‘Formerly' F30 320i M-Sport FTW

[jay8732]

Howzit everyone,

So it is about time that I provide some sort of update. For some background and before pics, intro thread is below:

It's Decided - Updated with pics (sort of)

Howzit guys, First and foremost, happy to be here. Former Astra H OPC owner looking to move house. Secondly, as the title says, i've finally decided to go with an E30 as my 2021 project car. Looking at a cabriolet donor body as cheap (and i mean cheap!) as possible since it will be a full...

www.bmwfanatics.co.za

Right.

With that being said (and a needless R630 ish spent on a new bonnet emblem) I wanted to change the stock 18 inch 400M's that came with the car. Drawing some advice from @Kyle I made my way down to SS Wheels in Benoni for a set of 763M 19's sourced and fitted. Always preferred the stealth look and the satin black colour of the rims were perfect.

Opted to run the normal tyres and not the runflats with the setup but will probably look to change to runflats soon. Keen to do some trips to the coast and the last thing i need is a flat and no spare.

I know some fanatics are not a fan of black rims because they make the wheels seem visually smaller but i think with a decent design it still works.

Additional minor cosmetic changes i did prior were:
1. M Performance boot spoiler
2. M3 mirror covers

Some pics before and after (bonnet emblem not fitted yet):

One thing that seems to be almost guaranteed - the rims WILL pick up dust! This was just on my way back. Looking to detail the car soon so will see how I can minimize this.

Quick detour at the local petrol station after ‘driving within the speed limit’ back to Sandton

Some more pics with the spoiler fitted.

A couple of more things in the immediate pipeline are:
1. Tint tint tint!!!
2. 3 piece M-Performance front splitter (sourced from @FiRi@Rennzport as always)
3. M-Performance decals and side-skirt extensions (also from Firi)
4. M-Performance rear diffuser (with abit of a twist)

Current progress on the car - Taken it to some guys on the forum who have been known to put out some damn quick beemers on the streets. You might know them. Name starts with an X and ends with a CEDE. They said they just wanted to have a look and see

More updates to follow...

 

[VinceM]

Looks hot!!!!!

When you do the rear diffuser, perhaps also change the exhaust from single to twin / double


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[Kyle]

Looking good man.

 

[jay8732]

Looks hot!!!!!

When you do the rear diffuser, perhaps also change the exhaust from single to twin / double


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In the works as we speak.

Looking good man.

Thanks man. Was sold on your 320d so it made the decision an easy one.

 

[jay8732]

So the time couldn’t come soon enough. Was finally ready to take the car in for some upgrades.

Gave @Sherwin@xcede a call on Tuesday to discuss what we wanted done on the car. As always (and I’m sure they hear this all the time), I wanted the car to run reliable with some shove when I put the hammer down. He was also ready to answer all my questions and we had a good idea of what we want to achieve.

I booked the car in for the next day and on Wednesday morning I took the car to the new Xcede HQ in Linbro Park. As I was having some coffee I could already sense the place meant business. Barely 9am and some cars already been worked on.

Had a quick introductory chat with Sherwin and Juvan and left the car with them. To be honest I did not want to have overly high expectations. So I tried to bury my mind in work when I got home to stop myself from being over eager

The guys kept providing me with feedback regularly and pretty soon the car was on the dyno for a base reading.

Can’t figure out how to post the video of the car on the rollers but the initial run gave a reading of 119kw and 267.5nm at the wheels with absolutely no mods whatsoever. Current odometer reading on the car is 70 000 km. If that’s not as close to factory numbers as it gets then I don’t know what is! Screenshot of the video clip below. 🤟

So in short, things were looking good!

The guys then got to work.

There was a simple formula for the work that needed to be done:

Downpipe + software x money = BIG😁 - petrol

I had a few cosmetic mods I also wanted done on the car, namely:
1. 3 piece splitter;
2. M-Performance side skirt decals;
3. M3 dual slat grills

All sourced by @FiRi@Rennzport

The guys then got started on the downpipe

I had a chat with @S1NGH 911 earlier and I mentioned that I wanted the dual exit conversion for the backbox. Managed to source a new m-sport diffuser from an m335i and what I initially thought was the stock back-box (abit of a mixup, long story). Turns out it was not a straight fit and we could not get it done on the day. Some pics of the guys working on the back end.

Pics of the back-box as they tried to put it on the car. You can see that it was a no go at this stage.

So the stock back-box went back on the car (for now). Did some more research and realized it’s actually the rear exhaust muffler assembly for the 140i, 240i and the 340i so it was never going to be a straight fit (OEM Boysen 8650846). Will look at something else for the time being while i put it in the market. Came of my mates car at 500 odd kms so pretty much as good as new.

Anyway, the show had to continue. Dual-slat grills fitted.

Along with the 3-piece splitter (and the bonnet emblem...finally).

After that, it was finally time to start mapping the car. Remember I was being very conservative and managing my own expectations. There’s only so much you can wish to get out of a 4-pot without major surgery. This was never meant to be a race or project car. But a snot-klap to a Golf-R or two would definitely not hurt. At about 5:30pm yesterday I got a call from @S1NGH 911 . FINALLY! The car was ready.

It goes without saying that Xcede knows a thing or two about these Bavarian motors but...well....see for yourself....

This is without any road adaptation and on normal pump fuel. To say I’m impressed is an understatement! Couldn’t be more happier as a customer right now. And to be honest I’m still getting used to the new exhaust tone and the power (especially from 3rd onwards)!!! Taking a quick trip to Pretoria tomorrow morning so i'll have a good opportunity to enjoy some open road.

Will keep updating as I go along but for now, I’m a very happy chappie!

 

[AshG108]

Wow!! Congrats bud, VERY decent power bump....car is looking absolutely wicked as well! Enjoy!!!!

 

[flyhid]

Love those wheels and that’s a nice increase in power….
It all coming together nicely..

Enjoy


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[KR_19]

Congrats bud!
The black wheels on silver look great, and that's some huge power gains vs stock.

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[Camiel Singh]

That is superb power gains! 👌

Xcede definitely know what they doing. Car looks amazing.

 

[JoziNick]

Those are seriously impressive gainz.! Congrats, very interested to know how they translate on the road (& what living with them long term is actually like)


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[Salt]

The black wheels go really well with the silver - looks great.

A pre-lci 320i doing 177.3kW and 404.5nm at the WHEELS - with just a tune and dp (dp anyway doesn't really add to power)? Very impressed!! It must pull lekker!

 

[FILV]

Awesome Power rite there.
The difference in drive must be night and day

All the best 🙂

 

[///M Individual]

The black wheels go really well with the silver - looks great.

A pre-lci 320i doing 177.3kW and 404.5nm at the WHEELS - with just a tune and dp (dp anyway doesn't really add to power)? Very impressed!! It must pull lekker!

Agree bud. Crazy power gains! Well done Xcede.

Car is looking awesome OP and great progress thus far. The dual exit mod looks brilliant!

Make a note to have the timing chain inspected and possibly changed at some point as the N20 motors are noted for issues with it.

 

[jay8732]

Agree bud. Crazy power gains! Well done Xcede.

Car is looking awesome OP and great progress thus far. The dual exit mod looks brilliant!

Make a note to have the timing chain inspected and possibly changed at some point as the N20 motors are noted for issues with it.

Definitely on the cards. I have been making provision for that from the day i got the car just because it is one of those ticking time bombs.

I have also taken out an aftermarket extended warranty with Hollard for extra peace of mind so i'm waiting for the no-claim period to run its course and see how much i can cover with my claim.

 

[Riaad]

Definitely on the cards. I have been making provision for that from the day i got the car just because it is one of those ticking time bombs.

I have also taken out an aftermarket extended warranty with Hollard for extra peace of mind so i'm waiting for the no-claim period to run its course and see how much i can cover with my claim.

does this warranty cover Modified cars ?

 

[jay8732]

does this warranty cover Modified cars ?

In principle definitely not. But prior to beginning my policy i went through the terms and conditions in details and i spoke to the sales agent (over recorded line which i have) regarding my downpipe. He confirmed that my car will still be covered and only when there is an issue attributed to the actual part will i have a possible rejected claim. I also had Hollard previously when i had my OPC. Provided you also followed the requirements in fully terms of claiming, servicing your car regularly, paying all premiums and using approved workshops etc i found them to be very fair in honouring my claims. Basically, it is crucial that you disclose everything to the very best of your knowledge beforehand.

BUT - Please make your decision based on what you are comfortable with. This is just my experience. Happy to share the Quick Facts, T' and C's etc over email if you want to have a detailed look at the terms.

 

[jayaynikkal]

In principle definitely not. But prior to beginning my policy i went through the terms and conditions in details and i spoke to the sales agent (over recorded line which i have) regarding my downpipe. He confirmed that my car will still be covered and only when there is an issue attributed to the actual part will i have a possible rejected claim. I also had Hollard previously when i had my OPC. Provided you also followed the requirements in fully terms of claiming, servicing your car regularly, paying all premiums and using approved workshops etc i found them to be very fair in honouring my claims. Basically, it is crucial that you disclose everything to the very best of your knowledge beforehand.

BUT - Please make your decision based on what you are comfortable with. This is just my experience. Happy to share the Quick Facts, T' and C's etc over email if you want to have a detailed look at the terms.

Sounds like a good deal to me.

 

[Riaad]

In principle definitely not. But prior to beginning my policy i went through the terms and conditions in details and i spoke to the sales agent (over recorded line which i have) regarding my downpipe. He confirmed that my car will still be covered and only when there is an issue attributed to the actual part will i have a possible rejected claim. I also had Hollard previously when i had my OPC. Provided you also followed the requirements in fully terms of claiming, servicing your car regularly, paying all premiums and using approved workshops etc i found them to be very fair in honouring my claims. Basically, it is crucial that you disclose everything to the very best of your knowledge beforehand.

BUT - Please make your decision based on what you are comfortable with. This is just my experience. Happy to share the Quick Facts, T' and C's etc over email if you want to have a detailed look at the terms.

Yeah, I will send a PM, I have an msure warranty on the the X1, and when I inquired, they clearly stated any modification found at time of claiming, will result in a rejected claim, Even for a DP, also found that they don't cover most items, such as charge pipes "which is not considered to be a mechanical part essential to running of the engine" - quote msure sales rep 😅

 

[jayaynikkal]

A 49% increase in power on the same dyno with just software and downpipe is nothing to scoff at! Real sleeper you got there mate.

 

[jay8732]

Yeah, I will send a PM, I have an msure warranty on the the X1, and when I inquired, they clearly stated any modification found at time of claiming, will result in a rejected claim, Even for a DP, also found that they don't cover most items, such as charge pipes "which is not considered to be a mechanical part essential to running of the engine" - quote msure sales rep

Email sent.


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