Thinking of upgrades to e93 M3

[GJDM3]

Hello all, I've had my e93 M3 for nearly a year and time to upgrade a few things.

Here's my list and was wondering if anyone has experience or any thoughts with any of these items.

Exhaust So many to choose from and I was seriously thinking about an OEM mod but now looking at a rear section with valves from M3 world. I like the idea of valves and it would be great if I could incorporate with the M button.

Down pipes

BPM Flash tuning M3 World say there is a burble overrun available but not sure if that sounds too aggressive.

Front and Rear Cameras and SmartView HD ATV3 from BimmerTech. Does anyone have a good solution for iphone integration? This seems the best I have found so far.

Eventuri Carbon Fibre Intake System Expensive but it's a work of art.

That's an expensive list so would be grateful for the collective wisdom here before I take the plunge.

BTW M3 World and BMR Autowerkes have been really helpful with the getting me this far - great guys.

Thanks in advance for everyones thoughts

Geoff

[XIX]

Get a Harrop supercharger.

[GJDM3]

Thanks, saw your S/C e93 and it looked awesome.
But S/C not for me ATM.

[BMWM3TS]

Just a view but an intake is a waste of $ unless you are into looks. Just get a macht schnell air filter, m3 world xpipe, back box on what tickles you fancy and a tune. Dct gts tune if you a dct. Kw height adjustable springs to get rid of the 4x4 look and as noted if you are thinking spending any more than that may as well just go straight to a supercharger.

[GJDM3]

Yeah, I was thinking about the DCT tune.
I like the way it shifts now so wondering if it makes a big difference.
You're probably right about the intake.
Has anyone done an intake upgrade and think it was worth it?

[mapster37]

i installed Active Autowerke drop in filter. what a difference; sounds good, engine much more responsive, and my fuel mileage increased!

[GJDM3]

Thanks for that info on the air filter.
I am after a good sound and good torque around 4,000 - 5,000 rpm.
Going over 5,000 rpm gets tiring after full day of driving. Not to mention watching the fuel gauge go down before my eyes.

[Rajvosa]

Test pipes are a must. Adds considerable amount of mid range torque.

Also look up M3world online. Local shop with excellent products and prices. Lots of guys on this forum run their products

[m3jala]

For addressing the torqueless feel in the lower range, I recommend you get a tune. I have the alpine tune and it makes the car feel smoother in the daily driving.

[Maxf80M3]

Originally Posted by m3jala

For addressing the torqueless feel in the lower range, I recommend you get a tune. I have the alpine tune and it makes the car feel smoother in the daily driving.

Best value = blower kit .

You can resell it after . Loss is minimal.

In stock form the power isn't nearly as exciting. I could never go back.

[GJDM3]

I understand the attraction of S/C - must go like a rocket ship.
But for me it's too far away from OEM. Call me old fashioned.

[Smiley1175]

I just did the blower and couldn't imagine going any less.
In e93 form the car is quite piggy like and needs significantly more power to come alive.
I wouldn't say the car is over powered now, if anything it could do with more.
So I'm glad I didn't go the path of just a tune or other small gains, it's not enough to overcome the weight penalty of the vert, some 220kg heavier than the coupe.

[antonyl]

Which SC did you go with and who did the install?

[XIX]

The harrop charger is very oem. The rest not soo much. Dont waste money on anything else. Get the charger, then lose the front cats and dct tune. It turns a fast car into near a super car.

I had 8 people ask to buy my charger when I was selling the car, to give you an idea of demand.

[BMWM3TS]

Originally Posted by XIX

The harrop charger is very oem. The rest not soo much. Dont waste money on anything else. Get the charger, then lose the front cats and dct tune. It turns a fast car into near a super car.

I had 8 people ask to buy my charger when I was selling the car, to give you an idea of demand.

But at what price?

[Smiley1175]

Originally Posted by antonyl

Which SC did you go with and who did the install?

Harrop, and they did the install too. Handy being local in Melbourne.

[NeverL8]

Originally Posted by Rajvosa

Test pipes are a must. Adds considerable amount of mid range torque.

Would installing test pipes not pass a smog test in certain states? And you would have to do the reinstall / install dance again?

[Rajvosa]

Originally Posted by TheRussski

Would installing test pipes not pass a smog test in certain states? And you would have to do the reinstall / install dance again?

Australia has different rules/tests.

[GJDM3]

I think it’s a good question. Does anyone know if a test piped e9x would pass Australian or NSW emissions? I’ve been told it’s marginal but I’m not sure.

[XIX]

Originally Posted by GJDM3

I think it’s a good question. Does anyone know if a test piped e9x would pass Australian or NSW emissions? I’ve been told it’s marginal but I’m not sure.

No it absolutely would not. But when was the last time anyone got checked? Even a slightly modified car is unlikely to pass. To be clear, removing or modifying (high flow) your cat convertor system is for racing only and is highly illegal on the road. But damn does it sound and go good

Go drive a harrop charged car. Your questions will be answered within 5 mins.

I have previously supercharged an M3 (not e9 series) and I can tell you this positive blower is very very different in the way it behaves. There is zero spooling required.

[E90M3_Guy]

Returning to Geoff’s original post, there’s a lot of different topics rolled into one. My comments are:

Exhaust

The previous owner of my M3 fitted a 2 ½” stainless steel performance exhaust which was just the centre section with X pipes, high flow cats and resonators. However it also deleted the front cats which, as others have pointed out, is highly illegal for road use. The front cats do most of the work which perhaps explains why deletion could result in a very large fine if caught. I had to revert to the OEM exhaust in order to get a Vic RWC. So far I’ve left the original exhaust on the car while I consider my options.

The performance exhaust was obviously louder and it also has the benefit of no drone whatsoever. However it did produce a high-pitched thin sound rather than a deep burble in the American/Australian style. I found this comparison interesting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgkQWou7NDc

What I’m most interested in is bi-modal mufflers to go out and have some fun then creep back down my own street in stealth mode.

Eventuri Carbon Fibre Intake System

You are right - this is a work of art, but an expensive one. I have the Macht Schnell Stage 2 intake charge kit which costs about half the price. Not sure what I’ll do when the filter is dirty? They say it’s a washable/reusable cotton gauze air filter, but I’m sure how it should be cleaned?

One thing I do love about the Eventuri system is the lower scoop. However both these aftermarket solutions only give a benefit at speed. Supercharging sounds like the way to go to deliver a more tractable engine around town.

I agree with you Geoff that using lots of revs can get tiring over a long drive. I’d love more torque from 1,500 to 3,000 rpm. I’m still surprised that cruising around town at 60 km/h requires downshifting to 3rd when the road goes uphill. A 8,300 rpm redline is very nice to boast about, but I’d rather be able to squeeze the throttle at say 1,200 or 1,500 rpm in 4th or 5th and surge up a hill gaining speed via more torque. Before someone tells me to get a tune, I’ve already got a BPM stage 2 tune.

Guy

[cplagz]

Originally Posted by E90M3_Guy

Returning to Geoff’s original post, there’s a lot of different topics rolled into one. My comments are:

Exhaust

The previous owner of my M3 fitted a 2 ½” stainless steel performance exhaust which was just the centre section with X pipes, high flow cats and resonators. However it also deleted the front cats which, as others have pointed out, is highly illegal for road use. The front cats do most of the work which perhaps explains why deletion could result in a very large fine if caught. I had to revert to the OEM exhaust in order to get a Vic RWC. So far I’ve left the original exhaust on the car while I consider my options.

The performance exhaust was obviously louder and it also has the benefit of no drone whatsoever. However it did produce a high-pitched thin sound rather than a deep burble in the American/Australian style. I found this comparison interesting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgkQWou7NDc

What I’m most interested in is bi-modal mufflers to go out and have some fun then creep back down my own street in stealth mode.

Eventuri Carbon Fibre Intake System

You are right - this is a work of art, but an expensive one. I have the Macht Schnell Stage 2 intake charge kit which costs about half the price. Not sure what I’ll do when the filter is dirty? They say it’s a washable/reusable cotton gauze air filter, but I’m sure how it should be cleaned?

One thing I do love about the Eventuri system is the lower scoop. However both these aftermarket solutions only give a benefit at speed. Supercharging sounds like the way to go to deliver a more tractable engine around town.

I agree with you Geoff that using lots of revs can get tiring over a long drive. I’d love more torque from 1,500 to 3,000 rpm. I’m still surprised that cruising around town at 60 km/h requires downshifting to 3rd when the road goes uphill. A 8,300 rpm redline is very nice to boast about, but I’d rather be able to squeeze the throttle at say 1,200 or 1,500 rpm in 4th or 5th and surge up a hill gaining speed via more torque. Before someone tells me to get a tune, I’ve already got a BPM stage 2 tune.

Guy

I have an M3 world High flow catted mid section and valved rear box, BPM Stage2 and BMC filter, you will find with revs you will want to sit 2200-2500 in quiet mode as it isn't as noisy as down lower in the RPM (you need airflow through the exhaust). These are a high revving N/A V8, not a turbo diesel - 1200-1500rpm is sacrilege! The newer M3 world valves are even better then the old ones, as they stay in the "last known" position (open or closed), the older style I have are always open on start up.

The remote that comes with it has two buttons, A and B ... I like to refer to them as "All quiet" or "Beast mode"