[GatorRob]

Well the wife gave me my Christmas present early - $ 1,000.00 to spend on modding my 2015 F33 M Sport.

I was thinking of getting:

Cold air intake - Specifically the Dinan D760-0038

and

Charge Pipe - Specifically the Evolution Racewerks N55 Charge pipe

Together that should be just a little over my Christmas gift but I can add the difference (<$100.00)

Would this be a good starting point?

I'm looking at a tune, a catted downpipe and maybe a new exhaust system in March (my birthday month)

Any suggestions and / guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[jmg]

CAI and a Charge Pipe is too soon. A tune will be the most bang for the buck. So in a rough order, I suggest this:

1) Tune - more power for less money.
2) Tires - non RFT high performance summer tires-the BEST way to improve handling.
3) Suspension - Looks and handling, a good combination!
4) Brakes - If you running adorable little non-M Performance brakes you need to upgrade if you mean business and not want to die. Brakes mean business. Cute OEM "calipers" is like playing pretend at recess.

Now that you have power, the means to put it down, and brakes and suspension that won't send you into a wall, you can start looking at all the high $ to small gains ratio items like a CAI, Charge Pipe and exhaust.

[alohasurftoad]

i agree that a stage one flash such as BM3 would be the best thing to get 1st. you can adjust/update the tune as you add additional modifications. EDIT as stated hence, a charge pipe as well. both will be your $1000 initial budget.

if you are sticking to the route you're planning for engine mods on the upper half of the engine this is what i'd get...

1) while ER is generally regarded as best for CP i'd rather spend half the cost on one by cts turbo $190... http://www.ctsturbo.com/cart/product...-5043-116.html

2) for an aftermarket intercooler cts turbo $360... http://www.ctsturbo.com/cart/product...IT-4939-7.html

3)GFB DV+ diverter valve $125

4)FTP or MST turbo inlet pipe $180

an intake is the last engine mod i'd get since it provides the least (almost no) performance gain and most get them for a louder "pfssshhh" sound. however if you must have the dinan brand and carbon fiber that's your choice. personally, i'd rather pay $280 for the offering by cts turbo... http://www.ctsturbo.com/cart/product...-4922-699.html

[XxThe_RemedyXx]

Keep stock intake, it does a fantastic job. Spend that money elsewhere. Definitely CP, BM3 Stage 1 and IC.

[MONSTAR]

Id do BM3, chargepipe and pony up the difference for a downpipe. no shame in getting a used one off of the marketplace here.
In march, you could get an intercooler and diverter valve and flash to the next stage

[rjd_F30]

I think a CAI and charge pipe would be the last two things I'd do Those are both small gain "extras" so to speak, so I would save them for last.

The above suggestions are all good ones. I think #1 should be a tune, BM3 is great. That'll leave you with around $400 which isn't enough for much, but could get you a set of springs with that, assuming you install them yourself. You could also get a downpipe with that $400, but that's usually paired with an FMIC, which would eclipse $1000. If you're willing to bolster your budget with some pocket change, a tune downpipe and intercooler is a possibility.

Or, you could go a totally different route and a nice set of wheels.

[IK6SPEED]

Why anyone would not start with a metal CP before anything else is just amazingly naive imo.

Even stock, OEM CPs blow.

Add in a tune and one is asking for trouble. Not to mention if those exploding plastic parts get sucked into the engine. Then see what your bill runs.

OEM CP stock are ticking time bombs. Add in a tune and you are simply asking for disaster.

[jh_f30]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Why anyone would not start with a metal CP before anything else is just amazingly naive imo.

Even stock, OEM CPs blow.

Add in a tune and one is asking for trouble. Not to mention if those exploding plastic parts get sucked into the engine. Then see what your bill runs.

OEM CP stock are ticking time bombs. Add in a tune and you are simply asking for disaster.

Agreed. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Just do a search for blown CP stories.

Also, imo, CAI is completely unnecessary. Stock intake is not known to be a point of restriction. If anything, just drop in a a performance dry (non-oiled) filter.

Do the CP instead of CAI.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Why anyone would not start with a metal CP before anything else is just amazingly naive imo.

Even stock, OEM CPs blow.

Add in a tune and one is asking for trouble. Not to mention if those exploding plastic parts get sucked into the engine. Then see what your bill runs.

OEM CP stock are ticking time bombs. Add in a tune and you are simply asking for disaster.

That make sense. I didn't know they were such an issue with the F30. Tune + CP might be a good first step.

[Kailec]

I thought I saw someone selling a used BM3 license on here for $350. Add in a CP and depending on brand and how much you have left over, you can still get something else. CAI does nothing for performance. You will notice a tune the most, and you need that CP to support the tune. You could do an FMIC with it after since those 2 are typically installed together, and pay the difference.

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Why anyone would not start with a metal CP before anything else is just amazingly naive imo.

Even stock, OEM CPs blow.

Add in a tune and one is asking for trouble. Not to mention if those exploding plastic parts get sucked into the engine. Then see what your bill runs.

OEM CP stock are ticking time bombs. Add in a tune and you are simply asking for disaster.

This is a fair point... I forgot we were talking N55, the charge pipes are a much bigger issue here than on the N20. Other than that, I'll stick to my suggestions, a tune + CP is a good way to spend $1k.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by Kailec

I thought I saw someone selling a used BM3 license on here for $350. Add in a CP and depending on brand and how much you have left over, you can still get something else. CAI does nothing for performance. You will notice a tune the most, and you need that CP to support the tune. You could do an FMIC with it after since those 2 are typically installed together, and pay the difference.

No, someone keeps talking they believe $350 is fair value.....which is why they continue to post that for 4 months....they cannot find one that cheap.

[GatorRob]

Originally Posted by jmg

CAI and a Charge Pipe is too soon. A tune will be the most bang for the buck. So in a rough order, I suggest this:

1) Tune - more power for less money.
2) Tires - non RFT high performance summer tires-the BEST way to improve handling.
3) Suspension - Looks and handling, a good combination!
4) Brakes - If you running adorable little non-M Performance brakes you need to upgrade if you mean business and not want to die. Brakes mean business. Cute OEM "calipers" is like playing pretend at recess.

Now that you have power, the means to put it down, and brakes and suspension that won't send you into a wall, you can start looking at all the high $ to small gains ratio items like a CAI, Charge Pipe and exhaust.

Thanks for the reply JMG, I actually put on new Conti's DWS 06's all the way around last weekend.

I also have the M Sport suspension and the blue M Sport brakes.

I should have mentioned in my OP that I still have 12,000 miles and 6 months left on the factory warranty and was wondering if I should do nothing until the warranty runs out. That's why I was looking at the Dinan CAI as it wouldn't affect my warranty.

Not sure what to do now.

[alohasurftoad]

Originally Posted by GatorRob

That's why I was looking at the Dinan CAI as it wouldn't affect my warranty.

this is not entirely true. Dinan parts are not covered under a BMW umbrella. there are dealerships which choose to be "Dinan" dealership and typically you purchase from and have it installed there to be covered by the BMW and Dinan warranty concurrently. i believe you may install the item yourself however any warranty claim would have to be done at "Dinan" dealership. dealerships that aren't "Dinan" treat it as any other aftermarket part.

https://www.dinancars.com/warranty/

regardless, putting $600ish towards any intake would be a pity when there are other things which would provide more "bang for the buck". however if that's what you want you should get it. there someone selling one in the member classifieds now. it may be worth taking a look at to save some $$$

[Dheeth-G80]

Even though I added performance mods after I got done doing lights/cosmetics.

Nothing beats bm3 stage 1. I am not even kidding, it's day and night difference in car's behavior! I'd highly suggest just tune it and add CP for sure if you do tune it.

I blew my CP on stage 1 so do it before you tune it

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by jmg

That make sense. I didn't know they were such an issue with the F30. Tune + CP might be a good first step.

Another friendly vote to replace stock CP with a metal one from ER. Stock CP + tune = too close for comfort as the risks of plastic CP failing and plastic residue ingested in the engine magnify.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by GatorRob

Thanks for the reply JMG, I actually put on new Conti's DWS 06's all the way around last weekend.

I also have the M Sport suspension and the blue M Sport brakes.

I should have mentioned in my OP that I still have 12,000 miles and 6 months left on the factory warranty and was wondering if I should do nothing until the warranty runs out. That's why I was looking at the Dinan CAI as it wouldn't affect my warranty.

Not sure what to do now.

You still void your factory warranty with Dinan parts. The Dinan warranty just takes over those components and the components they might effect. If you are really worried about your warranty, how about using the gift towards a HPDE to hone your skills instead? A better driver = a faster car!

[BEAR-AvHistory]

As mentioned an aftermarket CAI will not do squat till you are over 400WHP. Ran 12 flat with stock BMW intake which BTW is a CAI.

Charge pipes can be a problem, mine on a N54 started to fail at 18PSI. At the time got a BMS alloy unit to replace the stock version after the warranty replacement of the original also failed. Never had another failure.

Had/have 2 N55's one 135is JB4 running an easy map, one 435i MPPK & have not lost a charge pipe or even had one disconnect on either car. If I was upgrading over a base performance install would add one.

Personally my first two N54 parts were a JB4 & an FMIC. The stock Air 2 Air units on the N54/55 will heat soak very quickly in warm weather. The FMIC will not make power but will preserve the power the tune is making. BMW bailed out on the Air 2 Air units for the B58 340/440 & installed Water 2 Air inter-coolers.

The Carolina summer will suck the power out of your car faster then you can put it in.

Also agree that HPDS is the best first place to spend your money. BMWCCA Tarheel chapter runs a number of schools a year at Virginia International Raceway.