[N52UNED]

I was all set in my head to do the MILVs & tune update mod ... then I found out the cost which is a bit more than I'd like to shell out ATM (BPC doing the work). And I'm definitely not touching this level of mod. I have a good Bimmer specialist shop I could bring it to, but they're not a speed shop, so I'm not sure if they would like to tackle the job (they're busy enough). Plus I'm not sure how much cheaper they'd be anyway.

Currently I have (auto N52) ... 3IM, BPC stage 1 tune, K&N filter - Carbon delete, Turner silicone intake.

With that ... what would be a good cost effective modification that will give worth while performance gains under $1k (prefer $800-ish)? I'm not looking to do catless headers. As for catted performance headers price ... I might as well go MILVs.

I appreciate any input.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by N52UNED

I was all set in my head to do the MILVs & tune update mod ... then I found out the cost which is a bit more than I'd like to shell out ATM (BPC doing the work). And I'm definitely not touching this level of mod. I have a good Bimmer specialist shop I could bring it to, but they're not a speed shop, so I'm not sure if they would like to tackle the job (they're busy enough). Plus I'm not sure how much cheaper they'd be anyway.

Currently I have (auto N52) ... 3IM, BPC stage 1 tune, K&N filter - Carbon delete, Turner silicone intake.

With that ... what would be a good cost effective modification that will give worth while performance gains under $1k (prefer $800-ish)? I'm not looking to do catless headers. As for catted performance headers price ... I might as well go MILVs.

I appreciate any input.

MILVs.

[hassmaschine]

If i were choosing between headers and MILVS I would choose the latter.

[CobraMarty]

MILVs-$350
Updated BPC MILVs tune-$100 (you already have BPC tune)
BPC labor to install??- $500 + $50 VC gasket. Labor IDK.

Total- $1000

[Noir]

+1 on MILVs.
Cheaper than headers for sure.

[W37V]

Originally Posted by N52UNED

I was all set in my head to do the MILVs & tune update mod ... then I found out the cost which is a bit more than I'd like to shell out ATM (BPC doing the work). And I'm definitely not touching this level of mod. I have a good Bimmer specialist shop I could bring it to, but they're not a speed shop, so I'm not sure if they would like to tackle the job (they're busy enough). Plus I'm not sure how much cheaper they'd be anyway.

Currently I have (auto N52) ... 3IM, BPC stage 1 tune, K&N filter - Carbon delete, Turner silicone intake.

With that ... what would be a good cost effective modification that will give worth while performance gains under $1k (prefer $800-ish)? I'm not looking to do catless headers. As for catted performance headers price ... I might as well go MILVs.

I appreciate any input.

Get milvs

If you are handy at all, you can do it yourself. If you are not, then add additional 1 hour to the cost of valve cover replacement cost. Since you already have the tune, upgrade is not going to cost you that much.

Also, since you are in Florida (lawless state), you can do cat back exhaust (remove secondaries). That should be relatively cheap mod.

[Phyrexia]

Manual swap can't be but a grand if you did it yourself...

[atmosphericM]

I'm not sure why it seems like most don't like publishing quotes on service from BPC, but do you mind if I ask what they quoted you for the install? Surely they'd rather us do that then them have to field multiple calls requesting estimates.

I'm considering having BPC install headers, MILVS, and a dyno tune for me all at once. I could do the work, but everything I do to this car seems way more of a PITA than I'm used to. I also just don't have as much time as when I was in college, plus I'm getting old and fat (maybe that's why it's always such a PITA now lol). Now I'm fearing how expensive that could be...

Used catless headers - $600
MILVS - $300
Tune - $500
Install - $???

I was thinking around $500 for the work sounded reasonable. Can't be that hard or time consuming, especially for a shop that does this work all of the time. For about $2000 the extra power (~35whp?) sounds worth it to me. I imagine the car will feel like a different animal entirely after all of that.

[atmosphericM]

OP - why no catless headers?

[fravel]

Suspension

[N52UNED]

Originally Posted by CobraMarty

MILVs-$350
Updated BPC MILVs tune-$100 (you already have BPC tune)
BPC labor to install??- $500 + $50 VC gasket. Labor IDK.

Total- $1000

The quote I got from BPC + me supplying MILVs was over that.

Honestly my max out the door budget was $1k (including MILVs, tune update, parts & labor, plus tax). What I was looking at all in was a bit too much over my max budget to justify it. Unfortunately.

[N52UNED]

Originally Posted by atmosphericM

OP - why no catless headers?

I don't like the smell. Plus I really don't want to have to deal with swapping everything (including tune revert) back if I move to a emissions testing state.

[N52UNED]

Originally Posted by Noir

+1 on MILVs.
Cheaper than headers for sure.

Agreed ... as I mentioned. I would choose MILVs over catted headers (even catless).

Unfortunately the quote I got from BPC + MILVs puts it about even or more than catted headers installed.

[N52UNED]

Originally Posted by W37V

Get milvs

If you are handy at all, you can do it yourself. If you are not, then add additional 1 hour to the cost of valve cover replacement cost. Since you already have the tune, upgrade is not going to cost you that much.

Also, since you are in Florida (lawless state), you can do cat back exhaust (remove secondaries). That should be relatively cheap mod.

Yeah I'm not handy enough to tackle the MILVs job. I'd likely just screw something up.

I have thought about a cat back exhaust ... just not too sure how much performance (acceleration) that would give. I'm not one for believing any company published numbers. They just never seem realistic.

I was thinking of either a used BMW performance exhaust (if I can find one on the cheap). OR AA's Gen 2 rear exhaust. Taking out the secondaries. Keeping the main cat and the resonator.

I'm guessing I'll add 1-3 hp with the AA rear exhaust. Secondary cats ... I've read something like 9 hp but I'm not sure that's accurate.

So if I'm looking at approx 10 hp for under $1k ... I'd be pretty darn satisfied with that.

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by N52UNED

Yeah I'm not handy enough to tackle the MILVs job. I'd likely just screw something up.

I have thought about a cat back exhaust ... just not too sure how much performance (acceleration) that would give. I'm not one for believing any company published numbers. They just never seem realistic.

I was thinking of either a used BMW performance exhaust (if I can find one on the cheap). OR AA's Gen 2 rear exhaust. Taking out the secondaries. Keeping the main cat and the resonator.

I'm guessing I'll add 1-3 hp with the AA rear exhaust. Secondary cats ... I've read something like 9 hp but I'm not sure that's accurate.

So if I'm looking at approx 10 hp for under $1k ... I'd be pretty darn satisfied with that.

I’d say AA muffler and secondary Delete is an easy 10hp and well worth doing. You will love the sound of that also.

And I would definitely do the MILV’s also. Then you are another 10 easy.

Together those 2 rounds of mods would be worthwhile if you don’t mind the price.

[N52UNED]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

I’d say AA muffler and secondary Delete is an easy 10hp and well worth doing. You will love the sound of that also.

And I would definitely do the MILV’s also. Then you are another 10 easy.

Together those 2 rounds of mods would be worthwhile if you don’t mind the price.

Cool ... I'm pretty sold on the AA muffler and secondary delete. It seems like it has a sporty growl without being loud. Since I do have clients in my car on occasion, I can't have it too loud or seem too much like a sports car.

As far as MILVs ... yeah I really would like to get it done, but when you start getting close to $1,500 all in ... it's just not something I'm looking at, at this moment. I've got other car expenses coming (brakes) and just got a set of tires. So I have to slow my roll a bit.

I guess getting some exhaust work done before the MILVs and tune update would be beneficial since I'm really only wanting BPC to do the work. And since they'll custom dyno tune the car with the tune update.

[N52UNED]

Originally Posted by atmosphericM

I'm not sure why it seems like most don't like publishing quotes on service from BPC, but do you mind if I ask what they quoted you for the install? Surely they'd rather us do that then them have to field multiple calls requesting estimates.

I'm considering having BPC install headers, MILVS, and a dyno tune for me all at once. I could do the work, but everything I do to this car seems way more of a PITA than I'm used to. I also just don't have as much time as when I was in college, plus I'm getting old and fat (maybe that's why it's always such a PITA now lol). Now I'm fearing how expensive that could be...

Used catless headers - $600
MILVS - $300
Tune - $500
Install - $???

I was thinking around $500 for the work sounded reasonable. Can't be that hard or time consuming, especially for a shop that does this work all of the time. For about $2000 the extra power (~35whp?) sounds worth it to me. I imagine the car will feel like a different animal entirely after all of that.

I guess its a professional courtesy. Plus I'm sure no one wants to misquote and make it public.

My out the door (Parts, tune update, labor and supplies ... including me supplying the MILVs) ... it boils down to about $100+ per hp. including tax ... it's just too much for me atm.

... I'm not planning to do headers. With only doing the MILVs and tune update I'm not looking at anywhere close to 35whp. ... likely a tad less than a third of that.

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by N52UNED

I guess its a professional courtesy. Plus I'm sure no one wants to misquote and make it public.

My out the door (Parts, tune update, labor and supplies ... including me supplying the MILVs) ... it boils down to about $100+ per hp. including tax ... it's just too much for me atm.

... I'm not planning to do headers. With only doing the MILVs and tune update I'm not looking at anywhere close to 35whp. ... likely a tad less than a third of that.

I really wish you guys would get comfortable working on your cars. If I had to pay labor on all the work I did I could never have built my car like I have. It would have probably cost me more in labor than what the car is worth lol

I was lucky I owned a Jeep before this car. Working on a Jeep is really easy and gets your comfort level up, you quickly get used to cutting frame parts with a saws all, welding stuff you bought (some at at Home Depot lol) to it, cutting up and grinding body panels, swapping in differential gears, etc... it really gets you comfortable diving in and working on the car lol. This is normal DIY stuff on Jeep forums.

gif hosting



On this forum guys freak out over ovaling out their strut mounts 5mm and swapping MILV’s. No offense but it just drives me nuts that some of you are so fast to buy parts you can make or adapt on your own, or spend money on labor when you can just buy all the tools, take care of business in a weekend, and have $300-500 leftover for your next mod. And the e90 platform is so well documented there’s tutorials online for every mod you could want to do so it’s not like you even need experience.

I know you guys can handle these mods! I’ve done all the mods you are talking about with a jack, 2 jackstands, hand tools, and a couple torque wrenches. Most importantly I’ve added about 60whp at an average cost of $37/hp because I’ve spent exactly zero $ on labor. Get to work! Lol

[rick100]

well you are lucky to have a nice garage to work on and take your time doing it. Average joe lives a condo or small have with a 1 car garage that can barely fit 1 car. Heck most of my neighbors do not even use their garage because they have it full of garbage

I m also assuming you may have the luxury of having 2 cars , which means you can afford to have your car on stands for longer periods, while the average joe has 1 car to go to work , meaning that car better be ready for monday or you are losing money

Your boys here up north have 3 months of summer, where the wife is not going to let you spend a whole weekend working on a car , plus we have very crazy weather in the summer where it is very common for heavy rains. So working outside in a 1 parking spot driveway is almost impossible

I would love to work on my cars, have a nice big garage where I can put my fancy tools and take my time to learn to work on my car. Reality is a live in a nice house in a nice location , I have a 1 car garage where I can only fit my car , 2 car driveway ( you can park 3) which is nice but I can see it would be a problem for my wife to park her car besides mine if I have my tools laying around. I have 1 car for myself that I need it to be function able on monday , sometimes even the weekend if I get call in , so I dont have the luxury of just parking it there for a longer periods of time while I work on my car

I have done basic maintenance sure, something that is not going to leave me without a car for monday.

But you gotta understand, it is not being lazy , just different circumstances for different people

[W37V]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

I really wish you guys would get comfortable working on your cars. If I had to pay labor on all the work I did I could never have built my car like I have. It would have probably cost me more in labor than what the car is worth lol


I know you guys can handle these mods! I’ve done all the mods you are talking about with a jack, 2 jackstands, hand tools, and a couple torque wrenches. Most importantly I’ve added about 60whp at an average cost of $37/hp because I’ve spent exactly zero $ on labor. Get to work! Lol

Ahhh... look at Mr. Fancy Pants here. Having not one, but TWO jack stands.

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by rick100

well you are lucky to have a nice garage to work on and take your time doing it. Average joe lives a condo or small have with a 1 car garage that can barely fit 1 car. Heck most of my neighbors do not even use their garage because they have it full of garbage

I m also assuming you may have the luxury of having 2 cars , which means you can afford to have your car on stands for longer periods, while the average joe has 1 car to go to work , meaning that car better be ready for monday or you are losing money

Your boys here up north have 3 months of summer, where the wife is not going to let you spend a whole weekend working on a car , plus we have very crazy weather in the summer where it is very common for heavy rains. So working outside in a 1 parking spot driveway is almost impossible

I would love to work on my cars, have a nice big garage where I can put my fancy tools and take my time to learn to work on my car. Reality is a live in a nice house in a nice location , I have a 1 car garage where I can only fit my car , 2 car driveway ( you can park 3) which is nice but I can see it would be a problem for my wife to park her car besides mine if I have my tools laying around. I have 1 car for myself that I need it to be function able on monday , sometimes even the weekend if I get call in , so I dont have the luxury of just parking it there for a longer periods of time while I work on my car

I have done basic maintenance sure, something that is not going to leave me without a car for monday.

But you gotta understand, it is not being lazy , just different circumstances for different people

I never thought it was being lazy, don’t get me wrong. I thought the hold up was being intimidated by the complexity of the jobs or a lack of tools. I do have an extra car but I have not needed it all the jobs I’ve done on this Bimmer can be tackled in a 8 hour day tops. The n54 manifold swap took me all day Saturday and Sunday morning but I was fabricating Manifold parts as I went on that one. I documented all the work in the thread so even that should be a one day job for someone now.

Not having a place to work is not an obstacle if you are resourceful lol. I live in a townhouse and get one parking a spot and park my Jeep in a guest spot.



All the jobs on my car have been done in this parking spot which is a violation of my HOA but I’m clever I work on Wednesday’s between 10:00 and 4:00 which is when my neighbors are all at work and is a dead time for me work every week. 3 weeks ago I did my m3 steering rack swap right there in that same spot there’s no shame to my game



I made nice with the property manager who rides around on the golf cart. I always say hi to him and am super anal about cardboard, blankets, and drain pans under the car. I pick up every bit of trash after and even do a little clean up of the parking area when I’m done so it’s totally spotless. As long as I work when the neighborhood is empty on a weekday no one has yet to comment.

But I am sneaky too... I have also worked in the past in many friends garages, an autozone parking lot, behind a closed down grocery store in a strip mall, twice on rainy Sunday’s in 2 different banks drive through lanes, and even once inside an Airplane hanger. I’ll bring my tools anywhere and find a way to make it happen!

[N52UNED]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

I really wish you guys would get comfortable working on your cars. If I had to pay labor on all the work I did I could never have built my car like I have. It would have probably cost me more in labor than what the car is worth lol

I was lucky I owned a Jeep before this car. Working on a Jeep is really easy and gets your comfort level up, you quickly get used to cutting frame parts with a saws all, welding stuff you bought (some at at Home Depot lol) to it, cutting up and grinding body panels, swapping in differential gears, etc... it really gets you comfortable diving in and working on the car lol. This is normal DIY stuff on Jeep forums.

On this forum guys freak out over ovaling out their strut mounts 5mm and swapping MILV’s. No offense but it just drives me nuts that some of you are so fast to buy parts you can make or adapt on your own, or spend money on labor when you can just buy all the tools, take care of business in a weekend, and have $300-500 leftover for your next mod. And the e90 platform is so well documented there’s tutorials online for every mod you could want to do so it’s not like you even need experience.

I know you guys can handle these mods! I’ve done all the mods you are talking about with a jack, 2 jackstands, hand tools, and a couple torque wrenches. Most importantly I’ve added about 60whp at an average cost of $37/hp because I’ve spent exactly zero $ on labor. Get to work! Lol

Thanks for chiming in ... however you're not the first to prod us folks who pay labor instead of DIYing. Just as it drives you nuts about folks paying labor costs ... it drives me nuts (more like a pet peev) when DIY'ers tell folks to do the job themselves and how much money they save. And that "they know" we can handle these mods ... when they don't bother to understand why many of us don't.

Frankly for every single DIY posting saying "this is an easy job" ... there are 2 or 3 postings asking for help due to issues with that very job. Heck, at this moment there's a guy on these forums, who tried to tackle the MILVs job himself; just to send the car off because he couldn't get it put back together correctly.

Honestly, not everyone is mechanically inclined, has garage space to do the job, other vehicles to use while their's is being worked on, have the time to devote to DIYing, or even enjoy turning a wrench.



My personal reasons for paying the labor is for various reasons ...

... I have a garage but it's mainly for storage ATM. Being a fellow Floridian, you know rains can come at any time, plus the wicked sun and heat (I have a south facing home). Also my city does not allow cars to be worked on in a driveway for more than a day ... so there's a time crunch if there's issues. Although I'm mechanically inclined, I know things don't always go as planned and a quick job or "easy" job can quickly turn into an all day affair. Frankly I just don't have that kind of time to spend working on my car. So I don't feel comfortable doing involved projects that could possibly leave my car sitting in my driveway potentially for days. Although I do have a f-350 that I can use in the meantime; it's a work truck and not appropriate for my professional use.

... Then there's the peace of mind knowing it's going to be done right the first time; and if not, the shop will be responsible if issues do arise. With that, as many of use know, sometimes when you work on these e90's a hidden issue may pop up, so now you have to deal with that issue, which may or may not be a straight forward repair. And yes, e90's are well documented ... however they are also known to be a bit finicky too. Honestly, I don't mind paying for that peace of mind; even if I have to hold off on mods to do so.

Finally ... I do not enjoy doing mechanical work on my car. I enjoy driving it. And there's nothing wrong with that. I'm fine with knowing how things work ... but I don't care to turn a wrench. Don't get me wrong, I do some straight forward mods and work ... but anything involved I don't feel comfortable enough with my abilities or desire to do so. Hell, I don't even change my own oil ... why? ... for $20 I'd save, it's worth it to me to leave it to someone else, who also checks over the car for other things that I may need to do (ie brake pads wearing or some scheduled maintenance you forgot or didn't think about)

Again ... there's nothing wrong with having a professional do the work. And when you think about it ... it's guys like myself who keep tuners and speed shops open for business. When you think of it ... if it wasn't for us non-DIY'ers, companies like BPC or Active Autowerke wouldn't have the all the opportunities nor the resources as a company to spend time developing further modifications; some of which become products that DIY'ers end up doing themselves.

So as for us Non-DIY'ers who partially bankroll these developments ... you're welcome ... now get back to work.