Info+Questions

[Deloriant]

Hey guys - just got an account on the forums and wanted to say a friendly hello to everyone. I have a 96' 328is with a few minor things done to it (rims, clear corners, white bulbs, euro headlight conversion etc). I'll get some pictures up and running this weekend. Anyway, just had a few questions and some info for you guys.

First off - watch out for Tuner MotorSports. They've got some pretty bad false advertising going on, and a kit I ordered from them was missing parts. Check this out: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/show_...tConversionKits

Those lights are pretty hot so I went ahead and bought them. Well, despite what they lead you to believe, you aren't getting headlight buckets, just new angel eye rings and a bunch of wiring. The kit also doesn't include blue bulbs so you'll end up with blue rings and standard yellow/orange bulbs (wow that's not going to look incredibly stupid). Anyway, just thought I'd drop you guys the 2 cents on that company.

Anyone know of a company/person who sells blue angel eyes (or just blue bulbs) for the European Ellipsoid headlights? I'm dying for some blue headlights with my Euro kit...it would look great. I'd rather have the blue angel eye rings for my euro headlights, but the only place I can find selling them is that Tuner AutoSports place that had missing parts in their shipped product.

Onward to the questions, I'm about to buy an intake, chip, and exhaust for my car. I'm getting an intake from BavAuto (they're awesome) - an AFE Powerflow Intake Kit. I'll probably buy a Conforti chip ( I hear they make the best ECU's), but I'm a little torn when it comes to exhaust. I've heard a lot of things about Remus, AC Schnitzer, and Scorpion, but I came across something that really struck a chord with me. Here's the link: http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html%5F...e462/SUE36TSE/

They look decent (I could never decide between DTM and roundtips - The roundtips don't look very sporty but the way the DTM angles upward is retarded), sound great, and aren't that expensive. The rated hp gains aren't bad either (yes I know everyone lies about this). They seem to have a really burly exhaust note that I'm going for. Anyone have these, or have a suggestion of an exhaust system for me? I'm looking at around 600-700 dollars and going for a good mix of horsepower and sound.

Sorry to throw such a long post at you guys...I've just been really stressed lately, plus all this bs about the "headlights" I just bought from Tuner MotorSports didn't help. Hope to get some replies! =) Pics on their way!

[Kevin325i]

Go for silverstars, they're not blue, but incredibly white almost to the point where they're blue.

Kevin

[Deloriant]

Lol, my name is Kevin too. Where can I find these silverstars? I can find plenty of white/blue bulbs for the american headlight system, but I converted to European (an extremely long, difficult, painful excercise, but very much worth it), and I can't seem to find white/blue bulbs.

[Kevin325i]

Um, I found mine at the local autoparts store. Try looking online for sylvania's website and see if they have online distributors.

Kevin

[El Presidente]

TMS is actually quite a good company. I can see how a new owner might be mislead by their description though. Another source for good DDEs is umnitza.com

Also, you mentioned you want a Conforti chip. Two things. First, Conforti is made by TMS. Second, the 96 is OBDII and the ECU cannot be replaced, onoly "flash programmed". The general consensus is that the programmers are not nearly as effective as real chips and the cost-benefit is negligible.

[Deloriant]

The "Daylight Demon Eyes (Angel Eyes) - E36 [E36]" @ http://www.umnitza.com/product_info...&products_id=41

Are those actual headlight buckets or just the upgrade kit like the one I found at Tuner MotorSports?

[jllphan]

to the forums, Kevin.

Nice car. I have your engine. Kind of a mut really. As Prez said, umnitza.com has the angel eyes you seek. They have just the rings or the entire eurospec headlights w/ the rings. They can also get you blue if you want. Got mine there (I wanted white) and they are good people. I also have the SilverStars, and they are the best of the bulbs until you get into a full HID kit. Prez has that, it looks amazing.

As prez also mentioned, you cannot chip your current DME set up. You would need to either flash it with a shark injector or convert your OBDII system back to the older OBDI to chip. I have the latter, and it has paid off.

As for exhaust, I have the "retarded" DTM style exhaust from Borla. The look and sound is top notch. Similar to the UUC, but a little throatier. Borla promises similar gains to the UUC and are a very good company. Here is a link to an audio clip of it one of the guys posted for me...{CLICK HERE}

[Deloriant]

Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it! If you could just clear up a few things....first off, jilphan that exhaust sounds so hot....could you get me a direct link to buy that exhaust for a 96' e36?

As far as the Angel Eyes...i was looking here:
http://www.umnitza.com/product_info.php?cP...&products_id=41

So that is for sure the HEADLIGHT BUCKETS that I will be getting and not just the rings like the kit I bought off of Tuner MotorSport? Also, I've converted my headlights to Ellipsoid (European). Do these angel eyes accept a European headlight plugin?

Last question, I PROMISE, hehe. As far as intakes...I was looking at a pretty standard AFE Powerflow Intake Kit from BavAuto. That runs at about $319. I was also looking at another standard intake from umnitza that runs for $239. However, Tuner MotorSports has a Conforti cold air intake that uses this "ITG Foam Filter." Is it worth the extra $40 (or $100) for this new type of air filter? I don't see "cold air" being that much better for my car considering it is NA...but I'm not altogether too certain. OKAY, no more questions, thanks for your help already!!

Pics comingthis weekend...I promise lol.

[El Presidente]

if you already have ellipsoids. why do you need to buy the rings and the "headlight buckets"? To install the AEs you need to pop off the glass lense and hook them up. The ones you have and the ones umnitza sells are the same design.

[BlantonG13]

Cold Air is always better for a car whether its NA or not...however, you would need a heat sheild if its not a full out CAI that mounts the filter by the brake duct. Otherwise you will just be pulling in warm engine air. One of the more logical things to do that seems to work better than even buying a CAI is debaffling your stock air box and dropping in a K&N or Green replacement filter...plenty of DIY links and threads on that around here...check it out.

[Styles]

Well TMS IMO are great and reliable... You have to read that they are only the ellipsoids... so... thats not really false advertising... You can buy halogen bulbs at a local car store.. pepboys.. etc... otherwise good choice...

[Deloriant]

The Ellipsoids I bought were not really 'angel eyes,' they just have the angel eye rings. The actual rings do not light up. I was wondering if umnitz's $275 headlights they sold were the actual headlights complete with buckets/rings that light up. They would also have to be compatible with ellipsoid. And why does everyone not recommend getting blue angel eyes? Do they wear out faster? I know they are legally...many cars here are sold stock with blue lights.

[jllphan]

Originally posted by Deloriant@Jul 9 2004, 03:42 AM
first off, jilphan that exhaust sounds so hot....could you get me a direct link to buy that exhaust for a 96' e36

Thanks. I would look to turnermotorsports.com if you are interested.

As for the headlights, the link you posted is essentially a kit. The full headlight assembly, rings, etc. will run you in the $600 range. I bought the ZKW kit from umnitza and am very happy.

With regards to the intake, I am also contemplating the purchase of such. I am stuck between the one you were talking about from turnermotorsports and this one....{HERE}

[Deloriant]

Is this the kind of exhaust you are reffering to?

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detai...RODUCT_ID=14553

(Sorry I can't help but be absolutely agape over your exhaust note).

[frw73]

Daylight Demon Eye
We now offer the best Daylight Demon Eyes OEM-quality angel eyes for the E36 (3-series 92-99). These are an upgrade to your exisiting headlights and will work with ZKW, Bosch or DEPOT Euro-Ellipsoid E36 headlights. (A kit for the Inpro kit is availalbe as well, please call.) Installs in a couple of hours with installation documentation or videos provided with the product. Daylight Demon Eyes are an incredibly effective way to update the look of your car to the same as the E39 (5 Series 2001+) look, only brighter. E36 NOTE: these will only work with Euro Ellipsoid headlights! Also fits E38 7 series and E53 X5.
Very Bright/Neo Modern Look
Pure White
No Light Box
Easy fit
Inexpensive
Fits E36, E38, X5
DDE rings are less noticeable when off and brighter when on.
Size difference also allows for better cold startup.
Proper Mounting Mechanism
Unobtrusive Mounting (Clear)

Deloriant, I've been looking at DDE's when I've been on other sites (i.e. m3motorwerks.com) and have basically priced them out. So, ~$200 for rings alone is not out of the question. I've reposted the ad from TMS above, but there are more than a few hints (in red) that these are not buckets. I suppose you could have called and asked them too. Just goes to show ya. Caveat Emptor. Makes me shudder at the 'ebay specials' on these rings. Do you really know what you are getting, and, more importantly, when you have spent the $$$ on your car, why cheap out on the little stuff? (I just finished reading the 'cheap CAI' thread).

[Not meant as a slap on the wrist, just a reminder that there's a lot of variation on what's out there, and if things are still unclear, especially if you're buying over the web, I have always found it more reliable to call someone on the phone to ask them your questions, get (and record) their name / date & time of call, and then order your stuff. At least then if you're not happy with what you got and you need to return stuff, you exercised due diligence in trying to match what you want with what they have to the best of your abilities]

Cheers and welcome to the board.