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Investigating The Apex
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Brandon Meadows
5 days ago7 min read
Game of Millimeters: Squeezing More Space Out of an NC Miata
There are some undeniable perks to being on the taller side—reaching the top shelf without a struggle, flat-footing most motorcycles, and...
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Brandon Meadows
Jan 196 min read
A New Challenger Approaches: The NC Miata Joins the Stable
Ah, yes, it’s that magical time of year again—temperatures are below freezing, the snow shovel is your constant companion, and your...
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Brandon Meadows
Dec 3, 20243 min read
The Things I'll Do for 2mm of Headroom: Lowering the Stock Seats
To set a baseline lap time, I need to take my 128i out to High Plains Raceway. But there’s one small hitch: before I can start turning...
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Brandon Meadows
Nov 29, 20249 min read
Tightening Up the Suspension: Bilstein B12 Cup Kit and Rear Subframe Inserts
After ditching the run-flats and installing the new Continental tires, I quickly realized just how squishy the worn-out OEM sport...
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Brandon Meadows
Nov 29, 20244 min read
New Rubber, Perfect Pressure: Installing Tires and Dialing in the PSI
As the 128i had been nursed back to full health and become fun to drive, I found myself driving it regularly, pitching it around with the...
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Brandon Meadows
Nov 28, 202414 min read
Time to Up the Power: 3-Stage Intake Manifold, Euro Airbox and Tune- with Dynos!
[In my best Bruce Buffer voice]: Finally, IT'S TIME! The moment we’ve all been waiting for—the day the N52B30-powered 128i gets the...
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Brandon Meadows
Nov 28, 20247 min read
Shifting Gears: Upgrading Precision and Performance
You know what really grinds my gears? Literally grinding a gear because of my own ham-fisted buffoonery when I botch a shift. The fine...
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Brandon Meadows
Nov 28, 20246 min read
Fixing Water Leaks and Closing the Trunk!
When I bought the 128i, I considered myself lucky. I mean, what are the odds of buying a 15-year-old N52-powered BMW and not finding any...
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Brandon Meadows
Nov 27, 20243 min read
Aesthetic Overhaul: Making It Look as Good as It Runs
At this point, the car was running extremely well. The powertrain felt great. The N52 engine, while not a powerhouse, is incredibly...
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Brandon Meadows
Nov 26, 20247 min read
Solving the Mystery of the Wandering E82
At this point, the powertrain had been fully serviced. Nearly all the codes in the DME were gone, the motor and transmission felt...
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Brandon Meadows
Nov 25, 20248 min read
Clearing Lights, Catching up on Deferred Maintenance and Crossing Fingers
When I bought this little nugget of a BMW, I received no maintenance history to speak of, in addition to the plethora of painfully...
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Brandon Meadows
Nov 24, 20244 min read
Bringing a Battered E82 BMW 128i Back to Life
Some people struggle with drugs, alcohol, or gambling. Me? Well, I think the first step is admitting that I have a problem with cars....
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Brandon Meadows
Nov 21, 20244 min read
Where it Started and Where we're Heading
As far back as I can remember, I've loved cars. I can remember sitting in my grandfather's old V8-powered Lincoln as a kid. He would look...
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Brandon Meadows
Nov 20, 20241 min read
The Journey Starts Behind the Wheel
When most people look at a car they see only a means of transportation. A way to get groceries and commute to work. Nothing more than a...
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