M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Exterior => Topic started by: Beastolizer on November 18, 2008, 10:58:14 PM

Title: What Should I Get ?!?
Post by: Beastolizer on November 18, 2008, 10:58:14 PM
As you all know, Christmas is coming! I just bought a '91 318is (photos below) and I'm looking to hear what people think I should do to it. I'm open to any exterior work done so please let me know what you think would look good! :D

P.S. if you have any suggestions for rims please post a link, I'd really like to get a new pair! :D

I found a site with bumpers/lips and I've found a few that I've taken a particular liking to:
http://www.eurostopusa.com/bodykits/3_series_front_pages/Mtech_II_frnt_add_on.html
http://www.eurostopusa.com/bodykits/3_series_front_pages/infinity_Lip.html
http://www.eurostopusa.com/bodykits/3_series_front_pages/Mtech_II_rear.html


(http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/6250/bmwbacksideviewfl3.th.jpg) (http://img81.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bmwbacksideviewfl3.jpg)(http://img81.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif) (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

(http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1331/bmwrightfrontendcm0.th.jpg) (http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bmwrightfrontendcm0.jpg)(http://img101.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif) (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

(http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/6463/bmwbacksideviewja3.th.jpg) (http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bmwbacksideviewja3.jpg)(http://img136.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif) (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)
Title: What Should I Get ?!?
Post by: Beastolizer on November 18, 2008, 11:01:56 PM
Hmm...not sure why the photos didn't attach. Must be having problems attaching them. Any suggestions?
Title: post
Post by: roundel318 on November 19, 2008, 12:10:56 AM
the files need to be hosted somewhere on the internet.
Title: What Should I Get ?!?
Post by: xwill112x on November 19, 2008, 10:32:42 AM
hmmm

mark d!
Title: What Should I Get ?!?
Post by: Spec 2 on November 19, 2008, 02:07:31 PM
New shocks and springs are always a fav of mine.  Helps with handling and aesthetics. Other than that, since I haven't seen the pics, these cars need a front lip at minimum.
Title: What Should I Get ?!?
Post by: Beastolizer on November 19, 2008, 11:19:13 PM
Ok well I added 3 photos of the car. I don't know how to make them any bigger so I guess you will have to deal for now :( sorry.
Title: What Should I Get ?!?
Post by: Beastolizer on November 19, 2008, 11:37:30 PM
And I was wondering, do you think it's gaudy to get 2 carbon fiber hood roundels? I think it might look nice with the red paint. And what is the most popular aftermarket front bumper?
Title: What Should I Get ?!?
Post by: Cobra Jet on November 20, 2008, 10:19:28 AM
Ask for or put money towards FUNCTIONAL items, not "lookie-loos" such as "carbon fiber this or that"...  go for the looks after you upgrade the funcational items.

if you still have the 6 button OBC, convert it over to the 13 button OBC

if you still have the stock shifter, convert it to the Z3 short throw shifter

if you still have stock springs, go with a good set of lowering springs

if you still have factory or old shocks/struts, then go with a set of Bilsteins or better

if you have not completed the vacuum hose/cooling hose deletes under the intake - read up on a thread here and do that

if you are running a paper air filter, convert over to a better one like a K&N

upgrade the stereo system to something better (if you have not already)

get a Mark D chip - lots of folks have them and there's great reviews about the performance increase from his chips

upgrade your bushings if you still have all old stock rubber bushings

go with an electric fan setup over the stock mechanical fan setup

get rid of the spark plug wires & factory coils and go with a COP kit (they're advertised here in the classifieds - that in itself is a great uprade and nice Christmas gift!)

I could keep going w/ ideas, but I'll let others chime in ... LOL!


:)
Title: What Should I Get ?!?
Post by: Spec 2 on November 20, 2008, 11:22:08 AM
Quote from: Beastolizer;61284
And I was wondering, do you think it's gaudy to get 2 carbon fiber hood roundels? I think it might look nice with the red paint. And what is the most popular aftermarket front bumper?


I agree withthe guy above me, in that functional items are better than aesthetic ones, BUT if aesthetics is what you want:

1) Personally I think carbon fiber emblems look goofy on an otherwise stock car.  I personally would only do it on an all white/black car that's been tricked, but that's just IMO.  

2) Most popular aftermarket "front bumper" is the stock one with an "is" lip.  I'm sure someone can provide a pic, but you essentially just remove the little black strip you have on the bottom of your bumper (the "i" lip) and replace it with the "is, which covers more space and also gives a more aggresive appearance.
Title: What Should I Get ?!?
Post by: Beastolizer on November 20, 2008, 06:33:36 PM
Ok, thanks Cobra and Jet. I appreciate your input. As for the front lip, I already have a 318is model, so does that mean I already have the "is" lip?

And as for mods, I currently have:
Mintex street pads
new-ish shocks. AKG front CABs. suspension works great
I.E. SS brake lines & new rotors
K&N Filter

Any other suggestions?

Thanks guys!
Title: What Should I Get ?!?
Post by: Spec 2 on November 21, 2008, 11:56:30 AM
Quote from: Beastolizer;61369
As for the front lip, I already have a 318is model, so does that mean I already have the "is" lip?


From teh pictures you posted it looks as though you only have the "i" lip.

The "is" lip looks similar to (This one looks like a replica) the lip below:
(http://bdweb6847j.bluedomino.com/images/e30infinitylip.jpg)
Title: What Should I Get ?!?
Post by: Jimmy Lewis on November 21, 2008, 02:46:40 PM
Quote from: Spec 2;61425
From teh pictures you posted it looks as though you only have the "i" lip.

The "is" lip looks similar to (This one looks like a replica) the lip below:
(http://bdweb6847j.bluedomino.com/images/e30infinitylip.jpg)


That's a reiger lip. Personally I think that a bit of contrast is nice on brilliantrot e30s, rear plate filler, black iS trunk spoiler, etc. Its all up to you, look at some other e30s and get an idea what you like and don't like.
Title: What Should I Get ?!?
Post by: Beastolizer on November 22, 2008, 04:26:14 PM
I like that reiger lip a lot more. It's more pronounced and sporty looking than my current one. And just a quicky, would you prefer a carbon fiber license plate holder as opposed to a chrome one with BMW on the bottom half?