No 128i Love :(

[Apiasto]

Originally Posted by NYC6

Adding extra cooling for brakes is always a good thing and might be sufficient for most autocross. As are better pads and using a hi temp brake fluid. But, most of the real drivers here who track their 128's realize that they arent quite up to par for the task. The rotors are quite small. 11.8" front and back. These are not performance sized rotors by todays standards. Even with the extra cooling they wont stop you when really need them after some hot laps. Most brake systems can stop once or twice without reaching fade, its the numerous hard on and off on brakes which taxes them beyong their limitations. A soft, spongey pedal is the first warning, after that its usually into a tire barrier. Certainly ruins what should have been a fun day.

The 135's Front rotors(13.3") are an inch and a half larger in diameter and thicker also. The rears(12.8") are an inch larger and thicker also.
Nearly the same size as the OEM Z51 Corvette rotors. That is a lot of extra swept area and a much larger heat sink to absorb and radiate heat. The calipers are much larger with multiple pistons to clamp the rotors firmly and evenly from both sides, larger pads help disipate heat much better and puts much more material on iron, common sense tells us thats better.
Quite a few 128 owners have swapped them onto their cars with very good results. Thats one option that works well and is a realitively inexpensive one. You could go with a big buck BBK but I think they're overkill for this application.

I was referring to the cooling on the longer tracks with higher speeds as Jim stated. I personally have very little experience with track racing as I only did autocross with my RSX not "real" driving I guess. My cooling suggestion was just one that maybe wasn't looked into, that is all. I was curious to see if anyone has tried and/or has had experience with this. A larger brake setup would disepate heat much more efficiently but would be that much more affective with proper cooling (at least on a higher speed track). To call any OEM equipment high performance is a stretch though (unless it was a M). I agree with the 135i's brakes being higher performance but the gains from a BBK would be much greater for both cars.

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by Apiasto

I was referring to the cooling on the longer tracks with higher speeds as Jim stated. I personally have very little experience with track racing as I only did autocross with my RSX not "real" driving I guess. My cooling suggestion was just one that maybe wasn't looked into, that is all. I was curious to see if anyone has tried and/or has had experience with this. A larger brake setup would disepate heat much more efficiently but would be that much more affective with proper cooling (at least on a higher speed track). To call any OEM equipment high performance is a stretch though (unless it was a M). I agree with the 135i's brakes being higher performance but the gains from a BBK would be much greater for both cars.

I was ageeing with you about cooling. Be it autocross or racetrack.
As I said, you might not need better brakes for autocross. Lets face it. Running a car in a mall parking lot with speeds kept under 60mph or whatever isnt like the abuse a car will face on a 'real' track at much higher speeds.

I guess its ones point of view to what constitutes a high performnce system. I and many would call a Brembo multi piston, fixed caliber system high performance even if installed as an OEM product. All the reviews written about them praise them.

By the way, the BB(big buck) BBK Brembo kit for the 128/135 clocks in at about $3500 and thats just for the fronts! Not including installation of course.
Putting these huge monsters on a 128 is really overkill. These brakes are made for high hp dedicated track terrors, not weekend warriors autocross and occasional forays to tracks.

Heres a review of the 135i which they do much testing of the car at Willow Springs race track. About the brakes, they have nothing but good to say about them, cept some noise and, the dust. As BMW owners, we all know that!
http://www.insideline.com/bmw/1-seri...-bmw-135i.html

[dorkdog]

Originally Posted by SkinnyVT

from some of the statements made so far I would say the majority have minimal knowledge of brake systems and minimal experience on a track

... and this thread is about neither!

[dorkdog]

Originally Posted by fs454

Yeah, no hate for the 128i...except for the fact that I absolutely despise the front bumper. If the cars looked the same from the exterior I'd definitely consider one alongside the 135.

Awesome cars on this page.

Niot sure why front bumper matters - I can't see it unless I go to the trouble to walk to the front of the car LOL

[dorkdog]

I have not noticed any brake fade using the 128 as a DD - and I've had a few panic stops. I may change over to ceramic pads whan its time for a pad change.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by dorkdog

Niot sure why front bumper matters - I can't see it unless I go to the trouble to walk to the front of the car LOL

I will have 'fix', via ebay lips soon...
LOL


BRAKES: Wouldn't ceramic pads hurt performance since they need heat? they are designed for track not street

e93 SWAY: Had it installed, still need to check if I need to tighten it. First impressions: Steering is more accurate,car feels tighter, less body roll and slightly more effort to turn steering wheel. Not sure about extra under steer, its wet today. I feel maybe less understeer due to more DTC light blinking than usual.

Is this all normal for M-sport suspension

[JimD]

One day M school is about $1500. 2 day is almost $3600. 15% is significant.

Performance driving events are cheaper but also not the same. These schools are taught by professional race drivers and you are using their cars. Still they are pretty expensive - but worth it to me.

Jim

[JimD]

I played with RealOEM for a few minutes comparing a 2009 e70 X5 n52 to my 2009 e88 n52 to a 2006 330ci n52. I was looking at the intake and exhaust. I previous compared internal parts (pistons, camshafts) of the e70 and e88 and couldn't see a difference. I confirmed what Stig said previously, the injectors are all the same. The intakes and the exhausts are different. To be more specific, the e70 and the 330ci share the same intake - exact same part number. The e70 is rated 260 hp and the 330ci 250 or 255 (can't remember). Both more than my e88. I think the e70/330ci intake is three stage and the e88 is two stage. All the exhausts are different. But looking at them, I got an idea.

The primary catalytic converter is effectively part of the exhaust manifold on our cars. So wouldn't there be aftermarket parts available that might also improve flow? I looked for the 330ci and magniflow makes these parts and claims higher flow. The set of front and rear manifolds is about $1500. I'm not sure 330ci parts would fit my e88 but it seems more likely than e70 manifolds would fit.

The advantage over headers is just clean air compliance. They are legal, in other words. You might get legality with even higher flow with headers and a catalytic in the exhaust tubing, however. But it seems like we ought to be able to get to the ~260hp level with complete legality with a new intake manifold and higher flow exhaust (need the cat back - magnaflow is around $600).

Jim

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by JimD

I played with RealOEM for a few minutes comparing a 2009 e70 X5 n52 to my 2009 e88 n52 to a 2006 330ci n52. I was looking at the intake and exhaust. I previous compared internal parts (pistons, camshafts) of the e70 and e88 and couldn't see a difference. I confirmed what Stig said previously, the injectors are all the same. The intakes and the exhausts are different. To be more specific, the e70 and the 330ci share the same intake - exact same part number. The e70 is rated 260 hp and the 330ci 250 or 255 (can't remember). Both more than my e88. I think the e70/330ci intake is three stage and the e88 is two stage. All the exhausts are different. But looking at them, I got an idea.

You mean e90 330i or e92 330i??

The primary catalytic converter is effectively part of the exhaust manifold on our cars. So wouldn't there be aftermarket parts available that might also improve flow? I looked for the 330ci and magniflow makes these parts and claims higher flow. The set of front and rear manifolds is about $1500. I'm not sure 330ci parts would fit my e88 but it seems more likely than e70 manifolds would fit.

What are you trying to get from maganflow? an alternative to the Primary Catalic?
The danger of using X5 parts is that they may be long or tall and not meet e82 exhaust.

[JimD]

I am pretty sure I was looking at a e90 which I believe started in 2006. In that year, the 325 was a n52 rated 215hp and the 330 was a n52 rated 255hp. Later the e90 went to the 328 and 335 nomenclature.

Magnaflow makes both a cat back exhaust for the e88/82 n52 and replacement exhaust manifolds with catalytic converters for the 330 n52. I am theorizing that the 330 manifolds might fit (?) or magnaflow might offer replacement catalytic/manifolds for our cars. The replacement manifolds with the cat back should get us to at least 255hp (with intake manifold and probably some tuning).

The observation, which makes most sense if you look at the nice diagrams on realOEM, is that replacing a catalytic converter on our cars involves either a lot of cutting and welding or a replacement exhaust manifold. It is not unusual to have to replace a catalytic when a car gets up around 8-10 years old. So it was not surprising to see Magnaflow offering replacement manifold/catalytic converters for an early e90.

Jim

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by JimD

Magnaflow makes both a cat back exhaust for the e88/82 n52 and replacement exhaust manifolds with catalytic converters for the 330 n52. I am theorizing that the 330 manifolds might fit (?) or magnaflow might offer replacement catalytic/manifolds for our cars. The replacement manifolds with the cat back should get us to at least 255hp (with intake manifold and probably some tuning).

http://www.magnaflow.com/02catalytic...irectfit=49762
These should fit, i haven't seen anything that said otherwise


LIGHT BULBS : Replaced my burned out Halogen H7 main lights with PIAA intense white 4100 lumens. I like.

[Apiasto]

Are there any header options aside from OEM? I'd want to try a full catless system with higher flow headers.

[USNEM_128i]

So yeah I called a shop that had a Dyno and I asked them how much would it be to tune the car and they told me that try couldn't do it to my car........ Reason?

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by USNEM_128i

So yeah I called a shop that had a Dyno and I asked them how much would it be to tune the car and they told me that try couldn't do it to my car........ Reason?

They probs havent experiences the ecu - it is definitely tune-able though

[alvitdk]

Originally Posted by USNEM_128i

So yeah I called a shop that had a Dyno and I asked them how much would it be to tune the car and they told me that try couldn't do it to my car........ Reason?

Get the AA tune, so worth it

And you are even in Miami, close by to get it don without sending the ECU or buying the Simon tool!

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Apiasto

Are there any header options aside from OEM? I'd want to try a full catless system with higher flow headers.

Yes, SuperSprint makes a set. I have them on the way right now, so I'll report back soon.

On the topic of the thread, good thread just popped up in the 128i engine section.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...7#post12406577

[USNEM_128i]

Originally Posted by alvitdk

Get the AA tune, so worth it

And you are even in Miami, close by to get it don without sending the ECU or buying the Simon tool!

Well Im from Miami but im Active Duty Navy stationed in Norfolk Virginia, VA is soo bad, especially Norfolk. There is nothing over here. I cant wait to go back to Miami.

[Greenkirby21]

Went to play tennis with a friend today.

Decided to make a little rev video for you guys. I only went to 3k or 3.5k. For some reason it sounded a lot louder from inside my car and I was afraid the people in the park would get mad at me. Probably that iPhone mic

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by JimD

One day M school is about $1500. 2 day is almost $3600. 15% is significant.

Performance driving events are cheaper but also not the same. These schools are taught by professional race drivers and you are using their cars. Still they are pretty expensive - but worth it to me.

Jim

Having done both... I'd never do M school again. I think you learn far more at DEs, you get to do it in your own car, and you can do 5 weekends of DEs for the price of going to M school for one day.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Obioban

Having done both... I'd never do M school again. I think you learn far more at DEs, you get to do it in your own car, and you can do 5 weekends of DEs for the price of going to M school for one day.

Where do you find local DE events? Local BMW Club Chapter?


Greenkirby21:
I will listen to this after work, no speakers here. Your color is great though
^^^^ Sounds great

[andrey_gta]

128i fitment of e87 Side Splitter posted in cosmetics thread. enjoy
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=636186

[andrey_gta]

I need some input on my last mod for the year, just lookign to increase the everyday joy of the car. Options:

m3 arms kit, on stock mSport suspension
ssk, Rouge Engineering + replace all bushings/bearing
DISA, not doing AA tune

Most are same cost, DISA is cheapest