Just bought an M4. So now modding !

[lolololol]

Hi Friends,

Just bought an M4 and wanted to get your insight as I embark on the modding journey. I'm coming from a heavily modified 335i so I assume that many of the upgrades would be similar ?

What ecu tune is the best to go for ? I've had a jb4 before and didn't really like the piggy back approach.

Which down pipes are best for RHD cars ?

Which intake is best. BMS one looks most reasonable.?

Any need to upgrade the FMIC ?

Planning on taking the car beyond 500hp, so will the standard charge pipe hold out ? It didn't on my n54. If so which one ? ER?

Paul's Exhaust mod, is this just about increase of noise or you actually get MPE type performance ?

Would like to replace the tips on the exhaust - are Cyba still the ones to get ? Do they need welding ?

Suspension.......already have the H&R springs, do the dampers or roll bars need upgrading ? Is this M Performance kit any good or just cosmetic ?

Anything else I need to think about ?

Appreciate any response or pointers !!

[rjwojcik]

Cyba are just bolt on

[Lawton438]

I've basically just done the exact same jump as yourself, and had it on the dyno today for a starting point and it's put down 478bhp standard so would get it on a dyno first off as I was suprised myself for a standard setup.

[lolololol]

Originally Posted by Lawton438

I've basically just done the exact same jump as yourself, and had it on the dyno today for a starting point and it's put down 478bhp standard so would get it on a dyno first off as I was suprised myself for a standard setup.

Interesting, even so I still will mod ?

478 is high against 421 as published power ?

[Lawton438]

I may well do myself in the near future but for now am happy with how the car handles.

Yeh I've read quite a lot about the engines being underrated so thought ide get a baseline figure to start with so if I do mod atleast I've got something to start from.

[DazC]

Hello and welcome!

Originally Posted by lolololol

Hi Friends,

Just bought an M4 and wanted to get your insight as I embark on the modding journey. I'm coming from a heavily modified 335i so I assume that many of the upgrades would be similar ?

What ecu tune is the best to go for ? I've had a jb4 before and didn't really like the piggy back approach.

There are so many out there it's best to do some research and make a decision from there.

Which down pipes are best for RHD cars ?

Akra, Remus, Milltek. It's personal preference

Which intake is best. BMS one looks most reasonable.?

BMS for budget. Eventuri if money no object.

Any need to upgrade the FMIC ?

Not unless going for major power.

Planning on taking the car beyond 500hp, so will the standard charge pipe hold out ? It didn't on my n54. If so which one ? ER?

Standard are fine up to 500hp IMO.

Paul's Exhaust mod, is this just about increase of noise or you actually get MPE type performance ?

It's primarily noise. I believe there may be a minor power increase but nothing major.

Would like to replace the tips on the exhaust - are Cyba still the ones to get ? Do they need welding ?

Cyba IMO. They are slip-on.

Suspension.......already have the H&R springs, do the dampers or roll bars need upgrading ? Is this M Performance kit any good or just cosmetic ?

Depends how you use the car. Springs are mostly cosmetic. BMW kit is equivalent to the KW HAS. Adjustable but loses the adaptive I believe. If you track the car the ACS RS kit is worth considering.

Anything else I need to think about ?

Aesthetics. M perf kit, CG Controller for exhaust flaps, exhaust. The list is endless.

Appreciate any response or pointers !!

All the above are IMO obviously. Enjoy the car.

[lolololol]

Originally Posted by DazC

Hello and welcome!

All the above are IMO obviously. Enjoy the car.

I've heard the BMW suspension kit gives no advantage with dampers - so much conflicting intel out there.

Re the ECU tune, I've seen Evolve, VF Engineering and Litchfield. I want a flash tune rather piggy back - just wanted to know which was the tune most bring used in the field.

Now I've heard a lot about these exhaust flap controls - why do I need this ?

[DazC]

Originally Posted by lolololol

I've heard the BMW suspension kit gives no advantage with dampers - so much conflicting intel out there.

Re the ECU tune, I've seen Evolve, VF Engineering and Litchfield. I want a flash tune rather piggy back - just wanted to know which was the tune most bring used in the field.

Now I've heard a lot about these exhaust flap controls - why do I need this ?

It allows you to control the opening and closing of the exhaust valves which can increase / decrease the exhaust note. A bit of a gimmick but I use mine regularly.

[gtsussex]

Okay so let's try and simplify things here.

If you're only after over 500bhp, you'll be fine with simple tuning. My car made 473bhp as standard (compared to 550bhp as on sticker). You'll find most M engines making way over sticker price.

Having said that it made that having had Paul's mods that take away the secondary cats which will have some effect on flow. You think the MPE adds power? Hmmmmm... Doubt it.

If you want to go into the high 5's the you will need to change things but up to 540bhp, standard stuff is fine with remap. I would suggest you spend your money on suspension and brake setup to cope with it.

You mention you have HAS. Great - still has crap standard dampers.

If it was me, standard power but with coilovers- you could have 600bhp and wouldn't see where I went (and had so much fun).

[M5essex]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

Okay so let's try and simplify things here.

If you're only after over 500bhp, you'll be fine with simple tuning. My car made 473bhp as standard (compared to 550bhp as on sticker). You'll find most M engines making way over sticker price.

Having said that it made that having had Paul's mods that take away the secondary cats which will have some effect on flow. You think the MPE adds power? Hmmmmm... Doubt it.

If you want to go into the high 5's the you will need to change things but up to 540bhp, standard stuff is fine with remap. I would suggest you spend your money on suspension and brake setup to cope with it.

You mention you have HAS. Great - still has crap standard dampers.

If it was me, standard power but with coilovers- you could have 600bhp and wouldn't see where I went (and had so much fun).

550 stock eh?

[lolololol]

Originally Posted by M5essex

550 stock eh?

That's what I thought ?

[lolololol]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

Okay so let's try and simplify things here.

If you're only after over 500bhp, you'll be fine with simple tuning. My car made 473bhp as standard (compared to 550bhp as on sticker). You'll find most M engines making way over sticker price.

Having said that it made that having had Paul's mods that take away the secondary cats which will have some effect on flow. You think the MPE adds power? Hmmmmm... Doubt it.

If you want to go into the high 5's the you will need to change things but up to 540bhp, standard stuff is fine with remap. I would suggest you spend your money on suspension and brake setup to cope with it.

You mention you have HAS. Great - still has crap standard dampers.

If it was me, standard power but with coilovers- you could have 600bhp and wouldn't see where I went (and had so much fun).

So what suspension you recommend buying ? I have the birds kit on my 335i - so happy to invest ?!

[lolololol]

So I should say .... tonight I bought the VRSF downpipes, BMS intakes and tips

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by M5essex

550 stock eh?

You know what I meant. Git...

[Foretrees]

Originally Posted by lolololol

Hi Friends,

Just bought an M4 and wanted to get your insight as I embark on the modding journey. I'm coming from a heavily modified 335i so I assume that many of the upgrades would be similar ?

What ecu tune is the best to go for ? I've had a jb4 before and didn't really like the piggy back approach.

Which down pipes are best for RHD cars ?

Which intake is best. BMS one looks most reasonable.?

Any need to upgrade the FMIC ?



Planning on taking the car beyond 500hp, so will the standard charge pipe hold out ? It didn't on my n54. If so which one ? ER?

Paul's Exhaust mod, is this just about increase of noise or you actually get MPE type performance ?

Would like to replace the tips on the exhaust - are Cyba still the ones to get ? Do they need welding ?

Suspension.......already have the H&R springs, do the dampers or roll bars need upgrading ? Is this M Performance kit any good or just cosmetic ?

Anything else I need to think about ?

Appreciate any response or pointers !!

Enjoy your new car....and lots of mods

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by lolololol

So what suspension you recommend buying ? I have the birds kit on my 335i - so happy to invest ?!

Most have gone for KW's - either V3's or Clubsports. I've got V3's.

[lolololol]

Damage on them and where to get them bro ? Do I match with H&R springs or it's a total kit ? Do you lose adaptive suspension with the kit ?

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by lolololol

Damage on them and where to get them bro ? Do I match with H&R springs or it's a total kit ? Do you lose adaptive suspension with the kit ?

Try here - http://www.kwsuspensions.co.uk/kw_dealersearch/

Sell the H&R springs - KW spring rates and dampers all matched. Yes you will lose the adaptive.

[lolololol]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

Try here - http://www.kwsuspensions.co.uk/kw_dealersearch/

Sell the H&R springs - KW spring rates and dampers all matched. Yes you will lose the adaptive.

Thanks mate

Do they need proper setting up or simply fit and realignment ?