New 128i Owner

[TheSt|G]

Do you care more about gains or sound?

Budget/intended use for suspension?

[Dafttt]

If I were to do it all over again, I'd get headers first.

You can pick up a used M-sport suspension (springs+shocks) for as low as $150 in the classifieds here.

[Slow128i]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Do you care more about gains or sound?

Budget/intended use for suspension?

I care more about the gains, even though i do understand they are minimal with the n52. Im not looking for 135 power but just a more personalized 128i that is more responsive and slightly quicker than its current state. The sound does matter..... the only thing mattering is that it does not sound like some civic or a cheap tuner sound i dont want to cause any excessive noise or commotion pulling into my driveway late at night.

The intended use for the suspension would be occasional track days in the summer.... but mainly for road use as a DD... I am working on a tire/rim set up for the summer as i cant stand the run flats.




Also thank you everyone for your input... i am still leaning to the BMW PE

[631twentyeighteye]

You'll gain around 15HP with catless headers and a matching tune. I would only do catless headers after getting the DISA intake manifold and a tune first, but that's me, it can be done in any order really. Headers require a tune because there are fueling changes and you probably would like to eliminate the check engine light.

The sound from the headers alone is enough to warrant the cost IMHO. It sounds fantastic.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Sanjin

I care more about the gains, even though i do understand they are minimal with the n52. Im not looking for 135 power but just a more personalized 128i that is more responsive and slightly quicker than its current state. The sound does matter..... the only thing mattering is that it does not sound like some civic or a cheap tuner sound i dont want to cause any excessive noise or commotion pulling into my driveway late at night.

The intended use for the suspension would be occasional track days in the summer.... but mainly for road use as a DD... I am working on a tire/rim set up for the summer as i cant stand the run flats.




Also thank you everyone for your input... i am still leaning to the BMW PE

Don't waste your money on the PE then.

Gains are not minimal on this platform, as you can pick up 30-70hp over stock. DISA>Tune>Headers.

[MuteLunatic]

I second that. I'm hoping to put together enough to do disa header and tune. Since Active Autowerke has a tune for their header, and a tune for disa they should be able to do a tune for both. I like that they are in FL with me and i estimate that with a decent used intake i can get close to 300hp for about $1500.

[631twentyeighteye]

AA's headers tune includes 3 stage manifold if you specify it to them.

With headers, DISA intake manifold and AA tune, you'll be around 220-230rwhp, or about 260-270 at the crank. AA has custom tuned an n52 with similar bolt ons to 249rwhp. You will be happy with the setup, trust me.

Be careful with intakes. I lost HP with my Injen intake. AFE sealed box makes a little bit more power but most don't consider it worth the cost.

[MarkkyyMan]

I would hold off on the DISA manifold until G.A.S. has their fix for the potential issues with the valves. No point in adding more moving parts when they have a potential for causing issues.

Do the headers and tune first, you can have the tune adjusted later once you get a DISA manifold.

Intake: BMW Euro Box or BMW Performance intake.

[mrvco]

Originally Posted by MarkkyyMan

I would hold off on the DISA manifold until G.A.S. has their fix for the potential issues with the valves. No point in adding more moving parts when they have a potential for causing issues.

Do the headers and tune first, you can have the tune adjusted later once you get a DISA manifold.

Intake: BMW Euro Box or BMW Performance intake.

I'm still getting up to speed on the upgrade options for my E82, but is there a reason to upgrade / replace the valve that comes with a 3-stage manifold with the German Auto Solutions product if the valve hasn't failed yet? I'm planning on ordering a DISA intake manifold, but hadn't seen mention of G.A.S. yet.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by mrvco

I'm still getting up to speed on the upgrade options for my E82, but is there a reason to upgrade / replace the valve that comes with a 3-stage manifold with the German Auto Solutions product if the valve hasn't failed yet? I'm planning on ordering a DISA intake manifold, but hadn't seen mention of G.A.S. yet.

You would always want to replace the DISA valves before they fail as their failure has a good chance of taking out your engine. See the M54 which has the same issue.

[MuteLunatic]

If they fail shouldn't the tune just run rich which shouldn't blow the motor? Or do they fail in a way that throws parts into the engine?

[MarkkyyMan]

Originally Posted by MuteLunatic

If they fail shouldn't the tune just run rich which shouldn't blow the motor? Or do they fail in a way that throws parts into the engine?

It is possible for part of the valve to come apart, from what I've read, and cause issues.

[mrvco]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

You would always want to replace the DISA valves before they fail as their failure has a good chance of taking out your engine. See the M54 which has the same issue.

Good to know. Is failure and motor damage a concern with both the small and large DISA valve?

And does the upgrade kit on the GAS site for the m54 work on the DISA valves for the 3-stage manifold that bolts on to the n52 motor? Or do you just buy new valves from BMW when acquiring a used manifold?

It seems like a salvage intake manifold and two new valves (~$250+$350+$300) starts getting close to the price of a new intake manifold (~$1224) without the risk of getting a used manifold with issues.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by mrvco

Good to know. Is failure and motor damage a concern with both the small and large DISA valve?

And does the upgrade kit on the GAS site for the m54 work on the DISA valves for the 3-stage manifold that bolts on to the n52 motor? Or do you just buy new valves from BMW when acquiring a used manifold?

It seems like a salvage intake manifold and two new valves (~$250+$350+$300) starts getting close to the price of a new intake manifold (~$1224) without the risk of getting a used manifold with issues.

Both valves could cause engine damage. They are both post filter, so if they break apart there is nothing to prevent them from being sucked directly into the engine.

The upgrade kit form GAS for the M54 is not compatible with the N52. They are currently working on the finalizing the fix for the N52, but it will be something you mail into them for the work.

As it currently stands, buying new valves just resets the clock on failure. There was no known update to the part that eliminates the issue.