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Car people: BMW 325xi mods?

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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
I've been saving up, talked to my parents, and it looks like I'm going to buy my moms 2002 325xi doing a long term payment type of deal. The car is awesome to drive and is pretty good looking, but as dumb as it sounds the color throws is off a little. Its a silver blue sort of color. My question is what can I do to make this thing look/feel a little more bad ass? Should I just go ahead and re paint it or are there some mods and stuff I could do that would be cheaper? What are some of the mods that make the biggest differences?

stupid thread is stupid but I've got nothing better to do and most likely wont change anything for a while, but it will give me something to think about. I dont have pics of the actual car but this one from the interwebz will work for now

[IMG]/http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2008/07/29/00/49/2002_bmw_3_series_325xi-pic-23461.jpeg/[IMG]

Mar 28 2012 9:15PM
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-=---=-=-=-
Posts: 424 - Karma: 7
It's already a classy car, you don't need to do much to it.

Do you want appearance or performance mods?
Mar 28 2012 9:18PM
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Steeze_Minister
Posts: 1432 - Karma: 240
slam it
Mar 28 2012 9:18PM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
and I forgot how to post pictures again

[IMG]http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2008/07/29/00/49/2002_bmw_3_series_325xi-pic-23461.jpeg[IMG]
Mar 28 2012 9:18PM
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Steeze_Minister
Posts: 1432 - Karma: 240
Click for larger image
Mar 28 2012 9:20PM
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FoxRiderAR77
Posts: 231 - Karma: 12
Whatever you do, don't make it hella flush. A relatively cheap way to make your car look a little different is to paint the rims with plastidip. It's durable, looks good, and the best part is that you can peel it right off without ruining the finish underneath. Maybe black out the chrome stuff and paint the wheels black?

http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip
Mar 28 2012 9:21PM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
I was thinking appearance when I made the thread, but give me some ideas for both



also ski racks going on it asap
Mar 28 2012 9:21PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
Lower it a bit, not stupid low but sport low. And maybe a nice exhaust system, not a shitty loud one, an actual nice one
Mar 28 2012 9:22PM
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Yeezus
Posts: 3350 - Karma: 469
if he wants to achieve good stance, I doubt he has the money for it. Coils, wheels, & everything else possibly needed... bags if he doesn't want to be static, camber plates incase of rubbing, etc, etc. It's not a cheap process
Mar 28 2012 9:22PM
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kvan
Posts: 3085 - Karma: 1,225
Honestly I would put the money towards something that would actually enhance the car's performance.

But if it means that much to you then go for it.
Mar 28 2012 9:23PM
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kvan
Posts: 3085 - Karma: 1,225
I dont know what you're talking about bro thats hella fresh imo
Mar 28 2012 9:24PM
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Steeze_Minister
Posts: 1432 - Karma: 240
half joking when I said it, but yeah don't slam it unless you do it right
Mar 28 2012 9:24PM
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11989 - Karma: 12,264
slam it to the ground, paint it flat black
Mar 28 2012 9:26PM
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andybob
Posts: 474 - Karma: 35
Too bad its an xi. Heard them front axles are a bitch trying to ride slammed.
Mar 28 2012 9:28PM
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wynnyk
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 555
is it standard?
Mar 28 2012 9:28PM
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dunkaroos
Posts: 2574 - Karma: 633
please tell me it's standard
Mar 28 2012 9:28PM
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japanada
Posts: 13785 - Karma: 1,956
tint it, get some new spring and shocks/struts for a nice stiff 1.5 inch drop. Intake and exhaust.
Mar 28 2012 9:31PM
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dunesquirrel
Posts: 464 - Karma: 70
drop it between an inch or two.


Click for larger image


+



Click for larger image


or scratch the rims
Mar 28 2012 9:41PM
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Big.L
Posts: 703 - Karma: 15
I'm in the same boat as you op I could get the same car if I sold my jeep the only things I would do is tint it, do an exhaust and chip the engine that car drives nice there's no need to do much to it
Mar 28 2012 9:55PM
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El.Guapo
Posts: 2139 - Karma: 3,173
Click for larger image
the only mods you will ever need. this is some solid 7 eye candy right hur
Mar 28 2012 9:55PM
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Cufe.
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 262
Its is a BMW, the only mod you need is a fine damsel in the front seat. Before you do any mods though, look into the warranty info, some cars are picky about stuff like that and getting pinned with a repair bill for something that is a factory defect would suck shit.
Mar 28 2012 9:59PM
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PhaedeD
Posts: 11499 - Karma: 342
Do not buy this car. Your payment plan doesnt account for the 5 million things that are going to go wrong with it.
Mar 28 2012 10:00PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
Plastidip the wheels flat black. Will look super sick, and plastidip is god's nectar.

A good catback would do well, and if you want to go performance - downpipe, up pipe, cross pipe, intake.
Mar 28 2012 10:03PM
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Yeezus
Posts: 3350 - Karma: 469
LOLOLOLOL no. awd doesn't make a difference when "trying to ride slammed". Either you go all in & make it look good or you do nothing & keep it stock. You don't want to be a ricer in a bmw that will only last you a couple more years.
Mar 28 2012 10:17PM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
not going to slam it, maybe lower it 1-2 as stated above but not slammed


and yeah its standard
Mar 28 2012 10:21PM
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comeatmebro
Posts: 10720 - Karma: 66
l



o



l
Mar 28 2012 10:23PM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
Ive heard this is true, Im a little worried.


but again, Ill be driving a bimmer
Mar 28 2012 10:23PM
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Alpine3
Posts: 1812 - Karma: 37
tint the windows! 15-30% would look nice on there.

i love my tint. but do it right, spend the $200 to have it professionally done so it doesnt look like poop.
Mar 28 2012 10:25PM
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japanada
Posts: 13785 - Karma: 1,956
When its not in the shop.

The 325 is more reliable than the bigger v8 and the TT engines. Be sure the cooling system is in tip top shape, and the trans shifts nice and easily into all the gears. You are bound to have some electrical gremlins, they plague and german car.
Mar 28 2012 10:25PM
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Funnel
Posts: 7816 - Karma: 1,534
Maybe you should pay it off before putting mods into it. Just a thought.
Mar 28 2012 10:27PM
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Wall_Nut
Posts: 629 - Karma: 113
Is there an affordable German alternative that you'd recommend? I've heard the older 1.8t Audi's are reliable, but I don't consider myself particularly knowledgeable on the subject.
Mar 28 2012 10:30PM
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Chompo.
Posts: 4952 - Karma: 88
How many miles does it have? My dad has the same car (year and all) but wagon and has have very few problems overall. He just had it in for its 100k checkup and had to get some new tie rods but nothing to abnormal. As for mods if you slam it do it right. The means coil overs new rims camber plates etc. If you are going for style but on the cheap plasti dip is wonderful and will give you matte black rims. I would also black out the front grille and get rid of the chrome piece around the front. However if you are into performance mods (Better/more useful) chipping that car will do wonders. A cold air is a inexpensive easy way to get more power as well. If you want some serious power looks into sport exhausts and camming it. And if you have a load of money to drop just supercharge it. Insane amounts of power but its a 7k mod on a car that probably isnt worth much more than 12.

Just my 2 cents
Mar 28 2012 10:31PM
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sndyrvr
Posts: 684 - Karma: 119
Tinted windows, black tail lights and your set
Mar 28 2012 10:34PM
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WILLFRO07
Posts: 392 - Karma: 15
Do the wheels in black, windows tinted, and then do the chrome around the kidneys black. Also a trunk lip spoiler that's the same color as the rest of the car. That shouldn't cost too much.
Mar 28 2012 10:56PM
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teleRADo
Posts: 357 - Karma: 36
Fairly subtle, pretty tasteful. I concur! Blackout kidneys always look good.
Mar 28 2012 11:03PM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
Buy m3 rims and tint the windows and cross ur fingers it doesn't break
Mar 28 2012 11:05PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
put carbon fiber on every possible spot you can. looks hella d0pe and will get you at least an extra 10 hp
Mar 28 2012 11:11PM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
this is the sort of thing I was looking for
Mar 28 2012 11:14PM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
kid can dream
Mar 28 2012 11:14PM
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penguiin
Posts: 1444 - Karma: 561
also stickers add anywhere from 10-15 hp

but on a more serious note, just slam the thing
Mar 28 2012 11:34PM
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*rkp*
Posts: 8198 - Karma: 258
imo...if you're going to buy a car, buy something that you absolutely love.

If you want to mod the e46 because it doesn't exactly suit your tastes, why doesn't your family sell it (it's worth probably around 8-10 000)?

Especially if you want to get into suspension/lowering your car, the awd system in those takes it fairly harshly. Expensive components start to wear out very quickly and you're stuck with thousands of dollars worth of repairs. I know that this point is beaten to death around here...but that car will cost you in the long run.


If you want to keep it and mod it on the cheap.. buy some H&R lowering springs (they drop the xi to tolerable levels), paint the chrome trim, and search craigslist for a set of used wheels/get your current ones powder coated.


my family used to have a 2004 xi sport wagon. I'm speaking from experience.
Mar 28 2012 11:36PM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
Thing is Im not all that into cars and I just wanted some simple relatively inexpensive ideas on things I could do that would improve the look and function of the thing. I really could care less about slaming it and having it ride hella flush yo, I live in a small town with shitty roads and would be scraping the shit out of it daily. We also have snow on the road the majority of the winter, the awd drive was the main reason I was thinking about this car. We just happen to have a classy as fuck car that my parents are willing to give me a deal on, It sure beats the hondas, beat to shit subbies and old clanky pickups I was looking at before.
Mar 28 2012 11:56PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
on a serious note though my friend has one and black rims look really nice with this color. i would say try and find some m3 stockers or newer rims, it gives it a tastefully and not over done modded look. also a CF lip. (i know, carbon fiber is tacky, but they look really nice on these.
Mar 28 2012 11:59PM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
+k to anyone that does a decent job photoshopping the rims and kidneys flat black and tinting the windows
Mar 29 2012 12:21AM
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rareison
Posts: 10263 - Karma: 219
hot damn that car is sexay
Mar 29 2012 12:31AM
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Krokodile
Posts: 350 - Karma: 40
Neons
Lambo doors
Hella flush
Glass packs
5% tint
VTEC sticker
Body kit
Huge ass wing
Carbon fiber hood

Easily gonna put you at 350-400hp
Mar 29 2012 2:23AM
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PhaedeD
Posts: 11499 - Karma: 342
9 times out of 10 old german cars will have a million electrical problems. the 1.8ts are great and may never break down on you but who knows you could be cruising along and all your interior lights just might go out!
Mar 29 2012 7:59AM
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northeast
Posts: 2119 - Karma: 254
couldn't have said it better myself.
Mar 29 2012 9:27AM
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Nurgle
Posts: 1249 - Karma: 15
Ill keep my Corrola S, and its cheap repairs.


Fuck BMW, that shit would be a dream to have, but theres no way in hell im dumping so much money into one just for repairs
Mar 29 2012 9:32AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
Dont listen to the NS clowns....thats a pretty nice car, awd, who gives a fuck about the color of it. Dont fucking drop it down at all, its just going to make the ride complete shit, and if your not slamming it, which would take out all of the usefllness of the car, whats the point of a couple incehs of drop. Now your car isn't slammed, and you still cant hit speed bumps and shit. Just drive it as it is. When you get older you will realize how stupid tuning cars really is, and what a huge waste of money it is
Mar 29 2012 9:32AM
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skitheice7
Posts: 114 - Karma: 12
call Will at BagRiders and proceed to laying frame
Mar 29 2012 9:33AM
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