Mods....Need Input

zakyzozo · 12-14-2013, 12:32 AM

I have some money burning a whole in my pocket and am having a tough time deciding on what mods to do. I am still under warranty so have to be reasonable. I wanted to gather some opinions. Here is what I am considering.

1. Alcantara performance steering wheel (non perf).

2. Short shift kit.

3. BMW performance exhaust.

MuNkY6913 · 12-14-2013, 01:24 AM

Steering wheels fade/ware out. Unless your is worn and it's time to replace I wouldn't go with it. I would go with an aftermarket axleback over the performance. It's easily reversed but my dealer doesn't even care that I'm full bolt on with tune. Still did warranty work. I would vote short shift kit. I love mine. I ordered it with the car but it was on backorder so it was put on 3 weeks after I took delivery of the car. So I got to get the before and after feel and can't say enough good stuff about it. Love the feel of the shifter and the alcantara boot. Had to get the ebrake handle and boot to match though. That's my opinion. Good luck!

Dackelone · 12-14-2013, 04:51 AM

Get the PE. It will totally change the way the car drives(in a good way)! Then later on do the steering wheel. I went with a OE leather M3 wheel and the Perf SSK(well for your N55 you only need the shift lever).

b1aze · 12-14-2013, 09:19 AM

A whole what??

I keeeed...

BMWPE is a great piece but the first thing I needed to do was shorten the shift throw. I felt it was FAR too long for a car of this caliber. BMWPSSK is a great addition at a pretty reasonable price.

litebulb · 12-14-2013, 12:14 PM

I went SSK first, it totally changed the driving feel. I always see the used PE for super cheap around (plus the exhaust sounds better with some use).

e36addict · 12-14-2013, 01:44 PM

Though I've never experienced a SSK on a 6MT car, I absolutely love the feel of the stock shifter/gearbox, even coming from my E36 with UUC SSK/DSSR.. I vote PE exhaust, can't beat the sound.

Adam135 · 12-14-2013, 02:13 PM

I recommend a used M3 leather wheel over the Alcantara performance one.

NWillard77 · 12-16-2013, 06:24 PM

if i had to choose from your list, the BMW PE. My first mods were tint, DCI, magnaflow exhaust, and CF spoiler. Come spring she'll get JB4, Coilovers, and wheels.

zakyzozo · 12-29-2013, 09:18 PM

I appreciate everyones input, I am still waiting to get my car back from the dealer, they are putting in a new engine, you can read more about the lovely RAT that caused my engine to crack in one of my other posts. I heard the SSK can cause transmission problems, kinda weird considering it is a bmw part. So I have been going back and forth between the alcantara wheel and PE. But it appears I still have a few more weeks until I get my car back ; (

3002 tii · 12-30-2013, 12:29 AM

Skip the ssk and go PE. In the meantime pick up a shorter clutch stop, ZHP knob and firmer trans mounts. The sum of those should be cheaper than a ssk and will give you the feel of shorter and more precise throws.

zakyzozo · 01-01-2014, 03:59 PM

I am ready to pull the trigger on the PE. I have not heard it in person, so is it louder than the stock? Also considering the Active exhaust, but heard this one is really loud. Granted I love a nice sounding exhaust, just dont want to sound like a ricer with a melon launcher.

lakefront · 01-01-2014, 04:26 PM

Quite loud on cold startup, otherwise very civilized. Fantastic sound when you get on it and let her wind out. You'll love it.

Joeyb7 · 01-01-2014, 04:31 PM

I'd start with the PE for sure. On the cheap I'd go for the Burger clutch stop, ZHP knob and aftermarket carbon spoiler.

zakyzozo · 01-01-2014, 11:15 PM

I am a big fan of the original black tips that come on the oem exhaust. Does anyone know if the factory tips can be knocked off and then slipped on the PE?

BavarianN54 · 01-02-2014, 09:47 AM

Little off track but if you're itching to do something and don't want to mess with the factory warranty you might consider the PPK?

MightyMouseTech · 01-02-2014, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zakyzozo

I am a big fan of the original black tips that come on the oem exhaust. Does anyone know if the factory tips can be knocked off and then slipped on the PE?

Nope.

The tips of the PE are welded on.

Yeineken · 01-02-2014, 10:30 AM

Wheels will eventually fade so i would save that mod until you need to. Unless you plan on racing i don't recommend a short shift. I would go with the performance exhaust with the PPK to make your engine sound mean.

zakyzozo · 01-13-2014, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Nope.

The tips of the PE are welded on.

They do sell replacement tips for $50 each. The dealer said they can come off. I will have to look as soon as I get my car back. PE exhaust will be delivered Thursday.

MightyMouseTech · 01-16-2014, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zakyzozo

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Nope.

The tips of the PE are welded on.

They do sell replacement tips for $50 each. The dealer said they can come off. I will have to look as soon as I get my car back. PE exhaust will be delivered Thursday.

The black tips just slide off the stock exhaust, they will not fit on the PE however. The PE tips are bigger and welded on.

I have a set of black tips sitting on my bench after I tried doing the same when installing my PE.

View Poll Results: Which mod would you do first
Alcantara performance wheel (non perf)	0	0%
Short shift kit	10	24.39%
BMW performance exhaust	31	75.61%
Voters: 41. You may not vote on this poll

12-14-2013, 12:32 AM	#1
zakyzozo Captain 34 Rep 627 Posts Drives: 2017 X3 MSport Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Florida iTrader: (12)	Mods....Need Input I have some money burning a whole in my pocket and am having a tough time deciding on what mods to do. I am still under warranty so have to be reasonable. I wanted to gather some opinions. Here is what I am considering. 1. Alcantara performance steering wheel (non perf). 2. Short shift kit. 3. BMW performance exhaust.
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12-14-2013, 01:24 AM	#2
MuNkY6913 The Crowing 111 Rep 2,005 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: State College, PA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2009 135i [8.00]	Steering wheels fade/ware out. Unless your is worn and it's time to replace I wouldn't go with it. I would go with an aftermarket axleback over the performance. It's easily reversed but my dealer doesn't even care that I'm full bolt on with tune. Still did warranty work. I would vote short shift kit. I love mine. I ordered it with the car but it was on backorder so it was put on 3 weeks after I took delivery of the car. So I got to get the before and after feel and can't say enough good stuff about it. Love the feel of the shifter and the alcantara boot. Had to get the ebrake handle and boot to match though. That's my opinion. Good luck! __________________ 2009 135i : BMS JB4 G5 ISO,CXRacing FMIC Kit,Injen Cold Air Intake,Evolution Raceworks Charge Pipe,Walboro Inline Fuel Pump, E85 BMS Backend Flash w/ 60% E85,BMS Meth injection (trunkmount),BMS dual meth nozzles,Spec stage 2+ clutch w/ steel SWFW,BMS Catless Downpipes,Berk Tech Race Axleback
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12-14-2013, 04:51 AM	#3
Dackelone European Editor 10589 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Get the PE. It will totally change the way the car drives(in a good way)! Then later on do the steering wheel. I went with a OE leather M3 wheel and the Perf SSK(well for your N55 you only need the shift lever). __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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12-14-2013, 09:19 AM	#4
b1aze Just one more taste... 566 Rep 2,011 Posts Drives: 2013 128i 6MT MSport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Uxbridge MA iTrader: (18)	A whole what?? I keeeed... BMWPE is a great piece but the first thing I needed to do was shorten the shift throw. I felt it was FAR too long for a car of this caliber. BMWPSSK is a great addition at a pretty reasonable price. __________________ My Build Thread: Jet Black 6MT 128i with MSport
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12-14-2013, 12:14 PM	#5
litebulb Captain 68 Rep 627 Posts Drives: '09 E88 135i M-Sport/6MT/SGM Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (3) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i Cabri ... [10.00]	I went SSK first, it totally changed the driving feel. I always see the used PE for super cheap around (plus the exhaust sounds better with some use). __________________ \| Dinan S2=>MHD \| e46 M3 trans mounts \| Dinan CF CAI \| ER CP \| HKS SSQV4 BOV \| RB PCV Valve \| VRSF DP \| N55 MP \| BMW PE \| OC \| VRSF 7" FMIC \| UUC Evo3 SSK \| EBC GD Sport Rotors \| EBC Redstuff \| TRW F+R \| \| Whiteline KDT918 \| H&R Front Sway \| BMWP 313 \| MPSS 225/255 \| Scopione CF Rear Diffuser \| iCarbon CF Rear Spoiler \| P3 v2.1 Gauge \| Interior LED Retrofit \|
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12-14-2013, 01:44 PM	#6
e36addict Captain 137 Rep 952 Posts Drives: 2013 X1 35iX Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tim @ BMW of Dallas iTrader: (5)	Though I've never experienced a SSK on a 6MT car, I absolutely love the feel of the stock shifter/gearbox, even coming from my E36 with UUC SSK/DSSR.. I vote PE exhaust, can't beat the sound. __________________ 13 X1 35iX, 98 Z3 2.8, 01 M Coupe, 96 Z3 1.9 DASC, 95 318ti, 13 smart fortwo
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12-14-2013, 02:13 PM	#7
Adam135 Captain 75 Rep 961 Posts Drives: 2014 435i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	I recommend a used M3 leather wheel over the Alcantara performance one.
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12-16-2013, 06:24 PM	#8
NWillard77 Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2008 135i sparkling grey/red Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: North Shore, MA iTrader: (2)	if i had to choose from your list, the BMW PE. My first mods were tint, DCI, magnaflow exhaust, and CF spoiler. Come spring she'll get JB4, Coilovers, and wheels.
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12-29-2013, 09:18 PM	#9
zakyzozo Captain 34 Rep 627 Posts Drives: 2017 X3 MSport Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Florida iTrader: (12)	I appreciate everyones input, I am still waiting to get my car back from the dealer, they are putting in a new engine, you can read more about the lovely RAT that caused my engine to crack in one of my other posts. I heard the SSK can cause transmission problems, kinda weird considering it is a bmw part. So I have been going back and forth between the alcantara wheel and PE. But it appears I still have a few more weeks until I get my car back ; (
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-30-2013, 12:29 AM	#10
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2286 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	Skip the ssk and go PE. In the meantime pick up a shorter clutch stop, ZHP knob and firmer trans mounts. The sum of those should be cheaper than a ssk and will give you the feel of shorter and more precise throws. __________________ Follow for latest mods
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01-01-2014, 03:59 PM	#11
zakyzozo Captain 34 Rep 627 Posts Drives: 2017 X3 MSport Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Florida iTrader: (12)	I am ready to pull the trigger on the PE. I have not heard it in person, so is it louder than the stock? Also considering the Active exhaust, but heard this one is really loud. Granted I love a nice sounding exhaust, just dont want to sound like a ricer with a melon launcher.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-01-2014, 04:26 PM	#12
lakefront Captain 561 Rep 755 Posts Drives: 2017 Macan GTS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SE Wisconsin iTrader: (2)	Quite loud on cold startup, otherwise very civilized. Fantastic sound when you get on it and let her wind out. You'll love it.
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01-01-2014, 04:31 PM	#13
Joeyb7 Private First Class 8 Rep 139 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M Sport - AW Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: South Boston iTrader: (0)	I'd start with the PE for sure. On the cheap I'd go for the Burger clutch stop, ZHP knob and aftermarket carbon spoiler.
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01-01-2014, 11:15 PM	#14
zakyzozo Captain 34 Rep 627 Posts Drives: 2017 X3 MSport Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Florida iTrader: (12)	I am a big fan of the original black tips that come on the oem exhaust. Does anyone know if the factory tips can be knocked off and then slipped on the PE?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-02-2014, 09:47 AM	#15
BavarianN54 Banned 6 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Little off track but if you're itching to do something and don't want to mess with the factory warranty you might consider the PPK?
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01-02-2014, 10:30 AM	#17
Yeineken Colonel 1301 Rep 2,093 Posts Drives: '11 135i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Delmarva Peninsula iTrader: (3) Garage List '11 135i [8.20] '16 Ford Hatchback [0.00] '15 X5 [10.00]	Wheels will eventually fade so i would save that mod until you need to. Unless you plan on racing i don't recommend a short shift. I would go with the performance exhaust with the PPK to make your engine sound mean.
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