[RosscoeP]

Hi all,

I bought a 2018 F30 330e Shadow Edition at the end of last year and since then i've added the basic M Performance kit and changed the wheels to ones that i've been keen on for a while, i've also unplugged the exhaust flap to get a little more sound too.

While still being a little practical (not wanting to drive excessively fast or wreck anything on speed bumps) can anyone recommend what I should do next to the car? I don't have a lot of budget and i'm not very skilled at anything DIY but I can use local garages. I've looked at things online but not sure what can be done or is a good idea.

Some things i'm interested in is perhaps making the car look more aggressive, maybe a little more powerful, having a bit more sound. Ideas i've had are coding (is this okay to do with a hybrid or does it create sync issues between the two engines), putting new exhaust tail pipes on (though can't see evidence anywhere of 330e tail pipes being able to come off), or of course adding more bodykit like bigger skirt or diffuser or even the bonnet (I am conscious of all the speed bumps on Edinburgh streets).

If anyone has a moment to share any thoughts or experiences that would be very much appreciated. I would like to do an addition or two to the car but not sure what to do or what can be done. Thanks in advance!

[SteveinArizona]

I can't help you visually. You can code the car (I had my 2016 330e coded as well as my current 530e). I had mine coded to use the Alpina display so that now I have a tach up all the time. On my current car, when it goes from pure electric to using the ICE, it is so smooth that I don't even realize it until the tach shoots up.

[RosscoeP]

Thanks SteveinArizona ... certainly i'm considering coding but just not sure as I don't go overly fast often though do enjoy extra torque!

Can I ask as you've mentioned coding... so the petrol engine and electric engine still work together even with the petrol part boosted? I wasn't sure if having the engine changed would affect or risk issues with being out of sych with the electric part.

Do you get better economy from the petrol engine after the remapping? I have read that you do but wonder if you have seen evidence of it

My only other concern about coding is insurance but everyone says insurance companies can't detect it

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by RosscoeP

Thanks SteveinArizona ... certainly i'm considering coding but just not sure as I don't go overly fast often though do enjoy extra torque!

Can I ask as you've mentioned coding... so the petrol engine and electric engine still work together even with the petrol part boosted? I wasn't sure if having the engine changed would affect or risk issues with being out of sych with the electric part.

Do you get better economy from the petrol engine after the remapping? I have read that you do but wonder if you have seen evidence of it

My only other concern about coding is insurance but everyone says insurance companies can't detect it

I coded my car for things like the alpina display but i did not do anything that impacted on the ICE. I have seen other posts where people have apparently successfully done that but I have not.

[Fritzer]

I'm so jealous of these European and UK dudes posting their cool, non-M slicktop cars. They don't know how good they got it!

[Fritzer]

In terms of engine performance, I'm really not too familiar with the "e" cars. I would wager that maybe a simple tune would be fine, but anything past that could mess with the powertrain. Or it could not, I just really don't know and I doubt many do for sure. Although I bet some simple bolt-ons to help the car breathe a bit better would be fine. Intake, exhaust etc.

Past that, here are the other simple things I would do from looking at your car;

-Even though they aren't OEM, I think BMW roundels in the wheels would bring the car together.
-I notice in other markets that they put the ///M logo all over the place on the cars even if it's just a 330 M sport etc. I would debadge all the badges, on the trunk, C pillar "e" badges, especially the M badges on the front fenders.
-Trunklid spoiler
-If you like carbon fiber, you could all the way and do; Front spoiler/lip, kidney grilles, side mirrors, shark fin, trunklid spoiler, rear diffuser. All in carbon fiber.
-Depending what you want/how much you're willing to spend, you could improve the suspension as well. But it is likely fine as-is, especially with the height of the suspension currently/your intended uses.

Can't really think of anything else, car seems pretty solid. Those wheels look quite nice, decent manufacturer?

[pz619]

Part of the fun of modding cars is making it your own. I would encourage you to determine what means the most to do you. Is it visual changes? Interior? Handling? Speed? Sound? Possibilities are endless, find what speaks to you.

From there members can provided feedback based on your needs, but I would try to figure out what you want from the car.

[RosscoeP]

Thanks pz619 that is very good idea... I should probably be sure of that myself, but it would definitely help with any suggestions! I think i'm going for looks rather than performance as that is safer on the car and also the driving licence points too!

Thanks also Fritzer those are great suggestions and you clearly know your stuff. Certainly I have wondered about the trunklid spoiler so that is an option. I would like to lower the suspension slightly but where live there are a lot of speed bumps so I need to consider scraping my front skirt. As for the remapping, indeed i'm unsure about doing that let alone whether it's necessary versus risks to the engine and related parts. The wheels are Veemann which I believe are good quality and the seem to be from my limited expertise, some people think the different wheels style looks good on this car and some don't (like my own 10 year old son!) but this wheels style is something i've always liked on almost any car!

Thanks for your time to reply guys, much appreciated. I'll have a think and definitely some good suggestions for me to consider and explore so thanks again!

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by RosscoeP

Certainly I have wondered about the trunklid spoiler so that is an option.

Yeah just look on ECS Tuning or Turner or some BMW modification website. All of them have different versions/variations. The basic M3 one or the BMW Performance ones are what I prefer.

Originally Posted by RosscoeP

I would like to lower the suspension slightly but where live there are a lot of speed bumps so I need to consider scraping my front skirt.

Honestly, the car looks fine as low as it is right now, I think. You will get negligible improvement in handling. You don't need it any lower, I think it's perfect. Especially in Edinburgh, those roads are really rough.

Originally Posted by RosscoeP

As for the remapping, indeed i'm unsure about doing that let alone whether it's necessary versus risks to the engine and related parts

A basic ECU tune, throttle re-map, and maybe a transmission re-map wouldn't put significantly noticeable extra wear on the components. But if you just get the basic package of mapping and a slight engine tune, you will not even notice it in terms of wear. But for that car, it will be night and day in terms of performance. Seriously.

The one thing that I am unsure of is the hybrid nature of the car being a 330e. You should do research/check with a tuner if there will be any complications with the hybrid system. I have a feeling it won't be an issue at all, but better to be safe than sorry!

Originally Posted by RosscoeP

The wheels are Veemann which I believe are good quality and the seem to be from my limited expertise, some people think the different wheels style looks good on this car and some don't (like my own 10 year old son!) but this wheels style is something i've always liked on almost any car!

Haven't heard of that company. They look quite nice, hopefully not too heavy! Are they 20"?

[RosscoeP]

Originally Posted by Fritzer

Yeah just look on ECS Tuning or Turner or some BMW modification website. All of them have different versions/variations. The basic M3 one or the BMW Performance ones are what I prefer.

Honestly, the car looks fine as low as it is right now, I think. You will get negligible improvement in handling. You don't need it any lower, I think it's perfect. Especially in Edinburgh, those roads are really rough.

A basic ECU tune, throttle re-map, and maybe a transmission re-map wouldn't put significantly noticeable extra wear on the components. But if you just get the basic package of mapping and a slight engine tune, you will not even notice it in terms of wear. But for that car, it will be night and day in terms of performance. Seriously.

The one thing that I am unsure of is the hybrid nature of the car being a 330e. You should do research/check with a tuner if there will be any complications with the hybrid system. I have a feeling it won't be an issue at all, but better to be safe than sorry!


Haven't heard of that company. They look quite nice, hopefully not too heavy! Are they 20"?

Thanks for the link to the body kit supplier, i'll look into that and others and consider the trunk spoiler!

You are right about the roads in Edinburgh, just awful... relatives that come to stay are always shocked by them! You are also right that I probably can't get much lower anyway.

I'm asking around about the remapping to see if there's a risk to the sync of the two engines together, hopefully one of the specialists around the country will know and can confirm once and for all

Yeah the Veemanns are good and I thought they were heavy, but then I held my 740s which were so much heavier! The Veemann wheels are good for sure and not too expensive, they aren't stocked around that much but I found a place who shipped them for very little... the ones i've got are 20" and not much more than the original 19" but that's fine.

Thanks a lot for all your insight and opinions... you know your stuff definitely

[Phill-330e]

Have you considered mgflasher?
https://www.mgflasher.com/
Did it to mine recently, stage 1 remap. Huge change to performance, which was already quick.

[RosscoeP]

Originally Posted by Phill-330e

Have you considered mgflasher?
https://www.mgflasher.com/
Did it to mine recently, stage 1 remap. Huge change to performance, which was already quick.

Thanks @Phill-330e i've seen others talking about that, and in terms of remapping the MGFlasher seems to be the best... I like that you can turn it on or off, so when selling the car you could put it back to stock settings.

Did you install yours yourself or did you get a garage to do it?

[Phill-330e]

sorry for late response!
yes can turn it on or off via your phone and the obd adapter within 2 minutes, theres about 30 people i know in a group, mix of 330e and 530e owners and not an issue amongst us.

[3002 tii]

Invest in some track time, best way to enjoy the car and you’ll quickly realize where money is best spent

How do you like the car? After my i3 lease went up I was considering getting one of these. But with long term remote work, have not needed commuter car yet.

[Bugs Meany]

Originally Posted by Fritzer

-I notice in other markets that they put the ///M logo all over the place on the cars even if it's just a 330 M sport etc. I would debadge all the badges, on the trunk, C pillar "e" badges, especially the M badges on the front fenders.

What’s the deal with debadging? Sometimes I’ll see a 3 series with everything taken off. I’m not intrigued. “Oooooh, could this secretly be a 7 series??l” Is it just a minimalist thing?

I’ll grant you that the xDrive is to be assumed where I am (Mass.), and kinda unnecessary. Once every 5,000 Bimmers you’ll see an sDrive badge, but it’s always from Florida or California.

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by Bugs Meany

What’s the deal with debadging? Sometimes I’ll see a 3 series with everything taken off. I’m not intrigued. “Oooooh, could this secretly be a 7 series??l” Is it just a minimalist thing?

I’ll grant you that the xDrive is to be assumed where I am (Mass.), and kinda unnecessary. Once every 5,000 Bimmers you’ll see an sDrive badge, but it’s always from Florida or California.

I just think it looks bad. On top of the association with the vanity of people wanting to show off what model they have.