Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

[Argyll Andy]

Pop up to the Borders, pop on some fresh diapers and I’ll show you where you can unleash 300-400 bhp

Is that not what this weekend is about :lol:

 

[B21]

There was a yellow 35i on Autotrader earlier this year that looked stunning with all the bits painted anthracite or similar, including wheels.

I had a chat with BMW warranty people this week. Any meaningful modifications and you're cover will be void. There other much cheaper warranties out there that do allow modifications (as long as declared) and still cover all the same parts - I'm exploring those options at the moment.

Been a lot of discussion on the pros n cons vs costs of warranties..

Each to their own..I factored the decision not to take a warranty into my plans.. :tumbleweed:

This was going to be a modification based project so a warranty plan was going to be too restrictive plus by the time I’ve finished all the bits that could go wrong will have been replaced/ upgraded

 

[B21]

Pop up to the Borders, pop on some fresh diapers and I’ll show you where you can unleash 300-400 bhp

Is that not what this weekend is about :lol:

Sedate pottering will be the order of the day…well at least around the Premier Inn car park :driving:

Not sure there will be many roads in D+G (that aren’t heavily policed) where we can max out a 35is and M40i? :tumbleweed:

 

[Ole gits rule]

Dolce and Gabbana - driving around one of their stores, grab me a handbag for SWMBO's birthday next week :rofl:

 

[B21]

Meanwhile back on topic here’s how the much modified N20 stacked up against the stock 35is

 

[R.E92]

It was only a matter of time. You've got to appreciate the lovely noise the inline 6 makes :driving:

Let me know if you have any questions about tuning the engine or DCT.

 

[B21]

It was only a matter of time. You've got to appreciate the lovely noise the inline 6 makes :driving:

Let me know if you have any questions about tuning the engine or DCT.

Hello, yes the dearth of support both intellectual and physical for the N20 left me wanting….

And yes on full song the 35is makes a great noise…pity gutting the back boxes means a real drone in the cabin when sat at a steady 60-70 :tumbleweed:

So I’ve got my MHD and xHP tools

As I stated I’m planning to get the VSRF down pipes and Wagner FMIC fitted than a stock MHD stage 2+ flash.

Not climbed a learning curve yet on any MHD / xHP goodies options yet..?

The DCT box is nowhere as good as the 8HP box…hopefully it can be tweaked?

Just feels like a previous generation of technology…

The handling is shite plus I’m burning rubber literally so the Quaife is badly needed.

So the Ohlins plus M3 bits / ARBs etc are the next few weeks priority.

Not sure once I’m past 400 bhp that I personally can use anymore go… :driving: :rofl:

Will be interested to hear how you go about rolling your own MHD tunes ?

 

[Mr Tidy]

Well this is going to be an interesting thread to follow, seeing a 35is getting some serious upgrades!

And I think the body colour mirror caps look great - whoever thought fitting silver ones was a good idea? :headbang:

Although I assume the wheels had already been changed before the photos in the first post, because they aren't 295s.

 

[R.E92]

The premade "OTS" maps with MHD are pretty good for what they are. They are quite close to maxing out the stock turbochargers so you don't get much extra performance from a custom tune but there's quite a lot of room for improvement when it comes to partial throttle performance and controllability. Also I've seen the OTS maps don't work great with the DCT, the shifts trigger elongated torque limits from the DCT.

With xHP you want to be using the Stage 2 maps. The stage 3 ones are a little aggressive in their downshifting behaviour, some people like that but it doesn't make the shifts any faster, just more jerky.
xHP have given me an account so that I can provide custom xHP tunes, I think you just need to have purchased a flasher license first but don't need to but the map packs.

 

[B21]

Well this is going to be an interesting thread to follow, seeing a 35is getting some serious upgrades!

And I think the body colour mirror caps look great - whoever thought fitting silver ones was a good idea? :headbang:

Although I assume the wheels had already been changed before the photos in the first post, because they aren't 295s.

Brain fart..wheels were 325M…apologies

Yes it’s an expensive essay I’m writing…still I could have spent a lot more on a G29 :tumbleweed:

Others have made the observation that the 35is was mostly a marketing pastiche..

Personally if I could have bought a 35i with a DCT box and the key options I required..sat nav, PDC, extended USB/Bluetooth then I would have..but the two I saw were lacking those key options..

So by the time I’ve finished the only specific 35is bit left will be a logo on the speedo…

Never understood the silver mirror caps but again each to their own..

 

[Busterboo]

The yellow and grey go together very well, don't they? The seats look superb and the wood trim adds depth to the interior. (Presumably, body colour mirror backs were standard on both orange and yellow, unlike the usual silver.)

A very attractive car in many ways. Now, just make sure you have BMW Insured Warranty.

[My replies are in square brackets below, B21 ... ]
Hello, yes I like the interior, each to their owm, I do have a carbon fibre interior to fit courtesy of Silverstar..you are making me ponder..
[The wood makes the interior deeper, the carbon fibre shallower. However, 'different strokes', of course.
The 35is in AY and VO as you say had colour matched wing mirrors.
[If I were you, I'd put silver on. Tell the world what you've got.]
I looked at the warranty but decided that I’d embrace the ‘opportunities’ created by decaying parts…
[Please remember that those "opportunities" can be very expensive. And they will happen.]
I wanted to tweak the engine which I think would invalidate any warranty?
[If 340 bhp & 500 Nm in over-boost aren't enough for you, should you perhaps be looking for another car?]
So I’m getting rid of the adaptive suspension and I have a set of Index 12 injectors waiting in customs.
[Is spending money to lose a feature a brave move unless you're certain your alternative will be right?]
I think by 2011 the HPFP was addressed but for £750 I’ll cover it if / when it happens..
[Mine's covered for a lot less than £750.]
Whatever, you have a beautiful car.

 

[B21]

The premade "OTS" maps with MHD are pretty good for what they are. They are quite close to maxing out the stock turbochargers so you don't get much extra performance from a custom tune but there's quite a lot of room for improvement when it comes to partial throttle performance and controllability. Also I've seen the OTS maps don't work great with the DCT, the shifts trigger elongated torque limits from the DCT.

With xHP you want to be using the Stage 2 maps. The stage 3 ones are a little aggressive in their downshifting behaviour, some people like that but it doesn't make the shifts any faster, just more jerky.
xHP have given me an account so that I can provide custom xHP tunes, I think you just need to have purchased a flasher license first but don't need to but the map packs.

Great all noted

When the turbos go south I’ll give you a call… :rofl: :driving:

I gather an issue is for UK cars the steering gear limits options on turbos and other paraphernalia?

Plus there is a break point on stock diameter turbos vs larger bores..feeding through to the FMIC etc?

 

[B21]

Buster boo..

All noted..all I can say in my defence is that I pondered all these things many times over 4 years..I accept full responsibility for my decisions and actions :rofl: :driving:

 

[R.E92]

The premade "OTS" maps with MHD are pretty good for what they are. They are quite close to maxing out the stock turbochargers so you don't get much extra performance from a custom tune but there's quite a lot of room for improvement when it comes to partial throttle performance and controllability. Also I've seen the OTS maps don't work great with the DCT, the shifts trigger elongated torque limits from the DCT.

With xHP you want to be using the Stage 2 maps. The stage 3 ones are a little aggressive in their downshifting behaviour, some people like that but it doesn't make the shifts any faster, just more jerky.
xHP have given me an account so that I can provide custom xHP tunes, I think you just need to have purchased a flasher license first but don't need to but the map packs.

Great all noted

When the turbos go south I’ll give you a call… :rofl: :driving:

I gather an issue is for UK cars the steering gear limits options on turbos and other paraphernalia?

Plus there is a break point on stock diameter turbos vs larger bores..feeding through to the FMIC etc?

Steering column goes right next to the turbos, it means that most turbo kits don't fit right-hand Z4s because the outlets from the turbo foul against the steering column.
There are options but they aren't as nice as I'd like.

You can get turbo upgrades that will work on the stock outlets, they will be stock housings with upgraded internals. Will be capable of flowing less air than the larger options but still an upgrade over the stock ones.

You should consider some wider wheels if you want to improve grip. The standard wheel widths don't allow for much rubber, I was really struggling for traction on the standard 255 width rears. I have 275 Michelin PS4S on my 437M wheels and they grip really well, even in damp cool weather.

 

[tiglon]

The premade "OTS" maps with MHD are pretty good for what they are. They are quite close to maxing out the stock turbochargers so you don't get much extra performance from a custom tune but there's quite a lot of room for improvement when it comes to partial throttle performance and controllability. Also I've seen the OTS maps don't work great with the DCT, the shifts trigger elongated torque limits from the DCT.

With xHP you want to be using the Stage 2 maps. The stage 3 ones are a little aggressive in their downshifting behaviour, some people like that but it doesn't make the shifts any faster, just more jerky.
xHP have given me an account so that I can provide custom xHP tunes, I think you just need to have purchased a flasher license first but don't need to but the map packs.

Great all noted

When the turbos go south I’ll give you a call… :rofl: :driving:

I gather an issue is for UK cars the steering gear limits options on turbos and other paraphernalia?

Plus there is a break point on stock diameter turbos vs larger bores..feeding through to the FMIC etc?

Steering column goes right next to the turbos, it means that most turbo kits don't fit right-hand Z4s because the outlets from the turbo foul against the steering column.
There are options but they aren't as nice as I'd like.

You can get turbo upgrades that will work on the stock outlets, they will be stock housings with upgraded internals. Will be capable of flowing less air than the larger options but still an upgrade over the stock ones.

You should consider some wider wheels if you want to improve grip. The standard wheel widths don't allow for much rubber, I was really struggling for traction on the standard 255 width rears. I have 275 Michelin PS4S on my 437M wheels and they grip really well, even in damp cool weather.

I'm curious, did the 275 rears fit OK or did you have to make modifications?

 

[R.E92]

I'm curious, did the 275 rears fit OK or did you have to make modifications?

With those wheels they fit fine without any mods.

 

[B21]

I'm curious, did the 275 rears fit OK or did you have to make modifications?

With those wheels they fit fine without any mods.

Strange…for me my Zito 935 with 265/35 18 rears (235/40 18 front) on my 20i ran no issues with 10mm spacers to bring them close to OE offset

On the 35is the same set up was grinding the right hand rear wheel arch away..

Even with a 5mm spacer it still occasionally touches.

That in part could be caused by the woeful rear adaptive suspension…too soft and way under damped ..

 

[R.E92]

I'm curious, did the 275 rears fit OK or did you have to make modifications?

With those wheels they fit fine without any mods.

Strange…for me my Zito 935 with 265/35 18 rears (235/40 18 front) on my 20i ran no issues with 10mm spacers to bring them close to OE offset

On the 35is the same set up was grinding the right hand rear wheel arch away..

Even with a 5mm spacer it still occasionally touches.

That in part could be caused by the woeful rear adaptive suspension…too soft and way under damped ..

No issues here and I have adaptive suspension. The wheel offsets will probably be different on the Zitos.

 

[tiglon]

Thank you R.E92.

B21, I've had a look at those Zito's - the offset for the 9.5j which I assume you have on the rear is either 35 or 45, the 437m's rears are 10j and ET40.

 

[B21]

Thank you R.E92.

B21, I've had a look at those Zito's - the offset for the 9.5j which I assume you have on the rear is either 35 or 45, the 437m's rears are 10j and ET40.

Hello yes at rear offset of 35mm the 265 was catching on bumps all the time, with 40mm offset just very occasionally (maybe cause the liner is now worn away), thats just on the RHS.

When I fit the LSD and rear bushes etc I'll get the steering geometry checked..all that may bring it into line..