chris_flies' 128i thread

[chris_flies]

Backstory:
This car was purchased on March 18, 2017 at Euro Auto Specialist in Chantilly, Virginia. It was purchased with just over 159k miles on the clock, and was bone stock, and in very good mechanical shape, with no rust on the body or major structure of the car. It is a 2009 model year, built in October of 2008, meaning it has the "Year One of the 1" engraving on the starter button surround. It's an N52-powered 128i with the 6-Speed manual transmission. It is Monaco Blue with an all-black (except headliner) Sensatec Vinyl Interior, with swapped-in Sport Leather seats. The only options I can tell is on this car are heated seats (thank you, PO!). The exterior shows the cars mileage, the hood has many rock chips, and the rear bumper shows signs of a much-traveled PO, and there are some spots that need touching-up and correction.
This is my first car, and I absolutely love it!

Mods:
The important bits!
Drivetrain Mods:
• 3-Stage DISA Intake Manifold
• Turner Motorsports Tune (Active Autowerke)
• Mishimoto Silicone Intake Boot
• CDV Delete, Clutch Pedal Spring Delete, BMS Clutch Stop
• ECS Teflon Shifter Bushings, Turner Shift Arm Bushing
• BMW Performance Short Shift Lever
• Condor Speed Shop Tall Shift Knob
• AKG 75A Motor Mounts
• E46 M3 Transmission Mounts
• M Front Position Differential Bushings
• PowerFlex Rear Position Differential Bushing
• DiffsOnline 3-Clutch 35/60 LSD with 3.73's
• E60 Finned Diff Cover
• BMW Performance Y-Pipe, Corsa Performance Muffler (Both for a 135i)
• OE 135i Oil Cooler and Thermostat
• AKG DTM Shift Selector Rod
• Bimmerworld Oil Distribution Block

Suspension Mods:
• Ohlins Road and Track Coilovers:
• 1M Valving by 3DM Motorsports
• Swift Springs 7" 70N/mm Front, 10" 160N/mm Rear
• Vorshlag Camber Plates
• fe1rx Strut Spacers
• M Front Control Arms
• M Rear Upper Control Arms and Guide Rods
• ECS 12mm Rear Sway Bar w/ Meyle HD End Links

Brake Mods:
• F30 335i 340mm Brembos (Painted G2 Orange)
• Porterfield R4-S Street Pads
• Porterfield R4 Race Pads
• F30 Front Splash Shields
• Perf. Aero Brake Ducts
• Turner SS Brake Lines
• ATE Type 200 Racing Brake Fluid

Exterior Mods:
• Winter Wheels/Tires:
• Sport Edition SE-16 17x7.5" ET40 with 225/45R17 General G-Max AS-05's
• Summer/Track Wheels/Tires:
• Bimmerworld TE:AL TA5R 17x8.5" ET38 with 245/45-17 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
• 130i Badge
• Bimmerworld Fiberglass Sunroof Delete Panel
• BMW Performance Front Aero
• BMW Roof Rails
• RockyMounts Tomahawk Bike Mount
• M-Sport Rear Bumper and Diffuser with Mesh Mod

Interior Mods:
• Xuji Leather Steering Wheel Wrap
• 3M 1080-Series Wrapped Trim Pieces
• UK Slicktop Headliner
• M3 Instrument Cluster Retrofit (DIY Below)
• OEM Manual, Heated Sport Seat in Black Boston Leather
• VDO Engine Oil Pressure Gauge

Maintenance Items:
• Regular 5k Mile Oil Changes
–Mann Filters
–Synthetic Oil (0w/5w-40)
• Tranmission Oil Change
–Redline MTL
• Differential Oil Change
–75W-110
• Replaced Severely Punctured Goodyear Eagle LS3 RFT's (Stupid roads)
• Replaced Passenger Side Axle Shaft (Noise from rear)
• Driver Side Front Wheel Bearing (Praying that it wasn't the rear)
–Genuine BMW Unit
• Passenger Side Rear Wheel Bearing (Noise fixed)
–F A G Bearing
• PCV Breather Hose (Brittle plastic snapped during DISA manifold swap)
• Shocks and Springs Replacement (Blown shocks found after first track day)
• Shifter Support Arm (Snapped trying to press-in rear poly bushing)
• DIY Alignments (First time I had it done, it wasn't right; took matters into my own hands!)
• Starter Motor and Battery-Alternator-Starter Cable (Died before school one day)
• Valve Cover (Blown PCV causing whine, oil in manifold, and hard-to-open oil filler cap)
• Spark Plugs @ 182k miles (Denso Iridium Power)
• Battery @ 195k miles (Duralast Platinum H7-AGM)
• Rebuild upper DISA at 199k miles. Literally split open.

Tips, DIY's, etc:
Retrofitting an M3 Instrument Cluster:
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...5#post25278175

Alignment DIY:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1503027

[sprp85]

Curious. F30 calipers clear OEM 17s?

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by sprp85

Curious. F30 calipers clear OEM 17s?

My style 256’s needed 10mm spacer to clear the spokes, but diameter wise, the grey calipers clear with minimal room to spare. My SE16’s clear the calipers without changes.

[desertman123]

Great overview on the car!

How do you like you clutch spring delete? I didn't know this was a thing.

[Matticus91]

Wait what, all this and no pics?!?!?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Wait what, all this and no pics?!?!?

That's what I was thinking...

Maybe they're coming later?

[captain slowly]

ah, to be 17 again! This all makes so much more sense now. I know you won't listen, but, you are throwing what seems like a pretty significant amount of money at a car that's past its prime. Then again, I did the same way back. If I could do it over, I'd just drive and enjoy the car, and only fix what's broken and enjoy life and my friends.

[chris_flies]

desertman123
I wanted to do it, but the PO had already done it, or the spring just feel off at some point. It doesn't have the kick that most people described it having when I looked into removing it, before I knew it was already removed.

captain slowly
I'd rather be working on my car than getting caught up in school's drama! It also keeps me off of my computer and me learn valuable skills for when I'm on my own in just over a year...

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by Esteban

That's what I was thinking...

Maybe they're coming later?

They're coming later...

I need to run around the car and take pictures of things to share...

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by captain slowly

ah, to be 17 again! This all makes so much more sense now. I know you won't listen, but, you are throwing what seems like a pretty significant amount of money at a car that's past its prime. Then again, I did the same way back. If I could do it over, I'd just drive and enjoy the car, and only fix what's broken and enjoy life and my friends.

Nothing's broken, which might be the opportunity-maker. I make in car parts what I save my dad in labor costs for house work. It's a pretty sweet deal, for me...

[desertman123]

Also you claimed the title for youngest 128i enthusiast from me... When I got mine I was 18!

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Also you claimed the title for youngest 128i enthusiast from me... When I got mine I was 18!

Haha... that you know of. There could be a 16 year old out there with a 1er.

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Also you claimed the title for youngest 128i enthusiast from me... When I got mine I was 18!

We're the young 128i enthusiast duo! Hehehe

I love this frickin' car sooo much! I originally had a little regret for not getting an E36 M3, but now that it's as well-sorted as it is, I don't know what it'd be like without having that awkward little face parked in front of the house.

[Esteban]

Some say if your feet can reach the pedals, you're old enough to drive.

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Some say if your feet can reach the pedals, you're old enough to drive.

I'm 6'3" and 200lbs, I can reach the pedals.

I'm starting to look into a good bucket seat that I can fit into the car for track days only that'll sit lower for my head to clear the headliner with a helmet on (I have to slouch a bit).

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

I'm 6'3" and 200lbs, I can reach the pedals.

I was 12 when I first drove a car. Could barely reach the pedals and could barely see over the dash.

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I was 12 when I first drove a car. Could barely reach the pedals and could barely see over the dash.

Might have driven a 2004 F-150 in my dad's lap at about 5. Drove my dad's 1998 540i 6-Speed Sport at 8 (I think). I also was in a go-karting league before the place closed a few years back. I was started early...

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

Might have driven a 2004 F-150 in my dad's lap at about 5. Drove my dad's 1998 540i 6-Speed Sport at 8 (I think). I also was in a go-karting league before the place closed a few years back. I was started early...

Your dad sounds nice...

My dad wouldn't let me drive so I stole his car when I was 12 years old and took it out on my own. Was there ever hell to pay for that bit of mischief. First of many car thefts when I was a youngster. That's how I learned how to drive.

Loved driving and cars from the start. Didn't own a car till I was 18. A "slightly used" '68 VW Bug with 53hp. First thing I did was put an aftermarket exhaust on it. Man, that car was fun! What a rocket ship! Haha

I was a real little devil when I was a kid. lol My life totally changed when I met my wife and got married at age 20.

[PDXE82]

Originally Posted by desertman123

How do you like you clutch spring delete? I didn't know this was a thing.

If this is referring to the clutch pedal return spring I did that mod to my previous E39 540/6. It made the pedal much smoother and easier to modulate the clutch engagement.

[PDXE82]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

Might have driven a 2004 F-150 in my dad's lap at about 5. Drove my dad's 1998 540i 6-Speed Sport at 8 (I think). I also was in a go-karting league before the place closed a few years back. I was started early...

I have to admit I usually dislike seeing teenagers drive a high end car. Maybe a little ageist or maybe I remember what I was like when I was that age. You however seem to be one of the rare teens that has a good respect and appreciation for what you have. Good luck with your new 1er! Looks like you have a good plan for it.

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Your dad sounds nice...

My dad wouldn't let me drive so I stole his car when I was 12 years old and took it out on my own. Was there ever hell to pay for that bit of mischief. First of many car thefts when I was a youngster. That's how I learned how to drive.

Loved driving and cars from the start. Didn't own a car till I was 18. A "slightly used" '68 VW Bug with 53hp. First thing I did was put an aftermarket exhaust on it. Man, that car was fun! What a rocket ship! Haha

I was a real little devil when I was a kid. lol My life totally changed when I met my wife and got married at age 20.

That sounds exciting! I wouldn't make it to 18 if I stole anything...

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by PDXE82

I have to admit I usually dislike seeing teenagers drive a high end car. Maybe a little ageist or maybe I remember what I was like when I was that age. You however seem to be one of the rare teens that has a good respect and appreciation for what you have. Good luck with your new 1er! Looks like you have a good plan for it.

Yes it's the clutch pedal return spring.

There's a guy at my school driving an E93 M3, and numerous other kids with brand-new Civics and Camrys that are worth more than my car was when it was new...

I really wanted a Triumph GT6, but I needed something that I could fit in, and something very reliable and safe, and somehow I ended up with this little rocket!