Just bought a 135i

[cozmicf]

Hey guys,

So I bought a 2011 DCT 135i in Deep Sea Blue about 5 or so weeks ago (see pictures below). My last car was a 2014 Golf 90 TSI which was very nice and zippy, but the power and luxuriousness of this car is amazing in comparison. I'm loving it so far, and have got a growing (read: expensive; it's a VERY slippery slope) list of things I want to do to it, in order of descending priority (all prices in AUD):

1. Oil and filter change (it's been 14,000km since the last change so it needs one badly!) ~$150 if I provide the filter and oil (castrol edge 5w-30)
2. Spark plug change (done about 92,000km so it's due for one soon anyway) ~$340 including plugs
3. MHD Stage 1 Tune ~$340 (got the cable already)
4. Maybe needs a new battery? After a week of not driving it I measured 12.16V with a multimeter, drove it around a bit and it jumped up to a more healthy 12.5-12.6V. Today after driving it quite a bit I stopped the engine and measured the voltage with the MHD logging app and it went down to 12.06V surprisingly.. unsure about price but I think it's expensive, especially since you have to get a dealership to do it (?)
5. Walnut blast probably required ~$550
6. Aftermarket charge pipe.. I've heard this being recommended even for a mild tune? ~$385
7. Lux Angel Eyes, or the BMR H8 LED Angel Eyes (which are less than half the price here in Australia) ~$340/$150
8. Black kidney grilles ~$100-$200
9. Rear lip spoiler $200-$300
10. LCI/Darkline taillights $400-$600
11. FMIC for Stage 1+ MHD tune

Is there anything else you guys would recommend? I would like to prioritise reliability over performance/aesthetics, for the moment at least.

I have had some issues with the car:
1. DCT lurch at low speeds/takeoff and slightly rough idling sometimes (hence why I want to change the spark plugs and do the MHD tune - was considering a BMW dealership software upgrade but that will cost $300+ anyway so might as well do the MHD tune which supposedly helps with this issue)
2. Slightly off centre steering wheel, might just need a wheel alignment

Overall I love the car, and how it looks. I just hope it stays reliable for me!









I have to agree with the sentiment that this colour looks more amazing in real life, and is really dynamic in the way that it changes based on the lighting.

[Ric in RVA]

Congrats on car! I have a 2011 as well.

Code your own battery using Carly or one of the other tools. The $ you save will pay for it and then you can code your other functions on the car.

The US 2011 135 is N55 and they shouldn't need walnut blasting...was what I have heard.

Buy the charge pipe. Save your old one. Swap it back and re sell CP here if you move on.

If you weren't on the other side of the world I'd sell you my CF lip spoiler (NON oem) cheap.

[Sam_M]

The colour is lovely, almost looks like BMW techno violet in the 3rd picture.

Might be worth looking at replacing the DCT box fluid too.

[FrostyDC4]

The 11'+ cars don't require a walnut blasting?

[HomoPirate]

Originally Posted by FrostyDC4

The 11'+ cars don't require a walnut blasting?

I'm curious on this statement too. I always see people recommend walnut blasting for both N54 or N55 engine. Mine 135i has N55 and 57k mileage which I think is due for walnut blasting.

[Esteban]

Welcome and congrats on a beautiful car. Always loved Deep Sea Blue. Really stands out in my book. I think the blackline taillights are a classy and subtle upgrade (p/n 63212225282).

Originally Posted by HomoPirate

I'm curious on this statement too. I always see people recommend walnut blasting for both N54 or N55 engine. Mine 135i has N55 and 57k mileage which I think is due for walnut blasting.

It's my understanding that the N55 needs quite a bit more miles than the N54 before it needs walnut blasting. Think I've heard numbers like 45 to 50K miles for the N54, but don't quote me on that. Maybe someone can chime in who knows something more definitive.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by cozmicf

...
5. Walnut blast probably required ~$550...

Welcome! Car looks great and your list is healthy. If you're doing the spark plugs and oil, consider doing the oil filter housing gasket as well. If it's not leaking yet, it will be soon.

Originally Posted by FrostyDC4

The 11'+ cars don't require a walnut blasting?

Originally Posted by HomoPirate

I'm curious on this statement too. I always see people recommend walnut blasting for both N54 or N55 engine. Mine 135i has N55 and 57k mileage which I think is due for walnut blasting.

Originally Posted by Esteban

Welcome and congrats on a beautiful car. Always loved Deep Sea Blue. Really stands out in my book. I think the blackline taillights are a classy and subtle upgrade (p/n 63212225282).



It's my understanding that the N55 needs quite a bit more miles than the N54 before it needs walnut blasting. Think I've heard numbers like 45 to 50K miles for the N54, but don't quote me on that. Maybe someone can chime in who knows something more definitive.

N54's (08-10 cars) are the ones with the gunk buildup issues. In 2011 they moved to the N55 which will allow you a significant increase in time for needing any kind of serious valve cleaning. From what other's have posted you should be find close to 90k miles with an N55. That said, cleaning things out can never hurt.

One thing to keep in mind, the N55 sacrifices some potential power for efficiency over the N54. They're safe for around 400 crank HP but I wouldn't go too far beyond that. The N54's are have forged components and take much more power stock.

The charge pipe is a definite must-have once you increase the stock boost even slightly. Stock CP's are super weak and known to fail. I got my CP-e charge pipe for $200 used and it's been great.

[1N4ttro]

Nice and congrats. That is my favorite color combo. Did you paint the wheels or they came like that? They look awesome.

[The Wind Breezes]

Power potential on stock turbo(s) has absolutely nothing to do with the internals being forged or not, N55 makes less power without a turbo swap because the turbo doesn't flow as much air as the system on the N54....period. The extra flow capacity is why the N54 engines are so strong with just a tune and bolt ons.

And besides all that people have made a lot (600+ HP) of power on N55 without blowing their motors.

[cozmicf]

Originally Posted by 1N4ttro

Nice and congrats. That is my favorite color combo. Did you paint the wheels or they came like that? They look awesome.

The previous owner had them painted in 'Lamborghini black'.

I might hold off on the walnut blasting for now and do some of the other things first.

I'm thinking of doing the oil and filter change myself as well as the spark plugs change. Are either of these risky, particularly the spark plug change considering I don't have much hands on experience with this kind of stuff? I saw a video on changing the N55 spark plugs and it just seems like a lot of small simple steps.

[swagon]

Welcome to 1Addicts; enjoy the new ride.

I'll always recommend doing suspension on these cars before adding more power.

You also might want to freshen up that black bumper trim, it looks faded.

[ccdre]

Nice ride! I would move #10 (blackline tail lights) up the list, right after the required maintenance items. In my opinion those tail lights completely transform the look of this car.
I'm also thinking BMW Performance Exhaust should make its way to that list .

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by ccdre

Nice ride! I would move #10 (blackline tail lights) up the list, right after the required maintenance items. In my opinion those tail lights completely transform the look of this car.
I'm also thinking BMW Performance Exhaust should make its way to that list .

I'm thinking the same thing... on both counts. Haha

[cozmicf]

Originally Posted by ccdre

Nice ride! I would move #10 (blackline tail lights) up the list, right after the required maintenance items. In my opinion those tail lights completely transform the look of this car.
I'm also thinking BMW Performance Exhaust should make its way to that list .

I really do want to get those blackline taillights.. and if I can snag a used pair cheap I will probably get them. That BMW performance exhaust is not cheap hence why I don't even have it on this list.. yet. I guess I'll have to make do with the burbles and pops of the MHD tune.

On another note, has anyone tried Carly with their 135i? I've got the k-dcan cable from cable-shack, I'm not sure if this will be compatible? Also, I don't really want to risk bricking my car so anyone else had any success with this cable and Carly?

[cozmicf]

Originally Posted by swagon

Welcome to 1Addicts; enjoy the new ride.

I'll always recommend doing suspension on these cars before adding more power.

You also might want to freshen up that black bumper trim, it looks faded.

What will I need to restore the black bumper trim?

[Dthltm]

Originally Posted by swagon

Welcome to 1Addicts; enjoy the new ride.

I'll always recommend doing suspension on these cars before adding more power.

You also might want to freshen up that black bumper trim, it looks faded.

I'm looking to get PPK done soon, what sort of work would you do prior?

[cozmicf]

Originally Posted by Dthltm

I'm looking to get PPK done soon, what sort of work would you do prior?

FWIW I was recommended to go down the MHD route instead of getting PPK which is much more expensive.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by cozmicf

FWIW I was recommended to go down the MHD route instead of getting PPK which is much more expensive.

PPK can be even done for free.

[cozmicf]

Originally Posted by swagon

PPK can be even done for free.

Yeah someone did mention that to me, but I've heard it's quite a bit of effort?

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

Power potential on stock turbo(s) has absolutely nothing to do with the internals being forged or not, N55 makes less power without a turbo swap because the turbo doesn't flow as much air as the system on the N54....period. The extra flow capacity is why the N54 engines are so strong with just a tune and bolt ons.

And besides all that people have made a lot (600+ HP) of power on N55 without blowing their motors.

I wasn't at all referring to it's ability to make power, just it's ability to do it safely. There's also plenty of people who have blown N55's at less than that. Why risk it on such an expensive motor on a DD?

Originally Posted by swagon

PPK can be even done for free.

Do me do me!

[Dthltm]

Originally Posted by cozmicf

FWIW I was recommended to go down the MHD route instead of getting PPK which is much more expensive.

Originally Posted by swagon

PPK can be even done for free.

Originally Posted by cozmicf

Yeah someone did mention that to me, but I've heard it's quite a bit of effort?

MHD could void my warranty if found. I know that PPK can be done for cheaper than dealer price but I believe that is only if your car has a build date prior to Feb 2012, can someone confirm? Thus, the only way to get a tune under warranty is Dinan or PPK I guess.

[VRG_135]

Originally Posted by cozmicf

Hey guys,




I have had some issues with the car:
1. DCT lurch at low speeds/takeoff and slightly rough idling sometimes (hence why I want to change the spark plugs and do the MHD tune - was considering a BMW dealership software upgrade but that will cost $300+ anyway so might as well do the MHD tune which supposedly helps with this issue)
2. Slightly off centre steering wheel, might just need a wheel alignment

Overall I love the car, and how it looks. I just hope it stays reliable for me!









I have to agree with the sentiment that this colour looks more amazing in real life, and is really dynamic in the way that it changes based on the lighting.

SIB 12-14-15 (?) may fix the idling problem. Does the car do this worse when the A/C is on? To test it, put the A/C on MAX and see if you have a significant problem with lurching at low speed and at a stop. If you see a significant problem, than the SIB patch will fix it.