Finally took the plunge...from N52 to N55

[lab_rat]

I have made the plunge into the N55 world.

Ive been looking at the 1er for a few months now, and happen to find a very clean LeMans Blue 2012 135i Msport w/DCT at a local dealership. Loaded...Nav, Comfort Access, the works. Odometer just turned 90,000 miles.

I brought my Carly plugin with me to the dealer to scan the car. I did a good physical check as well, and found slight seepage on the VCG...otherwise very clean under the hood and undercarriage. Fairly new Michelins on all corners as well, but had aggressive spacers on all four corners (maybe 12mm rear and 15mm front?)...which caused slight rubbing in the rear over big dips/bumps. Otherwise the 1er drove smooth and sounded great.

It also has an ETS intercooler and ETS charge pipe. I'm sure some would shy away from the car based on the mods, but I'm ok with it....at least heat soak will be less of an issue in the Texas heat.

Not sure if it has a tune at this point, but I don't think it does...I will have figure out how to confirm that. I will enjoy the stock tune for a while, and maybe at some point I will get a tune (most likely Dinan).

The 1er had two previous owners (FL and TX), and no reported accidents, and after a thorough check, I couldn't see any damage or repainted panels.

I bought it and immediately ordered a set of OEM wheel bolts, to replace the extended length bolts that came mounted on the car with the spacers. No more rubbing!

After owning three N52s and an F30 N20, I can say I've seen the light

I will take some proper pics soon, but attached is a basic pic from the dealer.

It would be cool if someone knew the prior owner so I could get a more detailed history. It seems like it was well cared for.

Let me know any advice or thoughts.

[The Wind Breezes]

FINALLY a N52 owner does the reasonable thing for more power. FINALLY.

[BimmerAg]

Very nice! Always good to see another 1er around town!

[iminhell1]

Boy to Man

[Petro135]

Congrats!!!! Nice car

[zx10guy]

Running for a bunker waiting for WWIII to break out when the N52 owners realize this thread exists.

[sixburgh]

What a great headline !
For me I live in the mountains of Georgia. I need the 128i. #6mt

[zx10guy]

Here we go....

[duder13]

Originally Posted by lab_rat

Let me know any advice or thoughts.

Nice! Cool to see someone else going with the reverse M grill approach:

[lab_rat]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

FINALLY a N52 owner does the reasonable thing for more power. FINALLY.

It's definitely easier to add power to FI than NA, that's for sure! It's fun in either case, but the N55 turns it up to 11!

Originally Posted by BimmerAg

Very nice! Always good to see another 1er around town!

Howdy neighbor! Hope to see you around soon!

Originally Posted by iminhell1

Boy to Man

This meme had me in stitches LOL

Originally Posted by Petro135

Congrats!!!! Nice car

Thanks! My E92 is Montego Blue, and the E90 is Monaco Blue...

I guess there is a pattern? LOL

I'm still on the fence as to which color I like best.

The E82 is a blast to drive, and is the perfect "bite sized" interpretation of the E9x.

Originally Posted by zx10guy

Running for a bunker waiting for WWIII to break out when the N52 owners realize this thread exists.

LOL
I hope I don't step on any N52 toes...but it's all good! I plan on keeping my two E9x very long term. Life wrenching in the garage and/or grinning behind the wheel is a fun addiction!

Originally Posted by sixburgh

What a great headline !
For me I live in the mountains of Georgia. I need the 128i. #6mt

I love the 128i w/6MT...a great chassis with a great drivetrain! My 330i w/6MT keeps my left foot satisfied, and the 135i will quench the FI bug!

This is my first non-manual I've had in a long time...but I am enjoying the DCT so far...especially the sound of the rev-matched downshifts - what an aggressively beautiful symphony!

Although it's not quite the mountains of GA, I am in the Hill Country, so I'm already planning a day trip to stretch the ol' 135i's legs a bit. Should be fun!

Originally Posted by zx10guy

Here we go....

Uh oh...Did I poke the bear? :

Originally Posted by duder13

Nice! Cool to see someone else going with the reverse M grill approach:

I really like the look too. I'd always done the 'chrome outline w/black inserts', but I agree - it's a nice touch!

Earlier this week, I ordered 20 OEM wheel bolts from FCPEuro, and received them yesterday.
Today I took all four of the wheel spacers off. No more rubbing over dips/bumps.

While the car looked great, it was not my cup of tea. The few times it rubbed, it was like nails on a chalkboard! I might try the spacers w/extended bolts on my E90 just for SnG.

Next up on the agenda:
An abbreviated outer detail and wheel cleaning. Proper pics soon!

[Gangplank]

Nice car. E82-N55 is a lot of fun. Tune wise there are three options. BMW 135is tune, MHD, or Dinan.

Suspension is where you want to focus initially anyway.

[minirips2]

128i owner here......Congrats on your purchase! It does look very nice. Any maintenance history? You'll want to stay on top of the coolant pump and other upkeep items. Nothing wrong with a sensible tune. Love that blue, too.

[lab_rat]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Nice car. E82-N55 is a lot of fun. Tune wise there are three options. BMW 135is tune, MHD, or Dinan.

Suspension is where you want to focus initially anyway.

Thanks!

My initial thoughts on the tune is Dinan, but I will have to research everyone's experience w/all three.

[lab_rat]

Originally Posted by minirips2

128i owner here......Congrats on your purchase! It does look very nice. Any maintenance history? You'll want to stay on top of the coolant pump and other upkeep items. Nothing wrong with a sensible tune. Love that blue, too.

A few maintenance visits to BMW dealers show up via Carfax, including oil and brake fluid change before buying.

With the overall outstanding condition, I assume the previous owner either took it to an independent shop, or did the work themselves.

Without knowledge of previous maintenance performed, I plan to change waterpump/thermostat before spring, along with completing rear diff and DCT fluid changes.

Otherwise, it will be enjoyed as is for a while...but I'm sure the mod bug will bite very soon.