Underwatervans HPDE 128i Buld

underwatervans · 06-07-2023, 09:48 PM

Hey folks! Wanted to start my build thread here to document after seeing everyone taking their 128s to the track!

Back story -
Been a BMW fan for ever. School/Life/School/City_Life all got in the way of owning one! I had an e28 M5 and blew the engine back a decade ago, and really loved the feel, smell, and look of it. So I've been pining for a literal decade to jump back into the BMW world. A trip to Munich and the BMW this past fall just added fresh kindling...

After an extensive search on a pretty modest budget, looked over e36s (m3, 328, 325), e46 (330), and the e82. I needed a backseat, otherwise, I think I'd have held out for a Z4 coupe.

Every e36 I saw had fatal flaws, the e46s, were rusted to hell and way to expensive. One day I saw a high milage 128i 6 speed non-sport pop-up. Did my due diligence, read all the forums ect ect ect. Said fuck it and forked over 6k knowing that I'd be replacing everything anyway.

The goal of this build will be to prep it for HPDE, autocross first, and then advance further with track time if I get the hang of it all.

Here's what it looked like in November

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Size: 89.4 KB

Name: PXL_20221120_182652390~2.jpg
Views: 182
Size: 89.4 KB

underwatervans · 06-07-2023, 10:22 PM

So after buying the car, I have simple plans.

Bring it back to spec+
Change Oil (Mobile 1 engine + redline MTL)~~done
Plugs and Coils~~done
F30 Grey Brembos + 328i rears with new rotors + pads (EBC Yellow) + Motul 600~~done
Bilstein B12 Kit~~done
M3 front control arms ~~done
M3 rear control arms~~done
M3 front sway bar~~done
Rear bushings and wheel bearings~~done
Battery~~done
Waterpump and hoses~~done
Solid Aluminum RSFB
Maybe VCG
Maybe new oil pain + gasket
M3 rear sway bar
3.64 diff (LSD?)
N54 Intake

How it sits today:
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Views: 204
Size: 167.4 KB

Name: PXL_20230606_115815234.jpg
Views: 204
Size: 167.4 KB

amg6975 · 06-08-2023, 07:44 AM

I would not suggest the M3 rear sway bar until you have an LSD. Particularly in autocross you don't want to be lifting up on a drive wheel with an open diff.

The Aluminum RSFB are one of the best things you can do the car. Amazing how much it improves the rear end. Other than that, that's a really great build, get out there and get seat time!

After your first few track days get something to data log, AIM SOLO2 DL (my recommendation) or Garmin Catalyst and you'll be amazed at how fast you'll start improving.

underwatervans · 06-09-2023, 07:56 PM

Today I changed the water pump and t-stat. Solid 5 hour job even with my underbody tray dropped already. Very tiring indeed, here's to hoping that I won't be doing that again anytime soon.

OH also - I forgot to add that I purchased the wheels from a fellow forum member @Dieselboy

@amg6975 Yeah - was thinking about sequencing it that way but when I drop the subframe for the RSFB, I'm gonna want to do everything I can while it's down.

Related note - my rear subframe is pretty rusty... I was thinking about replacing the whole thing (maybe replacing with M3 subframe complete with LSD?). Has anyone had theirs fail yet?

BimmerxVision · 06-10-2023, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by underwatervans

So after buying the car, I have simple plans.

Bring it back to spec+
Change Oil (Mobile 1 engine + redline MTL)~~done
Plugs and Coils~~done
F30 Grey Brembos + 328i rears with new rotors + pads (EBC Yellow) + Motul 600~~done
Bilstein B12 Kit~~done
M3 front control arms ~~done
M3 rear control arms~~done
M3 front sway bar~~done
Rear bushings and wheel bearings~~done
Battery~~done
Waterpump and hoses~~done
Solid Aluminum RSFB
Maybe VCG
Maybe new oil pain + gasket
M3 rear sway bar
3.64 diff (LSD?)
N54 Intake

How it sits today:
Attachment 3200101

If you haven’t heard of it yet check out MILVS and DISA 3 stage intake if you don’t have one. In addition to MILVS you will need a tune AA (active autoWerke) sells a good one. I got coilovers from BC racing for my 1 series and I’m super happy with them and the overall aesthetic look with it slightly lower. I have yet to buy the MILVS and install them, but they seem to be a decent modification just finished wrapping my interior with alcantara and perforated Nappa leather around the dash trim and door pulls and have my wheel wrap on the way! I like your overall build plan stick with the handling and suspension components first before chasing performance mods, cheers 🍻

06-07-2023, 09:48 PM	#1
underwatervans New Member 17 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Underwatervans HPDE 128i Buld Hey folks! Wanted to start my build thread here to document after seeing everyone taking their 128s to the track! Back story - Been a BMW fan for ever. School/Life/School/City_Life all got in the way of owning one! I had an e28 M5 and blew the engine back a decade ago, and really loved the feel, smell, and look of it. So I've been pining for a literal decade to jump back into the BMW world. A trip to Munich and the BMW this past fall just added fresh kindling... After an extensive search on a pretty modest budget, looked over e36s (m3, 328, 325), e46 (330), and the e82. I needed a backseat, otherwise, I think I'd have held out for a Z4 coupe. Every e36 I saw had fatal flaws, the e46s, were rusted to hell and way to expensive. One day I saw a high milage 128i 6 speed non-sport pop-up. Did my due diligence, read all the forums ect ect ect. Said fuck it and forked over 6k knowing that I'd be replacing everything anyway. The goal of this build will be to prep it for HPDE, autocross first, and then advance further with track time if I get the hang of it all. Here's what it looked like in November
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06-07-2023, 10:22 PM	#2
underwatervans New Member 17 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	So you ask whats the plan? So after buying the car, I have simple plans. Bring it back to spec+ Change Oil (Mobile 1 engine + redline MTL)~~done Plugs and Coils~~done F30 Grey Brembos + 328i rears with new rotors + pads (EBC Yellow) + Motul 600~~done Bilstein B12 Kit~~done M3 front control arms ~~done M3 rear control arms~~done M3 front sway bar~~done Rear bushings and wheel bearings~~done Battery~~done Waterpump and hoses~~done Solid Aluminum RSFB Maybe VCG Maybe new oil pain + gasket M3 rear sway bar 3.64 diff (LSD?) N54 Intake How it sits today: Last edited by underwatervans; 06-09-2023 at 07:57 PM..
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06-08-2023, 07:44 AM	#3
amg6975 Captain 500 Rep 645 Posts Drives: '12 M1.5, '05 ZHP, '98 M3/4/5 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Rochester NY iTrader: (0)	I would not suggest the M3 rear sway bar until you have an LSD. Particularly in autocross you don't want to be lifting up on a drive wheel with an open diff. The Aluminum RSFB are one of the best things you can do the car. Amazing how much it improves the rear end. Other than that, that's a really great build, get out there and get seat time! After your first few track days get something to data log, AIM SOLO2 DL (my recommendation) or Garmin Catalyst and you'll be amazed at how fast you'll start improving.
	Appreciate 1 tracer bullet2417.50 Quote

06-09-2023, 07:56 PM	#4
underwatervans New Member 17 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Today I changed the water pump and t-stat. Solid 5 hour job even with my underbody tray dropped already. Very tiring indeed, here's to hoping that I won't be doing that again anytime soon. OH also - I forgot to add that I purchased the wheels from a fellow forum member @Dieselboy @amg6975 Yeah - was thinking about sequencing it that way but when I drop the subframe for the RSFB, I'm gonna want to do everything I can while it's down. Related note - my rear subframe is pretty rusty... I was thinking about replacing the whole thing (maybe replacing with M3 subframe complete with LSD?). Has anyone had theirs fail yet?
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