Most Important Things To Upgrade First

[Sandor18]

Alright list the FIRST things that, in your opinion, should be upgraded for performance and looks. I have a feeling clear corners and rims are going to be the obvious but list whatever you think needs to be done.

[BaLAnCe17]

i would personally go w/ performance 1st...but im waiting for my hook up...so im buying clears and maybe a spoiler in the mean time...and wheels are really $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ghead $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $ . later

[SpeedInfusion]

what kind of ride u tryna pimp?

[Delmarco]

I'm not that big on the clear/smoke corners upgrade crusade! I agree w/ the rims (and dont forget perfomance tires) especially to replace the E36 OEM caps that came with 99% of those cars between 1992-1995.

I'm a tech person who appreciates the seemless combination of function/class and style so my upgrades would favor:

-Match sides and Bumpers asap! ($60-$1000)
-ZKWs Euro head lights w/ Bosch Xenon HIDs ($600)
-MP3 Alpine w/ XM dash upgrade if needed ($329)
-Chrome trim for speedometer dash guages ($36-ebay)
-Chrome trim for door speakers. ($60 www.autowerks.com)
-Wooden steering wheel upgrade (BMW $650)
-If your upholstery is tore up then upgrade to "Sports Leather" (the leather seats w/ the tiny holes like on the 760iL) - ($500-700 at www.leatherseats.com)
-Brushed aluminum trim door handles (not the frame trim but the handle itself is a solid aluminum/chrome metal like on 2004 BMW models) ($40 per handle at www.dynamic-interiors.co.uk)
-Update your pre-1997 E36 BMWs grills to the wider post-1997 E36 and E46 style chrome grills ($50 on ebay for good quality aftermarkets/ or about $150 if you update to OEM 1997 nose panel and OEM 1997 grills)
-Update to M tech wide side moldings to match your bumper moldings ($194 on Bavauto.com)


In terms of performance mods...I can't say of any I've done but everyone seems to be keen on M3 bumpers, air filters, Dinan chips, Body kits etc... my bias would be towards upgrading brake and suspension components (www.tirerack.com)

[Deloriant]

I would say looks...only because I know I'm not taking my car that far performance wise.

[tyq94325is]

Originally posted by Deloriant@Nov 7 2004, 11:49 PM
I would say looks...only because I know I'm not taking my car that far performance wise.

[snapback]226605[/snapback]

First of all your gonna get tested by the others out there, you can go with clear corners and all that stuff, but you'll wish you got the chip, intake, etc.... first. All the fast cars out don't look fast, with all the extras(exterior). Your car won't look so good when someone goes past you, so fast, your paint color changes.

[Sandor18]

Hey TYG

I appreciate the indepth post!

Right now my car is completely stock, but as soon as my cashflow starts rolling in again im going to invest all of it into my car. Also, its a 94' 325i.

My main things are going to be,

clear corners, rims, tint, new audio system, then im going to work on engine mods. But not sure what the best basic engine mods are to do..

[Kevin325i]

Go fast > look fast.

[spieluhr]

wheels&tires first, they change the entire look of the car. it will look like a force to be reckoned with if you choose the right wheels.

[dblmikeusa1]

What I did first is cleaned the car up. I fixed all of the minor exterior blemishes that came with buying a used car, those things took looks away from the car. Once I got all of that knocked out I went with tint then euro lighting all the way around. I have since upgraded rims and plan on putting a spoiler on next. As far as performance goes, my plan is to increase the handling first and work on the engine later. Ultimately, it all depends on what you like.

[Delmarco]

okay, I misunderstood this post (duh). I thought you wanted info on what mods we have done for performance and looks.

Kev is right going faster is better than looking fast. But when you drive in the Big Apple its all about style baby! No one is really racing each other down Park Ave except yellow cabs. But I would go with hooking up for looks first and when you get enough attention then go for performance because performance mods are always more risky, costly, and harder to DIY.

I like this topic, I'm very curious now on what the general consensus is...

would have been better if you posted it in the members lounge though

[theogill]

IMO you go for performance first. To improve performance the most, start with suspension: Koni/Bilstein sports and H&R springs, along with a good set of sway bars. Thats probably the most economical. Also get used sport rims if you're low on cash and don't already ahve them.
For your car you can also get a chip ( do a search) , which is what I would do.
Suspension gets you the faster cornering, and looks cool too, because these mods will lower your car and give it a more aggressive look while giving it more performance.
Have fun!

[BaLAnCe17]

i agree...do performance and look at the same time if you have the money