Snowflake

Just thought I would let people know this was sold over the weekend. First person to come and view it paid and took delivery on the spot, obviously a great car! Was very sad to see her go but relieved at the same time

I will be moving to London very shortly so let's see if I don't come back with something *cough* M3 *cough* in a few years time

Thanks for the offer but i'm good haha

On trade me now - http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1042087184.htm

Man I don't want to let this go - awesome car!

Bargain at that price, GLWS.

Cheers

SOLD

I ordered the V710's back in March direct from VMR and cost was US$850 for all 4. Then I got 4x PSS tyres installed which made the total US$1792 + $240 for TPMS so around US$2k all up. I got VMR to ship to kiwishipping depot and then freighted them over for a landed cost incl GST of just under NZ$3k. Granted the NZD was stronger back then so will be a few hundred more expensive now

No regrets as they absolutely transformed the look and feel of the 135! Also, they have flow formed V710's now which are probably a little more expensive but lighter which I wished were available 6mths ago.

Brendon and I were testing out WOT ...

First time I road tested my chargepipe install I hadn't secured the intercooler end tight enough and heard the big pop when I built boost - luckily nothing was broken so just tightened it a lot more and has been fine ever since!

So from the pics I can see BMS dual intakes, JB4, and chargepipe - exactly the same set up as me! (I do have the BMS Oil catch can installed too). Any other mods in the pipeline?

Would be great to meet up and see what impact the weight has with 135 vs 335 on some pulls

Oh yes I see! Also looks like the middle bracket broke off as well or did that happen when you removed it?

Map 1 is a good bump over stock - I haven't tried map 2 yet as heard it can get a bit rough on the turbos without upgraded downpipes

Where did the charge pipe 'malfunction' by interest? After installing my JB4 I replaced the charge pipe at the same time as it is only a matter of time...

Which map are you running on JB? I was running map 5 for a good month but recently ruined 2 coil packs so back on map 1 for time being, power delivery feels a lot more responsive and smoother (although boost has dropped from 15psi to 13psi) than I ever achieved on map 5

Awesome look forward to seeing it in the flesh!

Where did you go on 'the drive'? Lovely spec on that 650s.

When I was in vegas last I had a 12C spider for a day and absolutely loved every second. Winding down the rear window to hear the turbo's and engine wind out was so addictive and the capability of the machine was astounding. The owner had a 650s as well but unfortunately it was out so never got to try it.

Lovely indeed. Glad you're enjoying it!

$41K is too much in my opinion. $35K would have been about right. Not a wise idea to stretch your budget too far, especially as when it lands you will probably want to clean intakes, plugs, fluids etc which is another $1K then start modding!

It does look like a very clean example and the low kms and extra parts help justify a higher price, but not that high. I would be surprised if it sold so wait a few weeks then go back to the dealer.

I know when buying a car it's always easy to get emotionally attached, especially when you find 'the one', however patience is key! Took me 6mths to find my example which I got for $25K (2008, manual, 62kms) at the start of the year

I used kiwishipping as well for my wheels and tires - combined weight of around 90kgs - total cost of around $200NZ for freight but took 5weeks

Used Mike to airfreight courier all engine components is a single box for US$150 so around the same price but it arrived in 4 days!

I am nowhere near FBO but have installed JB4 tune + Dual intakes + chargepipe with BOV + OCC and was very cheap considering the impact they had. Around US$1400 landed in NZ 2-3 months ago. Bought it from Mike at modbargains (website at http://www.x-ph.com) who gave a great deal and excellent service/packaging. He also marked on the box that they were consumables with $100 value so avoided GST which was a nice surprise so obviously deals internationally a lot.

I also imported some wheels + tires from the US earlier in the year which I would advise before starting any power mods - I wouldn't like to think how the run-flats would cope after a tune considering they were already pretty sketchy at stock

Otherwise my 135i is a Jap import only came in last year - I took it to BM Workshop in Botony for piece of mind and had plugs, filters, fluids replaced - plus a walnut blast and it goes great! No issues since installing the tune or parts

Same as my car! Nice I'm sure you will love it!

Now they are all releasing kits to move them to the otherside of the engine, proven dyno results apparently. The power steering reservoir moved.

Makes sense as this engine does run very hot! Some kits (Stett) also put the filters underneath as well which makes sense although run much more expensive

Can't help with the fitment sorry but was wondering whether the cone filters will have some kind of enclosure around them. Otherwise, can't help thinking they will suck in a lot of warm engine air unlike the stock intake which is sealed and draws ducted cold air straight from the intakes.

There has been many a debate on this exact topic and I think the answer always comes down to 'it depends'. Some of the US guys don't rate them since they are in much warmer climates and in a lot more traffic which suits the enclosed intake solution. However others who race or only drive in the weekends say there are improvements. Dyno before/afters show around a 15hp increase (which I take with a grain of salt) and from a week having them on I cannot tell a huge difference in throttle response or overall power, however I do enjoy the increased noise though, so for that reason alone I will leave them on until at least summer. Also the snorkel from the front of the car remains on so they do get fed some cold air

So I spent this weekend installing the ER charge pipe and BMS intakes - what a mission! Took me around 7hrs total as I was being cautious not to break anything and lost a screw down the engine which took 30min to recover

Using the instructions provided by ER, they weren't very detailed and my OEM charge pipe seemed to be different design to theirs, specifically an additional hose right by the MAP sensor which meant unlocking the wiring harness was a right pain. Had to heat the hose up with a hair dryer to get access

The next problem was the ER charge pipe doesnt seem to fit properly - I have identified on photo below - basically need to line up 3 points to get it secure: Throttle body, intercooler piping, and middle bracket. No matter how hard I try I can't get the middle bracket screw back in.

First test drive I didn't have the clamp on tight enough to intercooler pipe (they warn that because it is plastic you don't want to tighten too hard or else it may crack) and on my 1st real pull it popped off so I limped home.

I then took everything out again and tried again. This time I set the throttle body end first and put the C-clip in then managed to wiggle the other end into place and tightened silicone hose down hard. This still left the middle bracket around 2cm too high and 1cm too wide from the screw hole - so I put a few cable ties through instead.

Have done a few test drives although not full boost and nothing has budged so when I build up the courage (and Im close to home) will see how it goes. If there are more issues I will reinstall stock and send it back to USA. Intake noises sound good though!

Before

After

Where the pipe goes and the 3-points

I recently bought V710 rims directly from VMR for my 135i so just ask them. I would think the majority of their wheels end up on BMW's of all shapes and sizes so they have really accurate info and know what you will need.

Mitch who was my customer service rep got it spot on for me - the wheels look amazing and have a great stance and even make the car look a little lowered with no rubbing or anything - I still have stock suspension and arches etc

Awesome! Glad to hear this has panned out well.

Dyno time!

Thanks man

Wish I booked a time to get a dyno run for the ECC meet at Hampton Downs in a couple of weeks! Thought that I would not have these mods installed by then so never registered my interest. I would expect at least 300hp to the wheels now by the way it pulls!

Realising this thread should be in the projects section now...but anyway...

I ordered a JB4, BMS Dual intakes, Charge pipe w/ tial BOV, and Oil Catch Can around 2 weeks ago from the states and arrived on Saturday morning

Was quite busy this weekend however had some time yesterday afternoon to attempt to install the JB4. I don't have much experience at all with engines apart from changing oil and filters, but read that it wasn't too difficult, so had my ipad in the garage with the PDF and Youtube video instructions and took around 1.5hrs. Car started first time though and didn't throw any codes so success! Hardest bit was knowing how much force was needed for the removal and installation of some bits but now I know can do it in 30mins if I need to remove it at all

This car is now a beast! I was worried that I had done too much research and my expectations would be too high, but there is a very noticeable difference in power and torque. The first time I let the boost build in 3rd gear made me laugh like a kid

Excited to feel (and hear) the difference once the intake and charge pipe are installed later this week

1LR-GSE - 4.8L V10, 2012

Is that the one in LFA? If so having heard one in person I will have to agree

Wicked car and such a steal for the price - especially after you have put in the elbow grease to get it back in a presentable spec!

Be interested to see how long you hold onto this for before no doubt selling for a little profit!

I've only really had jap imports and no real issues - had a subaru gt and did 80 thousands kms over 3yrs and not a single issue

Currently the second owner of a 135i 6-spd manual which was imported this time last year and nothing to note so far (fingers crossed)

Is the reason people seek NZ-new over import for the piece of mind of the history?