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      09-13-2019, 03:48 PM   #1
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2015 228ix - Best Mods for Beginners?

Just got a 2015 228i xdrive. Absolutely love the car so far!! Interested in doing some small mods or getting a tune but not exactly sure where to start. I'm daily driving it so not sure if changing anything OEM is the best idea.. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
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      09-13-2019, 04:13 PM   #2
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      09-13-2019, 04:30 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by Aldor27 View Post
timing chain guides
I thought this wasn't an issue on 2015+ models? Or at least not as common as pre-2015
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      09-16-2019, 10:26 AM   #4
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i've posted this same response previously...

i've owned many BMWs but kept them mostly stock with the exception of wheels/tires. on my current 228i xdrive, which is also my daily driver (100 miles round trip), i've done the following basic mods in order of how i completed them:
- BAV sound stage 1 to replace the *horrible* OEM base speakers;
- active autowerke axleback exhaust to replace the weak, rattletrap OEM muffler (disabled the exhaust actuator);
- pipercross PP1885 drop-oil filter (apparently cold-air filters dont really add much for their cost on these specific cars)
- dinantronics sport performance tuner - basically the mildest tune you can put on this car. i'm a high mileage commuter and i didnt want to overtax the engine in any way. that said lots of guys have tuned this over 400 hp and it sounds like the charge pipe is really the only things that needs to be upgraded to accommodate the power / boost increase...and maybe the intercooler if you're going to track it.

i might do a few styling items: black gloss small spoiler and black gloss kidney grill.

by far the most popular mod is wheels and tires...but given that i'm a high-mileage commute, i just dont think it's worth the money for me...and i like the safety factor of the pirelli run-flats so i dont have to worry about changing a tire on the side of busy highways. that said, i might add a set of winter wheels and tires for the upcoming season.
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      09-16-2019, 01:51 PM   #5
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Thanks for your insight! I commute about the same mileage every day so glad to hear the dinantronics tuner is a safe bet
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      09-18-2019, 02:14 PM   #6
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Get rid of the ugly chrome kidney grills and get some all black ones. Best mod to do on these cars. Also if you have the m sport package you could get an m235i diffuser and some aftermarket m235i exhaust. Makes the car look way better and makes it sound a lot better too.
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      09-23-2019, 09:22 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happyjack View Post
i've posted this same response previously...

i've owned many BMWs but kept them mostly stock with the exception of wheels/tires. on my current 228i xdrive, which is also my daily driver (100 miles round trip), i've done the following basic mods in order of how i completed them:
- BAV sound stage 1 to replace the *horrible* OEM base speakers;
- active autowerke axleback exhaust to replace the weak, rattletrap OEM muffler (disabled the exhaust actuator);
- pipercross PP1885 drop-oil filter (apparently cold-air filters dont really add much for their cost on these specific cars)
- dinantronics sport performance tuner - basically the mildest tune you can put on this car. i'm a high mileage commuter and i didnt want to overtax the engine in any way. that said lots of guys have tuned this over 400 hp and it sounds like the charge pipe is really the only things that needs to be upgraded to accommodate the power / boost increase...and maybe the intercooler if you're going to track it.

i might do a few styling items: black gloss small spoiler and black gloss kidney grill.

by far the most popular mod is wheels and tires...but given that i'm a high-mileage commute, i just dont think it's worth the money for me...and i like the safety factor of the pirelli run-flats so i dont have to worry about changing a tire on the side of busy highways. that said, i might add a set of winter wheels and tires for the upcoming season.
Do you have any drone with the AA Exhaust? I'm debating to get one or go with the Dinan.
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      09-23-2019, 09:36 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fanekstudio View Post
Do you have any drone with the AA Exhaust? I'm debating to get one or go with the Dinan.
there is no constant drone. i was also very concerned about that potential issue, but after reading enough posts on here about the AA exhaust i pulled the trigger. it's the first aftermarket exhaust i've ever put on a car in nearly 35 years of car ownership.

now...to be clear...the exhaust is noticeable (but not obnoxious) on cold start-up, whenever you get on the throttle with some vigor, and when downshifting (even with the 8AT). if you're light on the throttle you can easily minimize the noise levels. it seems to be the perfect beginner exhaust mod for anyone who might feel a little self-conscious about projecting a racer-boi image...but wants to be reminded that they're driving a sports coupe.


edit/update: so i paid a little more attention on my morning commute to see how often i really noticed the sound. start-up and low RPMs when cold is noticeable but not obnoxious. on light accelerate from a stop there's a little growl until it mellows to barely audible. around every gear shift there's another low growl, but again, it's not obnoxious. cruising at highway speeds under steady ~2700 RPM, the sound is basically inaudible / below other road noise. i'm totally happy with this exhaust...no regrets at all.

i only wish AA made an option for gloss black tips!!!
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Last edited by happyjack; 09-24-2019 at 08:42 AM..
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      09-29-2019, 08:00 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happyjack View Post
on my current 228i xdrive...

- active autowerke axleback exhaust to replace the weak, rattletrap OEM muffler (disabled the exhaust actuator)

Did that exhaust fit without modifying your car? I ask because the Active Autowerke page shows that exhaust with two seperate exhaust pipes, instead of one pipe into two tips.

Thanks.
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      09-29-2019, 02:53 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fly320s View Post
Did that exhaust fit without modifying your car? I ask because the Active Autowerke page shows that exhaust with two seperate exhaust pipes, instead of one pipe into two tips.

Thanks.
No mods required. The OEM exhaust must be cut off. The spot is marked with a dimple. Took the shop less than an hour to complete the job. They said they do quite a few AA installs and think theyre a great value.
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      10-02-2019, 10:21 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happyjack View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by fanekstudio View Post
Do you have any drone with the AA Exhaust? I'm debating to get one or go with the Dinan.
there is no constant drone. i was also very concerned about that potential issue, but after reading enough posts on here about the AA exhaust i pulled the trigger. it's the first aftermarket exhaust i've ever put on a car in nearly 35 years of car ownership.

now...to be clear...the exhaust is noticeable (but not obnoxious) on cold start-up, whenever you get on the throttle with some vigor, and when downshifting (even with the 8AT). if you're light on the throttle you can easily minimize the noise levels. it seems to be the perfect beginner exhaust mod for anyone who might feel a little self-conscious about projecting a racer-boi image...but wants to be reminded that they're driving a sports coupe.


edit/update: so i paid a little more attention on my morning commute to see how often i really noticed the sound. start-up and low RPMs when cold is noticeable but not obnoxious. on light accelerate from a stop there's a little growl until it mellows to barely audible. around every gear shift there's another low growl, but again, it's not obnoxious. cruising at highway speeds under steady ~2700 RPM, the sound is basically inaudible / below other road noise. i'm totally happy with this exhaust...no regrets at all.

i only wish AA made an option for gloss black tips!!!
Thank You for the detail info, I'm glade you really like it! It sounds like exactly what I'm looking for, just enough bang when you really want it.

As you said I wish there was a black tips option like the Dinan...
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      10-03-2019, 02:49 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bathsaalts View Post
Just got a 2015 228i xdrive. Absolutely love the car so far!! Interested in doing some small mods or getting a tune but not exactly sure where to start. I'm daily driving it so not sure if changing anything OEM is the best idea.. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Start with Bm3 and a charge pipe.

Im available by phone 6 days a week, i'll happily answer all your questions
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      10-04-2019, 01:15 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happyjack View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fly320s View Post
Did that exhaust fit without modifying your car? I ask because the Active Autowerke page shows that exhaust with two seperate exhaust pipes, instead of one pipe into two tips.

Thanks.
No mods required. The OEM exhaust must be cut off. The spot is marked with a dimple. Took the shop less than an hour to complete the job. They said they do quite a few AA installs and think theyre a great value.
Did you get a different rear valence for two exits?
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      10-04-2019, 07:51 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uwrwilke View Post
Did you get a different rear valence for two exits?
nope. the tips fit within the OEM cut-out.

the tips do protrude a little further than OEM but i like it. i havent really looked at the hangers to see of there are any other adjustment points that would allow the tips to be pull back underneath any further. the tips have been pushed as far as possible onto the exhaust pipes coming out of the muffler.
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      10-04-2019, 10:45 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happyjack View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uwrwilke View Post
Did you get a different rear valence for two exits?
nope. the tips fit within the OEM cut-out.

the tips do protrude a little further than OEM but i like it. i havent really looked at the hangers to see of there are any other adjustment points that would allow the tips to be pull back underneath any further. the tips have been pushed as far as possible onto the exhaust pipes coming out of the muffler.
Thanks -Photos??
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      10-04-2019, 03:30 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com View Post
Start with Bm3 and a charge pipe.

Im available by phone 6 days a week, i'll happily answer all your questions
Mike I may take you up on that next week!!
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      10-04-2019, 03:42 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bathsaalts View Post
Mike I may take you up on that next week!!
Sounds good 725-221-5280
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      10-06-2019, 04:22 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Uwrwilke View Post
Thanks -Photos??
#1


#2
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      02-02-2020, 05:25 PM   #19
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This was a helpful post as I just bought a 2015 228ix. I'm curious what others recommend for non DD owners?
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      02-02-2020, 07:09 PM   #20
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Quote:
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This was a helpful post as I just bought a 2015 228ix. I'm curious what others recommend for non DD owners?
Start with a tune, its the best value mod for these cars.
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      02-02-2020, 08:59 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com View Post
Start with a tune, its the best value mod for these cars.
Professional tune? Or is there a decent at home option? I bought bimmercode and am waiting for my obd2 adapter to arrive. I pick up my 228i on Tuesday.
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      02-03-2020, 09:27 AM   #22
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I've got a 228 Dinan exhaust in the classifieds, BNIB. PM me if interested, prefer local to PHL.
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