BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      05-08-2013, 02:16 AM   #1
simianspeedster
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Introducing Ruby (Thanks New Century, Tischer, Apex, Cocomats & HP Autowerks)

My little dream machine, Ruby, is finally complete...at least for now. The full details and rationale are back in the order thread, but the basics are: 128i Coupe, Manual, Vermillion/Taupe, BMW Performance Suspension, Apex AERO-7 & Michelin PSS (18x8" with 225/40 all around).

I want to say thank you to:
  • Elvis at New Century BMW who managed a smooth order and delivery process
  • Evan at GetBMWParts.com/Tischer for great pricing on the suspension kit
  • David at Apex for helpful info on the wheels
  • Drew at Cocomats.com for the great custom floor mats

And especially...
  • Harold at HP Autowerks for helping me pull the car together (suspensions/wheels/tires) with great advice and fantastic service

Also, thank you to the many people on these forums who have provided endless input and advice as I sought to build just the right car for my old school tastes. It's a little nutty to assemble a car from a mixture of personal experience, professional advice and lots of anonymous internet input, but it turned out perfect! Ruby is very entertaining to drive and she has some serious street handles without sacrificing much ride quality.

A few pics of the final product (errr...probably) -- please excuse her for being a little dirty from a mini road trip and having to pose on a cloudy day.
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Last edited by simianspeedster; 05-08-2013 at 02:25 AM..
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      05-08-2013, 05:24 AM   #2
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Nice. You only think you are done! In all my years of modding, I have NEVER been done with a car! Somewhere, somebody will come up with a "must have" and here you go again......BTW, you think that is dirty? What would you clean? Nice car!
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      05-08-2013, 06:17 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simianspeedster View Post
My little dream machine, Ruby, is finally complete...at least for now. The full details and rationale are back in the order thread, but the basics are: 128i Coupe, Manual, Vermillion/Taupe, BMW Performance Suspension, Apex AERO-7 & Michelin PSS (18x8" with 225/40 all around).

I want to say thank you to:
  • Elvis at New Century BMW who managed a smooth order and delivery process
  • Evan at GetBMWParts.com/Tischer for great pricing on the suspension kit
  • David at Apex for helpful info on the wheels
  • Drew at Cocomats.com for the great custom floor mats

And especially...
  • Harold at HP Autowerks for helping me pull the car together (suspensions/wheels/tires) with great advice and fantastic service

Also, thank you to the many people on these forums who have provided endless input and advice as I sought to build just the right car for my old school tastes. It's a little nutty to assemble a car from a mixture of personal experience, professional advice and lots of anonymous internet input, but it turned out perfect! Ruby is very entertaining to drive and she has some serious street handles without sacrificing much ride quality.

A few pics of the final product (errr...probably) -- please excuse her for being a little dirty from a mini road trip and having to pose on a cloudy day.
Once again Simian, congrats! By the way, what color are those wheels? They look like hyper silver in the pics, but could just be the lighting. Also, I would recommend treating Ruby with some good Zaino products. Should help your paint finish really pop and protect it from chips (a lot of work, but I think well worth it).
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      05-08-2013, 03:48 PM   #4
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Your car looks phenomenal! I'm glad you are enjoying the wheels
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      05-08-2013, 04:06 PM   #5
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Looks great, I like the name ruby for her. I also have to agree with you on Hararold at HP Autoworks and Apex Wheels. I have had great experiences with both as well. I can wait for it to stop raining so I can give my car her spring detail and take her for some pictures and a drive in the mountains.
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      05-08-2013, 05:49 PM   #6
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Ruby is one pretty lass...nice wheels.
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      05-08-2013, 11:09 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iron Man View Post
Once again Simian, congrats! By the way, what color are those wheels? They look like hyper silver in the pics, but could just be the lighting. Also, I would recommend treating Ruby with some good Zaino products. Should help your paint finish really pop and protect it from chips (a lot of work, but I think well worth it).
Thanks, Iron Man. Hopefully your car arrives soon!

Yes, the wheels are Hyper Silver which is a great match for the silver window trim. I'll look into the Zaino products.
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      05-09-2013, 02:19 AM   #8
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Nice choice of wheels. Kinda diff from the norm
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      05-09-2013, 02:43 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bmwbreed View Post
Nice choice of wheels. Kinda diff from the norm
Thanks. Not to over analyze things, but I think the AERO-7 design takes the best elements of a traditional BBS-style "mesh" wheel and adds some subtle curves here and there that match well with the curved surfaces of the E82 body. As soon as I saw them, it was a done deal.
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      05-09-2013, 09:41 AM   #10
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Simian,
Looks great, and she sits perfectly! I like the wheels too -- they have that contemporary "old school" look, if such a thing is possible. I envision a variety of past BMWs when I look at those wheels. And of course, the red sets you off from the crowd....

Well done - enjoy it!
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      05-09-2013, 10:25 AM   #11
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Well done. I usually hate on vermillion red but yours is a special exception. Ruby is the perfect name.
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      05-09-2013, 10:29 AM   #12
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Love it! Interior pics?
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      05-09-2013, 02:00 PM   #13
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well done
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      05-09-2013, 11:21 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golf_234 View Post
Love it! Interior pics?
A few here in the order thread: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...=813253&page=4
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      05-09-2013, 11:25 PM   #15
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2008 BMW 128i  [10.00]
The wheels really set off all the accents ( window trip and the LCI headlight eyelids)

Stcik around these forums and you soon will have more modded parts....
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128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE
In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff


"The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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      05-09-2013, 11:35 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrey_gta View Post
Stcik around these forums and you soon will have more modded parts....
People keep saying that, but I'm really happy with her as is. Really! I've lightly modded a few cars in the past, but I can't think of anything Ruby really needs, I'm not a tinkerer for the sake of tinkering and I've never been one to do cosmetic mods. The only two possibilities:

1) Brakes -- At first the stock brakes seemed to take more pedal effort than I usually desire (i.e. they lacked some "bite"), but the pads have worn in a bit and the much improved tires have surely helped. I may have adjusted as well, of course. So I doubt I'll do anything here as long as she remains a street car.

2) Short Shift Kit -- The throws are a bit longer than those on my previous car (E92 335i) so it's possible that I'd consider a short shift kit at some point.

I think she's close to perfect for my tastes, so I will enjoy her as is for a good while.
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      05-09-2013, 11:44 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simianspeedster View Post

1) Brakes --

2) Short Shift Kit --
1) Look up my posts about light brake mods: 330i calipers & brakes ( esp perf friction kit or just caliper carriers to run 130i/330i sized rotor) or what others say about different fluid, and pads.

2) I am about to install a new SSK for 128i. If you look up my past posts, I have a theory about n54 335i or 135i OEM stock lever being the new experience between 128i BMW perf ssk lever and 128i stock lever.
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128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE
In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff


"The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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      05-09-2013, 11:45 PM   #18
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After two weeks of owning I just added a clutch stop from ebay with the metal washers. Fantastic difference in shift times and smoothness. You may want to consider it. It's how the clutch should have come, imo.
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      05-10-2013, 12:01 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrey_gta View Post
2) I am about to install a new SSK for 128i. If you look up my past posts, I have a theory about n54 335i or 135i OEM stock lever being the new experience between 128i BMW perf ssk lever and 128i stock lever.
I was looking at BMW's official SSK (http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/11...HORT-SHIFT-KIT) but I don't like the fact that it forces me to change my actual shift knob and boot. I may be alone, but I actually like the stock knob and boot. Is there a BMW kit for just changing the shift action with the stock cosmetic parts?
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      05-10-2013, 12:13 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simianspeedster View Post
Is there a BMW kit for just changing the shift action with the stock cosmetic parts?
An alternative to BMW ssk Pack is to buy the lever only, keep the stock boot and knob.
Part numbers you need are:
Bearing for lever 25111220600
Securing clip 25117571899
128i SSK lever 25117542200


My approach is the same just different lever, I intend to keep stock knob and boot (for now)
135i/335i n54 oem stock lever 25117581806
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128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE
In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff


"The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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      05-10-2013, 12:17 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrey_gta View Post
An alternative to BMW ssk Pack is to buy the lever only, keep the stock boot and knob.
Part numbers you need are:
Bearing for lever 25111220600
Securing clip 25117571899
128i SSK lever 25117542200


My approach is the same just different lever, I intend to keep stock knob and boot (for now)
135i/335i n54 oem stock lever 25117581806
Thanks! If I go for this (if, I say! ), I'm not going to try this myself. Is this a one hour or under job for a dealer?
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      05-10-2013, 12:31 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simianspeedster View Post
Is this a one hour or under job for a dealer?
the OEM shifter is very good and many do like its characteristics.

The SSK should be 1 hour at a dealer. The task is as follows: cool car, lift, squeezein in between exhaust undo 1 clip on the lever,from interior remove knob & boot, sound and moisture rubber padding, undo the ball joint, install new, under car connect lever,put everything back to place.

Some indy mechanics too, I would ask around first.
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128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE
In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff


"The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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