2013 BMW 125i 6 on the floor (N52)
Discussion
B'stard Child said:
I have a portamig and an old opel fetish - I like welding stuff but not the daily is the rule as i it needs welding it becomes a project car and I have enough of those already
Every time I have a Senator wanting moment (usually every six months) I always have a Google and end up seeing your threads. I'd love a 24v model. The 24v straight six is my favourite engine configuration ever.Court_S said:
Looks nice that. I think the 1 coupe has aged pretty well.
The N52 is a lovely engine (had it in my 330) and makes a lovely noise. I had the M Performance Carbon airbox which added a lovely rasp near the redline. I wouldn’t pay full price fir it, but if you can find one for sensible cash. I managed to escape the water pump issue.
P Torque are another name that I've come across for remapping these. I’m badgering a mate with one to get his sorted out. His makes a pretty good noise on a stock exhaust, loader than my 330 which I guess is due to a shorter exhaust.
Are you going to remove the CDV?
I had the performance airbox on my 130. ISTR it being stupidly expensive but like you say it does sound nice.The N52 is a lovely engine (had it in my 330) and makes a lovely noise. I had the M Performance Carbon airbox which added a lovely rasp near the redline. I wouldn’t pay full price fir it, but if you can find one for sensible cash. I managed to escape the water pump issue.
P Torque are another name that I've come across for remapping these. I’m badgering a mate with one to get his sorted out. His makes a pretty good noise on a stock exhaust, loader than my 330 which I guess is due to a shorter exhaust.
Are you going to remove the CDV?
CDV delete is also a good point. Makes it so much easier to drive smoothly.
Court_S said:
Looks nice that. I think the 1 coupe has aged pretty well.
I do like the "hot wash" look 
Court_S said:
The N52 is a lovely engine (had it in my 330) and makes a lovely noise. I had the M Performance Carbon airbox which added a lovely rasp near the redline. I wouldn’t pay full price fir it, but if you can find one for sensible cash. I managed to escape the water pump issue.
Another thing for the shopping list - now I know why I don't normally do these threads 
Court_S said:
P Torque are another name that I've come across for remapping these. I’m badgering a mate with one to get his sorted out. His makes a pretty good noise on a stock exhaust, loader than my 330 which I guess is due to a shorter exhaust.
I think it's pretty quiet at the moment - I've read people adapting 135i coupe rear boxes to fit and doing something with a golf tee 
Court_S said:
Are you going to remove the CDV?
OK you have me there - so I had a goggle "BMW CDV" https://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f91/e46-clutc...
I do love the internet
Adds delete CDV to list of tasks
I think the N52 engine is great (I'm on Numbers 3 and 4 at present) but in a 125i it definitely needs the re-map!
That gear-knob looks a bit weird - I bought a weighted ZHP one for my Z4 Coupe and after fitting that, a CDV delete and new transmission fluid the change quality was much better. It's still not perfect, but then it is a BMW manual box!
So far as water pumps go, my 1st one died at 60K and 9 years, my next one died at 135K and 12 years - but that was probably it's 2nd pump.
Fingers crossed with my current ones.
I see you plan to do the 130i front brake upgrade - I don't know if it helps, but the 123d also had the bigger brakes.
Anyway it looks great, and if the OH likes it that's a bonus.
That gear-knob looks a bit weird - I bought a weighted ZHP one for my Z4 Coupe and after fitting that, a CDV delete and new transmission fluid the change quality was much better. It's still not perfect, but then it is a BMW manual box!
So far as water pumps go, my 1st one died at 60K and 9 years, my next one died at 135K and 12 years - but that was probably it's 2nd pump.
Fingers crossed with my current ones.
I see you plan to do the 130i front brake upgrade - I don't know if it helps, but the 123d also had the bigger brakes.
Anyway it looks great, and if the OH likes it that's a bonus.
rm163603 said:
I had the performance airbox on my 130. ISTR it being stupidly expensive but like you say it does sound nice.
CDV delete is also a good point. Makes it so much easier to drive smoothly.
I have the BMW Performance Airbox on my 325ti - it definitely sounds a bit rortier under acceleration than a normal ti CDV delete is also a good point. Makes it so much easier to drive smoothly.
If you can get one for your 125 cheaply I’d definitely consider it
JakeT said:
B'stard Child said:
I have a portamig and an old opel fetish - I like welding stuff but not the daily is the rule as i it needs welding it becomes a project car and I have enough of those already
Every time I have a Senator wanting moment (usually every six months) I always have a Google and end up seeing your threads. I'd love a 24v model. The 24v straight six is my favourite engine configuration ever.Mr Tidy said:
I think the N52 engine is great (I'm on Numbers 3 and 4 at present) but in a 125i it definitely needs the re-map!
Yeah top of the list - being old means mods are cheap to declare on insurance - I'm in that 50 - 60 age group where insurance is silly cheap might as well enjoy it while it lasts Mr Tidy said:
That gear-knob looks a bit weird - I bought a weighted ZHP one for my Z4 Coupe and after fitting that, a CDV delete and new transmission fluid the change quality was much better. It's still not perfect, but then it is a BMW manual box!
A full service of non engine fluids will get done in the next few weeks - I have no idea how old the brake/clutch fluid is so if I can find brake bits easily I'll do that at the same time - obviously CDV delete will be done at same time as clutch fluidMr Tidy said:
ISo far as water pumps go, my 1st one died at 60K and 9 years, my next one died at 135K and 12 years - but that was probably it's 2nd pump.
Fingers crossed with my current ones.
Hmm all the 135i's that I looked at had 80 K water pump replacement so I figured I had a little time in hand for that one - full coolant change is on the list of jobs to do short term maybe I should consider preemptive pump replacement at the same timeFingers crossed with my current ones.
Mr Tidy said:
II see you plan to do the 130i front brake upgrade - I don't know if it helps, but the 123d also had the bigger brakes.
Ha - that is useful to know - I'll be poring over realOEM site shortlyMr Tidy said:
IAnyway it looks great, and if the OH likes it that's a bonus.
To be honest solving the OH problem was number one priority - The added bonus is as I b
hed about going to a £300 a year VED from a £30 a year VED she's committed to funding the VED for as long as I have the car as she drove the replacement B'stard Child said:
To be honest solving the OH problem was number one priority - The added bonus is as I bhed about going to a £300 a year VED from a £30 a year VED she's committed to funding the VED for as long as I have the car as she drove the replacement
Well that's a bonus. hed about going to a £300 a year VED from a £30 a year VED she's committed to funding the VED for as long as I have the car as she drove the replacement 
Slightly off-topic, but it looks like you may have an LC hiding behind a cloud of smoke!
I was lucky enough to see "Not Normal's" one 4 or 5 years ago.
Mr Tidy said:
B'stard Child said:
To be honest solving the OH problem was number one priority - The added bonus is as I bhed about going to a £300 a year VED from a £30 a year VED she's committed to funding the VED for as long as I have the car as she drove the replacement
Well that's a bonus. hed about going to a £300 a year VED from a £30 a year VED she's committed to funding the VED for as long as I have the car as she drove the replacement Mr Tidy said:
Slightly off-topic, but it looks like you may have an LC hiding behind a cloud of smoke!
Yeah owned 20 years - as I've said I don't tend to change cars just gain more of them........Mr Tidy said:
I was lucky enough to see "Not Normal's" one 4 or 5 years ago.
Pretty much most of the LC's (that haven't been restored to the same level as his) in the Autobahnstormers try and avoid parking next to his car when at car shows - I am no exception mine is a scruffy old thing but it gets maintained to a high std but used hard Here it is without a cloud of smoke
And here on track
I no longer do static shows as if I keep moving no one can see the stone chips
Nice Alfa - don't see many of them these days
The Green thing I've seen too many of them
Anyway continuing my journey of discovery and trying to set the car up how I like it - it's always nice to get things how you want it or expect and the idrive provides access to a lot - with the 740 I ended up playing with hidden stuff using a BMW kitted laptop.
First night time drive - needed to go into work this evening and sort something out - OMG the dash lights are set to full retina burning setting - bordering on Chenobyl levels
I'm probably not alone in liking very minimal dash lighting as it's what I'm used to when driving at night - I love old saabs that have the facility to kill pretty much everything dash lighting wise leaving just the speedo (more manufacturers should do this IMO)
So when I got home again I sat in the drive and tried to work out how to change it I dug out the manual (yeah I know RTFM) and found the info I needed but what I also found was the PO's home address - brilliant as I know the PO info is no longer on Reg Docs due to data privacy rules so I had planned to try and make contact with Graham via the dealership in MK that has looked after the car from new - bonus means I can just write a letter direct - excellent
Normally I buy cars privately so it's as much about understanding and accessing the PO as it is about the car but dealer sourced cars is a little harder these days
I've only once had a nil response from a PO (one of my Senator 24V's that eventually turned out to have a very iffy history) most of the time it's ended up with something positive - either fuel consumption records or something missing from the car that was forgotten at part ex
The letter to the 1st owner of my 740 resulted in a request to have it back as it had been part exchanged for a Merc that the wife hated (that makes me laugh now I think about it)
The Green thing I've seen too many of them
Anyway continuing my journey of discovery and trying to set the car up how I like it - it's always nice to get things how you want it or expect and the idrive provides access to a lot - with the 740 I ended up playing with hidden stuff using a BMW kitted laptop.
First night time drive - needed to go into work this evening and sort something out - OMG the dash lights are set to full retina burning setting - bordering on Chenobyl levels
I'm probably not alone in liking very minimal dash lighting as it's what I'm used to when driving at night - I love old saabs that have the facility to kill pretty much everything dash lighting wise leaving just the speedo (more manufacturers should do this IMO)
So when I got home again I sat in the drive and tried to work out how to change it I dug out the manual (yeah I know RTFM) and found the info I needed but what I also found was the PO's home address - brilliant as I know the PO info is no longer on Reg Docs due to data privacy rules so I had planned to try and make contact with Graham via the dealership in MK that has looked after the car from new - bonus means I can just write a letter direct - excellent
Normally I buy cars privately so it's as much about understanding and accessing the PO as it is about the car but dealer sourced cars is a little harder these days
I've only once had a nil response from a PO (one of my Senator 24V's that eventually turned out to have a very iffy history) most of the time it's ended up with something positive - either fuel consumption records or something missing from the car that was forgotten at part ex
The letter to the 1st owner of my 740 resulted in a request to have it back as it had been part exchanged for a Merc that the wife hated
(that makes me laugh now I think about it) rm163603 said:
Ahh sorry too used to abbreviating it........PS Mrs BC hates that one too apparently it makes her "womb" move and she doesn't like that
- on this one it's tough st, I've owned it 20 years now and if she doesn't want to get in it she can walk instead - that's my compromise The 125i is a great choice, I've had mine for a few years now.
I had water pump issues with mine just before Christmas. Turns out when it was changed at around the 80k mark, someone tested the wire first to see if it had power. Only they didn't seal the wire back up and it corroded over time, untill it snapped on me just as I came off the M1.... I've now got a brand new pump sat ready for when I need it.
Other than blowing a rear damper over a pot-hole, I've not had problems.
I've done the M3 front arms, also did the "camber pin" mod on the front as well. The dampers where replaced by fit and forget koni STR.T's which are better than the standard M-Sport ones. I also fitted the M-Sport bump-stops (called 3rd springs by BMW) that allow more movement, as stock they can ride on the bump-stops a lot.
I've fitted the rear sub-frame inserts. Bit of a pain, but easy enough to do. You only need the rear ones, as the E82 has a different set up on the front of the sub-frame. There is a replacement silicone pipe that fits between the airbox and throttle that improves sound a little. Also the BMW performance filter is a reusable K&N one which can be found cheaper on amazon.
I've also got some calipers off of an e90 335i, which are a direct fit and also much bigger and lighter than the standard ones (due to being aluminium). But I've not got round to fitting them yet.
I had water pump issues with mine just before Christmas. Turns out when it was changed at around the 80k mark, someone tested the wire first to see if it had power. Only they didn't seal the wire back up and it corroded over time, untill it snapped on me just as I came off the M1.... I've now got a brand new pump sat ready for when I need it.
Other than blowing a rear damper over a pot-hole, I've not had problems.
I've done the M3 front arms, also did the "camber pin" mod on the front as well. The dampers where replaced by fit and forget koni STR.T's which are better than the standard M-Sport ones. I also fitted the M-Sport bump-stops (called 3rd springs by BMW) that allow more movement, as stock they can ride on the bump-stops a lot.
I've fitted the rear sub-frame inserts. Bit of a pain, but easy enough to do. You only need the rear ones, as the E82 has a different set up on the front of the sub-frame. There is a replacement silicone pipe that fits between the airbox and throttle that improves sound a little. Also the BMW performance filter is a reusable K&N one which can be found cheaper on amazon.
I've also got some calipers off of an e90 335i, which are a direct fit and also much bigger and lighter than the standard ones (due to being aluminium). But I've not got round to fitting them yet.
Welcome to the club, that looks a fantastic example 
I've had mine for 5 years now, and it still never fails to make me smile when I get in it - even for a quick trip down to the shops. That engine dominates everything, but when you get past that you find a corking little car to drive. It can get a little bouncy on a choppy B-Road, but as it never gets wayward that to me just adds to the fun.
I haven;t gone crazy with the updates, as I do around 16k a year in it so wanted to keep it moderately comfortable, so have gone with the remap (Celtic Tuning as I mentioned on the other thread - haven't had it dyno'd but is significantly faster than previously), replaced the dampers all round with Sachs OEM+ units, and took off the runflats and fitted Michelin Pilot Sport 4's instead. I went with 225 on the front and 255 on the rear, which has given a lot more grip and now means the speedo is bang on accurate.
One hidden benefit of the remap I found is it got rid of a little lumpiness I had at lower revs, to the point that it would occasionally feel like it was trying to stall when pulling away. There was also occasionally some pretty bag clutch judder in first whilst pulling away when it was cold and damp. Since the remap though, all gone, and it feels tight as a drum again.
Am probably going to replace (or possibly compliment) it with a 440i GC at some stage, but with my current finances that is looking like it will be next year now, so have at least another 6 months in the little 1er. And I am absolutely fine with this
I've had mine for 5 years now, and it still never fails to make me smile when I get in it - even for a quick trip down to the shops. That engine dominates everything, but when you get past that you find a corking little car to drive. It can get a little bouncy on a choppy B-Road, but as it never gets wayward that to me just adds to the fun. I haven;t gone crazy with the updates, as I do around 16k a year in it so wanted to keep it moderately comfortable, so have gone with the remap (Celtic Tuning as I mentioned on the other thread - haven't had it dyno'd but is significantly faster than previously), replaced the dampers all round with Sachs OEM+ units, and took off the runflats and fitted Michelin Pilot Sport 4's instead. I went with 225 on the front and 255 on the rear, which has given a lot more grip and now means the speedo is bang on accurate.
One hidden benefit of the remap I found is it got rid of a little lumpiness I had at lower revs, to the point that it would occasionally feel like it was trying to stall when pulling away. There was also occasionally some pretty bag clutch judder in first whilst pulling away when it was cold and damp. Since the remap though, all gone, and it feels tight as a drum again.
Am probably going to replace (or possibly compliment) it with a 440i GC at some stage, but with my current finances that is looking like it will be next year now, so have at least another 6 months in the little 1er. And I am absolutely fine with this
B'stard Child said:
Ahh sorry too used to abbreviating it........
PS Mrs BC hates that one too apparently it makes her "womb" move and she doesn't like that - on this one it's tough st, I've owned it 20 years now and if she doesn't want to get in it she can walk instead - that's my compromise
Sorry for the O/T but is there a thread about the Lotus Carlton? I'd love to know more.PS Mrs BC hates that one too apparently it makes her "womb" move and she doesn't like that
- on this one it's tough st, I've owned it 20 years now and if she doesn't want to get in it she can walk instead - that's my compromise rm163603 said:
Sorry for the O/T but is there a thread about the Lotus Carlton? I'd love to know more.
No probs - there is but not on here as I didn’t want to document my love hate relationship with something built in a shed at Hethel on here Not sure I can cross post to a thread on another forum on here either - I think?
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