New 328i Owner - BMW Forum

eboler · 06-22-2005, 10:32 PM

I picked up my new (to me) car yesterday, and it's wonderful. I've always wanted a BMW, and never expected it to be this smooth and enjoyable. It's a 1998 328i. If anyone has a website with specs on my car, or all the BMW's in general that'd be helpful. I'm lost being this is my first one. Below are a few questions for problems that came along with the car:

1. The front right blinker assembly looks like it was ripped out (pics below). What will I need to fix this? Should I take it to a shop or is it pretty easy? Where's the best place to purchase BMW parts from?

2. Found a picture of someone with a range rover head unit put it for a CD player, and it matches very well. (pics below) Have any of you tried this? I want to do it, but not if I can get significantly better sound quality from another aftermarket deck.

3. What's the biggest rim size that'll fit with no problems? I'm assuming 18's, but I don't like to assume.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

BeachBunny · 06-23-2005, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by eboler@Jun 22 2005, 08:32 PM
I picked up my new (to me) car yesterday, and it's wonderful. I've always wanted a BMW, and never expected it to be this smooth and enjoyable. It's a 1998 328i. If anyone has a website with specs on my car, or all the BMW's in general that'd be helpful. I'm lost being this is my first one. Below are a few questions for problems that came along with the car:

1. The front right blinker assembly looks like it was ripped out (pics below). What will I need to fix this? Should I take it to a shop or is it pretty easy? Where's the best place to purchase BMW parts from?

2. Found a picture of someone with a range rover head unit put it for a CD player, and it matches very well. (pics below) Have any of you tried this? I want to do it, but not if I can get significantly better sound quality from another aftermarket deck.

3. What's the biggest rim size that'll fit with no problems? I'm assuming 18's, but I don't like to assume.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

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1. Do you have that front blinker? Plug in the wires and all. It should snap right in, or you should easily see where it's broken. www.bavauto.com is a little expensive, but good stuff. www.pelicanparts.com is cheaper but they've never had what I'd been looking for. If you really do need to replace the whole thing, I'd suggest the dealership. Shop around, but I've never really found anything significantly cheaper... but maybe that's just me.

2. That's a range rover? Wow, cool beans if that would work.

3. No comment.

Congrats.

Take good care of her, you'll love it.

eboler · 06-23-2005, 01:48 AM

I don't have the light, or lens. It came just like that. I'll try the dealership. Thanks for the reply.

94BMW325i · 06-23-2005, 09:17 AM

probably better sound from an aftermarket headunit.

drz · 06-23-2005, 09:59 AM

The headunit from a Rover will fit perfectly. It is the exact same unit. BMW owned Rover for a while an dthey shared several components. However, you are more likely to get better sound quality from an aftermarket unit.

BeachBunny · 06-23-2005, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by drz328i@Jun 23 2005, 07:59 AM
The headunit from a Rover will fit perfectly. It is the exact same unit. BMW owned Rover for a while an dthey shared several components. However, you are more likely to get better sound quality from an aftermarket unit.

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OMG! Does this mean I could quite feasibly have a cd player in the CAR?! There's no way I would get an aftermarket HU. I don't like the way they stick out from everything else... But this is different... How much would one cost?

eboler · 06-23-2005, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BeachBunny@Jun 23 2005, 07:25 AM
OMG! Does this mean I could quite feasibly have a cd player in the CAR?! There's no way I would get an aftermarket HU. I don't like the way they stick out from everything else... But this is different... How much would one cost?

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I can't seem to find one, but it'd like to know as well.

Does anyone have any aftermarket head units that don't look TOO bad. If not, I'm probably going to have to go for sound quality over interior looks.

Rookie · 06-23-2005, 12:34 PM

If you search on the forum there have been quite a few show and tell topics about aftermarket HUs. as for rims I have never seen anything bigger than 18s on these cars. However ride quality goes to hell in a hand bag with wheels that big, at least that is what I have been told. as for the clear corners I talked to umnitza.com on the phone for over a half an hour yesterday and the guy hooked me up with some nice clears for like a hundred bucks, that he said would look better than standard clear corners supposively they are smoked just a touch and are supposed to look really nice on silver cars. I also ordered the LED kit for the turns so we will have to see how they turn out.

Good luck and enjoy the new BMW!

eboler · 06-23-2005, 12:45 PM

I ordered a replacement this morning already, but I'll check out umnitza.com just for the hell of it. Post some pics of them once you have everything installed.

I really don't want to lose a lot of ride quality... but I also love the look of big rims on these cars. I'll search around the forum a little bit before I make my decision on rims.

Rookie · 06-23-2005, 01:39 PM

I am not sure what size you are running right now, but 17"s are supposed to be really nice. I have seen a 3 series with 18"s, i don't think they were 19"s and there just wasn't enough tire and they way the tire lined up on the rim looked stupid but that was me, or maybe it was just this guys rims.

Enjoy the new ride!

drz · 06-23-2005, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BeachBunny+Jun 23 2005, 10:25 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BeachBunny @ Jun 23 2005, 10:25 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-drz328i@Jun 23 2005, 07:59 AM
The headunit from a Rover will fit perfectly. It is the exact same unit. BMW owned Rover for a while an dthey shared several components. However, you are more likely to get better sound quality from an aftermarket unit.

[snapback]356219[/snapback]

OMG! Does this mean I could quite feasibly have a cd player in the CAR?! There's no way I would get an aftermarket HU. I don't like the way they stick out from everything else... But this is different... How much would one cost?

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[/b][/quote]
That's correct young lady.

You can get one from the dealership (no idea how much they charge), from bavauto ($730), or eBay (most sell for about $400).

Also, it doesn't have to be one from a Rover. They made them for BMWs also (i.e., the same unit, but with "BMW Business CD" silkscreened instead of the Rover logo).

I'm thinking of getting one in the near future. I will orobably go eBay.

morph · 06-23-2005, 03:53 PM

I would load a picture of the head unit at night, but the stupid fucking server won't let me upload a jpg.

morph · 06-23-2005, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by morph@Jun 23 2005, 02:53 PM
I would load a picture of the head unit at night, but the stupid fucking server won't let me upload a jpg.

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I guess it did...but now i can't go back and edit my post. WTF???!

morph · 06-23-2005, 03:57 PM

Ohh yeah, it is an alpine head unit that was about $199 from Crutchfield. Wiring it was a bit of a pain in the ass, but the sound is awesome. I recommend it.

eboler · 06-23-2005, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by morph@Jun 23 2005, 12:57 PM
Ohh yeah, it is an alpine head unit that was about $199 from Crutchfield. Wiring it was a bit of a pain in the ass, but the sound is awesome. I recommend it.

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Do you have the model number offhand? It looks pretty nice.