Australian Dakar ti Build
 

Howdy ti Humans,
I've been busy with my ti since I posted my introduction thread.
This is what I started with:
http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/...54262560_n.jpg
A totally stock, and a little neglected '97 318ti Sport. I was always going to swap the 4 cylinder out so the fact its done 220k kilometres (136k miles) wasnt an issue. Its had some paint on the rear quarters and rear bumper at some time and its a markedly different colour. I'll get around to fixing it at some stage.
My first port of call was the cosmetics. Depo smoked tails, M3 Mirrors, Black Kidneys and Black & White Roundels went in. KW Variant 3 coilovers, adjustable top mounts and poly bushes went in underneath.
I tried a set of 17x8 Style 5s on, but they just didn't rock my jocks. I wanted something that no-one else had on a Compact, preferrably not on a BMW either. I found just that in a set of 17x8.5 and 17x9.5 Panasport G7 C5C2s that I found locally. They were originally off a Trans Am so they required a redrill from 120.65 and a CBL bore. They are +41 front and rear. The fronts need a 5mm slip on to clear the coils, and the rear could use a 5mm slip on to put them flush on the guard. I'm running 215 and 225/45s on them.
Fronts:
http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/...42852881_n.jpg
Flush enough.
Rears:
http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/...22810277_n.jpg
Could do with a nudge toward the arch edge.
I didn't like the standard Sport seats, so I had some Recaro LS retrimmed in black leather, with yellow Recaro stitching. The headlining needed doing so I had that done in yellow Alcantara, along with the door panel inset front and rear. I also had an Alpine BT deck and a Focal 10" powered sub installed.
So this is how it stands at the moment:
http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/...81435011_n.jpg
I'm very happy with the way its looking, and I'm even happy just belting it around with the stock motor. I've ditched the idea for a 2J, and I'm installing an LS1. Still deciding whether to supercharge it or not.
Next to be done is the E46 330i brake install and swapping out the stock airbag wheel for a Nardi Classic.
Jeff

lookin' real nice Jeff.

Looks good

hate you. ;) looks sick. keep it up

I like it.

+1 :smile:

Car is looking great! I wish we had dakar Ti's available here :(

Fresh

Amazing how a set of wheels, a new stance, and some tint just changes a car. Looks nice! Keep up the good work!

SIMPLE AND CLEAN!

looking great. Not normally a fan of Dakar but the tints and wheels set it off nicely.

lets see some interior pics