05-29-2021, 08:35 PM | #1 |
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So after a few years of having two I3's and wanting something a little different and not wanting to sink lots of money into buying a newer i3S I just wanted to give mine a new life. I bought my first I3 new when they first came out and lost my butt on the resale LOL..... not doing that again ! so I found this nice 2014 I3 rex from Washington state for around 9k dollars and figured it's a perfect Candidate for a little refreshing, Body panels are fairly cheap with wholesale prices and I paint the parts so it's pretty affordable overall.
Plus some of the panels and wheel arches come painted so that was a nice bonus! I properly cut the fenders to accept the wheel arches and screwed them on so they are attached properly and moved the parking sensor from the wheel lip to just in front of the wheel arch and front apron and everything works as it should. Suspension modification still has to happen as spacers and rims are on order. Also adding i3S shocks and sway bar. ACS wing and lip spoiler will come in the next few months.... Was able to take a pic of it next to my first I3 that I sold to my friend. . This Is a fun project! Anyway just wanted to share..... Some before and after...... I'll add some more Pics later as this is off my phone at the moment lol. |
05-30-2021, 08:50 PM | #2 |
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Hi. I have the wheel arches as well purchased. Just asked my BMW dealer body shop to see how much they would charge to install them. Question! How Difficult was to change the front bumper? And the lights of course since you wouldn’t have high beams! And also, how did you do the template on how to install the wheel arches? I started the other way, I have the i3s wheels and tires on mine now, got the arches at home but not installed yet. Thanks
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05-30-2021, 11:25 PM | #3 | |
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Front bumper was a direct bolt on, took maybe around an hour to swap. I'll add some pics.. The turn signals where just re-wired and the high beams I am going to use some motor cycle LED projectors mounted in the lower intake so everything will work as it should. I have 2020 headlights with the cornering light but will need to make a custom harness with proper coding. May have to update the ecm with latest to make them work but that's the fun part of the challenge. Just takes time. The fenders edges where just trimmed so the flange is not hitting the fender and was super easy to cut. Once it would lay on the fender correctly I marked the two locators with some paint and it marked where to drill the hole. Then I drilled the holes for the two locators and used a dremel to cut the square hole for the lower flange then did a test fit. Once it mated up nicely with fender I screwed in the screws a little bit and used some paint that would rub off and give me the locations to drill the holes for the screws, then it was just screwing them on and all was done. The screws have a large pan head so your holes can be a little bigger to allow for some adjustment if needed. Took about a day to do all 4. |
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06-02-2021, 05:15 AM | #4 |
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If you don't mind me asking, how did that change the car for you?
I have a s model, and the difference between the 19" winter tires and the 20" staggered i3s wheels was huge! I mean, the car went from a wobbly, understeering mess to a go-kart. Just curious if the i3s summer tires vs the i3 summer tires was a huge difference.
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06-02-2021, 10:17 AM | #6 |
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Yes it's a direct bolt in. Even the end links are Carry over. However you need two new sway bar holders with new rubber. So 3 parts in total.
The will technically be every part the i3S minus the larger battery and programming for the extra oomph. But since mine is a 2014 my lighter battery does help me keep some speed. Once someone cracks the programming part of it ...if ever then maybe one day it will have the speed to match. But their already so close in speed anyway it's really about the better handling the new i3S suspension gives you over the original. This is just showing how you can get a i3S like vehicle on a budget at the moment lol... With how cheap 2014 I3 are at the moment it gives you lots of room to mod and still have plenty of thousands to go before getting close. The fact I paid 8k for this REX out of Washington and the cheapest i3S at the moment I can find is somewhere in the mid 20's to mid 30's This gives me plenty of room to have fun and still come out ahead. I think all in all be around 12k give it take. Thanks to eBay and car-part for finding cheap parts! |
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06-02-2021, 03:50 PM | #7 | |
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06-12-2021, 08:56 AM | #8 | |
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Sorry for all the questions, I am just super excited that someone has done this! Thanks again! |
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06-12-2021, 10:22 AM | #9 | ||
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The part number is 31-30-6-887-535 I've been so busy as of late and still have the stock non S thinner wheels at the moment with almost bald tires. The new rims and new tires will be going on soon just have not had the time to play with it, so I can't say any big improvements yet as I haven't gone out and driven it hard. I'm sure their will be however. . More to come! I need a vacation badly lol... What's interesting is this firmware patch you speak of!!!! Is this a bmw software patch? Or aftermarket ? |
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06-13-2021, 02:34 AM | #10 | |
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07-15-2021, 08:46 AM | #14 | |
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Mines a 2014 model year and is the 60ah and had the option available. Even got it to display correctly on my little display |
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07-15-2021, 10:19 AM | #15 |
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Drives: 2015 BMW i3 BEV
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Orange County, NY
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Garage List 2014 Mighty Freight ... [0.00]
2015 BMW i3 BEV [0.00] 2000 Audi TT Quattro [0.00] 1967 Formula Vee [0.00] |
Was that through Bimmercode, or using deeper coding tools?????
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10-24-2021, 11:34 AM | #18 |
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Got the wheels and tires on finally! Nice and ceramic coated for the winter.
What an absolute joy and difference the wider stance and wider rubber makes! Makes me feel like I'm driving a bmw version of the MINI now ! |
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11-23-2021, 04:35 AM | #21 | |
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is if i3s wheels and did you add spacers? Looking at your pictures, I believe they fill out more than my i3s. Just curious if you added spacers.
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11-23-2021, 10:48 AM | #22 | ||
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Yes 15mm in the front and 20mm in the rear! . With the AST lowering springs. Loving the combo so far and have had no issues! |
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