New Cali 1er

[230corners]

New 1er here, but not new to BMWs. I had a '04 330Ci Coupe that I loved, and drove everywhere, but I always wanted the M3. Now I sort of have a baby M3 with a '12 135i M-Sport 6spd in Jet Black. I wish it was any other color, but when the opportunity came up I couldn't pass. I already have a mod list, and this car will be somewhere in the track-toy but still DD friendly range when I'm done. I've had it 2 weeks now and I already have a new set of 18x8 Enkei Raijin track wheels w/ R888s, and TR Motorsport 17x8.5 w/ Dunlop Direzza Star Spec.





About the driver:
230corners because that's about how many mountain corners I weave through commuting each way. I'm a multiple time solo/autox champion, and driving instructor/coach. I championed with my old 330 in 2009, and last year with a borrowed 07 Cayman S. I usually race a highly modified 73 super beetle, but its been down a while getting a new (faster) motor and trans. I've had over 30 cars in 20 years of driving, here's a few of my recently owned/raced:
1973 VW Super Beetle GSR
1984 VW GTI (ITB car)
2007 Mazdaspeed3
2013 VW Golf TDI (boring but great milage)
2007 BMW 330Ci

I really liken the 135 to my first gen MS3. Light, nimble, and rubber challenged, but the 135 is definitely more sedate in traffic. I'm sure I'll have a build thread up soon, I do one for all my fun cars

[A_Squared]

Welcome man!! Lots of good information and knowledgable guys/vendors on here to help you achieve your goals. Look forward to seeing what you do to the car!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats !!

[Alen E90]

welcome and congrats!

[230corners]

So far this place has been a pretty good resource. I did run into a problem I haven't seen mentioned on here though. I went to roll my fenders and discovered the performance 6-pots on the front interfere with the eastwood fender rolling tool.



I did the fronts the old fashioned way, with the louisville-fender-roller, they roll very easily and it only needed a gentle touch. I'll have to revisit them once my wheel studs come in, the lugs aren't long enough for the spacer and the tool. Took it for a spin and the front still rub on extreme corners/bumps but I can live with it for a couple days. It finally feels right, turning in like my 330 used to, I can't believe how badly compromised the 135 is from the factory.

There's a few more cosmetic mods to do while I collect suspension bits. On the short list are the interior trim pieces, swapping the wood for aluminum with a friend, and maybe some Alcantara pieces as well. Here's the shopping list so far:

Interior:
Lower more supportive seats, bmw performance, corbeau, sparco, or recaro
Alcantara shift boot, sport wheel, and gauge cover
bolt in rollbar/harness bar
double din stereo upgrade, something carplay compatible
uuc short shift kit
window tint but nothing too dark

Drivetrain:
Intercooler
4” catted down pipe
Lighter free flowing muffler, I’m fond of the borla race mufflers
cobb tune or something that works w/ the n55
lightened single mass flywheel
remove clutch delay valve
upgraded oil coolers
lsd

Exterior:
carbon diffuser
aerofoil or ducktail spoiler (function or looks)
front splitter

Suspension:
M3 e9x suspension swap
upgraded sway bars front and rear
urethane bushings all around, subframe and suspension
double adjustable coilovers kw, moton, or ohlins
camber plates
front strut bar

I’ll add more later if I think of anything else, but that’s a good list so far.

[VMRWheels]

Great start! Welcome