Mods Update after 30K

[Fireflyer239]

It's now been 30K miles since I did the majority of upgrades and I still feel I have created the ideal daily-driver street car, at least for the driving environment we have here in the Northeast (CT). I could not be happier with my choice of modifications and components. I will re-cap all my changes: First, I changed the front anti-sway bar to a Hotchkis (did that myself), which did away with the stock understeer I really disliked, and made the car much more nuetral. Next, I did the following all at once - 18" Breyton GTS-R wheels with Pilot Super Sport tires, BMWP springs, the Bilstien HD's all around, and also replaced the lower control arm bushings with heavy duty ones from HP Autowerks. I did the clutch delay valve delete. I added a BMS Powerbox (did the brain surgery myself) and did an airbox mod of my own, plus a K&N air filter. Each of these changes made for a profound difference save for the airbox mod, which made a minor but noticeable difference. The filter mod made no difference I’m sure, but I like that I can clean and re-oil it. The springs allow the car to sit just right and seem perfect for the street. The Bilstiens give what I consider to be ideal street damping, meaning they take the edge off anything sharp or abrupt, while maintaining outstanding body control at speeds way beyond what is wise on the street, especially when hitting bumps or dips in the middle of high speed turns - one body movement, and then back to full stability with no wallowing or scariness. This is a huge improvement from stock, when the car would move around way too much at high speed. When stock, the stability control light would flash all the time when accelerating over bumpy surfaces because the stock dampers couldn’t keep the tires on the pavement. With the Bilstiens, I almost never see it flash. The HD’s just plain keep the tires glued to the ground. Combined with the Pilot SS’s, the ride is much more comfortable than with the stock dampers and run-flat tires, while handling in all conditions is light years better also. On bumpy, gnarly, twisted CT back roads, this car is bliss…just eats up the road with all the control you could possibly want. You could build a car with stiffer suspension, but it wouldn’t get down the road any better than this. If you like firm but not harsh, this is the setup. I can’t comment on the Konis many have used, but I can’t imagine how they could be any better than these Bilstiens; they’re like magic. By the way, the Pilot SS’s are simply the most amazing tire ever created; they give a great ride and unbelievable grip in dry or wet conditions, and last 25K miles if you’re not roasting the rears regularly. I wouldn’t call their turn in razor sharp but it’s excellent. Changing to the Breyton GTS-R’s and Pilot SS’s saved 7 lbs per front corner and 8 lbs per rear corner, which I am sure has helped with control and handling. The car is just beautifully neutral up to the limits of adhesion, no understeer to be found (had it at Lime Rock for a HPDE day). The control arm bushings from HP took all the slop out of the steering and I can’t imaging that spending more on M3 steering gear could make it much better. After 30K miles since the mods (I have 60K on the car), the damping hasn’t degraded one bit, still like new, and the steering is just as tight. Clutch take-up and feel after the CDV delete was much improved. The BMS Powerbox is an excellent modification which improves response and the fun-to-drive factor tremendously, even if it doesn’t make big power gains. My roll-on acceleration tests did prove that it gives some minor gains, though. More than anything, it makes the car much more lively and spirited, like a puppy that can’t wait to get off its leash and run! My airbox mod simply involved drilling several holes in the front of the airbox, before the filter, just behind the grill area where a small amount of cold air comes through. This gives it a bit more fresh air and makes for a sweet “ripping” sound over 4K. Then last year, I did the BMW Aero Performance front fascia (nose), BMWP short shifter kit (feels great), and BMWP exhaust (sounds awesome). I love all these mods and they have turned my car into the almost ideal street car for me. The sound, the feel, the handling and ride are all perfect…yeah, almost. The last change I’ll be making is the rear subframe connectors (going to the M3 or aluminum ones) to get rid of the negative characteristics the stock ones exhibit when changing to firmer suspension. More of an annoyance than anything else but being that everything else has been done and I’m so close to perfection, I’ll be doing this soon. To wrap, I can highly recommend these modifications to anyone wanting to create an ideal 1-series for the street that can be enjoyed thoroughly every day. If I had to pick my 3 Top Mods to recommend as best bang for the buck, I’d say the Bilstiens, the front anti-sway, and ditching the stock run-flats. These 3 things would transform any stock 1-series. Peace, All!

[tuphdc]

I enjoyed reading that, but some folks may need a TLDR...

[mechavore884]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh how I need to hop on sway bars LOL, good read though glad youenjoy the car

[chris82]

That's fantastic to hear. You have me very interested in these control arm bushings now.

I also have the BMW SSK, it's a really great piece, can't complain one bit. If you're into the 'fun factor' and don't mind sacrificing a bit of NVH for a better shifting feel you should look at the E46 M3 tranny mounts. It's one of the best cheap mods I did. $120 installed. Can't beat it for what comes of it.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Chrisar82

That's fantastic to hear. You have me very interested in these control arm bushings now.

I also have the BMW SSK, it's a really great piece, can't complain one bit. If you're into the 'fun factor' and don't mind sacrificing a bit of NVH for a better shifting feel you should look at the E46 M3 tranny mounts. It's one of the best cheap mods I did. $120 installed. Can't beat it for what comes of it.

How hard is the install on the E46 M tranny mounts? $120 isn't a bad price.

did you ever have problem with gear denial on stock mounts?

[kobeballer96]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

How hard is the install on the E46 M tranny mounts? $120 isn't a bad price.

did you ever have problem with gear denial on stock mounts?

It's very easy man. You could do it for 50 dollars just buy the parts and do it yourself. It's like a 15 min job with a trans jack or a reg floor jack jacking up the trans when swapping the mounts out. You can do it on a lift or floor. Easy as 1 2 3 lol

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by kobeballer96

It's very easy man. You could do it for 50 dollars just buy the parts and do it yourself. It's like a 15 min job with a trans jack or a reg floor jack jacking up the trans when swapping the mounts out. You can do it on a lift or floor. Easy as 1 2 3 lol

Oh I thought it was $120 for the parts.

$50 sounds even better

[chris82]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

How hard is the install on the E46 M tranny mounts? $120 isn't a bad price.

did you ever have problem with gear denial on stock mounts?

I didn't install them, but there's a DIY on here somewhere. The mounts themselves are $20-30 for both and an hour of labor for install. I had gear denial a few times (2nd to 3rd). It might have been my shifting at the time, but regardless, everything is so much tighter, and the 1st to 2nd shift requires less effort. Someone like yourself would probably appreciate them a lot with all the autocross driving.

[kobeballer96]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Oh I thought it was $120 for the parts.

$50 sounds even better

yeah i think he said 120 because he paid someone to do it.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by kobeballer96

yeah i think he said 120 because he paid someone to do it.

I did pay someone to do it. I don't work on my car lol. If it breaks, it's someone elses fault lol

[Taskmaster]

I get gear denial ALLL the time. Time to change the engine mounts and transmission mounts. I wish someone would put together a RE/M3 Transmission mount and 335IS engine mount package.

[MarkkyyMan]

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-...ounts/ES41849/

Those mounts fit a Getrag Type 1(GS6-17BG) transmission?

[Taskmaster]

Yes, but go with RE

[chris82]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Yes, but go with RE

For what reason vs. the BMW mounts?

[MarkkyyMan]

Originally Posted by Chrisar82

For what reason vs. the BMW mounts?

+1

[Taskmaster]

More robust and sturdy for the same price.

[andrey_gta]

I hear 335iS Trans mounts also work as an upgrade

Control arm bushings can be upgraded to M3 ones from TRW/Lemforder - see ECS

[chris82]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

More robust and sturdy for the same price.

Most likely, but that could translate into more noise overall.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Chrisar82

Most likely, but that could translate into more noise overall.

Negative, I had them on my Z3 and zero added vibration or harshness.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

I hear 335iS Trans mounts also work as an upgrade

Control arm bushings can be upgraded to M3 ones from TRW/Lemforder - see ECS

335is engine mounts are supposedly stiffer (for the pass side, which receives most of the load) but I don't know about the transmission mount.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Negative, I had them on my Z3 and zero added vibration or harshness.

Interesting, after some research I am a few others that have upgraded to RE with no NVH. Might have to swap mine out at some point.

[631twentyeighteye]

I myself will probably go with rogue engineering mounts.