[BMW125i2018]

Hi guys,

I know the topic has been addressed before but I felt it was worth revisiting as a disussion.

I see a lot of people recommened a charge pipe upgrade for the B48, but I cant help but notice that the B48 variant in the F40 135i X-Drive that produces 305hp, uses the same plastic charge pipe as the base B48 engine.

So surely unless exceeding 305hp, a charge pipe upgrade is not necessary? Otherwise the OEM charge pipe would’ve come in aluminium. I have also never heard of a broken charge pipe on the new 135i.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by BMW125i2018

So surely unless exceeding 305hp, a charge pipe upgrade is not necessary? Otherwise the OEM charge pipe would’ve come in aluminium.

Your logic is wrong; the N55 is the most significant proof. The plastic charge pipe was prone to failing, and BMW still used the plastic option till the last day of production.

Luckily, your conclusion is correct; we have not seen a significant failure rate on this platform, so I would not consider the charge pipe upgrade mandatory.

[BMW125i2018]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Your logic is wrong; the N55 is the most significant proof. The plastic charge pipe was prone to failing, and BMW still used the plastic option till the last day of production.

Luckily, your conclusion is correct; we have not seen a significant failure rate on this platform, so I would not consider the charge pipe upgrade mandatory.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the response. What conditions do you think would require a charge pipe upgrade? My local tuner says the B48 charge pipe hasn't been an issue, and he only recommends upgrading after implementing a meth injection (so presumably around the 350hp mark).

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by BMW125i2018

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the response. What conditions do you think would require a charge pipe upgrade? My local tuner says the B48 charge pipe hasn't been an issue, and he only recommends upgrading after implementing a meth injection (so presumably around the 350hp mark).

I agree with your tuner and will add that upgrading your turbo is another condition to upgrade the charge pipe.