it.

ideally, i'd like to run a stage 1 or 2 flash tuner. problem is, i don't want my parents knowing it isn't stock.

this means i can't get a catless dp and loud ass exhaust. apologize for being so new, but are there valve "covers" i can get so that it sounds stock when i start it in my garage? if so, i plan on going all out with a new inlet, intake, FMIC, charge pipe, etc.

any help would be very much appreciated, and no, getting a 328/335 is not an option lol.
just keep in mind if you do go with a flash tune you cannot sell the car back to BMW if you do choose to do so!
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      07-22-2021, 03:31 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ambitiousn20 View Post
hey y'all, brand new here. i got a 2018 320i n20 a few years ago as my first car and i'm looking to start upgrading it. i only have 10k miles on it.

ideally, i'd like to run a stage 1 or 2 flash tuner. problem is, i don't want my parents knowing it isn't stock.

this means i can't get a catless dp and loud ass exhaust. apologize for being so new, but are there valve "covers" i can get so that it sounds stock when i start it in my garage? if so, i plan on going all out with a new inlet, intake, FMIC, charge pipe, etc.

any help would be very much appreciated, and no, getting a 328/335 is not an option lol.
I kept my car pretty much as a sleeper. It's amazing what you can do without anyone having a clue.

Guys in Camaros and Mustangs make the mistake of eyeballing my wife at red lights. I watch her casually flip the Sport Mode switch. When the light turns green, they become specks in her rear view mirror. A happy wife is very important!

Below are my suggestions:

BootMod3 Stage1 tune:
Most people don't realize that not only can you use BM3 to tune your exhaust louder, but you can make your exhaust quieter too! I turned my exhaust sounds off completely in BM3 so I don't even have the stock burbles. The only time it's loud is when i floor it, which is exactly what I want. Remember to buy the $20 installation cable. Takes 15 minutes to install BootMod3 from your laptop.

https://www.kiesmotorsports.com/prod...8;_ss=r?aff=22

Installation Video


Charge Pipe:
Technically not required on an N20 but it provides piece of mind. This FTP model has excellent fitment at a reasonable price and includes o-rings and clamps.

https://www.kiesmotorsports.com/prod...8;_ss=r?aff=22

aFe Pro Dry air filter:
Forget the loud intake. For about $80, this washable reusable filter will give you a power bump without the noise. Keeps it stealth!

Start with those three mods. You'll be very happy and parents won't suspect a thing. Later you can do other stealth items like Hawk 5.0 brake pads, StopTech stainless steel brake lines, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S4 tires in 245/40-18, Koni Special Active shocks, front strut tower brace.

Every one of those things will markedly increase the driving fun factor without drawing any attention at all!

Hope this helps!
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      07-23-2021, 09:46 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Bootmod3 stage 1 flash tune will give you a nice bump in power and requires no hardware modifications. There's no way you're parents can tell.
is it safe for long term reliability? no hardware mods meaning i don't have to upgrade anything on the car and it's pure stock?

what's the final number? is it near the 328i number? can i retune back to stock anytime?

thanks.
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      07-25-2021, 11:25 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gameson View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Bootmod3 stage 1 flash tune will give you a nice bump in power and requires no hardware modifications. There's no way you're parents can tell.
is it safe for long term reliability? no hardware mods meaning i don't have to upgrade anything on the car and it's pure stock?

what's the final number? is it near the 328i number? can i retune back to stock anytime?

thanks.
This might help you. Just adding jb+ and not touching anything. A whopping $200 piggy back safe tune.

212/257 stock with heat soak.
252/281 with jb+ only.

Stage 1 93 will be around the same +/- but with more features to data log, tune your trans to shift faster and harder in sport/sport+ mode and request custom tunes

Source:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1509761
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