[peelerec]

Hello G20 familia!

My vehicular background to give a little context as to where I’m at in my life with what I want and don’t want in a vehicle. I have fallen into the rabbit hole and love BMW’s as of 2019.

In my teenage and 20’s I drove nothing but “JDM, Yo!” vehicles including 2000 Eclipse GT and a 2012 Evo X GSR to which I recently sold back in August of 2022 with only 12k miles as the original owner. I daily drove a 2006 Honda CBR 600RR in my mid twenties for an entire year, to work, the gym and everywhere in between. That was a fun year living on edge every single day, lol. Unfortunately that came to an end after a year due to being hit on three separate occasions by careless, incredibly stupid California LA/IE drivers. In California, people have zero regard to looking over their shoulder when illegally crossing double yellow/white lines when merging into the carpool lane(s).

Fast forward to 2019, my daily VW Jetta lease was coming to an end and I saw the Doug Demuro video on the then new G20 330i. I always wanted to drive an “ultimate driving machine” and decided to go and test drive the 330i base that same day. I fell in love with the driving dynamics and left home with it the same day. After the initial year, the 330i had grown lackluster and I was itching to drive an M340i. After ~2 years with the 330i and during the pandemic, I decided the time was now to either order a G80 or pickup an M340i that i saw was in stock at my local dealership. After shrewd negotiation with my SA of returning the 330i lease early and purchasing the M340i, I went into the dealer, test drove the M340i and drove home with my new car.

I immediately started ordering parts for the M340i as my vision from researching prior to test driving was to build a suitable daily driver with weekend warrior track duties. How much to lean towards the track route is questionable and I don’t have a clear point at which to stop other than at what point will I just bite the bullet and order a G80. Ultimately, the plan is to end up in a G80, but that’ll have to wait until life settles down a bit more (new job, new business is taking off, wedding this year, moved from Southern California to Northern California).

Hope ya’ll enjoy my build journal and I look forward to contributing to the forums in any way I can. Appreciate the good group of people I’ve had the pleasure of conversing with and exchange DM’s. Saludos!

Special shout-out to Mike mike@x-ph.com for being one of my vendors and always offering a helping hand with technical related questions. The man is a wizard. I highly suggest everyone support him and vendors like X-PH that are great resources for our community. To support them with our business is to help our own community.

Modification(s) installed as of 2023:

Suspension/Chassis:
- Dinan Springs (w/out Dinan bump stops, oops!) (Daily setup)
- Dinan Monoballs
- Dinan Front Strut Braces
-Vorshlag Camber Plates
-Enhanced Modification Subframe Brace, Middle to Rear
-APEX SM-10 + VS5RS
-Ohlins R/T (Track setup)

Engine/Performance:
- Dinan Intake
- Dinan turbo inlet pipe
- AA Catted Downpipe
- M Performance Exhaust
-FTP Chargepipe
-Turner SS Brake Lines
-Motul RBF 600 Brake Fluid
-Motul Oil 5W-40
-Stock Tune

Cosmetic:
- Macht Schnell 12mm F / 15mm R Spacers
- AA Concepts Co Signature Front Lip (removed)
- RW Carbon EC Front Lip (broke, thanks cayman S)
-Maxton Design front “splitter”
- Shadowline Grill and Front Bumper bits
- Autotecknic G80 style Carbon Fiber Mirror Caps
- RW Carbon Side Skirts
- RW Carbon Trunk Lip CS Style
- Shadowline Exhaust Tips
- IND Front and Rear Painted Roundel
- IND paint matched front reflector delete
- OEM Floating Wheel Center Caps
- Track stickers because +10hp

Interior:
- M Performance Matte Carbon Fiber Interior Trim
- Ceramic coated every exterior+interior piece because I am OCD on trying to keep as clean of a car as possible, even with a constantly shedding Border Heeler who loves to leave hair in ever square inch of my car, house, clothes, person, lol.

Miscellaneous:
- Raceseng G80 Tow Hook Strap

Parts on order:
-H&R Front + Rear Sway Bars
-SPL FCLA
-SPL Sway Bar Endlinks
-SPL Eccentric Toe Links

Future plans/parts to consider:
- Possibly considering the M Performance Big Brake Kit or another Slotted rotor kit.
- M Performance Steering Wheel Alcantara
- Recaro Pole Position or Sportster CS/GT

Tracks I have been to with the G20(I have not yet timed my laps as I am still learning how to properly drive on a road course and master the art of being consistent, balanced and having a perfect line):
-Thunderhill
-Sonoma
-Streets of Willow
-Big Willow
-Chuckwalla
-Pomona

Next service @30k mileage:
-Oil and Filter
-New air filter
-Spark plugs (NGK 94201)
-Dinan ignition coils
-Coolant flush
-In cabin filter
-Transmission oil

[peelerec]

Reserved for updates

[peelerec]

Reserved #2 for updates

[Turn Signal]

How's your experience been without camber plates? Other members made it seem like M340's chew up front tires.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by Turn Signal

How's your experience been without camber plates? Other members made it seem like M340's chew up front tires.

I believe depending on driving experience and how hard you push the G20 determines whether or not the front tires get chewed up or not.

To add to that, yes, the fronts will be worn down on the outside diameter even taking it conservative on a road course as I have. To what extent is dependent on the aforementioned. For reference, I’ve tracked my newest set of PS4S’s 2 times and still definitely have a third track session left. I’ll see how much after my next session, in May at Sonoma Raceway.

Lastly, front camber plates should be considered if performing any sort of spirited driving. I think it’ll help dial in the car.

[euroshowoff]

love the build. any updates?

[drexplode]

that rear quarter rolling shot!!! DAMN! I like-a da juice.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by euroshowoff

love the build. any updates?

Nothing major. Installed Dinan ignition coils, FP Charge pipe and a new lip since the old one broke from a Cayman S popped tire at the track.
Huge volatility in my head right now on debating whether to keep modifying or just hold off until I place an order for G80.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Excellent write up & it's no wonder you like the car so much. The moment I began tweaking & modifying mine it became clear what awesome machine these are. Wish I could swap the B58 or my N55 & the 8 speed ZF for my 6 speed auto ZF. LOL

[GA/\/\/\/\A_CT]

Great writeup!

2 questions:

First, did you consider a square setup (19 x 9) for your Apex wheels? Or, what drove you to put staggered setup?

Also, did the Dinan airbox seem to add any HP without the tune?

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

Excellent write up & it's no wonder you like the car so much. The moment I began tweaking & modifying mine it became clear what awesome machine these are. Wish I could swap the B58 or my N55 & the 8 speed ZF for my 6 speed auto ZF. LOL

What other vehicles do you have besides the G20?

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by GA/\/\/\/\A_CT

Great writeup!

2 questions:

First, did you consider a square setup (19 x 9) for your Apex wheels? Or, what drove you to put staggered setup?

Also, did the Dinan airbox seem to add any HP without the tune?

I considered a square setup for the single purpose of tire wear and to the ability to rotate tires…. However, I much would prefer to have a car that slightly understeers rather than over steers. Once the wheels are in my possession and tracked, I may regret my decision…. We’ll see, lol.

My butt dyno reports no difference after installation of the dinan intake. Sound of turbo spoil increased slightly, so that was wonderful. What I did notice of slight power gain and much better noise from the MPE was after installing the AA Catted Downpipe.

[GA/\/\/\/\A_CT]

Thanks, I am in process of ordering 19 x 9 apex wheelset VS-5RS but considering 9.5” (with Camber plates) or a staggered setup. Only problem is the 19 x 9 is not available on sm-10 for another few months…or I would save the $$$ and buy those…

I also have AA DP, I think it may make a few more hp but not entirely sure.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by GA/\/\/\/\A_CT

Thanks, I am in process of ordering 19 x 9 apex wheelset VS-5RS but considering 9.5” (with Camber plates) or a staggered setup. Only problem is the 19 x 9 is not available on sm-10 for another few months…or I would save the $$$ and buy those…

I also have AA DP, I think it may make a few more hp but not entirely sure.

Yeah, I also am considering order SM10 as a daily wheel and using the VS5RS for track. That would be ideal but that means spending more money on a car I don’t plan on keeping much longer

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by peelerec

What other vehicles do you have besides the G20?

It's all in my SIG / avatar thing. I had an OG 2017 M2. But sold it & really miss it. My other ride is a fully restored 2020 X3 M Competition. It's a fun S58 powered AWD sleeper machine.