Discussion
Hey guys, thought it was time I made a bit of a thread on my pride and joy. Had it since May, its a 2009 335i DCT M Sport Highline. Its on 58k miles. Being the best spec for the N54, its got the much better I Drive, and the internal HDD, with the heated and electric seats, parking sensors, etc, etc. Its the exact spec I wanted, with the red leather, DCT and M sport.
It has a nice list of performance mods, most of which were on the car already which include:
Evolve Downpipes
VRSF 7" Intercooler
M Performance Exhaust
VRSF Charge pipe
BMS Dual cone intakes
MHD Stage 2+
Previous owner had it dyno'd and it made 407bhp and 500lbs/ft. I then added a Custom tune from the States, and last week on MSL's rollers it made 455bhp and 485lbs/ft. Very happy. Boost is at 18.5psi tapering down to 16. Still safe, and still on stock turbo's.
How it looked at start:
My first cosmetic mod was getting the interior wrapped, and yes I know its not very original having carbon wrap, but the silver was quite scratched and I like it
I wanted to improve the brakes, as the aftermarket MTEC discs that were on it and pads, were bloomin terrible. So I fitted F21 M Sport 4 pot calipers/discs/pads on the front, and just went OEM on the rear. Car already has stainless lines. Much, much better!
I then fitted a rear lip spoiler, proper M3 gloss black grills and M Performance diffuser, colour coded to the car.
Last week I fitted Forge uprated Diverter valves, to sort a little boost leak out as the stock valves leak after upping the boost.
Very happy with it now. Its my Daily and only car. Here it is doing MTBing trips.
Engine Bay:
Shiny shot
On rollers at MSL:
Interior
Front shot
Did go to Santa pod when it had the generic MHD map and managed 12.9@ 113mph with very poor 2.4 60ft. Hopefully going back this sunday, and iam aiming for 12.5-12.6 and should trap around 116mph. hard to launch it at Pod.....
It has a nice list of performance mods, most of which were on the car already which include:
Evolve Downpipes
VRSF 7" Intercooler
M Performance Exhaust
VRSF Charge pipe
BMS Dual cone intakes
MHD Stage 2+
Previous owner had it dyno'd and it made 407bhp and 500lbs/ft. I then added a Custom tune from the States, and last week on MSL's rollers it made 455bhp and 485lbs/ft. Very happy. Boost is at 18.5psi tapering down to 16. Still safe, and still on stock turbo's.
How it looked at start:
My first cosmetic mod was getting the interior wrapped, and yes I know its not very original having carbon wrap, but the silver was quite scratched and I like it
I wanted to improve the brakes, as the aftermarket MTEC discs that were on it and pads, were bloomin terrible. So I fitted F21 M Sport 4 pot calipers/discs/pads on the front, and just went OEM on the rear. Car already has stainless lines. Much, much better!
I then fitted a rear lip spoiler, proper M3 gloss black grills and M Performance diffuser, colour coded to the car.
Last week I fitted Forge uprated Diverter valves, to sort a little boost leak out as the stock valves leak after upping the boost.
Very happy with it now. Its my Daily and only car. Here it is doing MTBing trips.
Engine Bay:
Shiny shot
On rollers at MSL:
Interior
Front shot
Did go to Santa pod when it had the generic MHD map and managed 12.9@ 113mph with very poor 2.4 60ft. Hopefully going back this sunday, and iam aiming for 12.5-12.6 and should trap around 116mph. hard to launch it at Pod.....
Edited by Smokey32 on Tuesday 17th October 20:25
Edited by Smokey32 on Tuesday 17th October 20:32
griffin dai said:
Nice! I’ve been fancying one since the Saab went pop earlier this year but won’t be for a while yet 
Who did you get the tune from in the states? JZW also tunes these (had his stage 5 tune on the saab) seems to get big numbers out of them.
Dimitri From BQ tuning. He used to tune for Wedge. Was sent his way because of my DCT.Who did you get the tune from in the states? JZW also tunes these (had his stage 5 tune on the saab) seems to get big numbers out of them.
GregK2 said:
Very nice 
Following with interest.
Thanks Greg. Lovin your 135i. Following with interest.
Excellent choice OP these are so tunable and this one must absolutely fly.
Have you seen this? 830 WHP on stock internals!
https://youtu.be/HWvIoYm6CJI
Have you seen this? 830 WHP on stock internals!
https://youtu.be/HWvIoYm6CJI
I do have a (slightly) odd question: The tax banding.
My understanding was that from late 2008 onwards, the cars had lower emissions, and the cost of tax dropped fromt he £500ish area to £300ish - but having checked some reg numbers from adverts etc, it seems a lot of later ones come up as the more expensive band also. What's the story?
My understanding was that from late 2008 onwards, the cars had lower emissions, and the cost of tax dropped fromt he £500ish area to £300ish - but having checked some reg numbers from adverts etc, it seems a lot of later ones come up as the more expensive band also. What's the story?
Good shout getting Buraq to tune it. A lot of people fall for the JB4 or some local garage that'll throw a generic tune on. Buraq really gets the most out of the transmission.
My next suggestion for a mod is getting the steering wheel retrimmed by Royal Steering Wheels in Aylesbury. Really finishes off the interior.
My next suggestion for a mod is getting the steering wheel retrimmed by Royal Steering Wheels in Aylesbury. Really finishes off the interior.
InitialDave said:
I do have a (slightly) odd question: The tax banding.
My understanding was that from late 2008 onwards, the cars had lower emissions, and the cost of tax dropped fromt he £500ish area to £300ish - but having checked some reg numbers from adverts etc, it seems a lot of later ones come up as the more expensive band also. What's the story?
I think its to do with the switch from the N54 to the N55 engine which happened in mid-late 2009.My understanding was that from late 2008 onwards, the cars had lower emissions, and the cost of tax dropped fromt he £500ish area to £300ish - but having checked some reg numbers from adverts etc, it seems a lot of later ones come up as the more expensive band also. What's the story?
455bhp?? That is good going and I'd be interested to see how long various components last at that sort of power. They look pretty good as standard. Whats the audio like? Does it support bluetooth streaming as standard?
I have been keeping an eye on the used values of these cars. Some of the SEs have dropped into the sixes now.
I think the 335i is comparable to the S5. Simiualr power, but the 335i has much more tuning options.
I have been keeping an eye on the used values of these cars. Some of the SEs have dropped into the sixes now.
I think the 335i is comparable to the S5. Simiualr power, but the 335i has much more tuning options.
InitialDave said:
kiethton said:
I think its to do with the switch from the N54 to the N55 engine which happened in mid-late 2009.
Hmm, that could fit, but I thought the N55 came in later than the change in tax banding.bakerstreet said:
455bhp?? That is good going and I'd be interested to see how long various components last at that sort of power. They look pretty good as standard. Whats the audio like? Does it support bluetooth streaming as standard?
I have been keeping an eye on the used values of these cars. Some of the SEs have dropped into the sixes now.
I think the 335i is comparable to the S5. Simiualr power, but the 335i has much more tuning options.
Had to change an ignition coil, Standard problem is misfire when tuning, just simple plugs/coils/injectors in that order. Other problems are high pressure fuel pump and water pump, both of which have been replaced recently.I have been keeping an eye on the used values of these cars. Some of the SEs have dropped into the sixes now.
I think the 335i is comparable to the S5. Simiualr power, but the 335i has much more tuning options.
No chance your getting a S5 to 450bhp with simple bolt ons.
Jester86 said:
Always thought that these are a definite looker. Just seems to work so well.
Only been put off by the engine horror stories so will enjoy keeping an eye on this!
What horror stories? Engine is pretty solid for silly numbers generally. Only been put off by the engine horror stories so will enjoy keeping an eye on this!
Mine is 300quid a year to tax. Early ones seem to be 500. Think the gearbox makes a difference as well as the year for what tax band. It does seem to vary.
CarAbuser said:
Good shout getting Buraq to tune it. A lot of people fall for the JB4 or some local garage that'll throw a generic tune on. Buraq really gets the most out of the transmission.
My next suggestion for a mod is getting the steering wheel retrimmed by Royal Steering Wheels in Aylesbury. Really finishes off the interior.
Jb4 is pretty redundant on these now, MHD is what everyone is using. Yeah I was impressed with him.My next suggestion for a mod is getting the steering wheel retrimmed by Royal Steering Wheels in Aylesbury. Really finishes off the interior.
Yeah I had my last car steering wheel done, nothing wrong with this one, really cant be arsed with the hassle.
Here is the car on the dyno at MSL, sorry for FB link all ive got https://www.facebook.com/MSLPERFORMANCEUK/videos/1...
Thanks for the kind words everyone
Edited by Smokey32 on Wednesday 18th October 20:52
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