New 130 owner

[Franco]

Hi all,

I have just recentley purchased a second hand 130 and am loving it. :headbang: I am thinking about doing some upgrades in the future but am finding it difficult to get any information on upgrading the N52 engine.
The main upgrades I can find are the BMW performance exhaust (for a better note) and a Gruppe M or BMW performance air intake upgrade.

Any recommendations....

[Blacky]

Welcome to the forum and nice choice in the car.

As far as I know and have looked there are not a lot of upgrades for the N52, basically as you say exhaust and CAI from there you can look at brakes and suspension.

BMW performance exhaust you can pick up from local supplier or various OS suppliers and Gruppe M you cna perchase direct from Japan or I beleive PEAK in Syd offer and will import for you. Problem with the Gruppe now is the Japanese Yen has gone through the roof and it is expensive.

By the way can I ask what you paid for you 130 and how many Kms?
My lease is up and I am trying to decide if to keep for another 12 months or buy new and wondering what people are paying for a 2nd hand 130 these days.

Thanks

[Franco]

It is a 2006 130 M with 28000 km on the clock. It has been completely optioned out except for the Sat Nav. He put it on the market for 51500 and we got it for 48500. we probably could have talked him a little lower but my partner and I were in love with it and didn't won't to risk losing it

[amk2912]

Welcome to the forum.

I loved my 07 130i! Heaps of grunt and squirt when you need it.

From what I can remember there's not much you can do as it's not a turbo hence no chip mods. I could be wrong however.

Try the forum at www.babybmw.net where our English and European cousins discuss everything from the 116 to the 130.

[Franco]

Try the forum at www.babybmw.net where our English and European cousins discuss everything from the 116 to the 130.[/quote]


Cheers !:w00t:

[130i]

Congrats on the new beast.
As others have suggested there aren't many choices for engine upgrades but you can fiddle with suspension, install LSD and/or brakes.
First thing you want to do (if you haven't done it alrady) is to disconnect the vacum hose on your muffler (cheap way to get close to BMW performance box sound):wink:

[Franco]

Cool. Thanks for the idea. What does the vacuum hose normally do? and are there any disadvantages of disconnecting it?

[Raflekt]

picsss

[Breville]

Welcome bruva.

[130i]

Originally Posted by Franco

Cool. Thanks for the idea. What does the vacuum hose normally do? and are there any disadvantages of disconnecting it?

babybmw.net may have a more concise explanation but from what I rememeber:
The vacum operates a flap in the exhaust, normally the flap is open from idle until about 1600 rpm, then it closes and opens again at around 4500 rpm (not sure of exact revs).
So disconecting it gives you a deeper bassy sound in the midrange and bit of "burble" on the overrun.:biggrin:

It is easy to find, stick your head under the rear bumper where exhaust pipes connect to the rear muffler and you will find a black hose, simply pull it off and plug it with a screw - job done (takes 2 minutes and you can easily reverse it).
I haven't noticed any negative effects.