Visual tweaks today, GP Splitter & BMWP 'Diffuser', both in gloss black
I like the diffuser, but it does come with a built-in crap shelf. If the mucky boot-lip drives you mad, this diffuser probably isn't for you!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bought an A4 sheet of 3M 1080 Gloss Black Vinyl wrap from fleaBay, with the idea of giving the front bumper a bit more presence.
Finally got rid of the last of the Ferric Grey paint (on the blades), and added some detail to the side of the ducts:
I'm pretty happy for £4 and an hours work, and think it complimemnts the GazP Splitter quite nicely
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New gloss black twin-slat grills today:
Old ones removed using nothing more than a cocktail spoon, nice easy job.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yet more grip today.
A little front neg Camber courtesy of longer Lower Control Arm's from an M4, with nice stiff bushes for feedback / accuracy:
View attachment LCA.jpg
31122284529 & 31122284530, plus the ball joint off 37142283867, and two 33306787062 M14 nuts to be on the safe side. Edit: and an M6 Nyloc from the shed!
I've even got a little steering feel, in an F20!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Light front arch roll to increase the clearance, courtesy of
:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changed the Diff oil today for some nice new Castrol 75w140 GL5 LSD oil, and fitted a Magnetic 'Dimple' diff plug whilst I was at it (M22x1.5mm, 9mm thread). How to:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New air filter today. Having previously bricked a 3er MAF with an oily K&N, I've gone for a dry cotton-gauze filter this time; a Pro Dry S from aFe
You can get these pretty inexpensively now thanks to the new eBay international postage scheme:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some coding today, all thanks to a very patient Wibbles.
Son of Skippy now has:
Digi Speedo (for SWMBO)
Tyre temperatures and pressures on screen (RDC)
Puddle Lights on when reversing
Stop/start default to Off
I've added RDC as Preset 5, my new favourite toy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An unwanted side-effect of the M4 LCA's was a drop in nose ride height, so I've swapped the front Eibach's today for a pair of M235i front springs.
4 Coils, 13.3mm, 159mm diameter, 141 lb/inch (approx)
Design roll-centre restored.
Ride height is now 345mm front, 350mm rear, and handles very nicely.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd oil service today at 20k miles, plus oil filter & cabin Microfilter. An Eye-watering £250! Interesting to see the electronic service history record uploaded instantly from the key.
All four tyres are now wearing evenly, according to BMW.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My 435i tips have gone off to a good home, replaced with Burger Motorsport Exhaust tips today, Angled Chrome:
If you want to fit
angled BMS tips to an M
135i (not M235i), you need to saw about 1cm off both alignment lugs with a Junior Hacksaw. Allow about half an hour for wriggling around on the floor with hand cramp!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blind Pugh kindly shared some info from our cousins on 2Addicts, regarding additional soundproofing fitted to diseasil's. BMW part numbers 51487300693 & 51487300694 , which are panel seals, shown below:
First impression is they don't make a huge difference to the road noise to be honest, the noise in the cabin does seem to have shifted rearwards, so maybe they are doing
something. I wouldn't say it's significantly quieter though.
But they weigh next to nothing, and only cost a tenner each, so I'm actually reasonably happy!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brands Hatch Track Day today. Carbotech XP8 front pads, engine cover + engine bay seals removed (to allow heat to escape). Cold tyre pressures of 28 F & 29 R. 1 bottle of NF Race Formula to help prevent any pinking, they claim +6 Ron but I reckon it's nearer to +3, so about 102 Ron when added to V Power Nitro+.
Skippy basically took everything I threw at her. Peak oil temp 115°C, coolant 95°C, front tyres 50°C. When it rained (and became pretty slippery) I was getting a little more understeer through clearways than I would have liked, but she's basically set up quite nicely.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New tyres today, a set of four 245/35/18 Goodyear Asym 3's. They're still scrubbing in, but initial impressions are pretty good in direct comparison to the MPSS (in the same sizes). Not as big a reduction in noise as I would have liked, but they are a little quieter (especially when hitting cats-eyes / pot holes / road imperfections). Definitely going to be better in deep standing water as the drainage grooves are huge.
Interestingly they're a little wider overall (despite being the same width in theory), giving a bit more rim protection, probably +5mm per side:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coming up to 30k, so will be getting a 4th oil change shortly. 0W30 Castrol Edge LL04 from Opie Oils, same as last winter.