[1013MM] Presents: My Official Introduction. The BMW That Defies All BMW Logic

[jzhang1013]

Sports seats installed since I didn't get the car with sports seats and someone gave me a deal I just couldn't pass up.



While not much of an upgrade to some, this was a huge one to me.

Steering wheel is next

[jzhang1013]

Not sure if you guys have seen but...

[jzhang1013]

So since the last time I've posted an update (didn't really do much between the last update and until this), I got a new sports seats and a custom M3 steering wheel to boot...




http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=457250

Keep in mind that I DO NOT have sports package like the 12318920381023 of you guys

[jzhang1013]

By the end of last year I found out that ST a sister company of KW made coilovers for the 1 series so I jumped on the opportunity to go lower...

Hey guys, back with some new mods for my car, although it's not too visually noticeable, it's still worth reading. I don't do too many long posts without photos, but since this a review of some great products for out car, it will have to do so bear with me here Also don't ask me all the technical aspects of the suspension I ran, cause I don't even know what spring rates are or do. :lol:

I got all my suspension work done and parts from longtran@ltbmw feel free to contact him! Great guy and service! :thumsup::thumsup::thumsup:

ST Coilovers
I don't have any photos of the suspension itself or how to car looks now (crazy rain in Socal ), but I will try to explain it. ST Coilovers are from the same company as KW's they are EXACTLY like the KW V1's but in a nutshell they don't have a lifetime warranty and is cheaper. The height is adjustable, but not the dampening. The ride is smoother than even my previous H&R Sport + Koni Yellow Shocks. Even though I can't adjust the dampening it was better than the Koni's on medium setting. I loved the racked look that the H&R Sport springs had, but the gap in the back made me want to go lower, but not H&R Race low. I find that the ST Coilovers is the perfect blend of looks and ride. I went lower in the back and left the front. I can pass through the bumps that I had trouble with in the past without my worrying too much about the suspension not being able to compensate. I'm just wondering to myself, why didn't I know about this before?!

H&R Sport + Koni Yellow Shocks

With the addition of Koni Yellows, I was more confident when I was passing bumps on roads without having to worry about bottoming out. My Koni's were set on Medium setting the whole time and I never changed it. In retrospect the fronts were ok, but the back need some tightening up since it would be too bouncy back there without some weight. The ride was overall bearable for a 2 hour drive. I would think I would have gotten sick of it if I was going on a 4 hour drive or more. The springs are actually pretty harsh for a long drive.

H&R Sport + OEM Shocks

When I first decided to get a drop I was being cheap. I read that the springs would ride fine with the OEM shocks. Man, was I wrong The ride was only good and bearable on smooth local roads, if you live in Miami, you should have no problem, but if you commute in Los Angeles, you will **** every bit of it. There was no rebound from the OEM shocks since they weren't made for those springs and I would bottom out due to the slightest bump on the road. The look was good, but the drive was horrible, especially on bumpier roads. I quickly got Koni Yellows after a month.

OEM Non-Sport + OEM Shocks

When I first got the car I thought to myself, man! this car is low and looks great. Of course it was not until I got a drop that I was actually low. I felt that BMW had dumbed down the suspension. Coming from a E90 3-Series, I thought the handling would be better especially since the car was smaller and sportier. There was too much body roll for me and it was a bit floaty. This set up is really made for comfort IMO. When I think back, this is the setup to stay with if you like hassle-free suspension and comfort on long journeys or on bumpy roads. I would still angle into dips and driveways, but not much, never bottomed out.


I got all my suspension work done and parts from longtran@ltbmw feel free to contact him! Great guy and service! :thumsup::thumsup::thumsup:

I am now on the lowest setting of the coils

[jzhang1013]

Since the car was turning 2 I decided it was time to overhaul it's looks again but swapping the wheel setup....

Here was the very last photo I had of my last setup and I do thank VMR for everything they did for me! This is not the last they'll hear from me.



I decided it was time to set up my JDM game by getting the most JDM lugs that I could think of to do a lug conversion. I had a hard time choosing between blue, gold, chrome, silver, or black lugs, but I wanted to stand out. I didn't even consider these Project Kic Neo Chro lugs since I thought they were too showy. I slowly realized that JDM is all about showy so I made a last minute decision to get thes JDM lugs and I don't regret it! The closed ended studs are around 80-90mm custom from the good people at Rotiform since I wanted chrome colored lugs to match my car and everyone else was either black or open or both. I'm just really picky and detailed oriented.


My new set of full polished CCWs really help set the lugs off and the conversion really helps make the lugs stand out!





At this point the car was...
- On the lowest ST Coilover setting.
- All fenders rolled and pulled
- On natural camber

There was a very heated debate about "hellaflush" due to my recent wheel threads...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=476885

[jzhang1013]

Around 9400 miles I got my first fuel pump limp mode and engine check light which sucked since it was right after I put on my CCWs...



I had to wait for a week to get it fixed. While it was getting fixed a wheel decided to crack on me so I was forced to run a E90 LCI M-Sport wheel for a week...




BIG SHOUTOUT TO FRANKE90 for this!! :thumsup::love:

So in case you were wondering, that's the front wheel of an E90 on the rear of my 135i the offset was perfectly flush and didn't poke as much as my VMRs did, but I must admit, it did look great

[jzhang1013]

After I got my HPFP and wheel sorted out it was time for spacers and side skirts. I wanted spacers since my fronts were pulled, I could fit a mid et20 so I went safe with a 5mm when I could have went for a 10mm (you all know what's next ) I also got sides. I was really holding off on getting sides cause I ***** the idea of fake vents, but no one has yet to come out with a different option. I was VERY hesitant, but decided to go for it anyway and I don't regret it. A very SPECIAL thanks to Eric@PYSPEED and Dan@UnitedBMW for everything and their continuous support!






Next is new eyes, which I have already made an appointment for, an exhaust which I have been getting quote on, performance mods which I have already been dreaming about

Also been thinking about taking out the rear spring perches for that extra low

[jzhang1013]

Recently featured on MotorWerks Magazine Issue 2

[Jorgen]

Love the E82, looks great and love the handling and performance.

[jzhang1013]

thanks!

[jzhang1013]

So Yoshi got new eyes and gloss black painted lower grills. So a front facelift I would call it. The headlights are the BavarianX LS1 with silver amber option, I left the inner housing. Looks just like the euro headlights with LEDs super bright during the day in direct sunlight. Check it out! Oh hey, you can see my performance brake caliper paint matched RPI airscoops finally :lol: BIG SHOUTOUT AND THANKS TO BAVX for the good service and new eyes! :thumsup:

[primerdimer]

Those are pulled fenders?? I cant tell... Car looks good tho man...

[jzhang1013]

yep! thanks!

[jzhang1013]

Somethings coming... hopefully by next week...

[jzhang1013]

Nice sure how significant this is just testing out new equipment. New stuff will be coming this week

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laf-XjgkLvA"]YouTube - 1013MM: Slider Testing [/ame]