[ramair311]

Hello all,

Last fall I sold my heavily modified jet black 135i before the winter season and am happy to say that I just picked up my new black sapphire M235i.

From the factory;

- 6 speed manual
- LSD
- black on black

Kept the options performance-oriented and basic just as I did my 135i - with plans for many modifications in the next 2 months. Already ordered;

- JB4 w flex-fuel and OBD2 connector
- ER kittyless DP
- ER intercooler
- Afe panel filter replacement
- Mperformance front splitter (will be painted body color)
- larger rear deck spoiler (will be painted body color)
- H&R sport springs
- wheel spacers (12mm front 15 rear)
- charge pipe


near future:

- rear diffuser .. most likely this one

- 30% tint

- Methanol injection (did a stealth custom install on my 135i using the windshield washer fluid tank - but prob use a trunk tank this time)

I will be tracking the 2er from time to time and cant wait to beat up on the exotics like I did with my 135

Rob
Denver

[DanG]

Congratulations and welcome to the 2 club.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats!!

[2+3=5]

Nice!
Ironically I drove alongside a black 135 and silver 128 to work then saw an orange 1m after lunch... So rare to see so many 1 series in one day... I won't start with the ultra rare 2...

[angelbones]

I'm assuming that's the BSM, since they inexplicably don't offer Jet Black on the M235. Wondering how you're liking the color as I'm starting to see too many EB (my original choice) on the market. Does the BSM "sparkle" as they say?

[doublevanosrc]

Looking good!! Care to post some thoughts on the driving experience between the 1 and 2?

[Steven1077]

I do like them in black but it's a bitch to keep clean, white is bad enough lol

[tccox]

Swapped my 128 for my 228. No regrets at all.

[ramair311]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

Looking good!! Care to post some thoughts on the driving experience between the 1 and 2?

Thanks! As far as comparisons to my 1er, it is hard to say as I only had my 135 stock for a couple of months and don't recall much about the stock experience for an apples to apples comparison. After many mods an track days, I got to know the 1er really well and can say that the size difference is noticeable in that the 1 felt just a bit more nimble and tossable, but again - that was running with many modifications.

The engine on the 2 feels a bit more powerful stock for stock and has much less turbo lag. I had the N54 with full boltons and meth - it would come on VERY hard when the turbos spooled, but there was noticeable lag. The N55 in the 2 feels a bit more refined and has imperceptible lag. I can't wait to get it to full bolt on level.

The interior is obviously an upgrade from the '08 1er - I just drove through the mountains to Steamboat here in CO and it's a really nice cabin to be in. I'm still learning all the bells and whistles - experimented with all the driving modes which are a nice way to add some comfort dynamics when not in full attack mode (which my 1er was on permanently).

Next week is tint, H&R springs, downpipe, Jb4, and front lip spoiler!

[ramair311]

Originally Posted by angelbones

I'm assuming that's the BSM, since they inexplicably don't offer Jet Black on the M235. Wondering how you're liking the color as I'm starting to see too many EB (my original choice) on the market. Does the BSM "sparkle" as they say?

Yep BSM, coming from jet black on the 135. It does have a slight sparkle under direct sunlight and thus a little bit less "deep" that pure black - but I really like the color. It looks fantastic at night (like jet black) but also has just a little color breakup to hide any minor imperfections in the future. My jet black 1er took a LOT of upkeep to keep the paint deep and glossy without imperfections in direct light.

[Iceman51sn]

Congrats and awesome mods list!! Keep us posted especially on the diffuser. That's the one I want too.

[alexc93]

I'm a huge fan of BSM. Looks great in all light, even when dirty.

[MrBimmerM235i]

I love the way it looks but NO WAY IN HELL I'll have another black car.

Congrats on the new purchase!

[Kidu]

awesome!!! I am in Denver too - please let me know if you are going to any meets or track events. I have never tracked but I would love to come see!!!

[hyperzulu]

Originally Posted by DanG

Congratulations and welcome to the 2 club.

Ummm it's called the Dub Club, sir.

[VMRWheels]

Congrats! Look forward to seeing progress with the 2

[Ramos]

Upkeep on Jet black is so tough, I think they are slowly phasing it out. I would imagine none many people other than hardcore enthusiasts willing to spend hours and / or thousands detailing would ever buy jet black more than once in their lifetime.

[ramair311]

Originally Posted by Ramos

Upkeep on Jet black is so tough, I think they are slowly phasing it out. I would imagine none many people other than hardcore enthusiasts willing to spend hours and / or thousands detailing would ever buy jet black more than once in their lifetime.

I agree with that - I had quite a few workouts with my porter cable on my jet black 135 over the years I had it. I like the BSM so far - it's a nice compromise between gunmetal and jet black. I would have gone with a nice gunmetal color of they offered it (like the color of the stock wheels).

[ramair311]

Quick update:

I've finally had time to get the car in the shop for the H&R springs - had them do the spacers (12mm F 15mm R) and side markers while they were at it.

Today, I got the box of performance parts out that have been sitting around waiting for install and got crack'in. Just finished the JB4 install and put in the AFE panel filter while I had the hood up. Couldn't wait to get the downpipe in before taking a spin and had the same ear to ear grin that I remembered from the first time I floored the 135 after the Jb3 install.

Engine is now cooling and car is up on ramps - catless DP going in next!

After that - painted front lip spoiler, rear deck spoiler, tint, meth

Here are a few pics (car is in need of a major wash now)

[Bohica]

How do you like the look of the 12mmF and 15mmR setup? I think that's the setup I'm going to do as well. Any chance on a straight on pic from the rear?

[ramair311]

Originally Posted by Bohica

How do you like the look of the 12mmF and 15mmR setup? I think that's the setup I'm going to do as well. Any chance on a straight on pic from the rear?

I think it was a very good edition - if not purely aesthetic. Especially when combined with the H&R springs it really gives that aggressive look.

[ramair311]

After 6 hours of pure frustration, I had to put my stock downpipe back in.

I tried to save a few bucks and purchased a Shiftech DP off of a seller on Ebay and unfortunately, after completely removing my stock cat I found that the Shiftech DP had an incredibly bad fit and after hours of attempts I threw the towel in and put the stock cat back on (which took about 10 minutes with a proper fit!).

I'm going to order a VRSF catless DP and go for round 2 when it arrives.

In the meantime, really like the improvement of the JB4.

Missing the CDV delete option in my 135i though - that built-in CDV is NOT good. I may investigate options to remove the stock clutch pedal assembly and hollow out the CDV.