DIY Request

blklacker · 06-02-2008, 02:07 AM

Hey do we have a DIY for removing the rear weight BMW placed in the rear to balance the car. Does anyone recommend removing this weight to lighten the car. Gosh why couldn't they just put a spare tire.

jbenington86 · 06-02-2008, 02:11 AM

i think messing up the 50/50 weight distrobution would not be a good idea plus you need a little weight in the back to keep them wheels glued to the road better

larryn · 06-02-2008, 08:00 AM

I had the rear valance off, and could see up into the bumper structure quite easily. I didn't see anything that was not structural back there. I suppose that there may be bumper pieces themselves that are made heavier than needed to balance the car, but you obviously wouldn't want to remove that.

jbenington86 · 06-02-2008, 08:21 AM

bmw at its best making there cars so people cant destroy them

Red135 · 06-02-2008, 08:47 AM

Has any one actually found / seen this ballast weight on their car yet? :iono:

larryn · 06-02-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red135

Has any one actually found / seen this ballast weight on their car yet? :iono:

Read my post (above). I do not think there is a separate ballast.

Texas · 06-02-2008, 01:36 PM

I'm pretty sure that I found it while my car was on a lift today getting the BMW performance exhaust installed. To the left of the muffler, behind the tire there is a black cylindrical hunk of solid steel that looks powdercoated. It seems that there is no other function other than weight. I'll post pictures tonight. I am sure there is another "ballast" on the other side of vehicle too, it's just covered up with plastic aero pieces, so you can't readily see it.

Crawl under and take a look.

holo777 · 06-02-2008, 02:11 PM

Is This the Part you are talking about Texas? The one to the rear of the valve actuator on the left (stock) exhaust? It looks like a rubber resonator to me... But I'll probably still get rid of it for weight savings.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=25

larryn · 06-02-2008, 02:26 PM

That part is a rubber resonator ans only weighs about a couple ounces. It is there to keep teh car from shaking at idle. I wouldn't remove it.

No, he's talking about a big black metal bar, which I think is part of the bumper/crash impact system (that they may have made extra beefy for the weight balance).

I know that AndyM had a subscription to BMWTIS and could not find any part number that looked like ballast in the rear, and I have a hunch that it's not a separate piece, but rather a heftier than needed part that is functioning as something else...

plien69 · 06-02-2008, 02:39 PM

Does anyone have a link to official BMW documentation that refers to this rear ballast? I recall hearing about it as well, but don't remember how it all got started.

Texas · 06-02-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holo777

Is This the Part you are talking about Texas? The one to the rear of the valve actuator on the left (stock) exhaust? It looks like a rubber resonator to me... But I'll probably still get rid of it for weight savings.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=25

No. Further left and not part of the muffler. I will post pictures tonight. Crawl under your cars and look. It runs along the side of the car, behind the rear wheel well down low.

Texas · 06-02-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryn

That part is a rubber resonator ans only weighs about a couple ounces. It is there to keep teh car from shaking at idle. I wouldn't remove it.

No, he's talking about a big black metal bar, which I think is part of the bumper/crash impact system (that they may have made extra beefy for the weight balance).

I know that AndyM had a subscription to BMWTIS and could not find any part number that looked like ballast in the rear, and I have a hunch that it's not a separate piece, but rather a heftier than needed part that is functioning as something else...

This thing doesn't look like any part of a crumple zone. It is solid steel. It's very easy to see when the car is on a lift and at eye level.

BMW Dreamer · 06-02-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blklacker

Hey do we have a DIY for removing the rear weight BMW placed in the rear to balance the car. Does anyone recommend removing this weight to lighten the car. Gosh why couldn't they just put a spare tire.

That is what I will do if I can find out where it is???

It might be welded in?:iono:

Is this rear weight a fact or a rumor?:iono:

Texas · 06-02-2008, 05:55 PM

As promised, here are the crappy iPhone pics:

blklacker · 06-02-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas

As promised, here are the crappy iPhone pics:

Great pictures texas you rock.

Consider that dead weight Gone. Hello spare tire! I'm removing it this weekend. I will post my results. If That son of a bitch is solid iron it has to weight about as much as Nicole riche pregnant. 80 pounds give or take LOL before the purge. Muhahaha less weight = faster car and better gas mpg. I would like to consider the negatives. Your thoughts???

Red135 · 06-02-2008, 08:05 PM

The first negative that comes to mine is the weight distribution. It is ~52/~48 to begin with. Removing the weight would make it a little worse. But... :iono:

However, if you try it, I would love to hear your thoughts and, of course, how much it really does weigh.

larryn · 06-02-2008, 08:11 PM

Agree, GREAT PICS!! Those are what I saw too, but if you remove them there's nothing but plastic in the corners. I think those function as collision protection.

Mad Dragon · 06-02-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red135

It is ~52/~48 to begin with. Removing the weight would make it a little worse. But... :iono:

Considering it's at the furthest point to the rear of the car, removing it will make it a lot worse.

Red135 · 06-02-2008, 08:59 PM

^^^Good point.

larryn · 06-02-2008, 09:24 PM

Then might as well remove the airbags too! There some weight savings there too! :wink:

Don't get yourself hurt, just to lighten the car in a manner it was never intended to be. Get smacked by a truck from behind and if those are missing, you'll have a grill in your back seat and a world of hurt. (and likely an insurance company who's not paying a dime to get your car fixed).

Texas · 06-02-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryn

Agree, GREAT PICS!! Those are what I saw too, but if you remove them there's nothing but plastic in the corners. I think those function as collision protection.

Maybe, but to me it looks like they just kind of hang there. Look at my first picture. It's a piece of thin metal right behind the wheel well that the ballast connects to and it's mounted so low, what is it protecting?

Not relevant, but I think a lot of bumper covers have styrofoam behind them and not a huge hunk of steel. For the record, I am leaving mine alone. They'll stay where BMW put them.

blklacker · 06-02-2008, 10:32 PM

I never had the ballist to begin with, strange.

06-02-2008, 02:07 AM	#1
blklacker Captain 50 Rep 657 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: seattle iTrader: (0)	DIY Request - removing rear weight Hey do we have a DIY for removing the rear weight BMW placed in the rear to balance the car. Does anyone recommend removing this weight to lighten the car. Gosh why couldn't they just put a spare tire. __________________ -135i BSM, CRBL ,custom front lip/Indianapolis red fade, blacked out tail lights/corner headlights, golf tee, BMS Air intake, SSTT, CF spoiler,Powdered coated OEM rims gunmetal high gloss,custom Rear diffuser Black/Indianapolis red fade
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06-02-2008, 02:11 AM	#2
jbenington86 Major 58 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i, 2017 Tundra Join Date: May 2008 Location: TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 M235i [0.00] 2008 128i [0.00]	i think messing up the 50/50 weight distrobution would not be a good idea plus you need a little weight in the back to keep them wheels glued to the road better
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06-02-2008, 08:00 AM	#3
larryn Lieutenant General 2146 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	I had the rear valance off, and could see up into the bumper structure quite easily. I didn't see anything that was not structural back there. I suppose that there may be bumper pieces themselves that are made heavier than needed to balance the car, but you obviously wouldn't want to remove that.
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06-02-2008, 08:21 AM	#4
jbenington86 Major 58 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i, 2017 Tundra Join Date: May 2008 Location: TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 M235i [0.00] 2008 128i [0.00]	bmw at its best making there cars so people cant destroy them
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06-02-2008, 08:47 AM	#5
Red135 La Flama Blanca 27 Rep 1,545 Posts Drives: 1-series Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Abq, NM iTrader: (1)	Has any one actually found / seen this ballast weight on their car yet? :iono: __________________ AMS, Berk Technology, aFe, ER
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06-02-2008, 01:36 PM	#7
Texas Private First Class 25 Rep 162 Posts Drives: G87 & E88 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i Conve ... [0.00]	I'm pretty sure that I found it while my car was on a lift today getting the BMW performance exhaust installed. To the left of the muffler, behind the tire there is a black cylindrical hunk of solid steel that looks powdercoated. It seems that there is no other function other than weight. I'll post pictures tonight. I am sure there is another "ballast" on the other side of vehicle too, it's just covered up with plastic aero pieces, so you can't readily see it. Crawl under and take a look. __________________
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06-02-2008, 02:11 PM	#8
holo777 Private First Class 1 Rep 162 Posts Drives: 135i Conv Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NE TN iTrader: (0)	Is This the Part you are talking about Texas? The one to the rear of the valve actuator on the left (stock) exhaust? It looks like a rubber resonator to me... But I'll probably still get rid of it for weight savings. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=25
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06-02-2008, 02:26 PM	#9
larryn Lieutenant General 2146 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	That part is a rubber resonator ans only weighs about a couple ounces. It is there to keep teh car from shaking at idle. I wouldn't remove it. No, he's talking about a big black metal bar, which I think is part of the bumper/crash impact system (that they may have made extra beefy for the weight balance). I know that AndyM had a subscription to BMWTIS and could not find any part number that looked like ballast in the rear, and I have a hunch that it's not a separate piece, but rather a heftier than needed part that is functioning as something else...
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06-02-2008, 02:39 PM	#10
plien69 Captain 20 Rep 841 Posts Drives: 2014 M235i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Does anyone have a link to official BMW documentation that refers to this rear ballast? I recall hearing about it as well, but don't remember how it all got started.
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06-02-2008, 05:55 PM	#14
Texas Private First Class 25 Rep 162 Posts Drives: G87 & E88 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i Conve ... [0.00]	As promised, here are the crappy iPhone pics: Attached Images __________________
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06-02-2008, 08:05 PM	#16
Red135 La Flama Blanca 27 Rep 1,545 Posts Drives: 1-series Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Abq, NM iTrader: (1)	The first negative that comes to mine is the weight distribution. It is ~52/~48 to begin with. Removing the weight would make it a little worse. But... :iono: However, if you try it, I would love to hear your thoughts and, of course, how much it really does weigh. __________________ AMS, Berk Technology, aFe, ER
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06-02-2008, 08:11 PM	#17
larryn Lieutenant General 2146 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	Agree, GREAT PICS!! Those are what I saw too, but if you remove them there's nothing but plastic in the corners. I think those function as collision protection.
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06-02-2008, 08:59 PM	#19
Red135 La Flama Blanca 27 Rep 1,545 Posts Drives: 1-series Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Abq, NM iTrader: (1)	^^^Good point. __________________ AMS, Berk Technology, aFe, ER
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06-02-2008, 09:24 PM	#20
larryn Lieutenant General 2146 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	Then might as well remove the airbags too! There some weight savings there too! :wink: Don't get yourself hurt, just to lighten the car in a manner it was never intended to be. Get smacked by a truck from behind and if those are missing, you'll have a grill in your back seat and a world of hurt. (and likely an insurance company who's not paying a dime to get your car fixed).
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06-02-2008, 10:32 PM	#22
blklacker Captain 50 Rep 657 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: seattle iTrader: (0)	I never had the ballist to begin with, strange. __________________ -135i BSM, CRBL ,custom front lip/Indianapolis red fade, blacked out tail lights/corner headlights, golf tee, BMS Air intake, SSTT, CF spoiler,Powdered coated OEM rims gunmetal high gloss,custom Rear diffuser Black/Indianapolis red fade
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