My 135i E82 - Build diary

[PDBoosted]

Hi Guys,

I previously had a build thread but since photobucket has decided to screw the whole internet by not allowing 3rd party image hosting, I thought I'd start a new one so all the images are visible.

Link to previous thread: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=74839

This thread is basically just a record of my journey with the car that I can keep and reflect on but I might as well share it with you guys too!

I plan to keep the car for many years to come and will slowly make changes and modifications.

So just a little recap from the previous thread:

Lets start with the history. I owned a 2001 Audi A3 1.8t for the better part of 4 years. I thoroughly enjoyed the car and modding it. Over the course of 4 years I modded it extensively from stock, to a forged internal Big turbo little rocket (All DIY). I ended up sadly selling it to get something more comfortable and to start a mod journey again. This is how it eventually looked the day I sold it:

Fortunately I had the opportunity to buy my 135i from a friend. In beautiful condition.

2009 BMW 135i Coupe
n54
6 speed Auto
Sunroof
Xenons
with 101000 km on the clock

Ill make a few posts after each other to recap up to date.

 

[Nick]

Install this if you are on chrome, you Photobucket things will be fixed.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...gj?utm_source=chrome-app-launcher-info-dialog

 

[PDBoosted]

Install this if you are on chrome, you Photobucket things will be fixed.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...gj?utm_source=chrome-app-launcher-info-dialog

Ah awesome thanks that helps me in so many threads!

---

The very first mod I then did was to DIY lamin-x my tail lights with a bit of an effect to look like the LCI Black lines. Pretty happy with the result:smilebounce:

It was still a little dark so I cut out sections over the indicator and reverse lights:

 

[BeemerFanatic]

I really like the Laminx
Well done.

One suggestion, I would gloss black the chrome window trim

 

[///Avi]

Car is looking good!:thumbs:

 

[Shuaib1]

car looks good :bravo:

 

[PDBoosted]

I really like the Laminx
Well done.

One suggestion, I would gloss black the chrome window trim

Thanks man!

I'm thinking of doing the chrome window trim but need to make sure I do it properly because it can quickly look bad:skit:

 

[AshvRod]

Awesome PD looking really good man!
Seems a lot of us 8L guys are going BMW


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[STEVEN COOL]

:thumbs:

 

[ShaunB]

Thanks man!

I'm thinking of doing the chrome window trim but need to make sure I do it properly because it can quickly look bad:skit:

I redid mind last week.

The Rustoleum Epoxy I used was not up to the task, started flaking and looking horrible.

This time went for automotive paint, did high fill primer first. Looks way better than the Rustoleum, will sand and polish the trimmings this weekend and fit back.

 

[PDBoosted]

Awesome PD looking really good man!
Seems a lot of us 8L guys are going BMW


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Hahah seems like it! Please tell me you still have your S3? That thing was beautifulraise:

---

Thanks man!

I'm thinking of doing the chrome window trim but need to make sure I do it properly because it can quickly look bad:skit:

I redid mind last week.

The Rustoleum Epoxy I used was not up to the task, started flaking and looking horrible.

This time went for automotive paint, did high fill primer first. Looks way better than the Rustoleum, will sand and polish the trimmings this weekend and fit back.

Oh no don't tell me that, I just used some of that paint to do my kidneys this weekend. I was really impressed but now I'm worried it won't last...

Keen to see how yours turns out now Shaun. I'm sure its gonna look awesome this time!

---

Thanks man!

I'm thinking of doing the chrome window trim but need to make sure I do it properly because it can quickly look bad:skit:

I redid mind last week.

The Rustoleum Epoxy I used was not up to the task, started flaking and looking horrible.

This time went for automotive paint, did high fill primer first. Looks way better than the Rustoleum, will sand and polish the trimmings this weekend and fit back.

Oh no don't tell me that, I just used some of that paint to do my kidneys this weekend. I was really impressed but now I'm worried it won't last...

Keen to see how yours turns out now Shaun. I'm sure its gonna look awesome this time!

 

[PDBoosted]

Around the same time I did the lights I added a small pin stripe to the rear diffuser. Being a black car some details get lost:

I also changed the wheel colour to a nice cast iron metallic colour:

 

[Stompie]

Really a good looking 135.

Like the new color of the wheels and the laminX on the lights!

 

[PDBoosted]

Really a good looking 135.

Like the new color of the wheels and the laminX on the lights!

Thanks Stompie!

---

After this I really needed to get something done to the exhaust. Being a 3.0 twin turbo beast it just isn't right being so quiet. So I managed to find a nice set of downpipes second hand. But when they were new they were so pretty:chef:

Got them installed at Tweek performance after giving it a go myself, but I just realized how little space there was to work and gave up eventually.

A little comparison of the stock pipes vs the new downpipes:

And of course a little sound clip:

https://imgur.com/PgNphl2

Its still a little soft and you don't really hear any difference in the cabin but it sounds pretty good on the outside!

 

[bobbychoo]

I like the colour of the rims, what paint did you use, paint code etc.

 

[reid26]

Hey bud. Drove past you on the n1 south from 14th to Gordon yesterday morning. Car looks leka


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[DD 335I]

Lovely progress so far bud

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[PDBoosted]

I like the colour of the rims, what paint did you use, paint code etc.

Thanks man, I used a product by sprayon - Cast iron metallic.

---

Hey bud. Drove past you on the n1 south from 14th to Gordon yesterday morning. Car looks leka


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awesome bud, give me a wave next time!

 

[PDBoosted]

After fitting the downpipes I was hooked and I found myself looking for a JB4. I liked the JB4 over MHD because its some thing tangible as well as its ability to do gauge hi-jacking.

I found one for sale on the forum and snatched it up. Unfortunately as soon as I put it in any map other than stock it would miss fire insanely badly :thumbdo:

Through some trouble shooting I decided to change the plugs. Luckily I did because they were finished!!

There after boost for days!!:smilebounce:

 

[Shuaib1]

Nice progress on the car, how's the difference now with the JB4?