BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i) - View Single Post - Project 'Clubsport'

jayson · 03-24-2026, 08:57 PM

A few years ago, I started a thread over on bimmerforums documenting my E36 M3 “Project Barn Find” - bringing a neglected 95 Avus Blue car back to life and slowly turning it into something really special.

That thread ended up being a rewarding part of the entire experience - not just the build itself, but the process, interacting with others, and learning along the way. So, figured it was time to start another one.

Just to bring things full circle, my first brand new car I ever purchased for myself was a 2010 128i w/ sport package. I was actually active here on 1addicts at the time (I forget if bimmerpost had even taken it over by then) and actually posted little bits of the experience here (which somehow is still floating around on the internet all these years later). At the time, it was just a daily driver that I was proud of. As with all things, life moves on and my newborn at the time outgrew the car, so I subsequently traded it in a few years later on something with a bit more room. 16! years later I am once again visiting the E82 platform, albeit with a bit different plans.

Fast forward to March of 2026, and here is what I picked up:

2011 128i coupe

N51
Slicktop
Automatic
Single Owner
32k Miles
Completely stock

Wow! What a spec, perhaps one of the most utilitarian 128's I have seen, though thankfully it does have convenience package with alarm, comfort access, PDC and Xenon headlights.

So why a 128i (again?)
Pretty simple actually, I have been looking for a somewhat dedicated DE / track car for some time. Lets call it 75% track 25% street. Being that I have owned this platform in the past I remained somewhat interested in how folks continued using E82's for Motorsport purposes. I was considering a few other options - OG M2, base Cayman, even a BRZ, but given the prices that 128's are currently selling for (and that whatever platform I went with I would still need to spend a good amount of time setting up) the value and packaging of the 1 series made it tough to turn down.

Thus I was looking for a bare bones example, one that even a race team would buy as a basis for track conversion. This particular 128 fit the bill perfectly. Hydraulic steering, NA inline-6, 'manageable' weight, slicktop, minimal complexity.

The Thesis:
So what does the right version of a 128 look like given my intentions? This isn’t meant to be a fully stripped, caged race car. It’s more of a reinterpretation of the model - something closer to what BMW might have built if they applied the E36 M3 formula to the 1 series, with a bit more capability where it counts. Lightweight where it matters, driver-focused, reliable, and repeatable on track. That’s the goal.

The Plan (High Level)
So at the center of this adventure is the answer a question you are probably already kicking around in your head 'hey dummy! if you want a track car why is this an automatic - the GM automatic no less'. Well, I spent a lot of time thinking that through, even prior to purchase of this vehicle. We are going to be swapping in the highly lauded ZF 8hp45 8 speed transmission, which will be the perfect backbone when paired to the N52 (well N51 in my case) straight 6 for quick shifts and exceptional durability. That combination, along with a limited slip rear end, oil baffling, cooling, accusump, whatever we gotta do, will be a terrific combination.

Driveline Track:

Solid subframe mounts
Limited Slip Differential
ZF 8HP45 (plug and play from E84 or E89)

Handing Track:

MCS TT1 Single Adjustable Monotube Dampers
Rogue Adjustable Arms
Spherical Bushings

Motorsports Prep & Weight Reduction Track:

Fixed bucket seats
Lithium Battery
Exhaust simplification
Steering wheel / paddle solution
Rear seat delete
Rear cage (maybe)

Power & Engine:

Optimize N51 (Already came with 3 stage intake)
Dedicated Oil Cooling
Dedicated Trans Cooling
Oil Pressure solution

Goals:
A tidy and respectable clubsport-like car, that is fully track capable but also a nice place to be. I would like the wet weight of the car be around 3000lbs, with a reliable 225HP at the wheels as a target - all seems attainable to me.

Looking forward to sharing the journey here.

03-24-2026, 08:57 PM	#1
jayson Because why not 85 Rep 231 Posts Drives: GT4RS / Macan / E36 / E82 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (1)	Project 'Clubsport' - 2011 128i Journal A few years ago, I started a thread over on bimmerforums documenting my E36 M3 “Project Barn Find” - bringing a neglected 95 Avus Blue car back to life and slowly turning it into something really special. That thread ended up being a rewarding part of the entire experience - not just the build itself, but the process, interacting with others, and learning along the way. So, figured it was time to start another one. Just to bring things full circle, my first brand new car I ever purchased for myself was a 2010 128i w/ sport package. I was actually active here on 1addicts at the time (I forget if bimmerpost had even taken it over by then) and actually posted little bits of the experience here (which somehow is still floating around on the internet all these years later). At the time, it was just a daily driver that I was proud of. As with all things, life moves on and my newborn at the time outgrew the car, so I subsequently traded it in a few years later on something with a bit more room. 16! years later I am once again visiting the E82 platform, albeit with a bit different plans. Fast forward to March of 2026, and here is what I picked up: 2011 128i coupe N51 Slicktop Automatic Single Owner 32k Miles Completely stock Wow! What a spec, perhaps one of the most utilitarian 128's I have seen, though thankfully it does have convenience package with alarm, comfort access, PDC and Xenon headlights. So why a 128i (again?) Pretty simple actually, I have been looking for a somewhat dedicated DE / track car for some time. Lets call it 75% track 25% street. Being that I have owned this platform in the past I remained somewhat interested in how folks continued using E82's for Motorsport purposes. I was considering a few other options - OG M2, base Cayman, even a BRZ, but given the prices that 128's are currently selling for (and that whatever platform I went with I would still need to spend a good amount of time setting up) the value and packaging of the 1 series made it tough to turn down. Thus I was looking for a bare bones example, one that even a race team would buy as a basis for track conversion. This particular 128 fit the bill perfectly. Hydraulic steering, NA inline-6, 'manageable' weight, slicktop, minimal complexity. The Thesis: So what does the right version of a 128 look like given my intentions? This isn’t meant to be a fully stripped, caged race car. It’s more of a reinterpretation of the model - something closer to what BMW might have built if they applied the E36 M3 formula to the 1 series, with a bit more capability where it counts. Lightweight where it matters, driver-focused, reliable, and repeatable on track. That’s the goal. The Plan (High Level) So at the center of this adventure is the answer a question you are probably already kicking around in your head 'hey dummy! if you want a track car why is this an automatic - the GM automatic no less'. Well, I spent a lot of time thinking that through, even prior to purchase of this vehicle. We are going to be swapping in the highly lauded ZF 8hp45 8 speed transmission, which will be the perfect backbone when paired to the N52 (well N51 in my case) straight 6 for quick shifts and exceptional durability. That combination, along with a limited slip rear end, oil baffling, cooling, accusump, whatever we gotta do, will be a terrific combination. Driveline Track: Solid subframe mounts Limited Slip Differential ZF 8HP45 (plug and play from E84 or E89) Handing Track: MCS TT1 Single Adjustable Monotube Dampers Rogue Adjustable Arms Spherical Bushings Motorsports Prep & Weight Reduction Track: Fixed bucket seats Lithium Battery Exhaust simplification Steering wheel / paddle solution Rear seat delete Rear cage (maybe) Power & Engine: Optimize N51 (Already came with 3 stage intake) Dedicated Oil Cooling Dedicated Trans Cooling Oil Pressure solution Goals: A tidy and respectable clubsport-like car, that is fully track capable but also a nice place to be. I would like the wet weight of the car be around 3000lbs, with a reliable 225HP at the wheels as a target - all seems attainable to me. Looking forward to sharing the journey here.
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