First mod questions

gbizeau · 02-26-2020, 11:16 AM

I recently bought a 2016 535I. Love the car and I am planning to put a lot of money into it but I'm just curious where to start. Would love your guys input!

ThaiBruin · 02-26-2020, 12:50 PM

Personally, I'd start with either suspension or an exhaust. I would say suspension first because after I got coilovers, my 535 went from feeling slightly boat-like around town to something close to be on rails (it's still a big ass car though).

Sylverlee · 02-26-2020, 02:35 PM

If automatic, I would say XHP transmission reflash. Coilovers are nice too, but a much biggest investment.

95blkmax · 02-26-2020, 03:02 PM

before mods, do your maintenance. Start modding on a clean slate. Among the maintenance items, I'd strongly recommend you replace the "plastic crap-pipe" with a proper metal charge pipe, lol. If you know you're going to be modding, this should be replaced anyway.

Then my vote goes for suspension lol. I started with maintenance, exterior stuff, brakes, and moved on to engine. Now I'm finally getting to suspension and every time I did something I'd test drive it, love it... but always think of how wobbly it felt (even with my adaptive suspension cranked up to Sport lol).

ezaircon4jc · 02-26-2020, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95blkmax

before mods, do your maintenance. Start modding on a clean slate. Among the maintenance items, I'd strongly recommend you replace the "plastic crap-pipe" with a proper metal charge pipe, lol. If you know you're going to be modding, this should be replaced anyway....

Except in the People's Republik of Kommiefornya they're illegal without a CARB sticker. UNLESS one wants to do the change back to stock before the smog check.

Just a warning...

95blkmax · 02-26-2020, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Except in the People's Republik of Kommiefornya they're illegal without a CARB sticker. UNLESS one wants to do the change back to stock before the smog check.

Just a warning...

Ah yes this is true for the poor komrades !

lsturbointeg · 02-26-2020, 04:14 PM

First figure out what kind of mods you want? Performance, aesthetics?

ThaiBruin · 02-26-2020, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Except in the People's Republik of Kommiefornya they're illegal without a CARB sticker. UNLESS one wants to do the change back to stock before the smog check.

Just a warning...

I don't think the charge pipe has to be CARB certified. The biggest change that would require you to go back to stock (unless you know a guy) would be a catless downpipe.

ezaircon4jc · 02-26-2020, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaiBruin

I don't think the charge pipe has to be CARB certified. The biggest change that would require you to go back to stock (unless you know a guy) would be a catless downpipe.

You can't change ANYTHING between the outside air and post catalytic converter. An aftermarket panel air filter can be used, but NO part of the intake can be changed without the sticker. I "failed" a smog check because the CARB sticker I used for a K&N Filtercharger was for a different car with the exact same engine. Used to be you could change anything pre throttlebody and post cat, now it's nothing until after the cat. They're also cracking down on loud exhausts. Catch cans are also a smog fail as we can't alter the PCV system in any way, shape or form.

My last smog guy was the "know a guy." He's no longer in business. The CARB is cracking down everywhere!

The weather just ain't worth it!

ThaiBruin · 02-27-2020, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

You can't change ANYTHING between the outside air and post catalytic converter. An aftermarket panel air filter can be used, but NO part of the intake can be changed without the sticker. I "failed" a smog check because the CARB sticker I used for a K&N Filtercharger was for a different car with the exact same engine. Used to be you could change anything pre throttlebody and post cat, now it's nothing until after the cat. They're also cracking down on loud exhausts. Catch cans are also a smog fail as we can't alter the PCV system in any way, shape or form.

My last smog guy was the "know a guy." He's no longer in business. The CARB is cracking down everywhere!

The weather just ain't worth it!

Looks like you're absolutely right regarding the charge pipe. Though I've read that as long as you do black/matte black and not "lookatme!" Chrome/SS, you'll be fine on a visual inspection.

Also... nah. I love the weather. LA born and raised. Not leaving anytime soon.

lsturbointeg · 02-27-2020, 03:27 PM

ah I don't miss the CA BS with emissions trying to get my car smogged and passed wheb I lived there! here in OH no testing, no emissions of any kind!

ziekxq · 02-27-2020, 03:31 PM

Exhaust is one of the mods I would get first.... These n55 sound good.

mike@x-ph.com · 03-02-2020, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

First figure out what kind of mods you want? Performance, aesthetics?

+1

I would start with a bootmod3 and a REMUS exhaust

lsturbointeg · 03-02-2020, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

+1

I would start with a bootmod3 and a REMUS exhaust

That's a good start

BimmerHausPerformance · 03-03-2020, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziekxq

Exhaust is one of the mods I would get first.... These n55 sound good.

Yes they do! Catless downpipe, armytrix stainless exhaust, intake, and MHD:

lsturbointeg · 03-04-2020, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrowBMW

Yes they do! Catless downpipe, armytrix stainless exhaust, intake, and MHD:

man can't wait to get my DP on! that's sounds great!

_des_ · 03-04-2020, 10:50 PM

Mhd flash tune.
H&r sway bar( if you are not dynamic drive)
H&r lowering springs.

Best 3 mods I've done.
I have the xhp flash and have mixed feelings. I can't justify the performance difference over a factory sport tune trans.

ziekxq · 03-05-2020, 01:42 PM

MPE + Catless DP sound:

BimmerHausPerformance · 03-05-2020, 02:10 PM

Nice... wow that AT shifts so fast.

ziekxq · 03-05-2020, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrowBMW

Nice... wow that AT shifts so fast.

Lol thanks and that was before xHP trans tune.

02-26-2020, 11:16 AM	#1
gbizeau New Member 3 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2016 bmw 535i xdrive m sport Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: IN iTrader: (0)	First mod questions I recently bought a 2016 535I. Love the car and I am planning to put a lot of money into it but I'm just curious where to start. Would love your guys input!
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02-26-2020, 12:50 PM	#2
ThaiBruin Captain 171 Rep 688 Posts Drives: F10 535i M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Playa Vista, CA iTrader: (0)	Personally, I'd start with either suspension or an exhaust. I would say suspension first because after I got coilovers, my 535 went from feeling slightly boat-like around town to something close to be on rails (it's still a big ass car though). __________________ 2014 Carbon Black 535i M Sport - Bootmod3 / M Performance Exhaust / Carbon Graphite Vorsteiner V-FF 103 / KW V2 *Retired*- 2013 MG 328i Sport Line 6MT - BMS Stage 1 / M Performance exhaust / M Performance steering wheel / M Performance shift knob/boot
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02-26-2020, 02:35 PM	#3
Sylverlee Captain 150 Rep 965 Posts Drives: White 535i M-Sport, 911 GTS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irvine iTrader: (2)	If automatic, I would say XHP transmission reflash. Coilovers are nice too, but a much biggest investment.
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02-26-2020, 03:02 PM	#4
95blkmax Captain 210 Rep 656 Posts Drives: '11 535 M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Oklahoma City iTrader: (0)	before mods, do your maintenance. Start modding on a clean slate. Among the maintenance items, I'd strongly recommend you replace the "plastic crap-pipe" with a proper metal charge pipe, lol. If you know you're going to be modding, this should be replaced anyway. Then my vote goes for suspension lol. I started with maintenance, exterior stuff, brakes, and moved on to engine. Now I'm finally getting to suspension and every time I did something I'd test drive it, love it... but always think of how wobbly it felt (even with my adaptive suspension cranked up to Sport lol). __________________ I'm on the YouTubez now!! Check it out -> https://www.youtube.com/@turbospool 11' M-sport- 371WHP - 478WTQ on stock PWG E50 TunedbyShoup // 386WHP - 429WTQ on Shuenk N55+ with ultra-conservative 91 Octane tune // Starting full-range flexfuel tuning in Spring '24
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02-26-2020, 04:14 PM	#7
lsturbointeg Lieutenant General 9153 Rep 14,522 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Jet Black Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Asian lost in OH iTrader: (0)	First figure out what kind of mods you want? Performance, aesthetics? __________________ ~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg
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02-27-2020, 03:27 PM	#11
lsturbointeg Lieutenant General 9153 Rep 14,522 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Jet Black Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Asian lost in OH iTrader: (0)	ah I don't miss the CA BS with emissions trying to get my car smogged and passed wheb I lived there! here in OH no testing, no emissions of any kind! __________________ ~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg
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02-27-2020, 03:31 PM	#12
ziekxq Major 320 Rep 1,299 Posts Drives: 2011 535i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Exhaust is one of the mods I would get first.... These n55 sound good.
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03-04-2020, 10:50 PM	#17
_des_ Private First Class 21 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2011 550i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Alabama iTrader: (1)	Mhd flash tune. H&r sway bar( if you are not dynamic drive) H&r lowering springs. Best 3 mods I've done. I have the xhp flash and have mixed feelings. I can't justify the performance difference over a factory sport tune trans.
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03-05-2020, 01:42 PM	#18
ziekxq Major 320 Rep 1,299 Posts Drives: 2011 535i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	MPE + Catless DP sound:
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03-05-2020, 02:10 PM	#19
BimmerHausPerformance Major 513 Rep 1,442 Posts Drives: 2011 535i 6MT Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Chattanooga iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 535i [0.00]	Nice... wow that AT shifts so fast. __________________ 2011 F10 S55 6MT Website Insta @bimmerhausperformance YouTube
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