Carbon mirrors
While all previous parts were fitted by Ivan in the bodyshop, the carbon mirrors were installed by Derek in the main South Bay BMW workshops with the aid of his trusty plastic tool. As we discovered, nobody should attempt to work on a modern car without one of these. They don't scratch the piece you're working on and get into tiny places to prise open the many clips that are used.
Fitting the mirrors was again straightforward and definitely a DIY proposition. The operation is unaffected by the change but they do look so much better. Again, the carbon finish is as immaculate as you'd expect from genuine BMW parts.
 Carbon mirrors aren't covers,...  Carbon mirrors aren't covers, they replace the stock housings |  You need to remove the glass....  You need to remove the glass. Do this by sliding a plastic blade behind and prising off the locking tabs. |  Once the glass is loose, unplug...  Once the glass is loose, unplug the heater |
 To remove the plastic shells,...  To remove the plastic shells, you need to prise open the four tabs from inside the mirror. Work your way around each one with a screwdriver, but don't break the clips |  Simply push the new carbon...  Simply push the new carbon shells into place and make sure the tabs lock in. Then reconnect the heater to the glass and push it onto the clips |  The finished parts look w...  The finished parts look wonderful |
 According to Derek, nobody...  According to Derek, nobody should attempt to work on a newer BMW without one of these handy plastic blades! | | |
Wheels
If you've followed our Project 135i you'll know we have a set of 19" wheels already. While these look great, in our opinion, there are several drawbacks. One is that you lose the tire deflation system fitted in the stock tires, so the light on your dash is always lit. Another problem is that our offsets were quite right, so we did experience some rubbing.
If you want to avoid both of these problems, BMW offers its own Performance wheels. Unfortunately, they're a slightly conservative 18x7.5" front and 18x8.5" rear - the same as stock but it's an attractive one-piece design finished in ferric gray with a polished surface. The wheels are also fitted with the tire deflation transmitters inside the stock-sized 215/50-18 front and 245/35 rear Bridgestone RE050A tires. For this reason, you can buy the wheels without tires and transfer your own onto them. Fitting the wheels requires no special measures
 Attractive BMW Performance...  Attractive BMW Performance wheels are stock 18" diameter but a cool alternative to the stock five-spoke design |  The wheels carry the BMW Performance...  The wheels carry the BMW Performance lettering |  Wheels are fitted with tire...  Wheels are fitted with tire pressure transmitters that work with the car's onboard monitoring system |
 Derek "Hollywwod" Vieira required...  Derek "Hollywwod" Vieira required no special tools to fit the new wheels. We think he's been working out |  The body kit and wheels fitted,...  The body kit and wheels fitted, our 135i is ready to go after a quick clean by the bodyshop crew. Next month we'll look at the carbon interior pieces, the quick-shift and incredible steering wheel with its shift lights, g-meter, etc | |
| Part | Price |
| Aerodynamic kit (spoiler, skirts, carbon rear diffuser) | $1769.00 |
| Carbon trunk spoiler | $532.00 |
| Carbon mirrors | $669.90 |
| 18" wheels (set) | $1733.26 |
| 18" wheels & tires | $4149.00 |
Contact
BMW Performance Parts (accessories.bmwusa.com)
South Bay BMW (www.southbaybmw.com)