[Sloobot]

Hi everyone, I have a 2013 BMW F30 318d with about 214,000 km. What are some modifications I should add? I currently have a Stage 1 tune that gets me to about 190 hp and 400 Nm of torque. DPF and EGR are deleted, but I still have the catalytic converter. I've removed the muffler and added a sportier one, and installed an M3 CS body kit. I also bought a new intake that would maybe give me about 4 hp I don't really care about that, but I like the improved sound. All suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

[kmarei]

strut bar made a noticeable difference in my steering
android screen to replace the tiny OEM screen (adds carplay and android auto)
better brake pads?

[Sloobot]

Originally Posted by kmarei

strut bar made a noticeable difference in my steering
android screen to replace the tiny OEM screen (adds carplay and android auto)
better brake pads?

Thanks for the suggestions! I actually have the big navigation, so it's not terrible, but I do miss Android Auto. I looked into adding an MMI box, which should enable it, but I’m not sure how well it integrates. Have you tried one, or did you go for a full Android screen replacement?

For brakes, I have Brembo pads, but just the pads not the full caliper setup. They perform well, but sometimes they don’t feel like enough.

Also, I was thinking about getting a hardcut limiter. The car sounds good with the new exhaust, but not quite as aggressive as I expected. Do you think a hardcut is worth it?

[eleven11]

What goals do you have? Performance, looks, comfort?

With that many miles, I'd refresh/optimize anything aging to ensure longevity. Though questionable by some, I'm a fan of cleaner/additives at appropriate intervals from Liqui Moly.

[Sloobot]

Originally Posted by eleven11

What goals do you have? Performance, looks, comfort?

With that many miles, I'd refresh/optimize anything aging to ensure longevity. Though questionable by some, I'm a fan of cleaner/additives at appropriate intervals from Liqui Moly.

My main goals are performance and some visual upgrades, comfort is already pretty good as is. I use Liqui Moly Top Tech 4200 5W-30 and have had good results with it.

I recently changed the valve cover and noticed a bit of rattle from the timing chain, so I replaced the tensioner. Not sure if that was the best move, but a full chain replacement is pretty expensive here. Have you ever dealt with timing chain issues on high-mileage N47 engines?

[eleven11]

Originally Posted by Sloobot

Have you ever dealt with timing chain issues on high-mileage N47 engines?

Not me personally, no.

Without seeing additional pictures, my next move would be to look optimizing the height - proper spring/coilover drop, spacers, etc.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by Sloobot

Thanks for the suggestions! I actually have the big navigation, so it's not terrible, but I do miss Android Auto. I looked into adding an MMI box, which should enable it, but I’m not sure how well it integrates. Have you tried one, or did you go for a full Android screen replacement?

not a fan of the MMI box
i want a new screen with zero scratches, better resolution etc

i got the full android screen
other benefit is you can run full video unlike OEM carplay
i think i paid around $350 for it

[rexcm]

Originally Posted by kmarei

not a fan of the MMI box
i want a new screen with zero scratches, better resolution etc

i got the full android screen
other benefit is you can run full video unlike OEM carplay
i think i paid around $350 for it

Which screen did you get? I've got the small screen and would like to upgrade it, but I'm not looking to pay $500+ like the ones I've seen.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by rexcm

Which screen did you get? I've got the small screen and would like to upgrade it, but I'm not looking to pay $500+ like the ones I've seen.

This one :
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/22558...2usa4itemAdapt

I got the F30 680 128G NBT
You could easily get the 64GB
Since you can stick a micro SD card in it and add storage for music videos etc

[rexcm]

Originally Posted by kmarei

This one :
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255801110139657.html?srcSns=sns_Copy&spreadType=s ocialShare&bizType=ProductDetail&social_params=217 70410349&aff_fcid=71733797516e4ac3b10a227bba0a4942-1739497630446-03780-_mMIScbh&tt=MG&aff_fsk=_mMIScbh&aff_platform=defau lt&sk=_mMIScbh&aff_trace_key=71733797516e4ac3b10a2 27bba0a4942-1739497630446-03780-_mMIScbh&shareId=21770410349&businessType=ProductD etail&platform=AE&terminal_id=18f17ec182324d4d946f 353af877bca6&afSmartRedirect=y&gatewayAdapt=glo2us a4itemAdapt

I got the F30 680 128G NBT
You could easily get the 64GB
Since you can stick a micro SD card in it and add storage for music videos etc

I was about to pull the trigger until I saw the $200 shipping! Holy shit! I’m going to continue looking, but I’ll definitely keep an eye on the listing. Thanks for the link

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by rexcm

I was about to pull the trigger until I saw the $200 shipping! Holy shit! I’m going to continue looking, but I’ll definitely keep an eye on the listing. Thanks for the link

weird, do you have an ali express account?
i have one, i find most of the stuff sold here in the states on ali express for half or 1/3 the price

i didn't pay that much for shipping
$20 or $30 something

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by rexcm

I was about to pull the trigger until I saw the $200 shipping! Holy shit! I’m going to continue looking, but I’ll definitely keep an eye on the listing. Thanks for the link

you're right
i def did not pay $200 shipping for it
they must have changed the listing


here is another one, same specs

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...yAdapt=glo2usa

[rexcm]

Originally Posted by kmarei

weird, do you have an ali express account?
i have one, i find most of the stuff sold here in the states on ali express for half or 1/3 the price

i didn't pay that much for shipping
$20 or $30 something

I use ali all the time for random shit, but I never thought to look for a screen replacement. Great tip

Originally Posted by kmarei

you're right
i def did not pay $200 shipping for it
they must have changed the listing

here is another one, same specs

I ended up grabbing a linux screen instead of android, mostly based on a single video that showed the difference in boot time. Still ended up with a 10.25" screen, I feel like the 12"+ screens look out of place. It being only $180 helped too

Link for the curious

Hopefully install goes well!

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by rexcm

I use ali all the time for random shit, but I never thought to look for a screen replacement. Great tip



I ended up grabbing a linux screen instead of android, mostly based on a single video that showed the difference in boot time. Still ended up with a 10.25" screen, I feel like the 12"+ screens look out of place. It being only $180 helped too

Link for the curious

Hopefully install goes well!

if i remember correctly
linux ones boot up quicker, but only do carplay
advantage of android is you can install other apps
i have some streaming apps installed so when there is a soccer match, i play the match so i can at least listen to the commentary while driving
and once i was waiting for my wife at train station, train was delayed, watched my fav youtuber, M539 Restorations videos
thats the guy that buys BMWs and restores them to like new condition

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by rexcm

I use ali all the time for random shit, but I never thought to look for a screen replacement. Great tip



I ended up grabbing a linux screen instead of android, mostly based on a single video that showed the difference in boot time. Still ended up with a 10.25" screen, I feel like the 12"+ screens look out of place. It being only $180 helped too

Link for the curious

Hopefully install goes well!

i got an adapter from amazon
so one of the 2 USB ports on this unit connects to the USB in the arm rest, looks totally stock
other USB comes out from under HVAC, and thats the one i use for wired carplay
it has wireless carplay but i have always had issues with wireless
dropouts etc
wired is 100%

[rexcm]

Originally Posted by kmarei

if i remember correctly
linux ones boot up quicker, but only do carplay
advantage of android is you can install other apps
i have some streaming apps installed so when there is a soccer match, i play the match so i can at least listen to the commentary while driving
and once i was waiting for my wife at train station, train was delayed, watched my fav youtuber, M539 Restorations videos
thats the guy that buys BMWs and restores them to like new condition

How does that work? Like where does the network connection come from? Do you have to pay for a sim card for your car? That was my main concern with the apps on the android screen, how useful they actually are. I can mirror my phone screen to the linux screen and watch videos (I think)

Originally Posted by kmarei

i got an adapter from amazon
so one of the 2 USB ports on this unit connects to the USB in the arm rest, looks totally stock
other USB comes out from under HVAC, and thats the one i use for wired carplay
it has wireless carplay but i have always had issues with wireless
dropouts etc
wired is 100%

That USB mod sounds clean I might have to do something similar. How are you running cables out from the armrest? Mine always get squished because there isn't any holes or channels for it to go. Do you just deal with the squished cable when need be?

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by rexcm

How does that work? Like where does the network connection come from? Do you have to pay for a sim card for your car? That was my main concern with the apps on the android screen, how useful they actually are. I can mirror my phone screen to the linux screen and watch videos (I think)



That USB mod sounds clean I might have to do something similar. How are you running cables out from the armrest? Mine always get squished because there isn't any holes or channels for it to go. Do you just deal with the squished cable when need be?

mine has a SIM slot
you can always use hotspot off your phone as long as you are not using wireless carplay since that will takeover wifi so hotspot won't work.

i got a fakra USB A cable
you unplug the fakra connector that goes to the OEM head unit from the arm rest
and you plug this adapter to it, which gives you a male USB which goes to one of the 2 ports on the android unit

looks like this