plans for my ti

[318tifan]

so... now that i have a ti.... it's time to give it some tlc...

restore plans:
fix cali top
repair windshield (pits)
tranny flush, replace belts,

mod plans:
suspension: probably from bimmerbum.com
exhaust: still looking for a quiet performance muffler
brakes: slotted/drilled rotors and/or ss brakelines
int: get leather upholstery after the cali summer
ice: looking for suggestions for in dash navi, and trying to figure out what to get for them rear speaker replacement haha
rims: 18s

maybe maybe a e46 body kit...

if you have ideas on my questions above, please feel free to chime in...

will update as i upgrade

[thesk8nmidget]

i would first change your sig since you found the ti

and then not get drilled brakes. its been discussed here quite a bit and they just arent the right decision

[marko]

restore plans:
fix cali top***super expensive - try finding a used one, or see what these guys got:
http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/ragtopsunroofs.html
repair windshield (pits)
***easy - 200 bucks & any of the internet services that come to your door and replace it in 10 mins will do..
tranny flush, replace belts,
*** http://www.royalpurple.com/
mod plans:
suspension: probably from bimmerbum.com
***go for coils if you can - if not stay away from Bav Auto springs.
exhaust: still looking for a quiet performance muffler
***if you want quite do not buy Stromung...
brakes: slotted/drilled rotors and/or ss brakelines
***once warped - slotted & crossdrilled rotors can not be re-cut - making them a very expensive paper weight (I got 2 if you want).
get leather upholstery after the cali summer
***try & track down the Club Sport used interior - wicked cool.
ice: looking for suggestions for in dash navi, and trying to figure out what to get for them rear speaker replacement haha***not neccessary unless OEM stuff is broken - ICE screams rice bling (IMO).
rims: 18s
***though opinions are split - general concencuss is that 17s are the limit for a 318ti - 18s are too much & look funny (IMO).
go for 16x8 BBS RS old school mesh w/a sick drop & keep the car 'clean'.
it will look great...

maybe maybe a e46 body kit...
***NO, NO, NO, NO... please, no.

P.S. - save your money & call Metric Mechanic & buy one of their rally motors!
http://www.metricmechanic.com/

[zboot]

I've got front brembos (slotted + cross-drilled) up for sale along with brand new pads. PM me if you're interested.

As far as in dash navi - I put in a Jensen VM9512 HU (touch screen) and will be getting the NAV101 package (GPS which can be controlled through the touch screen). That will run you about $700. However, the HU plays CDs, DVDs, stuff from SD cards and USB drives, you can connect up your ipod, rear view cam (another mod I'll be doing in the future), as well as a few other AV inputs and outputs. Oh - I forgot bluetooth. You can pair it to your phone and answer/dial/browse phonebook/recent call list through the unit.

I've had mine (the HU) since February and so far have not had any problems

[SDKmann]

Originally Posted by 318tifan

rims: 18s

You dont want to do that. 18s are too big for these cars, 17s look just fine especially if you are planning on lowering it soon. 18s are too big and heavy for these motors, you will feel performance losses.

Originally Posted by 318tifan

maybe maybe a e46 body kit...

For the love of God please dont do it, especially to a california roofed car. You have plenty of other options without making it look ricey.

[tiFreak]

Originally Posted by marko

ice: looking for suggestions for in dash navi, and trying to figure out what to get for them rear speaker replacement haha***not neccessary unless OEM stuff is broken - ICE screams rice bling (IMO).

how is upgrading your stereo ricey? the OEM speakers in the ti aren't very good, I don't see anything wrong with upgrading

[SDKmann]

Originally Posted by tiFreak

how is upgrading your stereo ricey? the OEM speakers in the ti aren't very good, I don't see anything wrong with upgrading

Ballin in dash navigation screens on the ti is a tad ricey, I think thats what he was referring to, not the part about the speakers.

[318tifan]

thanks for all the input...

y'all sold me on the rims... 17s it is... you're right... ti is not a light car and the motor isn't all that powerful...

cali top... i'm going to look around socal for a good price... will know after this weekend's tech meet the extent of what i need...

in dash navigation... the walmart (i know, walmart) has a vr3 unit for less than 400 with nav... i have a jensen dvd player in my 90 acura legend... problem with 'big brands' is that region codes are limited...
really more concerned about what am i going to do with them rear speakers... don't really need like a 7'' screen BUT i would like to have integrated nav cuz dash nav looks so... cluttered...



interesting and i understand where y'all are coming from about the slotted and drilled... although similar discussions are found in the mr2 spyder board, subaru svx board, acura legend board, audi urs4 board... and so far i've not had bad experiences.... usually i can find a whole set with ss brake lines for under 400.... and it would cost less to install at a shop when the suspension is getting upgraded at the same time...

ok maybe not e46 body kit... but although i love the squarish shape of the e36... i don't like the vents on the bumper (not the hood) so maybe another style front bumper... will look further as this would be the proposed final stage of modding for me

seats: i just took my mom's 91 legend to the shop for complete front and rear seats leather reupholstering... and the total bill will come less than 800... the owners promised a better price if i take the ti in... so if i can get two tone leather for less than 800 out the door... i'm all for it....

[318tifan]

sig updated...
keep them comments coming!!

[Ji Money]

I have a genuine walnut wood shifter on my ti. It feels really crisp and clean when you shift compared to the stock leather shifter.

[zboot]

when I have the navigation package installed, I'll post up pics and video. I think people will be surprised by how it looks.

When it comes to questions about function, take advice. for those about form, I always say do what you want. It's your car and you are the one who's going to have to look at it.

I always find the "don't spoil the BMW look" ironic compared to the other stuff we do to the car then pretend its ok because it was on another BMW though not available for the the. If you were a purist, you wouldn't be asking about in-dash options.

[marko]

what I really meant are the aftermarket radios with the crazy neon lights in all the colors of the raibow.. just looks out place (IMO!).
not to mention the flip up screens (or any other entrertainment / DVD player stuff) you see in some cars.. again, its subjective, but as I said earlier IMO.

nothing wrong with getting a better unit + speakers - providing it has an OEM look to it... again IMO.

Originally Posted by tiFreak

how is upgrading your stereo ricey? the OEM speakers in the ti aren't very good, I don't see anything wrong with upgrading

[thesk8nmidget]

agreed bright green and blue lights in the dash are pretty out of place.
go with orange or red at most!

i love the look of the cd43

[tiFreak]

Originally Posted by thesk8nmidget

agreed bright green and blue lights in the dash are pretty out of place.
go with orange or red at most!

+1, unless you've done Jess' idea of replacing the lights with blue lights, I like having everything light up the same color

[318tifan]

one thing at a time...

http://www.wheelsnext.com/wheels-tir...l%20Gloss.html

or

http://www.wheelsnext.com/wheels-tir...k%20Gloss.html