Bmw 130i project
Discussion
Thanks for the comment's. If i've missed anything feel free to ask again
A company in barnehurst modified the prop. If you need exact details i can find out.
I didn't want another turbo lump when looking for the car a year ago. A year on I do-ish
Ruskie said:
Great car very subtle.
One question though...would it not of been more cost effective to just buy an E46 M3? Better engine and all round package out of the box and better looking as well. Not a criticism mind just wondered.
Thanks. I never bought the car with the intention of going the way i have, although i probably wouldn't of bought a M3 even if i had known the direction it was going. I've got 80% of the performance with 50% of the running costs. One question though...would it not of been more cost effective to just buy an E46 M3? Better engine and all round package out of the box and better looking as well. Not a criticism mind just wondered.
BMRuss said:
Nice work as usual Lee
cheers rich. Shame you're not coming ring next month to have a ride ;(harrykul said:
That's some brilliant work O!
Can I ask where you got the custom prop from?
Thanks, Can I ask where you got the custom prop from?
A company in barnehurst modified the prop. If you need exact details i can find out.
DanielSan said:
Serious amount of work, but if you don't want turbo why now consider dropping in a 135 lump? 
Cheers I didn't want another turbo lump when looking for the car a year ago. A year on I do-ish
Remagel2507 said:
I thought that too, surely one of these bolted on would be better http://www.ca-int.co.uk/products-Y2FyX21ha2U9Ym13J...
ESS are only just getting round to releasing a kit for the N52. I've messaged them but at the time it wasn't ready for release. I've been following a thread on a american forum and the test cars have been having niggles. That is also an option though but not sure i would choose it over a tuned N54http://www.ca-int.co.uk/products-Y2FyX21ha2U9Ym13J...ManOpener said:
This:
Is pretty much the best looking 1 series hatch I've ever seen.
Much appreciated Is pretty much the best looking 1 series hatch I've ever seen.
Edited by ManOpener on Tuesday 21st April 13:25
lewisf182 said:
Will be watching this with interest. Wish I had the balls to do this so fair play! Should be very interesting.
Would it not be more interesting /roughly same cost to supercharge the N52 than to drop in a 135i? granted supercharger would probably give you same stock BHP as an N54/55 but will be different and won't effect the instant response of the N52.
As above mate. I think i'd want the torque of a n54 over a s/c but the overall cost of the charger would be a lot lower. I have another 6 months before i make the choice Would it not be more interesting /roughly same cost to supercharge the N52 than to drop in a 135i? granted supercharger would probably give you same stock BHP as an N54/55 but will be different and won't effect the instant response of the N52.
wongthecorrupter said:
looks nice mate, and it flies around the ring.
Haha how are you doing simon?. I guess you can vouch for the handling etc and that was before all the mods!! I was watching the ring lap towing the V8 M3 round just the other day funnily enough. Hope you and Gemma are all good J4CKO said:
Loving this, they dont seem to get modded much, except for the odd remapped 135i, didnt realise 3 series underpinnings fitted.
Everything is a direct fit. Literally can unbolt the whole underneath of a E9x M3 and stick it on a 116i. I guess it make the car's cheaper to build
OP I've got to the point of fitting M3 arms but never thought of a subframe. I remember loads of people saying I had to go the BMW performance brake route and that 335i calipers wouldnt fit etc. it's great when you find tons of cross compatability which saves a ton of cash, in that case £600 vs £2K, bonkers.
The cost of the Birds kit and LSD is about 2800-3000, it's enough to question the whole thing really. Are there any weird things to consider with the M3 diff and the electronics, how will you go about setting up the car up etc. what have you done with spring rates and roll bars, is it all stock apart from the prop? It's extremely interesting what you are doing with this and is love to hear how it changes the dynamics. Oh, what were the wheels you had on with the other brakes, they suit the 130 down to the ground.
The cost of the Birds kit and LSD is about 2800-3000, it's enough to question the whole thing really. Are there any weird things to consider with the M3 diff and the electronics, how will you go about setting up the car up etc. what have you done with spring rates and roll bars, is it all stock apart from the prop? It's extremely interesting what you are doing with this and is love to hear how it changes the dynamics. Oh, what were the wheels you had on with the other brakes, they suit the 130 down to the ground.
WojaWabbit said:
Great project! Love the originality, not following the crowd. Good effort 
Thanksyonex said:
OP I've got to the point of fitting M3 arms but never thought of a subframe. I remember loads of people saying I had to go the BMW performance brake route and that 335i calipers wouldnt fit etc. it's great when you find tons of cross compatability which saves a ton of cash, in that case £600 vs £2K, bonkers.
The cost of the Birds kit and LSD is about 2800-3000, it's enough to question the whole thing really. Are there any weird things to consider with the M3 diff and the electronics, how will you go about setting up the car up etc. what have you done with spring rates and roll bars, is it all stock apart from the prop? It's extremely interesting what you are doing with this and is love to hear how it changes the dynamics. Oh, what were the wheels you had on with the other brakes, they suit the 130 down to the ground.
The M3 subframe is twice the thickness of the standard item. I read loads before i done it but i can't remember much. IIRC you have the change an arm on the rear if you're not using M3 brakes and want to keep yours but i knew i wouldn't be so never took it in. If you're using your original suspension then you have the swap another arm also for your original one as the shocks mount different on the arm. You won't be able to use the M3 front brakes either if you keep your original suspension.The cost of the Birds kit and LSD is about 2800-3000, it's enough to question the whole thing really. Are there any weird things to consider with the M3 diff and the electronics, how will you go about setting up the car up etc. what have you done with spring rates and roll bars, is it all stock apart from the prop? It's extremely interesting what you are doing with this and is love to hear how it changes the dynamics. Oh, what were the wheels you had on with the other brakes, they suit the 130 down to the ground.
I paid £500 for the complete rear, £300 for the complete front, £700 for the coilovers and £120 for my prop. Fitted it myself and then just consumables.
There's no effect on the electronics or any weird things unless you use the M3 steering rack which i have. The M3 has servotronic so under 30mph it opens a valve and makes the steering lighter. My steering is heavy now but you get used to it and it has so much more feel and needs less input. I have the e92 rear bar and E93 front bar (stiffer than a E92 one) and Imo they are too stiff for the car. I'm going to refit my front 130I bar and try and source a 335i rear bar and see how i get on. I'm using the springs that came with the M3 coilovers, i considered keeping the 130i ones but these feel so much better.
I can't remember the name of the last wheels but can find out, they are on my mates 135i and look perfect. Makes me regret getting rid of them
we are good thanks mate, how are you and Dean. Nice work on the car, should be just how you wanted it now. You should keep it and supercharge it. We are planning another euro trip next September for my 40th, if you are over there we can try and arrange some dates and meet at the ring. I may even grow a pair and take the Tuscan round. I love the stance on your car now. Both car and driver very impressive on the track.
If you're into major 1 series fettling you might enjoy this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7AJstuSgi4
wongthecorrupter said:
we are good thanks mate, how are you and Dean. Nice work on the car, should be just how you wanted it now. You should keep it and supercharge it. We are planning another euro trip next September for my 40th, if you are over there we can try and arrange some dates and meet at the ring. I may even grow a pair and take the Tuscan round. I love the stance on your car now. Both car and driver very impressive on the track.
I will give you a text in the week, Bring the TVR and do a few laps!!!!Neil G60 said:
If you're into major 1 series fettling you might enjoy this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7AJstuSgi4
I watched that the other week. Top car, bit of of my league price wise lolATM said:
Just found this thread. Your car looks good and its an interesting project. I see you've chosen the Nankang semi slicks. Have you tried any of the other semi slick tyres?
The NS2R's are the only semi slick i've used on a full track session. They take a while to get up to temp although i don't have a tyre to compare them to. At brands hatch my front left overheated and the car understeered pushing it, unsure if that was the tyre reaching it's limit, a set up issue or i was trying to hard keeping up with other cars. I will use them more and get more of an understanding for them.
rwdvectra said:
ATM said:
Just found this thread. Your car looks good and its an interesting project. I see you've chosen the Nankang semi slicks. Have you tried any of the other semi slick tyres?
The NS2R's are the only semi slick i've used on a full track session. They take a while to get up to temp although i don't have a tyre to compare them to. At brands hatch my front left overheated and the car understeered pushing it, unsure if that was the tyre reaching it's limit, a set up issue or i was trying to hard keeping up with other cars. I will use them more and get more of an understanding for them.I'm trying to decide if I should go for a square setup on mine or staggered.
Most people say a square setup understeers less so I'm tempted to try this first. I also like the idea of being able to swap tyres front to back.
I got hold of the most un loved M3 cab last week with the intention of breaking it and keeping the engine and box then selling on what i can to gain money back. Unfortunaly everything is either tatty, broken or doesn't work so struggling to get money back but i have the engine and box!!! I need to get a daily car in the next few months then it will be hopefully going in
rwdvectra said:
Yes mate i was, went up there to watch Blancpain. What was you in?
I was in my work van (white and yellow Stannah van) the missus nicked my 1 series for the day. I had a bit of a nosey at your car but you wasn't with it. I must say the way it sits on those wheels is awesome.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff