The path to enlightenment...... Updated as new stuff happens

[freerider]

I thought I would start a mods thread for my 320i, there are a few things which I have already done, mostly small things, that I will list here, and as more things get done I will update this thread.

First off, I picked the car up last year August (2007), I previously had a 320d and that was just a plain bad choice as far as cars go.
I was looking to purchase a 330i, but was way too fussy when it came to buying. I looked at sooooo many cars and wasnt happy with any of them.

Until I drove this 320i, it was from a slightly dodgy car sales place, who have done some very shady deals, so I treated this car with a lot of scepticism. After the initial test drive, I was very happy with the feel of the car, so took the VIN and had BMW check it out thouroughly.

I then purchased it, with 78k on the clock and motorplan until 100k, which gave me sufficient time to have things like control arm bushings etc replaced.

First on my list of mods was the speakers, I have plans of putting a decent sub in the boot, but until then it doesnt hurt to have semi ok speakers. The stock speakers are rubbish and made out of paper, with a plastic cage!

I got myself some Hificorp speakers and realised that the size in the car is 6.5inch!!!!



So I set out to make an adapter of sorts so that the speakers could be secured.



Checked for size, then sprayed black





In place again and screwed in this time.



Cover back on and you would never even know that anything had changed.

[crazygolfer]

so u a jack of ol trades now ey.....

[freerider]

Before you even think it, I did not debadge bacause I'm ashamed to have a 320i.

I did it because I like the clean look, and the balanced appearance of the back of the car with out the badge on one side.

before



after

*need to take pic*

[freerider]

Replaced the original with this AC Schnitzer to compliment the brushed aluminium trim inside my car

before



after

[MeTsU]

Good stuff... DIY FTW!

[freerider]

I replaced the stock orange sidemarkers, with the OEM clears sidemarkers. Clear front and rear indicators still to come.

before



after

[crazygolfer]

i like the debadgedm lool...id only keep the badge if it was a EMfree

[freerider]

I took out the front grills and spray painted the silver outers black.

Before



During the job







primered



sprayed black





After

[freerider]

Decided I didnt like the blue on gray.... So I put black vinyl over all the blue on the badges.

before



after

[whattingh]

Nice Don. Most Audio work is not hard just time consuming.
Good sounds always a must. Once you experienced good sound you can never go back. After I added the sub in my car my old hifi in my room is not good enough anymore. Once had to used my parents small car(nissan almera) and the sound is so horrible I turned the radio off.

[freerider]

Still to come in the near future:

M3 Steering Wheel (already have, just need sport airbag)
Sportpack Springs (already have, just need fitment)
Staggered wheel setup. (coming within next 2 months) 245/40/17 rear 225/45/17 front
35% Window tint. Black
Clear indicators front and back

[revo]

Nice work Don... the modding will never end, you know

The first mod I always do, is debadge the trunk

[freerider]

(13-10-2008 10:05 AM)revo Wrote:  Nice work Don... the modding will never end, you know

The first mod I always do, is debadge the trunk

I realise there will always be something else

The plan for this car is that when I eventually upgrade, my wife will take this over. So its not going to be altogether wasted

[08micsta]

Nice set of mods you have there. Very tasteful and very unique.
My mom had a 320i before she got the GTi and it was one of the worst cars ever. Good to see you got a decent one

What colour is that? Its awesome.

Mike

[freerider]

Precisely why in the States they have lemon laws! I've had this car since Uagust last yr and the only thing that I have had replaced was the thermostat housing gasket and the expansion tank... which is a normal thing on the e46's. Cost me a total of R1700. After just over a yr, I still enjoy her just as much as the first time I drove her out of the dealership.

The colour is Silver Grey (A08), I also really like it. I think the M3 boot spoiler also just adds a lot of character to the rear end of the car.

[08micsta]

Thats great. I really like the colour.

Our BM had the following go wrong.

1. The fuel gauge thingy that tells you your Average fuel consumption etc started whirring. **Accelerate whiirrr** Decelerate whoooo** The entire dash console had to be replaced...
2. The 6 CD changer jammed on at least 4 occassions and had to be replaced.
3. Door handles kept sticking and didnt shut properly.
4. The car came with a flat spare wheel???
5. The steering had to be replaced cos it constantly rattled when decelerating.

And some other minor stuff. The worst thing was the dead spots the engine had. Accelerate. Lots of noise. No real power...

I still think that BMW has some of the most lush and sexy vehicles on the road though...

Mike

[freerider]

(21-10-2008 11:31 AM)08micsta Wrote:  Thats great. I really like the colour.

Our BM had the following go wrong.

1. The fuel gauge thingy that tells you your Average fuel consumption etc started whirring. **Accelerate whiirrr** Decelerate whoooo** The entire dash console had to be replaced...
2. The 6 CD changer jammed on at least 4 occassions and had to be replaced.
3. Door handles kept sticking and didnt shut properly.
4. The car came with a flat spare wheel???
5. The steering had to be replaced cos it constantly rattled when decelerating.

And some other minor stuff. The worst thing was the dead spots the engine had. Accelerate. Lots of noise. No real power...

I still think that BMW has some of the most lush and sexy vehicles on the road though...

Mike

WOW, that sucks! Sometimes you just get a bad one hey!
and in South Africa the law unfortunately does not help us out very much.

[calypso]

(21-10-2008 11:31 AM)08micsta Wrote:  Thats great. I really like the colour.

Our BM had the following go wrong.

1. The fuel gauge thingy that tells you your Average fuel consumption etc started whirring. **Accelerate whiirrr** Decelerate whoooo** The entire dash console had to be replaced...
2. The 6 CD changer jammed on at least 4 occassions and had to be replaced.
3. Door handles kept sticking and didnt shut properly.
4. The car came with a flat spare wheel???
5. The steering had to be replaced cos it constantly rattled when decelerating.

And some other minor stuff. The worst thing was the dead spots the engine had. Accelerate. Lots of noise. No real power...

I still think that BMW has some of the most lush and sexy vehicles on the road though...

Mike

You live on a dirt road? Ive seen new C class thats been destroyed by the 2km dirt road it rides to the guys house.

[crazygolfer]

If u hav 2drive a dirt road,buy a 4x4/SUV...jus my 5c ,hehehe

[08micsta]

Im confused? Where did a dirt road come into the picture? lol
I live in Fish Hoek. And we have a Pajero for the dirt roads he he

Mike