[NSW] n00b - E87 130i - First Bimmer

[arthurtwp]

Sounds good! Ahh, gotta speak to my local mechanic to see what the job entails...

On a side note, really clear rear bumper ahahaha

[walkie86]

An eBay 25% off sale a few months back prompted Wes (hks200) and I to bite the bullet and we started collecting bits for darkline LCI taillight upgrades for both our cars a few months back, we finally had everything to fit them. The first item we got was the TYC branded darkline high tail light from an eBay shop in Melbourne (just the tail light itself and the foam gasket). The rest of the items - bulb holders, globes and nuts - were purchased from Cotswold in the UK.

Pretty straight forward swap, using a guide from babybmw.net to rearrange the wires/spade connectors within each bulb socket to suit LCI (it's different each side and Wesley spent a bit of time with trial and error to get it right for the driver's side). Once we have installed additional wiring to power the LEDs and done the coding, we'll write up a detailed how-to with all the parts you need and an install guide.

But for now they look great as is, and we've redirected the rear fog power into the LED hole so at least we can turn them on. Throws a fog light error but it's not a permanent solution. Really lifts the aesthetic of the car and makes it much more modern!

Untitled by autofocus .net.au, on Flickr

Untitled by autofocus .net.au, on Flickr

Untitled by autofocus .net.au, on Flickr

Also started the camber pin mod - got one side done in the dark on the street before realising how loud we were being so called it a night and will finish the other side on the weekend!

Untitled by autofocus .net.au, on Flickr

UPDATE 28/11/16:

Camber pin mod completed. Haven't driven it anywhere meaningful to see if there's any difference but the wheel in the arch looks slightly more cambered.

Here you can see how much the strut has moved, based on the indent of the original location of the strut top nut. Note, the driver's side camber pin isn't fully out but the strut has moved to the new location. I decided to leave it as the neighbours were getting annoyed at the banging :x

Untitled by autofocus .net.au, on Flickr

Untitled by autofocus .net.au, on Flickr

Untitled by autofocus .net.au, on Flickr

[woosh]

Exposed pod filter. Defect waiting to happen mate.

[walkie86]

Originally Posted by woosh

Exposed pod filter. Defect waiting to happen mate.

Sounds good but.

[hks200]

hahaha didn't even realise you were taking a photo, that's how much I was concentrating on not hitting my own hand.

[walkie86]

Happy new year fellow 1ers! I didn't get to drive the 130i much over the break as I was away and driving the family car most of the time (automatic... *yawn*). Anyway, first drive back in the 130i this week and it's got me excited for 2017!

This year I want to update some suspension parts and some other small things and fit the bits I've been collecting:
- Nolathane rear subframe bushes (bought, need to fit)
- Front E9x M3 swaybar (bought, need to fit)
- Front E9x M3 LCAs (bought, need to fit)
- E82/88 rear chassis brace (need to buy. Info here: http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=91573)
- M Tech CF front splitters (bought, need to fit)
- maybe some LCI bits from a wreck I've seen online - doorcards, climate control switches, rear LED number plate lights

Back in early December, I organised a big drive with some mates and extended social media connections from our blog/IG @autofocusaus. I led the way in the 130i and thoroughly enjoyed the drive

IMG_0557 copy by autofocus .net.au, on Flickr

IMG_0559 copy by autofocus .net.au, on Flickr

IMG_0642 copy by autofocus .net.au, on Flickr

[vMPM]

Looks like a very cool collection of cars, let me know how the splitters fit, I'm tossing up between those and a Flow Designs lip

[mr_z4mc1m_oz]

Nice photos as usual mate. Pity I missed this drive. Looking forward to the next one...

[hks200]

Originally Posted by mr_130i_oz

Nice photos as usual mate. Pity I missed this drive. Looking forward to the next one...

ahh so its your z4M Alex and I keep frothing over! she's a beaut!

[arthurtwp]

AMAZING TURN OUT.

Still envious over your rims. hahahaha

[woosh]

Andrew showed me the video from the drive day, Alex. That was pretty intense haha.

[mr_z4mc1m_oz]

Originally Posted by hks200

ahh so its your z4M Alex and I keep frothing over! she's a beaut!

Hi hks200, yeah she certainly is mine....

[walkie86]

Originally Posted by vMPM

Looks like a very cool collection of cars, let me know how the splitters fit, I'm tossing up between those and a Flow Designs lip

Will do mate - splitters arrived today actually so hopefully get time tonight to fit!

Yes, great selection of cars - all drive focused and awesome in their own right 8) it's amazing the cool, like-minded people you can meet online!

Untitled by autofocus .net.au, on Flickr

[Free_Willy]

Splitters on yet? Where did you source them?

[walkie86]

So, fitted the splitters tonight. Pretty straight forward. About an 80% perfect fit with a bit of misalignment at the end towards the wheel arch but reckon I can get them 99% right with some fiddling, however, it was getting dark so I called it a night. I sourced them from Aliexpress and they arrived in a week for $180 delivered:

https://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/...Id=32269138674

A few pics fitted (sorry, car needs a wash...):

Untitled by autofocus .net.au, on Flickr

Untitled by autofocus .net.au, on Flickr

[walkie86]

Went for a first drive with the fitted this morning. Definitely have to go very slow over speed humps, now... I don't think it's the carbon bit of the lip that's the issue - it's the underside at the rear, which is a rigid wind/water deflector. Will try it out for a week and see how annoying going so slow over bumps and dips is!

[mr_z4mc1m_oz]

Originally Posted by walkie86

Went for a first drive with the fitted this morning. Definitely have to go very slow over speed humps, now... I don't think it's the carbon bit of the lip that's the issue - it's the underside at the rear, which is a rigid wind/water deflector. Will try it out for a week and see how annoying going so slow over bumps and dips is!

Looks great Alex.... I'd love to get them but as I previously mentioned I think it will only be a matter of time before they break off on a driveway, wheelstop etc no matter how careful you are.

Now get my same rear carbon diffuser I got

[skyscraper_g80]

Yep, the carbon splitters are very susceptible to damage! I smashed my first set against one of those parking stop things, and my second set is scuffed as I had to do a quick 3-point turn and thought I could make it without the splitter touching the kerb...

[vMPM]

I'm still undecided! The splitters look better than the Flow Designs lip but the Flow Designs lip is great because it is indestructible, don't want to break another lip on track like I did in my E36

Just be sure to reverse park everywhere haha #lowlife

[walkie86]

Originally Posted by vMPM

I'm still undecided! The splitters look better than the Flow Designs lip but the Flow Designs lip is great because it is indestructible, don't want to break another lip on track like I did in my E36

Just be sure to reverse park everywhere haha #lowlife

Haha I understand your dilemma. How much is the flow design lip?

The thing I like about the splitters as they look OEM-ish whereas the Flowdesign style lip is obviously aftermarket (even though I think it looks good). Do they have a specific E87 front lip? As obviously the E82 and E87 have different bumpers. The other option for you is to find an E82 front bumper, which looks really good on the hatch and is a pretty easy fit.

http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php...=25102&start=8
http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=14834
http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67406

[Cheungs]

My carbon splitters are toast.

Possibly looking into Flow Designs. They have E87 M sport bumper fitment for sure as I know a couple of guys that run them.

[woosh]

Dang that looks sick. Sigh, I think I know what my next car will be. Stop posting photos online!

Originally Posted by evolution42

Yep, the carbon splitters are very susceptible to damage! I smashed my first set against one of those parking stop things, and my second set is scuffed as I had to do a quick 3-point turn and thought I could make it without the splitter touching the kerb...

3-point turn? I don't think I ever did a 3-point turn in my last 130i. The handbrake worked too well