IMTELADIA
Active member
Hi. I wanted to create a thread featuring my M140i upgrade path. I will hopefully describe what has already been done and what I wish to still do in the future with regards to both performance and styling. Hopefully I can bounce some ideas off you guys and get some advice if/when needed.
Maybe someone will find this thread useful and get some ideas as well as avoid some of the mistakes that I have already made.
This might be written in parts. Please forgive me if some of it seems repetitive. I might also have forgotten some of the things that were done but will update if remembered. If pictures, information or prices are wanted please let me know.
So a bit of background. In 2020 I bought a used M140i. Owned a Golf 7 GTI before that and was unable to really go back once I tested the BMW.
The first real issue I came across was that it felt a bit floaty. To try and rectify this as well as get a better looking ride height, I purchased the M Performance lowering springs and had them installed. This had repercussions regarding my motorplan and once that was technically voided I decided to go all out. I installed the OEM underbody brace and some Powerflex bushings, changed my shocks for Koni Actives and installed a downpipe with a stage 2 engine and transmission software tune from Celtic Tuning. I then fitted H&R spacers and Stance SF03 wheels. Pirelli’s PZ4 NCS tires went onto these wheels and I was pretty much done with regards to performance.
As for styling I fitted a carbon fiber Maxton design front spoiler and a carbon fiber 3D design rear diffuser. Both of these were not genuine.
Also fitted were the gloss black double slatted front grills and the carbon fiber looking M performance tail pipes.
Around this time is when we found out that we would be expecting a child and everything regarding car modding was forgotten. Up until a few weeks ago the only item that was bought for the car was the BMW roof box
Here I would like to note my opinions and feelings after driving the car for 3-4 years. I will note each item separately and whether they worked well in conjunction with other parts that were fitted
M Performance Lowering Springs - I love these. They do not drop the car as much as the H&R ones and from my experience are more comfortable. They were a bit pricier but definitely no regrets.
OEM Underbody Brace and Powerflex Bushings - These reduced the floaty feeling. It’s not perfect but a definite improvement. For the price these parts are well worth the upgrade. Also no extra vibrations in the cabin.
Koni Active Shocks - Better than the OEM BMW ones and cheaper.
Downpipe - The car is a bit louder. I feel like any reputable company would have done the same job.
Celtic Tuning - My car is pushing about 296kw. I am very happy.
H&R Spacers - Does the job. Is very pricy though.
Stance SF03 19” Wheels - My first minor mistake. These wheels were too wide for the car. Had to replace a few tires because of sidewall damage and did not like the stretched look. The wheels were beautiful but gave me one too many headaches.
Pirelli PZ4 NCS - For me they are the perfect tires. Great performance in the dry and wet. The noise cancelling foam is very nice for a family car and absorbs a lot of the road noise. Went with 225/35 R19 and 255/30 R19. Extremely pricy but would not want to buy any other tire.
Maxton Design Carbon Front Spoiler - Good looking part that fits well.
3D Design Rear Spoiler - The one I bought did not fit well. Had to order another one.
Carbon Fiber Canards - Could never get them to fit so was never used.
Gloss Black Front Grills - These look so much better than the original ones with the chrome trim.
M Performance Tailpipes - Looked good. They don’t age as well as the OEM ones. The tips are peeling and need to be replaced.
BMW Roof Box - Godsend. The amount of stuff that can be loaded when going on holiday whilst still being stylish lol. I have received many compliments.
Will update this thread with everything that was done since then and my plans going forward
Maybe someone will find this thread useful and get some ideas as well as avoid some of the mistakes that I have already made.
This might be written in parts. Please forgive me if some of it seems repetitive. I might also have forgotten some of the things that were done but will update if remembered. If pictures, information or prices are wanted please let me know.
So a bit of background. In 2020 I bought a used M140i. Owned a Golf 7 GTI before that and was unable to really go back once I tested the BMW.
The first real issue I came across was that it felt a bit floaty. To try and rectify this as well as get a better looking ride height, I purchased the M Performance lowering springs and had them installed. This had repercussions regarding my motorplan and once that was technically voided I decided to go all out. I installed the OEM underbody brace and some Powerflex bushings, changed my shocks for Koni Actives and installed a downpipe with a stage 2 engine and transmission software tune from Celtic Tuning. I then fitted H&R spacers and Stance SF03 wheels. Pirelli’s PZ4 NCS tires went onto these wheels and I was pretty much done with regards to performance.
As for styling I fitted a carbon fiber Maxton design front spoiler and a carbon fiber 3D design rear diffuser. Both of these were not genuine.
Also fitted were the gloss black double slatted front grills and the carbon fiber looking M performance tail pipes.
Around this time is when we found out that we would be expecting a child and everything regarding car modding was forgotten. Up until a few weeks ago the only item that was bought for the car was the BMW roof box
Here I would like to note my opinions and feelings after driving the car for 3-4 years. I will note each item separately and whether they worked well in conjunction with other parts that were fitted
M Performance Lowering Springs - I love these. They do not drop the car as much as the H&R ones and from my experience are more comfortable. They were a bit pricier but definitely no regrets.
OEM Underbody Brace and Powerflex Bushings - These reduced the floaty feeling. It’s not perfect but a definite improvement. For the price these parts are well worth the upgrade. Also no extra vibrations in the cabin.
Koni Active Shocks - Better than the OEM BMW ones and cheaper.
Downpipe - The car is a bit louder. I feel like any reputable company would have done the same job.
Celtic Tuning - My car is pushing about 296kw. I am very happy.
H&R Spacers - Does the job. Is very pricy though.
Stance SF03 19” Wheels - My first minor mistake. These wheels were too wide for the car. Had to replace a few tires because of sidewall damage and did not like the stretched look. The wheels were beautiful but gave me one too many headaches.
Pirelli PZ4 NCS - For me they are the perfect tires. Great performance in the dry and wet. The noise cancelling foam is very nice for a family car and absorbs a lot of the road noise. Went with 225/35 R19 and 255/30 R19. Extremely pricy but would not want to buy any other tire.
Maxton Design Carbon Front Spoiler - Good looking part that fits well.
3D Design Rear Spoiler - The one I bought did not fit well. Had to order another one.
Carbon Fiber Canards - Could never get them to fit so was never used.
Gloss Black Front Grills - These look so much better than the original ones with the chrome trim.
M Performance Tailpipes - Looked good. They don’t age as well as the OEM ones. The tips are peeling and need to be replaced.
BMW Roof Box - Godsend. The amount of stuff that can be loaded when going on holiday whilst still being stylish lol. I have received many compliments.
Will update this thread with everything that was done since then and my plans going forward
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