Jake's Epic BMW 135i Build Thread! (5+ Years of Ownership)

[suspenceful]

Update: As I posted above, I sold my BBS LM replica (ESM) wheels. I ended up getting a deal on a set of APEX AERO-7 wheels locally, so I bought them this weekend. I test-fitted them right away and decided I really didn't like them, whatsoever. See below:

 

 

I took them off right away and listed them for sale. The wheels sold right away, but I still have like-new Nitto INVO tires and TPMS sensors for sale.

 

I found a set of wheels across the country on Craigslist and convinced the seller to ship them. So, I sent him money last night and hope to have them by this weekend or early next week!

 

Anyone think I made a mistake by selling the LM reps or APEX AERO-7s?

[ClassE]

I think it's always a mistake to put black wheels on black cars, and I have no issues with remakes/cast wheels/reps as long as they don't have fake bolt heads... But that's just me.

Some people get way too caught up in "wheel elitism" in the car scene today. I've had absurdly rare 3-piece wheels, and I've had cast "knock-offs" (still do) and I'll happily rock the cast wheels any day. I love rare wheels and will certainly buy more, but bending/cracking lips can happen regardless of what ultra-hip or rare name is on the face. Id rather pay to replace the readily available cast wheel for cheap, then cry like a schoolgirl because I ruined a face on a unobtainium set of rare wheels.

Short Version: Do what you want because it's how you like it... And screw anybody who says otherwise.

[suspenceful]

I think it's always a mistake to put black wheels on black cars, and I have no issues with remakes/cast wheels/reps as long as they don't have fake bolt heads... But that's just me.

Some people get way too caught up in "wheel elitism" in the car scene today. I've had absurdly rare 3-piece wheels, and I've had cast "knock-offs" (still do) and I'll happily rock the cast wheels any day. I love rare wheels and will certainly buy more, but bending/cracking lips can happen regardless of what ultra-hip or rare name is on the face. Id rather pay to replace the readily available cast wheel for cheap, then cry like a schoolgirl because I ruined a face on a unobtainium set of rare wheels.

Short Version: Do what you want because it's how you like it... And screw anybody who says otherwise.

 

I agree, I really didn't like the set of AERO-7s above.

 

I've never owned a set of "legit" wheels, simply because I can't justify spending that much on wheels alone. As much as I'd love to, I drive the car a lot and it gets driven hard. I really liked the look of the BBS LM reps, but they didn't allow me to fit very much tire because of the offsets. The car puts down a lot of power and I need as much tire as I can get.

 

The set of wheels I just bought are the most expensive wheels I've ever bought and they should allow me to fit some wide tires. Stay tuned

[suspenceful]

It's been a while since I've updated this thread, but that doesn't mean I haven't been working on my 1-series! I'll make a few posts to divide up the stuff I've been doing.

 

As you know, I got rid of the BBS LM replica wheels. I wanted to be able to fit more tire, so I found some APEX ARC8s. They're pretty hard to come by because they've been sold out for over a year, but I nabbed a set on Craigslist from across the country!

 

At the same time, I got an APEX 75mm stud conversion kit. Finally no messing around with lug bolts. I hate those things. Read my installation guide http://my1series.com/2015/03/23/how-to-install-apex-stud-conversion-kit/'>here.

 

Anthracite APEX ARC8 wheels

Front: 18x8.5" +45 with 235/40/18

Rear: 18x9.5" +62 with 265/35/18

 

I added a 5mm spacer in back and will probably try squeezing a 10mm back there instead pretty soon.

 

[suspenceful]

A few weeks later, I started to hear a squeaking noise under the hood. Here is what I found:

 

 

Serpentine belt started shredding, so I started replacing stuff. Ordered a new belt and tensioner, along with oil filter housing gaskets (#1 & #2) because mine were leaking.

 

Oil filter gaskets going in... what a mess.

 

 

I put everything back together and assumed all was good. Wrong. About 50 miles later, the belt started shredding again. This time it started wrapping around the alternator pulley and burnt up the backside of the brand new tensioner pulleys.

 

 

Something was clearly causing the problem. Unsure where to start, I looked at the alternator because the belt wrapped around that specific pulley. The alternator pulley has a sprag clutch inside that allows it to spin one way, but not the other. This video shows how to test yours. After watching the video, I went out and tested mine. I carefully lodged a screwdriver into the fan to lock it from spinning:

 

Once the alternator was locked, I tried spinning the pulley by hand in either direction. It was seized and would not move. So, I assumed that was the problem. This time I ordered another new belt, tensioner, as well as an upper idler pulley, a lower idler pulley, an alternator pulley, and an alternator pulley removal tool.

 

All of the parts arrived and we installed everything for a second time. The new alternator pulley spun smoothly in one direction as it was supposed to. I thought everything went great and drove the car around for 2 days until the belt shredded AGAIN! This time the belt started tearing and worked itself off of the pulleys. I was shocked.

 

 

I went online and starting reading up on the repeating issue. I saw a lot of discussion about the power steering (PS) pump pulley coming into contact with the subframe. The pulley would hit the subframe and shred the belt or break the pulley. This was caused by worn motor mounts, allowing the motor to flex and sag when accelerating.

 

However, this issue only affected N54 cars produced up until 04/2008. Apparently BMW addressed the issue at that point. My car was built in 08/2008 so I didn’t think it was my issue, but I took a look anyways. While underneath the car, I noticed that this was NOT my issue. My PS pulley was NOT coming in contact with the subframe. But upon further inspection, this is what I noticed:

 

 

1 of my PS pump bolts was missing and the other 2 were loose! This is not on the pulley, but on the pump itself. After doing a little more research, a few others reported the same thing. Maybe it’s because the bolts are attached to the oil pan, become coated in oil, and eventually work themselves loose… I’m not sure.

 

Either way, I removed the 2 loose bolts and found another bolt that fit perfectly in the missing slot. I added a drop of thread-locker to each bolt and reinserted them. I couldn’t find the torque specs, but I torqued them down to 40 ft/lbs.

 

This time around the tensioner and all pulleys were still in good shape, so I just bought another belt (for the 3rd time). I installed the belt and everything has been running smooth for over 5,000 miles now.

 

Important Notes:

• Check all pulleys the first time around! Make sure there is no play or movement in any of them. They should all spin freely.
• If your N54 was produced before 04/2008, check to see if your PS pulley is coming in contact with your subframe. I’ve read that you can install 335is motor mounts (passenger side, driver side) to fix the problem. You can also notch the subframe.
• If your belt has started to shred, pull over immediately! If the belt works its way around the crankshaft pulley, it can break through the front main seal and even work its way into the timing belt. Best case scenario: the main seal needs to be replaced (oil leak). Even worse, the main seal continues to leak and you run the motor dry. Much worse, the belt causes the motor to jump timing and self-implode. No one wants that, so be sure to check behind the crankshaft pulley for belt fragments. If the belt wrapped around the backside of the pulley, remove it and carefully inspect the front main seal.

[suspenceful]

After adding my aggressive E85 flash last summer, the factory clutch started to slip. I decided it was time to upgrade so I could enjoy the car to it’s full potential this summer. I decided to go with the 335is/550i clutch upgrade on ECSTuning.

 

It feels fantastic. The clutch pedal is slightly stiffer, but retains an OEM feel. The gear changes are nice and smooth with the new Redline fluid. Everything grabs like it should and I’m very satisfied with the new setup! I have over 5,000 hard miles on the setup and haven't had a single issue.

 

-------------

 

Here is a little more information about the process:

 

This clutch comes factory in the F10 550i, which puts down 443 tq and weighs a whopping 4552 lbs. DINAN doesn’t offer a clutch upgrade for their different stages of 550i’s, so apparently they feel that it is adequate. Their Stage 3 550i puts down 580 tq and they kept the factory clutch. Also, someone on the forums is using this clutch and claims that it is holding at over 620wtq on aftermarket turbos. To me, it sounds like the clutch is severely underrated.

 

My 135i won’t see more than 500 tq anytime soon. I’d guess that it is currently around 420whp/465wtq, but only weighs 3300 lbs!

 

I decided to give it a try. Here is my parts list from ECSTuning:

• 335is/550i 6-speed Clutch Kit

• Manual Transmission Service Kit

• Flywheel bolts (8 of them)

• Downpipe exhaust gaskets (2 of them)

• Aluminum Transmission Bolt Set

• Pilot Bearing

• Rear Main Seal

Total ECSTuning parts cost: $544.17

When replacing your clutch, I highly advise that you also replace the factory dual-mass flywheel (DMFW). The springs wear over time and will eventually let go. I chose to go with a lighter, single-mass flywheel (SMFW) from MFactory for $499.95 shipped. This brought my total parts cost to $1044.12, not bad.

 

Some pictures, from start to finish.

 

 

Still some life left on the friction disc, but some slipping spots with heat damage on the pressure plate. Everything else was ‘okay’. The new rear main seal was installed and the transmission was removed.

 

 

See those two bottles of Redline D4 ATF on the table? We drained the old fluid out and added about 1.5 quarts until it started overflowing. After that, the new clutch and flywheel were bolted on.

 

 

Lastly, everything goes back together in reverse order. Obviously I didn’t get pictures of everything during the install, but it all went together flawlessly. Big thanks to my buddy Kevin, who did an awesome job with the install. He took great care of the car!

[suspenceful]

Next up, installing my Rieger diffuser and fxomar side splitters.

 

 

I bought the Rieger diffuser used and the carbon fiber hydrodip was fading. So, I sanded it down with some high-grit sandpaper and setup a ghetto booth in Ben's shop bathroom. Plan was to prime it and then spray it with Plastidip.

 

 

I put a bunch of coats of Plastidip on and it looks great! The finish is a real nice matte black and it seems very durable. The diffuser didn’t come with any mesh, so I went to Home Depot and bought a roll of black gutter guard. It was really cheap, only like $2 or $3. Cut it to size and hot glued it to the back.

 

 

Once I installed the diffuser, the exhaust tips were sunk in behind the bumper. Since this is an aggressive diffuser, I had to get them extended. The tips were always a bit crooked, so this was a great excuse to get everything straightened out.

 

Here is a picture I took shortly after buying the car. You can see that the exhaust tips were melting the factory diffuser because they were pushed up against it.

 

 

And here are some photos I took after installing the Rieger diffuser. You can also see the side splitters that I installed at the same time.

 

[suspenceful]

After all these mods, it was time to hit up the drag strip! I only got one video of a pass, but my best time was 12.9 @ 112mph with a 2.15 60ft on street tires. I was heat-soaking really bad and was only able to get 15psi out of the turbos. I guess that is what happens when you sit in the staging lanes for 20 minutes before each run. Next time I'll have an aftermarket intercooler and a more aggressive tune.

 

After the races, I went to the streets with a few friends of mine. One of them has a Pontiac G8 GT with intake, headers, exhaust, mild cam, and a tune. He was on drag radials with an LSD and automatic transmission putting out 12.2 time slips. I asked if he'd be down to run on the street because I knew I would have better IATs. I put about 2 or 3 car lengths on him from 60MPH to 130MPH. Then we did a 20MPH roll and were dead even up until about 100MPH. I know I have a 12 second car, it'll just take a bit to get there on the track.

 

Here is the only video I have from the track:

[REKIII]

Very cool updates!!  Still a cute car.

[GunMetalGrey]

Woah! Some blasts from the past in there!

Looking minty my friend

[suspenceful]

Very cool updates!!  Still a cute car.

 

 

Woah! Some blasts from the past in there! Looking minty my friend

Thanks guys

[i_love_cars]

awesome dude. Interesting enough I'm in a similar boat, although my clutch was slipping on far less than E85. I just de-tuned to Stage 1 this weekend because my custom stage 2 was causing a lot of slip. I actually slipped bad enough to throw codes and car went into limp mode on Friday - scanned with the AP and found transmission speed not matching engine speed fault code. I've been doing clutch research but there isn't a single mass option for N55. I've got a quote for 200 bucks to resurface my stock flywheel, and probably will end up buying a spec stage 2+ clutch. I was really excited to read about the 550i clutch option and that you had gone that route but then I saw it was only for N54. F my life. 

 

As for your track times - besides what you already know, get an LSD. Going straight > going sideways.  

[suspenceful]

awesome dude. Interesting enough I'm in a similar boat, although my clutch was slipping on far less than E85. I just de-tuned to Stage 1 this weekend because my custom stage 2 was causing a lot of slip. I actually slipped bad enough to throw codes and car went into limp mode on Friday - scanned with the AP and found transmission speed not matching engine speed fault code. I've been doing clutch research but there isn't a single mass option for N55. I've got a quote for 200 bucks to resurface my stock flywheel, and probably will end up buying a spec stage 2+ clutch. I was really excited to read about the 550i clutch option and that you had gone that route but then I saw it was only for N54. F my life. 

 

As for your track times - besides what you already know, get an LSD. Going straight > going sideways.

From the reading I did, I believe you can swap in the 550i clutch. I also think you can get a SMFW from MFactory, but could be wrong. A little research showed you can use an N54 clutch if you use an N54 flywheel. Don't quote me though, but I found a few N55 people that bought the 550i clutch and never reported their experiences afterwards. I don't know how many miles you have, but I'd replace the flyhweel. The springs wear over time, but I know a new OEM flywheel runs just under $1,000.

I'd love to get an LSD, but I'm currently battling this issue: http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30034

[dastuz]

Well done thread sir.

[tsweers89]

Spec 2+ clutch is the way to go for budget minded person.

[Rowleym]

I believe I'm convinced. This might just be my next project street car. 

[suspenceful]

I believe I'm convinced. This might just be my next project street car.

Mine is always for sale for the right price

[i_love_cars]

Rowley, it's hard to go wrong with a 135i for a good street project, as far as late-model BMWs go. You can get N54 cars now for pretty cheap, relatively speaking. The tuning and turbo upgrades keep coming, too. N55 will be coming down more in price too as we are halfway through 2015 already so they are definitely getting older.

 

Suspence, good call on MFactory by the way. I called them and they do in fact have a SMFW for N55 6mt so I'm gonna get one of those along with a Spec Stage 3+ clutch in preparation for my turbo upgrade next spring  

 

I probably won't be installing until July after my track days are done in June because I don't have much break-in time this month, but I'll be sure to let you all know how awful it is to swap one of these on the floor with no lift 

[denialchild45]

hold me

[suspenceful]

Rowley, it's hard to go wrong with a 135i for a good street project, as far as late-model BMWs go. You can get N54 cars now for pretty cheap, relatively speaking. The tuning and turbo upgrades keep coming, too. N55 will be coming down more in price too as we are halfway through 2015 already so they are definitely getting older.

 

Suspence, good call on MFactory by the way. I called them and they do in fact have a SMFW for N55 6mt so I'm gonna get one of those along with a Spec Stage 3+ clutch in preparation for my turbo upgrade next spring  

 

I probably won't be installing until July after my track days are done in June because I don't have much break-in time this month, but I'll be sure to let you all know how awful it is to swap one of these on the floor with no lift 

Great to hear. MFactory has pretty good customer service as well. I look forward to your feedback and upgraded turbo... I am looking at a few sets as well.

 

 

hold me

I will take this as a compliment...

[denialchild45]

Haha yeah. That thing is beautiful man!

[e36mpwr]

If you ever decide to sell the ARC-8 call me I'll trade my 359M or cash haha

I also have a N54 335i. What tune are you running?

[suspenceful]

If you ever decide to sell the ARC-8 call me I'll trade my 359M or cash haha

I also have a N54 335i. What tune are you running?

1-series and 3-series offsets are very different, you can probably buy some ARC-8s on their website.

I am running JB4 right now, have been for over a year. I like it a lot, but there are pros and cons to the different tunes out there. I dislike that JB4 is a piggyback where COBB and MHD are standalone flashes. I'd like to try one of Ken's flashes via MHD, but there are a lot of features on JB4 that I like. Boost limiting in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, meth control, wastegate control (I have bad wastegate rattle), hijacking gauges, 2-step, shift lights, steering wheel controls, etc. It sounds like I could squeeze a little more power out of a MHD flash, but don't know if the tradeoff is worth it for my daily.

[e36mpwr]

1-series and 3-series offsets are very different, you can probably buy some ARC-8s on their website.I am running JB4 right now, have been for over a year. I like it a lot, but there are pros and cons to the different tunes out there. I dislike that JB4 is a piggyback where COBB and MHD are standalone flashes. I'd like to try one of Ken's flashes via MHD, but there are a lot of features on JB4 that I like. Boost limiting in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, meth control, wastegate control (I have bad wastegate rattle), hijacking gauges, 2-step, shift lights, steering wheel controls, etc. It sounds like I could squeeze a little more power out of a MHD flash, but don't know if the tradeoff is worth it for my daily.

I just got rid of mine, and im anxiously waiting for MHD stuff to come (tablet, cable) and also ordered the 7in IC and stage 2 lpfp for e70. All my friends that had jb4 went to mhd and they say the car is something else. Ken is making me a personal map i cant wait to try it out i wish my car was running right when he came to visit us in chicago

[suspenceful]

I just got rid of mine, and im anxiously waiting for MHD stuff to come (tablet, cable) and also ordered the 7in IC and stage 2 lpfp for e70. All my friends that had jb4 went to mhd and they say the car is something else. Ken is making me a personal map i cant wait to try it out i wish my car was running right when he came to visit us in chicago

 

 

Is there where you're located, Chicago?

 

I have Steve's stage 1 inline upgrade, but I'm curious to see how your stage 2 will perform. I have a tablet, but don't have the cable. I'd like to give it a try, but I'm going to get an intercooler, charge pipe, and BOV first.