[zprinsy44]

Hey guys! Last weekend, I picked up a 2016 M235i. It is basically stock, other than a couple exterior bits, so I have a clean slate to build on. That being said, I'm not too sure where to start. What has been your route of building, and where would you suggest to start?

Looking forward to hearing back and the ownership of this awesome car!

[Efftooto]

Congrats on your purchase! I have the same car (mine is Melbourne Red). First item performance wise is a new charge pipe - I got a VRSF but there are many to choose from. This will allow you to go Stage 1 with bm3 (bootmod3) tune (HIGHLY recommended). If you want to go all out then get as well a new front mount intercooler (FMIC) and either a high flow catted or catless downpipe. This should (with the Stage 2 bm3) get you close to 400hp. I'm doing those additions next spring; enjoying Stage 1 for now. I drove the car stock for 3 years (while under warranty) and enjoyed that immensely. These forums are to blame for the mods (both performance and appearance).

These are the most common mods; check particular build threads for more detailed information about other things you can do. The possibilities seem endless...

Enjoy!

Chris

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats

Start with a tune + charge pipe

[swc5150]

I started about month ago on my mine with a charge pipe, BMS intake and BM3 tune. Next is DP and IC for stage 2. Car hauls ass even at stage 1, but knowing there's much more potential is like a drug!

I would start by contacting Mike x-ph for BM3.

[4Hockey4]

Charge Pipe
Upper coolant hose
Catted or non Downpipe

[meppadua]

From my experience,
I did the necessary maintenance such as Coolant Hose, Oil Filter Housing, Fresh Oil, and a couple belts, because my M235 was as at 45k mileage and didnt know what the Dealer/Previous Owner had serviced. Next, I installed CTS Turbo Intake, Charge Pipe, and FMIC. Lowered on Dinan Springs with Apex Wheels, NGK Spark Plugs, and finally Tuned with BM3 Stg1. Soon DownPipe/Stg2 but just enjoying it for now

[mikeysosa]

Congrats on the new car!
I agree with meppadua, you should do your regular maintenance first but secondly I strongly suggest a new charge pipe as these things burst under normal conditions and a new charge pipe also allows you to install a JB4 tune. I recommend this over Bootmod 3 as it integrates well with several other more advanced performance modifications such as Pure Turbo (a bigger turbo for increased HP if that's what you plan on doing) and the Burger Motorsport methanol injection kit (allows for increased cooling so that you can run a higher boost). And after you get a tune, the sky's the limit. My recommended install directly after a charge pipe and tune would be intercooler, then downpipe.

[zprinsy44]

Thank you for all of your feedback! I think I have a good idea of a plan now after some research, and I WAS ready to get started, but I let my dad borrow it and he wrecked it two weeks after I had it ): it is in the body shop now, should be getting it back in 7-10 days so I can finally start getting to work on it.

[meppadua]

Ooh maan hope your pops is all right!

[Tomskeed]

I realize everyone else has mentioned this, but we can not stress enough on getting a new chargepipe before you do anything else. It WILL blow up on you.

Also, the coolant line isn't a mod but that boy will crack on you. I also have a 2016, and at ~40,000 miles it cracked under light driving conditions (like 35 mph).

Then get that BM3 tune. Best bang for your buck by far!

[OldCrow7xx]

Yupp charge pipe and coolant hose before anything else. Getting stranded in the middle of nowhere over cheap plastic parts sucks!

Then bolt-ons and a tune up, I went BM3 and have been very happy with it. Grab a wifi agent off ebay for $80 so you dont have to carry a laptop and find internet for it when flashing the ECU code.

The Stage 0+ map is actually really nice gains before you get all your bolt ons too. Its free in their map store.

BM3 also has a minor tranny tune for free, which helps handle the new torque you will be making.

XHP makes a really nice full tranny tune once you get your power ratings up real high.

Then its about tires and suspension to put the power down. Happy tuning!

[zprinsy44]

Originally Posted by meppadua

Ooh maan hope your pops is all right!

Thank you! he was fine, not even a scratch or bruise. Still do not have the car, COVID is making delivery of parts for the shop MISERABLE. estimated pick up is the 30th of this month. Already have a charge pipe and coolant line thanks to yall's input, so thank you for that!

[zprinsy44]

Originally Posted by OldCrow7xx

The Stage 0+ map is actually really nice gains before you get all your bolt ons too. Its free in their map store.

BM3 also has a minor tranny tune for free, which helps handle the new torque you will be making.

Thanks for the input! where did you find these? im having a hard time finding it on their website

[Efftooto]

Originally Posted by zprinsy44

Thanks for the input! where did you find these? im having a hard time finding it on their website

When you purchase your bm3 license (and get the $50 map pack for ALL the available goodies), the other maps will be available to you (like the 0+; which I did as well for a while). Just make sure to get the N55 maps.

[OldCrow7xx]

Originally Posted by zprinsy44

Thanks for the input! where did you find these? im having a hard time finding it on their website

You can get the stage0+ for free. It doesnt cost you a token.

So I bought BM3, flashed my car to stage 0+, bought all my bolt ons, and the used my single included token for the stage 2+ map.

This way I never actually purchased the map pack, I feel like you can get by without it because stage 0+ is included with the license for free.

I sold the car today, it was fun learning how these motors work.

[zprinsy44]

Originally Posted by OldCrow7xx

You can get the stage0+ for free. It doesnt cost you a token.

So I bought BM3, flashed my car to stage 0+, bought all my bolt ons, and the used my single included token for the stage 2+ map.

This way I never actually purchased the map pack, I feel like you can get by without it because stage 0+ is included with the license for free.

I sold the car today, it was fun learning how these motors work.

Is the stage 0+ map the M2 one? Does that one work?

Sorry if thats a dumb question, I've never tuned a car before

[OldCrow7xx]

Originally Posted by zprinsy44

Is the stage 0+ map the M2 one? Does that one work?

Sorry if thats a dumb question, I've never tuned a car before

Yupp its basically or possibly is the M2 map.

Not sure if BM3 tweaked anything or not, I think its identical.

I think thats why they give it for free.

Just that tune file wakes the car up quite a bit.