New BMW M3 What Mods First?

[antpaniccia]

Hey guys, I'm new here this is my first post. I've driven BMW's all my life; however, this is my first M3. It's a 2018 M3 Sedan Competition Pack. It's an everyday driver so I don't want to go too extreme. I'm an adrenaline junky for sure, and have already registered for several track days. I'm just extremely confused as to what performance mods to do as I am somewhat on a budget after the heavy price tag. I just want to make sure I'm getting the best bang for my buck without waivering quality of course. I'm a huge Dinan fan, but their prices are outrageous. I'd love a tune, but not sure if the dealership would notice and void my warranty. Besides the fact I have absolutely no idea where to go for a tune. ANY help is MUCH MUCH appreciated! Thank you in advance!

[Speedwell-Industries]

Just wanted to say welcome and congratulations on the new M3!!!

[2 SLOW]

Originally Posted by antpaniccia

Hey guys, I'm new here this is my first post. I've driven BMW's all my life; however, this is my first M3. It's a 2018 M3 Sedan Competition Pack. It's an everyday driver so I don't want to go too extreme. I'm an adrenaline junky for sure, and have already registered for several track days. I'm just extremely confused as to what performance mods to do as I am somewhat on a budget after the heavy price tag. I just want to make sure I'm getting the best bang for my buck without waivering quality of course. I'm a huge Dinan fan, but their prices are outrageous. I'd love a tune, but not sure if the dealership would notice and void my warranty. Besides the fact I have absolutely no idea where to go for a tune. ANY help is MUCH MUCH appreciated! Thank you in advance!

Enjoy the car for a while before you do anything.

Tune will be the most bang for the buck but it doesn't sound like you are ready to potentially not have a drivetrain warranty.

The exhaust valves permanently open might be the easiest thing for you to do at this time.

[Dr._Who]

Hey,

Congratulations!

"Xpel" PPF - A.S.A.P.


Cheers!

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Tune, best bang for the buck mod.

[antpaniccia]

Awesome, Thank you very much everybody. Much appreciate the kind words too. Just so I can humor myself where can I look into for a tune? Other than Dinan, I know where to find that obviously haha. But from what I gather, there are tunes just as good for half the cost? Do you think the dealership would figure out that I tuned it? I only have to really bring it there for oil changes etc. I own a small shop in New York so I could do work on it myself if I needed to. I'm just not experienced at all doing any tuning.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by antpaniccia

Awesome, Thank you very much everybody. Much appreciate the kind words too. Just so I can humor myself where can I look into for a tune? Other than Dinan, I know where to find that obviously haha. But from what I gather, there are tunes just as good for half the cost? Do you think the dealership would figure out that I tuned it? I only have to really bring it there for oil changes etc. I own a small shop in New York so I could do work on it myself if I needed to. I'm just not experienced at all doing any tuning.

Bootmod3 provides the best value/platform. FAQ listed here: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1321851

Would also recommend a set of BMC filters & removing the charcoal liners. We have a DIY here: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1014235

[FatRear08]

If track days are on your list, grab a set of dedicated wheels and tires to start, with upgraded brake pads and high temp brake fluid. APEX wheels are popular and great for the price. After that, a set of coilovers, such as KW V3’s, with a corner balance. Great deals in the classifieds with some being barely used or tracked, if you’re on a budget. Then...tune her and rip it up even more. Auto Couture in Fair Lawn would steer you in the right direction.

[IDBGOD]

The dealership/BMW only cares when there is a major issue. For regular non related drivetrain warranty items, normal scheduled service, etc you wouldn’t have any problem even if they knew you are modified.

I have ran tunes in my cars for years most of them under full duration of warranty with no issue. I will say though that if you are concerned about warranty or the potential risk of paying out of pocket in the event something does go wrong, you might want to just enjoy the car stock for awhile especially a brand new 18 with full warranty. Car is quick enough for public roads even without mods.

Then if you still feel the itch and are more daring go for it. Any reputable tuner isn’t going to push the car beyond its capabilities to where it would cause catastrophic failure. The S55 platform is solid.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Like mentioned above a tune is the best bang for the buck mod on these cars.. Really transforms them into monsters..

JB4 or BM3 are the most popular.

Mike

[KakashiSenpai]

Congrats! I highly suggest going with a BM3 tune & downpipes for the best value although this may alter your warranty.

Cosmetically the F8X already looks aggressive/clean but maybe lowering the car with a nice set of wheels may go along way!

Enjoy the car!

[supaswol]

Tint, springs or coilovers and clear bra as a must do day 1 for me.

[Justin.AutoTalent]

Bootmod3 for sure! The tune offers updates often to continuously improve the tune's consistency, drivability, and personal customization - custom burbles, custom tuning, self tuning, 6mt rev match preferences by modes. The list of features is very impressive in my opinion especially for the price.

I've jumped between many tunes from VF, GIAC, JB4, and PP Performance. They aren't on the same level as BM3.

Warranty is always a touchy subject, I would advise posting in your regional section for a mod friendly dealership.

[antpaniccia]

Great, thank you very much. i knew I had came to the right place. Gotta love BMW owners, I swear. Last question for now, if I get the catless downpipes and an intake will that make a difference for the tune? I'm planning on ordering the JB4, but not sure if I need to do the downpipes and intake first for any reason. Will I run a CEL with the catless pipes and JB4?

[antpaniccia]

Also, I had ordered a catless downpipe last week that I'm just assuming maybe garbage. it cost like 300 bucks brand new, CNT Racing is the brand name. Like I said, with some more research I've found that good midpipes are double that price. Am I right in thinking to just return it once it arrives?

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by antpaniccia

Great, thank you very much. i knew I had came to the right place. Gotta love BMW owners, I swear. Last question for now, if I get the catless downpipes and an intake will that make a difference for the tune? I'm planning on ordering the JB4, but not sure if I need to do the downpipes and intake first for any reason. Will I run a CEL with the catless pipes and JB4?

Only need them if you are going to be running stage 2 or higher. JB4 no longer clears the CEL for DPs IIRC because of their CARB certification requirements so good luck with that.

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by antpaniccia

Also, I had ordered a catless downpipe last week that I'm just assuming maybe garbage. it cost like 300 bucks brand new, CNT Racing is the brand name. Like I said, with some more research I've found that good midpipes are double that price. Am I right in thinking to just return it once it arrives?

I have always Of the opinion that downpipes are downpipes. If the dimensions are generally the same as $1000 ones and the pipes line up on install, why spend triple the money. Now if the welds are shit and the pipes don't line up it's just going to be a headache. I had a very inexpensive pair of downpipes on my old N54 335i (so double downpipes) and while they were a bitch to install because they didn't line up perfectly. They lasted me for thousands of miles until I got rid of the car.

[mike@x-ph.com]

What is your ultimate budget and power goals?

[PshhhhhMW]

Body color front corners.
M Performance all weather floor mats.
Drop in Filter.
Dash cam.

Those are probably the best small mods you can get right from the start.

[FSociety]

Welcome & Congrats, like everyone has already said!

#1 Tune for Fxx series is Bootmod3 $595 Unlock Flash n Go in 4mins. Map change 40seconds.

Originally Posted by Justin.AutoTalent

Bootmod3 for sure! The tune offers updates often to continuously improve the tune's consistency, drivability, and personal customization - custom burbles, custom tuning, self tuning, 6mt rev match preferences by modes. The list of features is very impressive in my opinion especially for the price.

I've jumped between many tunes from VF, GIAC, JB4, and PP Performance. They aren't on the same level as BM3.

Warranty is always a touchy subject, I would advise posting in your regional section for a mod friendly dealership.

+1

Originally Posted by RamonCarrasco

Congrats! I highly suggest going with a BM3 tune & downpipes for the best value although this may alter your warranty.

Cosmetically the F8X already looks aggressive/clean but maybe lowering the car with a nice set of wheels may go along way!

Enjoy the car!

+1

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Bootmod3 provides the best value/platform. FAQ listed here: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1321851

Would also recommend a set of BMC filters & removing the charcoal liners. We have a DIY here: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1014235

+1

If you need charge-pipe http://www.ctsturbo.com/cart/product...et-5061-0.html

If you need downpipe http://www.ctsturbo.com/cart/product...-5006-710.html

The guys over at CTS Turbo running a Sale right now take advantage of it. Great experience with having their parts in my previous World Record X4 M40i and using their hardware again for my current F80 and friends.

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by antpaniccia

but not sure if the dealership would notice and void my warranty.

void that bitch.

tune, pure stage 2 turbos and run 100% E85.

[SflBimmer8484]

AA Mid pipe Easy to install and no warranty issues!