help a n00b!

Here are some pics of the car:



It's a 1995 318i with the 1.8L engine and 115k miles. As of right now everything is stock. I'd like to put in a decent sound system and some mods. My overall budget is probably around $800-1000, for right now. Here are some questions I've got:

First of all, is it really even worth it to put money into the engine, considering it's a 318i? Also, with any performance mods should I be worried about the fact that it's got 115k miles? I probably won't be doing any track racing, just around on the streets.

For the stereo, what would you guys recommend doing for the receiver and speakers? Is it possible just to swap the stock speakers (It's got the 2 tweaters in the front doors and the two in the back) for better ones, or completely redo it? I don't need an uber top of the line system, but I'd like something nicer than what its got right now.

What do you guys use for keeping the paint looking nice? It has tons of little scrapes and dings from over the years, expecially on the hood from my dad driving way too close behind a truck on a gravel road (It's hard to see them in the pic, but it looks bad close up in reality). It also got keyed a few times back when it was brand new.

Anyways, here's what I'm thinking right now for upgrades:
1. Cold air intake. Google turned up this one, is it any good?
2. New chip. From what I've read, this one ought to be good?
3. New muffler. I don't think spending $700 on a new exhaust system is really an option. I saw this muffler on eBay. Would that give me a good sound? Or are there any more reasonable exhausts that I could go for?
4. Sound system. I'm thinking $400 or so could give me a decent upgrade over the stock, any suggestions here?

And finally, how hard are all these things to install? I've done some mechanical work before, but nothing really on cars.

Thanks!

[///M Power]

1. That CAI blows. Don't get it. I've installed a similar CAI and it took me an hour.
2. That wasn't a chip. You showed us a Shark Injection system which is meant for OBDII systems and because your car is a 1995. For a 1995 you need an acual chip because your car has an OBDI system. The brand is VERY good. I always recomend JC chips. The install time on that is about 10 minutes.
3. HELL FUCKIGN NO. NEVER get a universal wannabe muffler. And that won't even fit into your rear apron. You have a single tip outlet exhaust. Don't make your car look out of place. It is a 318i. Accept it.
4. I think $400 would be good enough if you are also includign a good headunit in that. Get that professionally installed.

Forget the muffler. Truthfully I think you need to look into Rims. I recomend ebay for this. People complain that ebay rims can dent easy and all that shit. But unless you plan to seriously track your car, then i think you should be fine. Go for like $400 or $500 ebay rims about 17 inchers and make sure they are BMW styled rims. Then if you get a bit more money look into buyign the rims and putting on yoko ES100's. Don't make your bimmer look out of place.

Good Luck.

[TMac325is]

yeah man, definately get some new wheels first, those 318 wheels arent very stylish, if youre on a budget, check around and see if any one in your area is selling their old rims, used rims are a bargain

performance mods on a 318 wont do a whole lot, so i wouldnt waste your money.. id leave the exhaust alone and just get a good looking exhaust tip (but not one that makes sound)

heres what id do if i were you....
(save up money for rims, and get them later on)
Buy clear corners, euro tails, clear markers.. ($300-350)
Alpine Head Unit ($150+)
Static Cling Window tint ($20)

once you get more money if you want to fool with the speakers, id get 4 speakers, 2 for the front under the dash, and 2 replacements for the rear deck speakers, add a decent amp that will go well with an alpine receiver and youre set

[e36_m3_Turbo]

Originally posted by ///M Power@Sep 5 2004, 01:26 PM
1. That CAI blows. Don't get it. I've installed a similar CAI and it took me an hour.
2. That wasn't a chip. You showed us a Shark Injection system which is meant for OBDII systems and because your car is a 1995. For a 1995 you need an acual chip because your car has an OBDI system. The brand is VERY good. I always recomend JC chips. The install time on that is about 10 minutes.
3. HELL FUCKIGN NO. NEVER get a universal wannabe muffler. And that won't even fit into your rear apron. You have a single tip outlet exhaust. Don't make your car look out of place. It is a 318i. Accept it.
4. I think $400 would be good enough if you are also includign a good headunit in that. Get that professionally installed.

Forget the muffler. Truthfully I think you need to look into Rims. I recomend ebay for this. People complain that ebay rims can dent easy and all that shit. But unless you plan to seriously track your car, then i think you should be fine. Go for like $400 or $500 ebay rims about 17 inchers and make sure they are BMW styled rims. Then if you get a bit more money look into buyign the rims and putting on yoko ES100's. Don't make your bimmer look out of place.

Good Luck.

dude is right though

[thekid]

As others have said engine mods for the 318 are practically useless, until you get into the big money mods, but even then it's better to swap and do the standard mods. HOwever, you could do suspension mods and really see and feel the difference. The 4cly BMWs are more balanced than the 6's, so you can out perform them in handling for less than what you are talking about. But, if you're never going to use the suspension mods, then there is no reasons. Most people just messing around with their car and never go to a track can not safely use all of the cars handling potential, so perhaps suspension would not be the way to go, but if you wanted performance mods you could feel, then you may want to look into it.. For sound systems there are a lot of good ones out there. Check out the FAQ section and the Electronics and Sound forum, those guys can point you to the best stuff for the money. If you choose to do rims, don't go over 17s. You car will be waaay too slow with 18's or bigger on there.

Thanks for the advice. So lets see...
Are these the clear turn signal lenses you guys are talking about?

Is this the kind of tint you're talking about?

When you say suspension mod, do you mean a kit like this?
How hard is something like that to install?

Thanks!

[///M Power]

Yeah those are great. I can't believe I forgot to mention clears. stupid me.

definately get the clears all around, euro style lights in the back with clear top layer. I just got a 323is and got an e46 bumper (new M3 style). It is sick as hell, but shop around, i got mine for 200 bucks. everyone else is asking 800 for the same thing