Desertman123's OEM+ College-Spec 128i build thread

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by Eins Suchtig

Nice! These rears look wide! Specs?

Replica style 351m with lips
18x8 et43 225/40r18
18x9 et38 245/35r18
Pirelli P-Zeros

Fits PERFECTLY. No rubbing. Only a tiny bit up front where the fender meets the front bumper, might just have to trim it down.

[Esteban]

Sparkling Graphite's looking mighty good!

[Matticus91]

Looks friggin great man! Don't think I've seen any other 1er folks running those wheels.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Looks friggin great man! Don't think I've seen any other 1er folks running those wheels.

I can't remember the exact details (bought it from someone off Craigslist who had em on his Z3 for a few years) but it's based off a style 351 from an F10 5-series Msport.

I like being unique

[desertman123]

Flashed the 130i tune (more info available in the E90Post N52 section) and got my 3 stage manifold in. This car PULLS. With the short diff it blasts the tires off in 1st and even a bit into 2nd.

My laptop's hard drive broke and I haven't gotten around to getting a new one, so for the flash I did what I had to

[Matticus91]

Nice work man, that must be a nice feel. How's the throttle response? I'd be really curious to compare it with an n54/55. The n55 throttle response is garbage for a sports car.

Also good work on the desktop setup LOL

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Nice work man, that must be a nice feel. How's the throttle response? I'd be really curious to compare it with an n54/55. The n55 throttle response is garbage for a sports car.

Also good work on the desktop setup LOL

Thanks for being my #1 fan

Throttle response is really, really nice. I don't have to dig halfway to China to find some torque now! Combined with the short diff, this thing is able to pull well beyond the speed limit. I'm actually finding I'm no longer able to be flat out in some of my favorite corners and on/off ramps

This is still technically 'stock' power too (130i). More gains to be had with a custom tune, headers and MILVs (the closest things to cams N52s will have).

The whole build is going by WAY faster than I thought it would. I've been busy hunting down deals and just keeping my eyes open. The main thing is to just not be afraid to drive somewhere. I drove 2 hours to buy the wheels, an hour for the manifold.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Thanks for being my #1 fan

Throttle response is really, really nice. I don't have to dig halfway to China to find some torque now! Combined with the short diff, this thing is able to pull well beyond the speed limit. I'm actually finding I'm no longer able to be flat out in some of my favorite corners and on/off ramps

This is still technically 'stock' power too (130i). More gains to be had with a custom tune, headers and MILVs (the closest things to cams N52s will have).

The whole build is going by WAY faster than I thought it would. I've been busy hunting down deals and just keeping my eyes open. The main thing is to just not be afraid to drive somewhere. I drove 2 hours to buy the wheels, an hour for the manifold.

Lol it's a solid build man fun to follow! Definitely worth driving for parts sometimes!

[999]

The 351m reps look so nice! I’ve been wishing that they were made in 18s, really feel like they fit the look of a 1 series. Gotta see if I can find a set of these somewhere!

[tlow98]

Great build! Car is in great shape.

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Thanks for being my #1 fan

Throttle response is really, really nice. I don't have to dig halfway to China to find some torque now! Combined with the short diff, this thing is able to pull well beyond the speed limit. I'm actually finding I'm no longer able to be flat out in some of my favorite corners and on/off ramps

This is still technically 'stock' power too (130i). More gains to be had with a custom tune, headers and MILVs (the closest things to cams N52s will have).

The whole build is going by WAY faster than I thought it would. I've been busy hunting down deals and just keeping my eyes open. The main thing is to just not be afraid to drive somewhere. I drove 2 hours to buy the wheels, an hour for the manifold.

Once you've hit the DISA manifold stage, it's kinda just sorting the car and balancing it all out (brake improvements, tightening suspension bits, rebuilding shifters).

After my being rear-ended, I'm torn between fixing the bumper (with a 1M replica) and possibly getting a custom exhaust out of it, or getting an LSD and then repairing my bumper myself as best as I can.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

Once you've hit the DISA manifold stage, it's kinda just sorting the car and balancing it all out (brake improvements, tightening suspension bits, rebuilding shifters).

After my being rear-ended, I'm torn between fixing the bumper (with a 1M replica) and possibly getting a custom exhaust out of it, or getting an LSD and then repairing my bumper myself as best as I can.

You really do speak the truth. This extra power has made me see just how wobbly the suspension is. Mid corner I can feel the car bounce a little bit and roll just a bit too much. I am still trying to make moves on headers and MILVs, but unless I find some deals on those I'm more inclined to add coilovers.

And I agree, I can't imagine this car without my short shifter, CDV delete, clutch stop, weighted knob and new motor/m3 trans mounts. It's C R I S P. I think I might do the spring delete today.

Was it you that pioneered front brake ducts on our bumpers? If so please link some info on it!!

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by desertman123

You really do speak the truth. This extra power has made me see just how wobbly the suspension is. Mid corner I can feel the car bounce a little bit and roll just a bit too much. I am still trying to make moves on headers and MILVs, but unless I find some deals on those I'm more inclined to add coilovers.

And I agree, I can't imagine this car without my short shifter, CDV delete, clutch stop, weighted knob and new motor/m3 trans mounts. It's C R I S P. I think I might do the spring delete today.

Was it you that pioneered front brake ducts on our bumpers? If so please link some info on it!!

It was me! I suppose I'll do a DIY on them, then.

Yeah, M3 control arms really tighten things up and are easy to install (you'll need an alignment). Dinan camber plates really make the turn-in ridiculous, and the car drives like it's on rails, and pretty much negates any understeer. Installing a rear sway bar will also make the car more oversteer-y and tossable.

Rebuilding your shifter is also a nice way to go. The ECS bushings combined with the Turner shift arm support bushing, extra crispy shifting ensues. It's really easy to do, once you gain access...

[desertman123]

Haven't done a whole lot to the car lately, so not many updates.

I've been learning to code though! Not just basic stuff with Carly, but trace file coding with NCSexpert/dummy. Disabled brake fade assist and brake disc overheat protection (FLR and HPS). I can almost guarantee I will never run into these on the streets, but it's fun to learn.

Also recoded my oil change interval to be closer to 10k miles rather than 15k. One less thing I have to keep in my head -- if my car will just yell at me when it's time to do oil I'll be happy.

[desertman123]

Well I was totally intending to pick up coilovers, but good deals on engine mods stopped me. Also worried some of this stuff like headers and MILVs might be harder to find in a year or more, so might as well get them while I can.

[SmallDave]

Got a question about your shifter - did it make it more direct and notchy or just shorter? I have a UUC short shift kit in my e30 and I love it but I've been trying to do some reading and seeing some kits discontinued, I'm trying to find the best option.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by SmallDave

Got a question about your shifter - did it make it more direct and notchy or just shorter? I have a UUC short shift kit in my e30 and I love it but I've been trying to do some reading and seeing some kits discontinued, I'm trying to find the best option.

Definitely more direct and notchy, but not overly so. I love the short shifter but the one complaint I have now is that it's a bit difficult to do the 3-2 downshift sometimes. It feels like 2nd gear is waaaaaaaaaay to the left of where you'd expect it to be. But 95% of the time it's wonderful.

I got some stainless steel tubular goodness in the mail right now...

[desertman123]

THEY'RE IN!!

Big pain in the ass to get all the nuts tightened but I think I managed lol

[RyanDavies]

Originally Posted by desertman123

THEY'RE IN!!

Big pain in the ass to get all the nuts tightened but I think I managed lol

Glad that finally worked out! And that the damn box worked, sigh. Way more effort than that should have been.

Maybe I'll come down to FL in winter so I can sell you my diff and exhaust swap .

[desertman123]

I'm gonna need to fine tune it.

[SmallDave]

Wow! That is loud but it sounds really good!

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by SmallDave

Wow! That is loud but it sounds really good!

Way loud, but it's growing on me lmao. Very manageable though, only time I complain is 80mph highway driving with my short diff - revs are like 3400rpm and you definitely hear the exhaust. I plan on adding a resonator though.

Vibrant 1140 2.25" Ultra Quiet Resonator