135 to 1m conversion advice

[1351M]

Hey all.

I'm just starting out my journey to converting a 135 to 1M. The reason I'm doing this is because I want to daily drive my 1m but because of the stick shift I can't, so I've bought a dct 135 (might just keep the 1m for weekends)

There's a lot of research I still have to do but with a few super knowledgeable people on the site already posting up their experience it should make things a lot easier.

What I don't know is who to ask to do this conversion.

I wanted do a 100% authentic conversion in basicly switching out every suspension, steering, body component there is to be oem 1m. My goal is to have the car feel exactly as the 1m does when driving (aside from the motor and trans). If that works out then I would tackle a second phase of doing some kind of v8 transplant.

But for phase 1 can anyone recommend a good shop to handle such a job. Ideally in the Southern California area and most ideally a shop who has done this before with good results.

From what I've been reading it seems like performance technic in freemont ca is the goto shop for this type of conversion but they are far from me and haven't gotten back to me so maybe they are too busy with other projects.

Any advice or pointers on a good shop or what to look for is appreciated!

[asiflicious]

Originally Posted by 1351M

Hey all.

I'm just starting out my journey to converting a 135 to 1M. The reason I'm doing this is because I want to daily drive my 1m but because of the stick shift I can't, so I've bought a dct 135 (might just keep the 1m for weekends)

There's a lot of research I still have to do but with a few super knowledgeable people on the site already posting up their experience it should make things a lot easier.

What I don't know is who to ask to do this conversion.

I wanted do a 100% authentic conversion in basicly switching out every suspension, steering, body component there is to be oem 1m. My goal is to have the car feel exactly as the 1m does when driving (aside from the motor and trans). If that works out then I would tackle a second phase of doing some kind of v8 transplant.

But for phase 1 can anyone recommend a good shop to handle such a job. Ideally in the Southern California area and most ideally a shop who has done this before with good results.

From what I've been reading it seems like performance technic in freemont ca is the goto shop for this type of conversion but they are far from me and haven't gotten back to me so maybe they are too busy with other projects.

Any advice or pointers on a good shop or what to look for is appreciated!

General consensus is that you won't ever be able to make a 135i feel like an M car unless you're prepared to spend a ton of money. You're best bet honestly is to sell the 135i and buy a DCT e92 M3. But if you're adamant about keeping the 135i you should look into coilovers, rear subframe bushings, wheels and tires, and an LSD

[iminhell1]

Why not buy another 1M and do a trans swap?
Sure be a lot easier.

[chris_flies]

As you said, you'd keep the 1M for the weekend enjoyment. Why invest so much money into a car, and then make it a better weekender than the car you don't want to daily?

I think the idea is cool, I love the 1M body! But, this just doesn't make sense to me...sorry.

[1351M]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

Why not buy another 1M and do a trans swap?
Sure be a lot easier.

Great minds think alike. That's actually also on the table. I would assume it would work since I believe the 335is has the same exact n54 coupled with dct. But since it doesn't seem to have ever be done, need to find a good shop to tackle it. So far of the shops I've contacted no one is biting yet.

[1351M]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

As you said, you'd keep the 1M for the weekend enjoyment. Why invest so much money into a car, and then make it a better weekender than the car you don't want to daily?

I think the idea is cool, I love the 1M body! But, this just doesn't make sense to me...sorry.

If the opportunity arises drive a 1m. It's phenomenal. I basically want to keep driving it everyday but the reality of heavy traffic makes the manual impossible. I just don't like the m2 or any current day BMW. The e90 m3 is too big for my taste. Which is how I got to this project.

A few bold people have already done it and seem to be happy ...

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by 1351M

If the opportunity arises drive a 1m. It's phenomenal. I basically want to keep driving it everyday but the reality of heavy traffic makes the manual impossible. I just don't like the m2 or any current day BMW. The e90 m3 is too big for my taste. Which is how I got to this project.

A few bold people have already done it and seem to be happy ...

The ultimate 1M conversion imo is ilikebmxbikes's 1er. Even better with the S65. What a car!

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by 1351M

If the opportunity arises drive a 1m. It's phenomenal. I basically want to keep driving it everyday but the reality of heavy traffic makes the manual impossible. I just don't like the m2 or any current day BMW. The e90 m3 is too big for my taste. Which is how I got to this project.

A few bold people have already done it and seem to be happy ...

Well then, chops to you! I wish you luck on your build, since I have absolutely no experience with this.

[asiflicious]

I'm sorry man, but this really doesn't make any sense. It'd be one thing if you didn't already own a 1M, but your situation just doesn't make financial nor logical sense. Don't try to turn the 135i into a 1M when you already have a 1M. Just do coilovers, RSFB and non run flat tires. That's more than enough for a daily driver when there's a 1M waiting to be driven in your garage. Also is the 1M really as good as everyone says?

[1351M]

Originally Posted by asiflicious

I'm sorry man, but this really doesn't make any sense. It'd be one thing if you didn't already own a 1M, but your situation just doesn't make financial nor logical sense. Don't try to turn the 135i into a 1M when you already have a 1M. Just do coilovers, RSFB and non run flat tires. That's more than enough for a daily driver when there's a 1M waiting to be driven in your garage. Also is the 1M really as good as everyone says?

Hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, I have a feeling it will, but the 1m just feels very different then a 135 to me. For me the 135 isn't my cup of tea but the 1m oh yea it's perfect (again to me).

When you love a car that much you tend to make decisions that don't make any financial sense. But it is what it is.

Just to keep thing on topic for anyone stumbling in here, I'm hoping someone out there has recommendations on good shops in Southern California to tackle such a project.

Thanks!

[c1pher]

I would just love doing the exterior. I am happy other than that. I wouldn’t even care about the quad exhaust since I love my PE and the sound. I know you can swap the front bumper and fenders, but the rear fenders are troublesome i think.

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

I would just love doing the exterior. I am happy other than that. I wouldn’t even care about the quad exhaust since I love my PE and the sound. I know you can swap the front bumper and fenders, but the rear fenders are troublesome i think.

Yeah, the rear fenders would need to be cut off...I think ECS sells 1M rear quarters that are cut off at about the B-pillar, which means it'd be easier to swap.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

I would just love doing the exterior. I am happy other than that. I wouldn’t even care about the quad exhaust since I love my PE and the sound. I know you can swap the front bumper and fenders, but the rear fenders are troublesome i think.

I'm sure the 1M is an awesome car to drive. Looks great too. Top of the line as far as the 1 series goes.

I'm happy with my 135i just the way it is, though. Love my PE as well and think it sounds just about perfect!

[WDE82]

As a DIY project, it's doable to get almost everything the same. Keep in mind you don't need body panels for the driving feel. If you do full bushings/arms and a nice damper/spring combo, you're 90% of the way there.

A 100% conversion at a shop is 100% not worth the money.

[ellekz]

Originally Posted by 1351M

But since it doesn't seem to have ever be done

AT to DCT
AT to Manual

[Traf]

You can make a 135i a lot better than a 1M for half the money considering the absurd prices of 1M in the US.

[Apex1.0]

Why is the 1m the benchmark? I would thing a full effort tuned 135i should perform at a much higher level than a 1m.