Full conversion 320i 2009

[phillipvh]

hi. new here been reading up a lot, posting first time :fencelook:

i know this been covered a lot over probably a million posts. but i would reaaly like the pro's to help a man out here... where in durban can i do the full thing on this car with regards to exhaust system? and is it really really worth the chipping or not and which chip? or only mapping ?
ps..120000kms, out of plan.

thanks any suggestion greatly appreciated!:idea:

 

[Kyle]

As long as you don't expect much of a power gain.

A chip is a waste IMO, Get an exhaust that has been properly developed to work best with your engine.

 

[sash]

In my honest opinion, if it has been covered a million times, it might be better to read at least 10 of the opinions in those threads.

Its simple though....not worth it.

 

[Kyle]

In my honest opinion, if it has been covered a million times, it might be better to read at least 10 of the opinions in those threads.

Its simple though....not worth it.

I agree, you aren't going to get a different answer here...

 

[phillipvh]

so then any opinion even on decat? surely at this kms decat should give gains? and surely this is not the only question covered million times theres always room for new opinions

 

[Kyle]

Dude use the search function.. literally covered too many times...

BMW do not skimp on performance on N/A motors, there are no cheap mods that you can do to improve on their years of R&D..

Full exhaust, you will gain maybe 3-4kw if you're lucky... In other words there will be no noticeable difference except for the noise.

 

[DROP IT - ZN]

Do the exhaust but expect only audible gains, Primaforce will give you good bang for buck

Dont waste your time on chipping though, install a short ratio diff instead with that cash

 

[Nick]

leave it stock.

or buy a 320d/330d/335i :rollsmile:

 

[phillipvh]

value the input thx guys. i got the car at a steal. if i wanted to buy a d i wouldve done that.
the 320d comes with its own headaches, as any other model n/a thats just my humble opinion. as soon as someone covers the topic of a 320i model he gets slammed and advised to rather buy a diesel. thats just wrong, as the 320 series spectrum superbly surpass most vehicles in that class.
it just makes sense that the cats will act up after 120kms.

 

[Kyle]

I think you're taking it the wrong way...

You asked if it was worth it, we answered.. There are no gains to be had, removing the cat on a N/A car might drop the consumption slightly if it is blocked, but people expect a noticeable difference and they get disappointed.

As for the chip.. again, with a N/A car, nothing that's going to blow your mind or justify the money spent'

With a full properly designed exhaust system and a chip, you might get 10kw if you're lucky.. And a bill of close to 10k.

After you spend your hard earned money on this, you will be disappointed, nobody's slashing you for buying a 320i, it's just not a car you buy for performance.

Rather spend the money on looks...

 

[phillipvh]

thats a better answer bud. now i (feel) better?:nonono:

do you know a decent custom place KZN? id rather as you say put that bucks into looks. might be well worth it!

 

[ChrisBrand]

value the input thx guys. i got the car at a steal. if i wanted to buy a d i wouldve done that.
the 320d comes with its own headaches, as any other model n/a thats just my humble opinion. as soon as someone covers the topic of a 320i model he gets slammed and advised to rather buy a diesel. thats just wrong, as the 320 series spectrum superbly surpass most vehicles in that class.
it just makes sense that the cats will act up after 120kms.

Removal of the cats won't add any power. As you said yourself the cats are old and act as a 'cork'. It will only free up the power that was already there to start with.

As I have told others, do what makes you happy. Its your car and you are the one whose gonna drive it everyday. This is a forum where everyone will gladly give advice but at the end of the day you are still free to do whatever you want.

I don't think its anyones intention to slam a 320i. Most just justify getting a D as thats the most cost efficient way to upgrade to better more efficient power.

You own a BMW and no one can take that away from you. Congrats on that.

With regard to modding. Any mod on any car is based on the platform it runs on. Chiiping runs better off forced induction cars than normally aspirated ones like mine and yours. Thats why chips are so popular with turbo cars.

There is only one reason I will, and eventaully did, get a chip on a normally aspirated car.

I decatted my car (R1000) (You can start there, or get a full exhaust done), did an exhaust flap delete (free) (not possible on yours), got a performance flat panel filter (R600) and later a Cold Air Induction system (R1500+) (both available for your car); and only then after all that did I do a UniQ chip (+-R3000).

A chip is there to make all your mods work as efficiently as possible. Thus do all your mods as far as possible and then proceed to do a chip if you want.

I gained 10kw and 20nm on my 328i. Thats after all my other mods and my car is a bit faster than stock (about 330i and 125i territory).

Unfortunately even slapping a turbo on a e90 320i will only get you about the same power as an e90 325i, maybe a 330i.

Thats why the above people suggested a 330d.

But like I said, your car, do what makes you happy. I have given you all the advice and tips I have. Enjoy the car and welcome to the family

 

[Nick]

value the input thx guys. i got the car at a steal. if i wanted to buy a d i wouldve done that.
the 320d comes with its own headaches, as any other model n/a thats just my humble opinion. as soon as someone covers the topic of a 320i model he gets slammed and advised to rather buy a diesel. thats just wrong, as the 320 series spectrum superbly surpass most vehicles in that class.
it just makes sense that the cats will act up after 120kms.

I'm not knocking the 320i bro, I own one and i love it.
Just saying its not worth toying with.
If you want a car to mod with pipes and software ect, the oil burners are the route to go.

 

[Gbmw]

yo
Yeah I agree on a NA car not worth it bud, do some sexy cosmetic changes rather.

e.g I was quoted Close to R30k for a full exhaust, software and performance filter on my E63 645ci, for a 29kw jump only :yuck:, yes it was one of the more costly guys around but just an example .

Pimp that ride cosmetically homie :joy:

 

[sash]

value the input thx guys. i got the car at a steal. if i wanted to buy a d i wouldve done that.
the 320d comes with its own headaches, as any other model n/a thats just my humble opinion. as soon as someone covers the topic of a 320i model he gets slammed and advised to rather buy a diesel. thats just wrong, as the 320 series spectrum superbly surpass most vehicles in that class.
it just makes sense that the cats will act up after 120kms.

I think your approach was wrong, your post is titled 2009 conversion, giving most the impression your want to gain allot after all this, you mentioned all the other posts but either didn't search or It just wasn't the answer you were looking for.

Ultimately everything that has been mentioned in other posts will be eventually get mentioned here and I hope you get the answer you are looking for.

I agree the fact that you should be able to do what you want with your car.:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

 

[phillipvh]

not really hey, the initial question covered performance, fuel economy and more driving pleasure in general. like i said in my second post alot of questions get asked over and over. opinions differ. so does taste.
again im asking now, any good places for mods and cosmetics?

 

[Del-Bosc]

not really hey, the initial question covered performance, fuel economy and more driving pleasure in general. like i said in my second post alot of questions get asked over and over. opinions differ. so does taste.
again im asking now, any good places for mods and cosmetics?

As you say taste differs so pending what you looking for, your choice in supplier will vary in terms of cosmetics. Mods, will differ again what you willing to spend and what you want to achieve with car. So yeah......more specifics and I am sure the guys will be able to better assist.

 

[Iceman007]

If you want to waste money then go ahead because the only way that 320i is going faster is if you pop in and I6 engine.

If you want to spend money then rather do cosmetics. The best option you have is to sell the car add the money that it would have cost you and get a 330d or if you have money for Petrol a 330i

Trust me you will have problems for those 320i motors DO NOT LIKE MESSING WITH. you gona have Valvetronic problems timing ag you will have oil leaks :rollsmile:

Its just my 2c and for you to decide and I am not shooting down the 320i but its not a performance car.

 

[Prev]

not really hey, the initial question covered performance, fuel economy and more driving pleasure in general. like i said in my second post alot of questions get asked over and over. opinions differ. so does taste.
again im asking now, any good places for mods and cosmetics?

As you say taste differs so pending what you looking for, your choice in supplier will vary in terms of cosmetics. Mods, will differ again what you willing to spend and what you want to achieve with car. So yeah......more specifics and I am sure the guys will be able to better assist.

Philip, maybe post some pics of your car so that we can have a look and make some suggestions on cosmetic upgrades / changes. Fresh set of rims can change the look of car. Then there's lowering springs to give it some stance. Lighting upgrades as well. There are advertisers on this forum that specialize in these areas and can offer you good advice. Durban ha plenty of shops that specialize in cosmetic mods but I would be wary of just consulting them. Rather first get some advice / ideas of what final look you hope to achieve and then shop around. Choosing cosmetic mods randomly often spoils the look of the car. Enjoy your 320i and when you are ready you can consider changing to another BMW derivative :thumbs:


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[PizzaBoy]

If you really want performance then do a 76mm exhaust and slam on a small turbo with .5bar boost....and take out a second loan on your home

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