One of the most common questions I get is “What should I do first?”. There are so many BMW performance choices out there and some upgrades are not going to give you the end result you desire. It is important that you choose wisely, buy top quality parts, and install them correctly.

For most late model BMWs, the best horsepower gain per dollar is through a performance software upgrade. There are a variety of manufacturers out there who offer software downloads to increase power and torque and also usually remove the speed limiter and raise the redline. For cars manufactured after 1996 in the US this is critical. Until the software is modified, an intake or performance exhaust will not result in any increased power.

After the software upgrade, then I would go with a BMW air intake to get more O2 and cooler air into the intake manifold. These are usually fairly simple to install.

Once these steps are finished, then buy a performance exhaust. This will result in less back pressure, more hp and a more aggressive exhaust note. Brands like Supersprint, Remus, and Borla are common BMW upgrades and can be purchased at most BMW parts retailers. Do some research to ensure you are buying from a manufacturer that can give you the best advice for your exact model of BMW. Buying the right part the first time, before you install it, will ensure yo get the performance gains you desire.

Each of these performance mods is easily reversible and will maximize the driving enjoyment of your BMW. Please ensure you obey the local and state laws where you reside for modifying your vehicle.

Rand Stuck is a master technician with over 13 years experience working on BMWs and currently manages the BMW parts department for an online parts retailer.