[E92Fan]

Have started a thread about this in the UK section, but thought I'd link to it here.

Basically, the turbos on my car have been taken out for inspection and found to be in a pretty poor state. The compressor wheels were banging slightly, bearing housings completely carbonised, wastegates (which were replaced by BMW 20k miles ago) in their 'closed' position still had daylight shining through the poppet valve, and oil is seeping past the bearings and seals.

The bottom line is that the turbos are on their way out, in a big way. Having said that though, it's not at all surprising as my car was developing mid-400bhp flywheel (on a conservative Dyno Dynamics road) and has done 40k miles of pretty much the hardest driving you can imagine. Over 150 very hard laps of the Nurburgring where the turbo is running full boost pretty much 100% of the 8min lap time, countless UK track days, and literally thousands and thousands of miles sitting at high speeds on the autobahns across Germany and the rest of Europe.

What led me to suspect the turbos were going was the smoke coming out of the exhaust when the car was stationary, and also a slight smell of burning oil, again only when at a standstill. The car was running completely cleanly under load however, so it definitely isn't the pistons wearing down or anything that serious (and I've checked already).


Anyway, the main thread with all the pictures and updates is here - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=318749. Come over, post up and say hello to the UK members!!



PS.. have read many threads over here about upgrade turbos, and what companies are doing (or supposed to be doing) - don't know how many customer cars have actually had this done though?

[Syndicategt]

Atleast you drove the car the way it was designed to drive (not like these daily drivers here in the states).

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Syndicategt

Atleast you drove the car the way it was designed to drive (not like these daily drivers here in the states).

Yes, something like that...!

[jpsimon]

150 laps??? that is the most unfair thing I've read all month

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by jpsimon

150 laps??? that is the most unfair thing I've read all month

It's probably more than that to be honest, and that's just in the 335i and not any other cars It's one benefit of living in the UK - I can get from my house to the Nurburgring in about five hours

I arrange E90post trips from the UK to the 'Ring every year - last year I did three trips and next year I'm planning on doing four organised trips. Come over and join us!!! The last trip had I think 15 or 16 people? It's a great 'holiday'

[Bagelfast]

+1 ^ damn!

[Sniz]

my god I would love to do that......good luck w your turbo upgrades.

contact ASR if you have not already.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Originally Posted by Sniz

my god I would love to do that......good luck w your turbo upgrades.

contact ASR if you have not already.

[E92Fan]

Is anyone actually running ASR turbos on the street, or are they still in a developmental phase? I got bored of reading the various turbo upgrade threads because they always descended into total farce and I ended up being tempted to go on a banning mission!

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

Is anyone actually running ASR turbos on the street, or are they still in a developmental phase? I got bored of reading the various turbo upgrade threads because they always descended into total farce and I ended up being tempted to go on a banning mission!

yes it looks like ASR has sold their 1st run of 10 upgrades and they are out there, just not well publicized on this board.

call them.

[ar design]

Originally Posted by Syndicategt

Atleast you drove the car the way it was designed to drive (not like these daily drivers here in the states).

x300. Very jealous you have access to such a great track.

[jpsimon]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

It's probably more than that to be honest, and that's just in the 335i and not any other cars It's one benefit of living in the UK - I can get from my house to the Nurburgring in about five hours

I arrange E90post trips from the UK to the 'Ring every year - last year I did three trips and next year I'm planning on doing four organised trips. Come over and join us!!! The last trip had I think 15 or 16 people? It's a great 'holiday'

I've driven over 150 laps at the ring.. but in GT4. I'd love to go there for real some day though.

Definitely give ASR a call

[BadBoostedBMWM3]

Dear Lord... it sounds like your turbos and engine have taken are still are taking a beating!! I so wish we had the road here to stay in boost for 8 minutes. GLW your upgrades!

[RiXst3r]

Wow... sounds like you had some fun on the 'ring

[E92Fan]

From the trip in August...

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

It's probably more than that to be honest, and that's just in the 335i and not any other cars It's one benefit of living in the UK - I can get from my house to the Nurburgring in about five hours

I arrange E90post trips from the UK to the 'Ring every year - last year I did three trips and next year I'm planning on doing four organised trips. Come over and join us!!! The last trip had I think 15 or 16 people? It's a great 'holiday'

I can only second that! I was there for two of these trips (though I had a somewhat shorter trip to make) and it was really great. I certainly plan to be there next year, that's for sure (with some upgrades!).

I also had a lap with Tony and he certainly knows the 'Ring...and has a hellova fast 335i!

Alpina_B3_Lux

[E92Fan]

UPDATED !!!

Main thread has been updated with pictures showing the progress made, and the new enlarged compressor wheel in the overhauled housing. The pictures also show the amount of wear in the wastegate crank arm bush - it's pretty bad!


The update post is here - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...05#post6158005

For the full thread from the start - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=318749

[Graystone]

Originally Posted by Syndicategt

Atleast you drove the car the way it was designed to drive (not like these daily drivers here in the states).

America needs a track we can afford!!!!!!!!!!

[E92Fan]

UPDATED AGAIN !!!

More pictures showing new machined wastegate bushes


Updated post here - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...28#post6158228

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Nick.CBR

This is awesome info. I love the good images of the progress. I really believe this level of attn to detail will win customers down the road. It's great to see the quality of their work.

On another note - it will be interesting to see what the next few years brings with regard to the mitsu turbos used on the N54 engine. I wonder if BMW reads threads like these - if I were an engineer, I would be very very interested in long term wear on a single engine that has that many laps 'round the 'ring. It sounds like the motor is ok though and it's more an issue with the turbo's?

Thanks!

Nick

The engine itself on my car is in pristine condition, and the head is totally clean too. The main issue is the degradation of the turbos as you have already seen. And yes, BMW UK are well aware of the condition of my car

[dmurray14]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

It's probably more than that to be honest, and that's just in the 335i and not any other cars It's one benefit of living in the UK - I can get from my house to the Nurburgring in about five hours

I arrange E90post trips from the UK to the 'Ring every year - last year I did three trips and next year I'm planning on doing four organised trips. Come over and join us!!! The last trip had I think 15 or 16 people? It's a great 'holiday'

I love the ring so much. Going back over in a month or so, hoping I get lucky and the weather holds and its open a couple days I'm there!

[GreenPlease]

150 laps??? that is the most unfair thing I've read all month

I'm amazed that your turbos lasted this long! Gives me lots of hope for the N54 platform. GL on your project.