[Hunter3]

Just asking for opinions here. How many miles do you think is too much when modding your car ? I know most of it has to do with how well you take care of the vehicle but if you had to give a rough estimate on when it becomes too dangerous for the engine. I'm currently coming up on 55K and looking to throw a downpipe and tune on my car for more power. My car is very well maintained and garage kept. Is there anything I can be doing to get my car ready for the extra power ? Such as spark plugs charge pipe or anything that would help with the power and keeping it as safe as possible ?

[CoffeeBean]

Not at all, many people start well beyond that, not an issue. You will need a better charge pipe if you're using a tune because the extra boost will break the stock one. You can choose to change plugs and coils ahead of time, or just wait until you start getting misfires and change them then. You'll probably want to get a better intercooler before or at the same time as a downpipe though. Even with stage 1 tunes the stocker will get heat soaked quickly, especially in hot climates. Other than that, just be sure to log so you know everything is behaving correctly.

[NoGuru]

Yep, what CoffeeBeen said.
I would do plugs (NGK) and coils before though just so you can take them out of the picture in case of any issues.

I started Modding at 50K

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

You can mod at any mileage provided you've kept up with the basic maintenance items, and have the right supporting parts. Many people mod at high mileage because their car needs replacement parts. There's no better time to mod it with better parts than when they need to be replaced.

[Pladi]

these cars leak and break mod or not.. u have to be on top of maintenance..

[IllSic_Design]

I started tuning my car at 116k, now at 170k. It's all about maintenance and how well you take care of your car.

[Ozzie335i]

Hunter3, provided you have been doing the proper maintenance as mentioned by the guys above, you are just getting started. Have fun, and proceed by making choices that many here would do differently if given a chance to do so over again. I for one, if I had another chance to do it again, would not have wasted as much as I had on Dinan stuff in order to preserve my precious CPO.

[Hunter3]

Appreciate all the answers guys ! Definitely gonna order that charge pipe and FMIC probably will go with a spark and coil pack as well just to be safe. Idt I'll be tuning much more than what that can handle so I'm crossing my fingers.

[Hunter3]

Originally Posted by Ozzie335i

Hunter3, provided you have been doing the proper maintenance as mentioned by the guys above, you are just getting started. Have fun, and proceed by making choices that many here would do differently if given a chance to do so over again. I for one, if I had another chance to do it again, would not have wasted as much as I had on Dinan stuff in order to preserve my precious CPO.

Why didn't you like the dinan mods you added ?? I'm most likely going JB4. MHD seems awesome but I don't have the time to send out my DME for a bench flash.

[Hunter3]

Originally Posted by NoGuru

Yep, what CoffeeBeen said.
I would do plugs (NGK) and coils before though just so you can take them out of the picture in case of any issues.

I started Modding at 50K

Why NGK plugs over anything else just curious ?

[Hunter3]

Originally Posted by CoffeeBean

Not at all, many people start well beyond that, not an issue. You will need a better charge pipe if you're using a tune because the extra boost will break the stock one. You can choose to change plugs and coils ahead of time, or just wait until you start getting misfires and change them then. You'll probably want to get a better intercooler before or at the same time as a downpipe though. Even with stage 1 tunes the stocker will get heat soaked quickly, especially in hot climates. Other than that, just be sure to log so you know everything is behaving correctly.

Appreciate your answer man ! Since I went with the VRSF downpipe I might just go ahead and grab the charge pipe they offer as well. Unless you have some other opinions on a charge pipe/FMIC ?

[NoGuru]

Originally Posted by Hunter3

Why NGK plugs over anything else just curious ?

Well you want one step colder plugs. The brand is up to you but the NGK are what I run and what I think most tuned BMW's seem to be running.
I think they are gapped to .022 but you could do a quick search to verify.

Also to do multi quotes instead of making a bunch of posts, use the little plus button and each post you want to quote and it will add them into one post.

[cahme]

Originally Posted by NoGuru

Well you want one step colder plugs. The brand is up to you but the NGK are what I run and what I think most tuned BMW's seem to be running.

Each of these stock plugs are one step colder than the next with the N20 being the coldest:
N20 -> N55 -> N54

NGK 5992 / 95770 (same plug, part # changed) is probably the most recommended plug I've seen for both N55 and N54, but is the stock heat range for the N55 (and one step colder for the N54).

Personally,l, I don't believe it's as important to run a step cooler than stock for the N55, but I'm also running stock DP.



For the original question, I don't think there is a mileage number for tuning. I look at it as I'd tune any car I plan on keeping. If I think it's too fragile to tune, I'd likely not own it (or rebuild/swap). I bought my (N55) 335 with 113k miles apmost 3 years ago and have had some form of JB4 / MHD ever since 115k. Sitting on 160k now.

[CoffeeBean]

Originally Posted by Hunter3

Why didn't you like the dinan mods you added ?? I'm most likely going JB4. MHD seems awesome but I don't have the time to send out my DME for a bench flash.

Dinan = overpriced junk that people only buy through the dealer to not void their warranty. Their tunes are pathetic. Much better and less expensive options out there.

Originally Posted by Hunter3

Appreciate your answer man ! Since I went with the VRSF downpipe I might just go ahead and grab the charge pipe they offer as well. Unless you have some other opinions on a charge pipe/FMIC ?

Yes their charge pipe and FMIC are good too. I had their 7" FMIC on my N54, but it's not necessary with stock turbos. If I did it again I'd get the 5" stepped just for the ease of installation as no cutting behind the bumper is needed.

[Ozzie335i]

Originally Posted by CoffeeBean

Dinan = overpriced junk that people only buy through the dealer to not void their warranty. Their tunes are pathetic. Much better and less expensive options out there.

Precisely.

One thing is cool. If you spend enough on their overpriced stuff you can rebadge your car "Dinan3."

Hunter, learn from other's financial mistakes, including my own.

[katatonia]

These cars last - some people are at 200k miles already. Obviously there is extensive maintenance involved to get there