uk 135i to 1m full conversion

[jada07515]

well finally decided to do the conversion here in the uk, got all the parts so ill keep you all updated on the progress - currently all parts getting a nice respray

will have the following

full 1m conversion body wise - genuine panels
rear arches customed
csl replica 19's wih some winter rubber
h and r roll bar kit
pro eibach springs
carbon spoiler
m3 vents
full 1m interior
m3 3 control arms
m3 diff and 1m propshaft - early next year

[I35it]

Pics!! And good luck! Cant wait to see it

[135Pats]

Interested to see how the M3 diff goes in. GL with the conversion OP

[jada07515]

cheers guys, the panels are getting a nice respray atm so build pics are on the way soon

the m3 diff will go in however i dont have the time to do the whole subframe so may just go with the wavetrac and some kw v3 now

[b1aze]

Originally Posted by jada07515

cheers guys, the panels are getting a nice respray atm so build pics are on the way soon

the m3 diff will go in however i dont have the time to do the whole subframe so may just go with the wavetrac and some kw v3 now

You're painting the panels before you do the work??

[jada07515]

Originally Posted by b1aze

You're painting the panels before you do the work??

yes they all will get a full respray to make it look mint mate

ok few pics as promised, nothing major - the 1m wings had the dents taken out of it and ready for painting along with the bumpers next week, the csl rims and tyres all fitted and look sooooo much better (rob you were right lol) the 275's at the back look great even though they are too wide for the current arches ha ha

side skits, old seat out and drivers 1m seat is in and very comfy next week real work starts and collect the m3 rear sub frame next weekend as well for the diff transplant

also love the speakers under the seats

hope you like the pics so far

ariel view



1m seat in



alloys and winter rubber






stripped!



1m wings



m3 vents getting a trial

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by yulook

wouldnt it be cheaper just to buy a 1m?

No it isn't

[BadM4]

lol not even close

[froop]

Awesome build mate. I'd definitely love to do this in the future.

Just one thing to note. I am currently in the middle of an entire E90 M3 suspension retrofit. This includes the front and rear sway bars, all front and rear suspension arms (incl lower camber links and toe arms), rear subframe, DCT M3 diff and half shafts.

From the look of your car, I can see you have an N54. Unfortunately you cannot just buy a 1M prop shaft and expect it to work. The 1M actually uses an N55 manual transmission and therefore the lengths, I believe, are different and will not bolt right in. It will require lengthening if I'm not mistaken.

There are another couple of options that you can undertake instead of the 1M prop shaft. Either custom fabricate one or create a hybrid prop shaft. You need just the rear section which connects to the diff for it to work. Take the front half and joint from your 135i and join it with either an M3, 1M or E38/E39 740i/540i rear half.

[jada07515]

Originally Posted by yulook

wouldnt it be cheaper just to buy a 1m?

why does everyone say that pmsl NO it would not and seeing there are only 3 for sale in the uk atm it woul dbe had to find on with the right spec

in total i am still a good 15k cheaper than buying a 1m

haters will hate

[jada07515]

Originally Posted by froop

Awesome build mate. I'd definitely love to do this in the future.

Just one thing to note. I am currently in the middle of an entire E90 M3 suspension retrofit. This includes the front and rear sway bars, all front and rear suspension arms (incl lower camber links and toe arms), rear subframe, DCT M3 diff and half shafts.

From the look of your car, I can see you have an N54. Unfortunately you cannot just buy a 1M prop shaft and expect it to work. The 1M actually uses an N55 manual transmission and therefore the lengths, I believe, are different and will not bolt right in. It will require lengthening if I'm not mistaken.

There are another couple of options that you can undertake instead of the 1M prop shaft. Either custom fabricate one or create a hybrid prop shaft. You need just the rear section which connects to the diff for it to work. Take the front half and joint from your 135i and join it with either an M3, 1M or E38/E39 740i/540i rear half.

cheers mate i actually just found that out so ill be doing just as you suggested

[P90Puma]

Why are you running 275 winter tires?

A bunch of people are doing the full 1M, I need to post up my half 1M (front only) conversion thread soon.

And the m3 hood vents look terrible, don't do it!

[Davyhay]

Originally Posted by P90Puma

Why are you running 275 winter tires?

A bunch of people are doing the full 1M, I need to post up my half 1M (front only) conversion thread soon.

And the m3 hood vents look terrible, don't do it!

Would it not look a bit silly to have a wide front and a skinny rear?

[P90Puma]

Originally Posted by Davyhay

Would it not look a bit silly to have a wide front and a skinny rear?

BMW recommends 225 or 235 square. I'd run 205 but you can't run that on the stock rim sizes without unhealthy stretch.

Winter = skinnier the better.

[Davyhay]

No, I'm talking about the 1M fenders on the front and stock width on the rear.

[P90Puma]

Originally Posted by Davyhay

No, I'm talking about the 1M fenders on the front and stock width on the rear.

At least one guy has done it.

Looks fine, I'd rather thave 275 square tires on 18x9.5 with 430+whp then spend $$$$ on a rear conversion, or run 245's on stock fenders.

[moveswiftly]

I've done the frankenstein 1M front 135i Rear. Doesn't look bad at all.

[Stohlen]

Originally Posted by jada07515

the csl rims and tyres all fitted and look sooooo much better (rob you were right lol) the 275's at the back look great even though they are too wide for the current arches ha ha

Why so skinny? I run 285s with stock 135i fenders. You should be able to run at least a 305 if not wider on the 1M fenders. Might as well take advantage of that space!!!

[jada07515]

Originally Posted by P90Puma

Why are you running 275 winter tires?

A bunch of people are doing the full 1M, I need to post up my half 1M (front only) conversion thread soon.

And the m3 hood vents look terrible, don't do it!

well i think they look great mate, esp now i have the powerdome to go with it

[jada07515]

well updates as promised and all is coming along nicely, all bits ready to be painted now and parts mock fitted, it looks epic so far and i love it! bonnet comes next week along with the bits all sprayed. front parking sensors need to be cut out and a rear tow bar cover is all i need extra so far.

the alloys fit great at the rear even with 275's the fronts will need a 15/20 mm spacer - rear bumper also test fitted so that will be prepped next week as well

no issues with anything so far and got to say i have full confidence in the body shop as they work to only the highest standards

rear arches start next week now we have test fitted the side skirts

looks very agressive compared to the standard 135i as expected

picture heavy by the way!

[135Pats]

275 up front with a 15mm spacer

I run 225 on a gross offset wheel with a 5mm and it rubs. I'm lowered, but still what a drastic difference those fenders give you.

Great progress

[jada07515]

They are not 275's at the front mate 245's at the front

Cheers the progress is going well can't wait to start doing the m3 diff install!