08 128i N52 Manual

[Trooge]

Had this vehicle for 10+ years now. Never had any upgrades, it’s complete stock.

Want upgrades now. What can I do to increase performance? Where do I go to get it done? I’m not car savvy and live in an apt so self upgrades is basically out of the question.

Live in Seattle area.

[Tuxedo]

1. ZHP shifter
2. TRW M3 arms and Bilstein B12 prokit
3. tune@stagefp.com N52 tune

this is my top 3

[markslc1]

Add 3.73 diff from an automatic car. Biggest noticeable gain. And cheap.

[NorthernDancer]

#1. driving schools
#2. tires [Michelin PS4S or similar]
#3. rear sub frame bushings/inserts
#4. change all fluids
#5. change air filter
#6. get a good inspection at a BMW indy garage for oil leaks [OFHG, VCG, oil pan gasket]

[audi355]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

#1. driving schools
.
.
.

best thing to tune first is the driver.

[Trooge]

Originally Posted by Tuxedo

1. ZHP shifter
2. TRW M3 arms and Bilstein B12 prokit
3. tune@stagefp.com N52 tune

this is my top 3

Got the ZHP shifter already.

Could you link what TRW M3 arms you're referring to?

What are your thoughts on the bimmerpost tune?

Originally Posted by markslc1

Add 3.73 diff from an automatic car. Biggest noticeable gain. And cheap.

Do I find one of those from a junkyard or can I purchase this online? Also, how difficult is it to self install?

[Tuxedo]

Originally Posted by Trooge

Got the ZHP shifter already.

Could you link what TRW M3 arms you're referring to?

What are your thoughts on the bimmerpost tune?




Do I find one of those from a junkyard or can I purchase this online? Also, how difficult is it to self install?

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...2-e9x/?pdk=AwE

Tunes thoughts:
Stage FP was the final choice and looked at a few, I felt SFP was in the spirit of OEM and reliable. I did look at Bimmerworld if I memr the research check engine light came on more with Bimmerworld than SFP, I don't think there's a wrong answer. If i was doing heavy mods I'd have done AA header, exhaust and tune.

Diff thoughts:
I personally would do a Helical LSD 3.64 $3200cost instead of throw a poormans used $150-300 3.73 auto diff if I was to change it. again I want to keep my car light mod and in the spirit of oem, changing the diff def not oem like.

[Blau]

Suspension. Of all of the mods I've done, suspension has been the most noticeable. Bushings, chamber plates, good springs and shocks or coilovers. I went with Dinan fixed chamber plates and Bilstein coilovers to keep the German spirit.

[Olgeezer1]

Weakest suspension points are the shocks/struts and the rear subframe bushings. If it's a street driven car, that plus quality tires is all you need to do. For power the best single thing you can do is a 3 stage DISA intake manifold with a tune from someone like Active Autowerk. Again, for a street car, that's all you need and further power mods won't gain you much. Find an independent BMW shop to do the work. BMWCCA or bimrs.org can help.

[bender128]

Wheels and tires + coilovers

[Papa Popov]

I'll echo all of the responses saying suspension, but I'll also add in an SSK+a good shift knob. Those two drastically improve one of the most common and critical interactions between you and the car.

[Allmotor1m]

Hey man! First upgrade you should do is m3 front control arms. Very cheap mod and improves the handling drastically. You should also do coilovers, I have ST XTA's which are made by KW and have adjustable dampening they're expenaive but worth every penny. Then catless headers, n54 intake manifold & tb, lighter flywheel and 3.91 diff out of the auto car and a stage fp tune. I saw someone else mentioned the 3.73 diff but it's not aggressive enough you definitely want the 3.91 I have it in my car and it's perfect. I have all of the above done to my car and it feels pretty comprible to am e46 m3 now. You can also get rid of some weight by removing the back seat and doing bucket seats. I have my car down to about 3000lbs and it feels very quick for what it is. Good luck with the car!

[One28i]

Originally Posted by Trooge

Had this vehicle for 10+ years now. Never had any upgrades, it’s complete stock.

Want upgrades now. What can I do to increase performance? Where do I go to get it done? I’m not car savvy and live in an apt so self upgrades is basically out of the question.

Live in Seattle area.

Welcome to the rabbit hole. These are great cars and endless modding potential. As mentioned above, driver training and building skill is #1. Depending on how you plan to use the car, the mods should reflect that. For reference, my intended use was a 4 seater for family duties and comfort with spirited street with occasion track use. I wanted to remove understeer, as factory setting made it feel like it was FWD understeery. so the list of mods, that were done are as follow: Poly 2 pcs RSFB, as the stock bushing are there to soften the impact from the RF tires that it comes with stock. BMW M lower control and trust arms in front for stiffer and added camber and rear lower camber arm for stiffer suspension damper. They come E90/2/3 M3 or E82 1M. Dinan front camber plates, I have negative 2.2 degree. square tire setup, so 8" wide wheels from E46 3 series with sport suspension with 225 45 R17 rubber, went with Michelins PSS, and are due for change, plan is 4S. Brakes from F22/F30 340mm 4 pots calipers, for improved thermal management, and look wicked. BMW perf springs (vin spec) with bilstein dampers B8 fronts for 128i/135i and rear are 1M B6 as rear lower arm was changes. rear caliper was upgraded from E90/92 328i/330i models to 42mm single piston from 40mm. BMW perf exhaust if you can find for exhaust music. 3SI from stronger spec of the N52 like in 330i, X5, Z4s and even N52 for ULEV in Cali. I have yet to perform the tune, but just install this a few weeks go, wow already. installed a 3.73 rear diff shortly after 3SI and now I am looking for a helical gear diff, as the car more often now does 1 wheel peels, but maybe my snows are too narrow with 205 width section. had the car for 5 years and counting, and still a joy.

enjoy the opening up the potential of the E82 N52, just be honest on how you plan to use it, upgrade accordingly.