Help with mods!

[B0feity]

Currently I have these cosmetic mod's on my new e92 DCT non-zcp.

For what it's worth, I am leasing it for 3 years, and currently it has about 1400 miles on it.

Installed:
1) Edition kidney grilles
2) Edition side gills
3) Color-specific iND reflectors
4) Gloss black hood vents
5) LUX v4 Angel Eyes (6300K)

I am considering:
1) Spacers - type and how much spacing (220M wheels)? (eAs recommends: 15mm in the front, 12 mm in the rear)
2) Lowering springs - suggestions?
3) MPE or OEM exhaust mod or... ?
4) Intake?
5) CF Splitter/lip?

Any suggestions, comments, concerns; cosmetic and/or performance?

I would prefer to stay OEM if possible. Would any of these cause any warranty issues? I figure it would be simple enough to remove most of this stuff when turning the car in at the end of the lease period.

[6SpdFANATIC]

All depends on your budget.

4k for MPE is a tough pill to swallow. CF trim pieces look clean and make the car more distinguishable. I've heard mixed reviews on OEM exhaust mod, just depends on your sound preferences. I'm running 15mm in the front with 10mm spacers in the rear on the following tire setup:

F: 245/35/19
R: 275/35/19

Only thing I will WARN you about with spacers as I have MS spacers from EAS...there is a slight vibration in the wheel up around 80mph. These cars are SUPER SENSITIVE and I've already tried having the powder coating files down on my wheels for clean connection.

Only other thing I haven't done us have my tires road force balanced again to be sure. I e heard this problem from other posters on this forum as well. Just a heads up.

It doesn't bother me, but it's not my DD. car looks clean with spacers though.

As for springs, I did H&R's through Malek at MRF engineering. He's a sponsor on this forum and a great guy. Springs are an easy mod that can be placed back to stock easily as well. Gets rid of wheel gap and looks great.

If you want, pm me and I can show you some more detailed pics of my car. Good luck and enjoy your car!

[6SpdFANATIC]

Forgot to mention intake is another take it or leave it. Guys who have it swear by them and guys who don't think they are a waste for the minimal gains. I'm in the latter group, but hunt through these forums. There's a to. Of discussion on intakes and whether they actually do anything on this car.

Call Malek at MRF...he will give you a boatload of info as well.

[Vic311]

I would go with Turner Motorsports spacers. 15/12 is a safe bet assuming OEM sized tires.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by 6SpdFANATIC

All depends on your budget.

4k for MPE is a tough pill to swallow. CF trim pieces look clean and make the car more distinguishable. I've heard mixed reviews on OEM exhaust mod, just depends on your sound preferences. I'm running 15mm in the front with 10mm spacers in the rear on the following tire setup:

F: 245/35/19
R: 275/35/19

Only thing I will WARN you about with spacers as I have MS spacers from EAS...there is a slight vibration in the wheel up around 80mph. These cars are SUPER SENSITIVE and I've already tried having the powder coating files down on my wheels for clean connection.

Only other thing I haven't done us have my tires road force balanced again to be sure. I e heard this problem from other posters on this forum as well. Just a heads up.

It doesn't bother me, but it's not my DD. car looks clean with spacers though.

As for springs, I did H&R's through Malek at MRF engineering. He's a sponsor on this forum and a great guy. Springs are an easy mod that can be placed back to stock easily as well. Gets rid of wheel gap and looks great.

If you want, pm me and I can show you some more detailed pics of my car. Good luck and enjoy your car!

I have this too but it is extremely slight and really is only between about 80-85mph. Must be some harmonic at that speed. My wheels are road forced balanced. Funny thing is that there are times when it doesn't happen and other times when it does. For me, I really have to think about it to notice it. Doesn't bother me in the slightest.

[B0feity]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

I have this too but it is extremely slight and really is only between about 80-85mph. Must be some harmonic at that speed. My wheels are road forced balanced. Funny thing is that there are times when it doesn't happen and other times when it does. For me, I really have to think about it to notice it. Doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Is this only with the MS spacers? What about any other brand like the previous poster mentioned? Cuz that vibration would bug the hell out of me.

[gatorfast]

I have TMS spacers 12.5mm all around and have zero vibration at any speed.

[Sirius Black]

Originally Posted by Vic311

I would go with Turner Motorsports spacers. 15/12 is a safe bet assuming OEM sized tires.

+1 on the Turner Motor Sports spacers. Running 15f/12.5r.

I was really surprised at how much I liked the RD Sport Springs. A little more expensive, but really settled the car at higher speeds. I went in for the drop, but was really impressed with the feel.

Intake......I would suggest a quality drop in. I actually have an Active Drop in with really low miles. Took it off when the AA SC kit went in. PM me, I would let it go for $50.

[FVM3]

drop it with h&r springs, spacers , oem exhaust mod ,some cosmetic goodies and you are good to go

[hpc3]

Originally Posted by B0feity

Is this only with the MS spacers? What about any other brand like the previous poster mentioned? Cuz that vibration would bug the hell out of me.

Mine are a year old, put on when new and the car balances out perfectly to triple digits.

Sometimes a wheel can have a slight deformation on the inner edge that can cause vibrations, spacers or not... worth checking although I'll say that BMWs wheels don't seem to be as soft(ZCP anyway) as the VW/Audi ones that can bend by breathing on them.

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by Vic311

I would go with Turner Motorsports spacers. 15/12 is a safe bet assuming OEM sized tires.

Originally Posted by gatorfast

I have TMS spacers 12.5mm all around and have zero vibration at any speed.

Originally Posted by Sirius Black

+1 on the Turner Motor Sports spacers. Running 15f/12.5r.

Originally Posted by hpc3

TMS 10MM all corners, 0% vibration at any speed I've taken them to (so far)

+1 for the Turner spacers.

I am running 12.5 mm Turner spacers all around (with 359M wheels) and have had no issues or vibrations. (I've had car up to 130 mph.) I did the install myself. It was very easy. The Turner spacers are excellent build quality.

I am going to drop down to 10 mm in the rear, but I think you can very comfortably go 12.5 mm rear on the 220M wheels.

IMO, the ideal combo for 359M wheels is 12.5 front/10 rear. For the 220M wheels, I think 15 front/12.5 rear looks good.

[B0feity]

Originally Posted by Hujan

+1 for the Turner spacers.

I am running 12.5 mm Turner spacers all around (with 359M wheels) and have had no issues or vibrations. (I've had car up to 130 mph.) I did the install myself. It was very easy. The Turner spacers are excellent build quality.

I am going to drop down to 10 mm in the rear, but I think you can very comfortably go 12.5 mm rear on the 220M wheels.

IMO, the ideal combo for 359M wheels is 12.5 front/10 rear. For the 220M wheels, I think 15 front/12.5 rear looks good.

Thanks all.

I think I will go with Turner. Do you think the 15/12.5 combo will guarantee no rubbing?

[4corners]

12.5 could rub in the rear under heavy load situations. You don't need spacers. Just don't. You will have them for sale on here or sitting in your garage in a year.

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by B0feity

Thanks all.

I think I will go with Turner. Do you think the 15/12.5 combo will guarantee no rubbing?

I would be surprised if you rubbed with stock tire sizes on the 220M wheels with 15/12.5 unless you were slammed and running very little negative camber. You should be good.

And I don't know anyone who ditched their spacers unless they upgraded to wider wheels that obviated the need for them.

[M3 Mod Master]

You should consider swapping to a 328i suspension. That's what I did. Less weight and better balance.