BMW 125i vs BMW 130i

ekywong · 11-25-2009, 04:31 PM

Does anyone know what mods can be made to a 125i to extract the same engine output as the 130i? Am after the most cost effective way of doing this and I believe the engines in both cars are exactly the same!?!?

zenderm3 · 11-25-2009, 05:04 PM

ECU upgrade will be a good start, that and full exhaust - really depends on what you are comfortable with and whether you care about a new car warranty or not? (are you buying it new?)

ekywong · 11-25-2009, 05:14 PM

Yes I am. Am in the process of securing a 125i but noticed the output of the car is lower than a 130i even with the same engine!

jksgoh · 11-25-2009, 05:23 PM

from what i understand, i dont think a quick fix upgrade to get the 130i power is available (although i would be more than glad to be wrong!!).

You might want to check out this thread: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310081
couple of the other aussie guys seem to be happy with the upgrade, although i haven't really been following it so cant tell you much about it.

lll3575 · 11-25-2009, 05:41 PM

It'll cost ya about $399 but well worth it

http://nitrousdirect.com/drynitrouskits.html

Just kidding, seriously I have no idea but please let us know what you find.

delete-this-account · 11-25-2009, 05:55 PM

for the dosh you're going to spend doing it up to meet 130i specs, you could spend a bit more and just buy a 135i - and get more power than the 130i, and have a better resale, and keep your warranty, reliability, comfort (no loud exhaust) etc..

chylld · 11-25-2009, 06:07 PM

In a nutshell, you will need the 130i's intake manifold and then you will also need to send your ECU to Europe to have it reflashed. Total cost is about $4-5000 plus the risk of your ECU not coming back

I'm going to try to do some dynolicious (iPhone dyno app) tests this weekend to quantify the improvement provided by the BMS power box, but at this stage I would guess that chip + intake (whether Injen or BMW performance) + exhaust would get you to about 175kW, or about half-way closer to the 130i. And with much less risk!

jksgoh · 11-25-2009, 06:15 PM

chylld,
im a bit confused about the intake manifold. i thought that the 125i's had the same manifold as the 130i's, but the 128i's had a different manifold??

janus77 · 11-25-2009, 06:19 PM

to get the power of the 130, you need to replace the intake manifold and reflash the ECU with 130i software. There might be some other minor differences in the exhaust, but that's pretty much the difference..

chylld · 11-25-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jksgoh

chylld,
im a bit confused about the intake manifold. i thought that the 125i's had the same manifold as the 130i's, but the 128i's had a different manifold??

I'm confused as well. Some of the european tuners don't require a manifold change, but I remember someone here had a mechanic look at both a 125i and a 130i and the mechanic said the manifolds were different.

I'm also not sure whether the euro 125i is exactly the same as ours, or if our cars will come back speaking german (esp for those of us with satnav.)

janus77 · 11-25-2009, 06:21 PM

hehe, both on the same track.

I understand that the 130i has a 3 stage intake manifold, essentially it has a flap which allows it to build up some pressure or something in the manifold to create and extra push for the air going in (i think..) the 125i doesn't have the flap

janus77 · 11-25-2009, 06:24 PM

Spoke to a BMW specialist here in Sydney and he said they'd looked at it, and basically to get the power you just needed to replace the manifold and flash ecu. If i could get my hands on a 130i, i might consider doing it. There was a guy on the forum who looked at doing it, but then pulled out.

Would be interesting.

chylld · 11-25-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janus77

If i could get my hands on a 130i...

Any 130i owners at the next meet? Be on the lookout if janus approaches your car with a wrench....

jksgoh · 11-25-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janus77

Spoke to a BMW specialist here in Sydney and he said they'd looked at it, and basically to get the power you just needed to replace the manifold and flash ecu. If i could get my hands on a 130i, i might consider doing it. There was a guy on the forum who looked at doing it, but then pulled out.

Would be interesting.

is this particular bmw specialist able to swap the manifold and do the ecu flash? any indication of price? i assume the manifold would be a bit pricy

ekywong · 11-25-2009, 07:27 PM

I have spoken to evolve-technik and they said that 125i is an older model vehicle which uses an older type of ECU so it’s not possible to tune these older types of ECUs. But I thought 125i was out in 2008 while 130i was out ages ago!?!?!?

chylld · 11-25-2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekywong

I have spoken to evolve-technik and they said that 125i is an older model vehicle which uses an older type of ECU so it’s not possible to tune these older types of ECUs. But I thought 125i was out in 2008 while 130i was out ages ago!?!?!?

It is definitely possible to tune it, just harder. "Not possible to tune" is their way of saying "we don't know how to tune it."

Taymaishu · 11-25-2009, 10:13 PM

I love it - finally some 125 performance talk!

... IMO, the EMS is probably the most expensive engine mod for its gains possible. 8-10hp at the fwheel. That's barely noticeable.

jkho · 11-26-2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chylld

Any 130i owners at the next meet? Be on the lookout if janus approaches your car with a wrench....

Taymaishu · 11-26-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkho

Woosh will be there, for sure

I'll make sure of it!

aus135i · 11-27-2009, 05:10 AM

what? so when's the next run?

woosh · 11-29-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taymaishu

Woosh will be there, for sure

I'll make sure of it!

Oh SURE Alex! Please dismantle my engine and take whatever you need at your pleasure...

Taymaishu · 11-29-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woosh

Oh SURE Alex! Please dismantle my engine and take whatever you need at your pleasure...

Will do!

11-25-2009, 04:31 PM	#1
ekywong New Member 3 Rep 15 Posts Drives: Coupe Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	BMW 125i vs BMW 130i Does anyone know what mods can be made to a 125i to extract the same engine output as the 130i? Am after the most cost effective way of doing this and I believe the engines in both cars are exactly the same!?!?
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11-25-2009, 05:04 PM	#2
zenderm3 Lieutenant Colonel 95 Rep 1,996 Posts Drives: E36 M3 DY/2010 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	ECU upgrade will be a good start, that and full exhaust - really depends on what you are comfortable with and whether you care about a new car warranty or not? (are you buying it new?) __________________ ________________ My ///M is in my garage .... and it is a beast! 2010 E92 M3 Space Grey \| Fully Loaded 1996 E36 M3 Dakar Yellow - SOLD 2004 Honda Accord Euro - SOLD
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11-25-2009, 05:14 PM	#3
ekywong New Member 3 Rep 15 Posts Drives: Coupe Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Yes I am. Am in the process of securing a 125i but noticed the output of the car is lower than a 130i even with the same engine!
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11-25-2009, 05:23 PM	#4
jksgoh Major 142 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melb, Vic, Aus iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 125i [0.00]	from what i understand, i dont think a quick fix upgrade to get the 130i power is available (although i would be more than glad to be wrong!!). You might want to check out this thread: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310081 couple of the other aussie guys seem to be happy with the upgrade, although i haven't really been following it so cant tell you much about it.
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11-25-2009, 05:41 PM	#5
lll3575 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 34 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Thailand iTrader: (0)	It'll cost ya about $399 but well worth it http://nitrousdirect.com/drynitrouskits.html Just kidding, seriously I have no idea but please let us know what you find.
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11-25-2009, 05:55 PM	#6
delete-this-account Private 7 Rep 98 Posts Drives: DD Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DD iTrader: (0)	for the dosh you're going to spend doing it up to meet 130i specs, you could spend a bit more and just buy a 135i - and get more power than the 130i, and have a better resale, and keep your warranty, reliability, comfort (no loud exhaust) etc.. __________________ 130i m-sport
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11-25-2009, 06:07 PM	#7
chylld Major 54 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: G08 iX3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Lotus Evora 400 [10.00] 2014 BMW 428i Gran ... [9.00]	In a nutshell, you will need the 130i's intake manifold and then you will also need to send your ECU to Europe to have it reflashed. Total cost is about $4-5000 plus the risk of your ECU not coming back I'm going to try to do some dynolicious (iPhone dyno app) tests this weekend to quantify the improvement provided by the BMS power box, but at this stage I would guess that chip + intake (whether Injen or BMW performance) + exhaust would get you to about 175kW, or about half-way closer to the 130i. And with much less risk!
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11-25-2009, 06:15 PM	#8
jksgoh Major 142 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melb, Vic, Aus iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 125i [0.00]	chylld, im a bit confused about the intake manifold. i thought that the 125i's had the same manifold as the 130i's, but the 128i's had a different manifold??
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11-25-2009, 06:19 PM	#9
janus77 Lieutenant 36 Rep 526 Posts Drives: 125i coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	to get the power of the 130, you need to replace the intake manifold and reflash the ECU with 130i software. There might be some other minor differences in the exhaust, but that's pretty much the difference.. __________________ 125i, stick shift, M pack w/ 18's, 225/255 Z1's, saphire black, BMW CF rear spoiler, black interior, Midnight tint, business nav, sunroof, Injen intake, H&R sways.
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11-25-2009, 06:21 PM	#11
janus77 Lieutenant 36 Rep 526 Posts Drives: 125i coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	hehe, both on the same track. I understand that the 130i has a 3 stage intake manifold, essentially it has a flap which allows it to build up some pressure or something in the manifold to create and extra push for the air going in (i think..) the 125i doesn't have the flap __________________ 125i, stick shift, M pack w/ 18's, 225/255 Z1's, saphire black, BMW CF rear spoiler, black interior, Midnight tint, business nav, sunroof, Injen intake, H&R sways.
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11-25-2009, 06:24 PM	#12
janus77 Lieutenant 36 Rep 526 Posts Drives: 125i coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Spoke to a BMW specialist here in Sydney and he said they'd looked at it, and basically to get the power you just needed to replace the manifold and flash ecu. If i could get my hands on a 130i, i might consider doing it. There was a guy on the forum who looked at doing it, but then pulled out. Would be interesting. __________________ 125i, stick shift, M pack w/ 18's, 225/255 Z1's, saphire black, BMW CF rear spoiler, black interior, Midnight tint, business nav, sunroof, Injen intake, H&R sways.
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11-25-2009, 07:27 PM	#15
ekywong New Member 3 Rep 15 Posts Drives: Coupe Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	I have spoken to evolve-technik and they said that 125i is an older model vehicle which uses an older type of ECU so it’s not possible to tune these older types of ECUs. But I thought 125i was out in 2008 while 130i was out ages ago!?!?!?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-25-2009, 10:13 PM	#17
Taymaishu Banned 145 Rep 3,016 Posts Drives: I love massive black cocks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: in my ass and around my mouth iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 125i [5.50]	I love it - finally some 125 performance talk! ... IMO, the EMS is probably the most expensive engine mod for its gains possible. 8-10hp at the fwheel. That's barely noticeable.
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11-27-2009, 05:10 AM	#20
aus135i Captain 27 Rep 828 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SYD iTrader: (0)	what? so when's the next run? __________________ GONE: E82,E83,K46,1199s,RS250,F20,F25,F82,Cayenne,G83 NOW: G07, G20, K66
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