Jake's Epic BMW 135i Build Thread! (5+ Years of Ownership)
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In for pics of tubbed rear end.
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In for pics of tubbed rear end.
I would love to take a grinder and body saw to the chassis of something of this nature.
Hey Jake.... I just got some new blades and grinding wheels..... Can I test them out?
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This thread pushes the argument for a 135i over an M3 for me. Super cool build
I would suggest driving both back to back, I can almost guarantee you'll want the M3. All the N54 (except maybe for the 1M - though I can't comment on that) cars just don't feel special compared to the E9x M3. Sure they're very quick but that's about it. They don't handle all that well and can't put the power down.
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I would suggest driving both back to back, I can almost guarantee you'll want the M3. All the N54 (except maybe for the 1M - though I can't comment on that) cars just don't feel special compared to the E9x M3. Sure they're very quick but that's about it. They don't handle all that well and can't put the power down.
Hmm....
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Needs more 335i. Looks good! I love Alpineweiss!
328i's are great for daily duty.
If you have a back up daily for when the n54/n55 acts up once a week=P
Trust me, I've been tempted to sell/trade for an N54 car. But I tell myself not to because this car has been deadnuts reliable. The 328i is a great platform that doesn't seem to have many issues. While it isn't all that fast, it is somewhat torquey for an N/A car. Only thing that bothers me is that the rear seats don't fold down. Other than that, I love it.
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I'm very excited to see the results from the turbo upgrade.
What are you doing for tire? Assuming you got the ARC-8 with the higher offsets that can fit *some* brands of 275 tire - are you looking at any sort of 1M rear conversion or has some company developed something that allows you to run wider tire?
I don't plan on hooking on high boost and anything below 60mph on the street. I'm going to try Federal's 595 RS-R tire because it's cheap and see what happens. I can always limit boost by gear until I find the sweet spot if I need to hook up.
No 1M conversion. I could do a rear hub swap to gain an additional 10mm of clearance and do a smaller rear brake conversion to fit a 16" wheel/tire setup. None of that is on my radar yet though. I want to install parts and save for an LSD first.
I would suggest driving both back to back, I can almost guarantee you'll want the M3. All the N54 (except maybe for the 1M - though I can't comment on that) cars just don't feel special compared to the E9x M3. Sure they're very quick but that's about it. They don't handle all that well and can't put the power down.
This is true, sadly. Still a great car for the price though.
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This is true, sadly. Still a great car for the price though.
Without a doubt they are one of the best, if not the best, tuner car platforms now for the money. Extremely durable engine that doesn't need to be built at 400hp like the EJ. Not to mention all the go (and then some) without the bro-status.
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700whp won't be enough for TX2K... 1000whp or bust.
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This thread pushes the argument for a 135i over an M3 for me. Super cool build
You can always add FI to the M3, it will cost more for sure.
Great build Jake, ballin out of control.
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I feel like I always hear people saying that the e9x m3 chassis feels perfect with around 500-600hp, and the chassis is far ahead of the power plant in stock form.
When I got a ride with a forum member I could easily see how this statement is true, the car felt incredibly planted and controllable. The straight line acceleration wasn't anything to run home about, but was satisfying.I don't think I hear people saying the 1 series chassis feels great with 500hp.
That being said I would enjoy either car if it were in my garage.
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I feel like I always hear people saying that the e9x m3 chassis feels perfect with around 500-600hp, and the chassis is far ahead of the power plant in stock form.
When I got a ride with a forum member I could easily see how this statement is true, the car felt incredibly planted and controllable. The straight line acceleration wasn't anything to run home about, but was satisfying.I don't think I hear people saying the 1 series chassis feels great with 500hp.
That being said I would enjoy either car if it were in my garage.
One of them kind of is, depending how you want to think about it...
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Without a doubt they are one of the best, if not the best, tuner car platforms now for the money. Extremely durable engine that doesn't need to be built at 400hp like the EJ. Not to mention all the go (and then some) without the bro-status.
I beg to differ
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bk335 said:
Without a doubt they are one of the best, if not the best, tuner car platforms now for the money. Extremely durable engine that doesn't need to be built at 400hp like the EJ. Not to mention all the go (and then some) without the bro-status.
I beg to differ
About which part? I'm not aware of many other platforms that can be found for $8-$10k that'll have as much potential as an n54 car.
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Mercedes amgs with m113k motors fairly cheap to mod up until 700hp. Bought mine for 4200 probably about 6000 into it after mods and at 600hp and 650tq
You're talking about a car that weighs almost 1,000lbs more than a 135i which is much more expensive to mod and maintain for normal people. So yes, your s55 is a great dyno queen and highway cruiser but the n54 can be put up the same or larger numbers and be faster with less.
@suspenceful Now back on topic, a set of VTT GC's?
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You can always add FI to the M3, it will cost more for sure.
Great build Jake, ballin out of control.
not necessarily, it all depends on your power goals.
If you want 700+ whp, the M3 simply isn't the car for you. But then again, 700+ whp in an N54 turns it into an airstrip warrior which is likely something Jake is interested in doing given his recent 1/2 mile endeavors, and the fact that he's content with the 328i for a daily.
If you want acceptable street power levels, 550 whp You can do it on an M3 for $5500 + ESS tune (~$900) and a day of your time to install a used ESS 625 kit which are commonly available on m3post forums. You can't even hit that power level on an N54 without meth and e85 combined which is a huge inconvenience. Meanwhile on the M3 you just fill up on regular pump gas and go on your merry way with the supercharger kit. You will absolutely be spending similar money if not more making that same power reliably and hold the power increase to redline on a 135i because that requires aftermarket turbos - you're going to spend $3k alone just on turbos, then add in another $2000 for tune, downpipe, IC, inlets, and meth kit. Throw in other odds an ends necessary like fuel pump upgrade, and then the mods you need just to come even remotely close to putting the power to the ground and you are well into $7-8k territory.
The only time it is more affordable to make power on an N54 than an M3 is if you are happy in the 400-ish range where a couple grand gets you FBO, or if you want to go big big power like Jake is doing here.
in for the TX2k vids
2011 E92 M3 6MT ZCP - ESS 625 supercharged
2007 Z4MR
2003 E39 M5
2002 E46 M3
2021 X5 40i -
About which part? I'm not aware of many other platforms that can be found for $8-$10k that'll have as much potential as an n54 car.
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I would have to agree for a bone stock car to use as a platform. However, for that price point you could throw a number of different power plants into a few other platforms and have more capable cars=P
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I would have to agree for a bone stock car to use as a platform. However, for that price point you could throw a number of different power plants into a few other platforms and have more capable cars=P
Earl secretly just wants to see an N54-powered 318 =P
2011 E92 M3 6MT ZCP - ESS 625 supercharged
2007 Z4MR
2003 E39 M5
2002 E46 M3
2021 X5 40i
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