wood >>>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>>>>> aluminum

1/31/2011 4:05:33 AM

if you're >>>>>>>>> 35 years of age

1/31/2011 9:23:42 AM

I'm w/you on the aluminum, though I wouldn't get the tint -unless you plan to start selling drugs out of your BMW, in which case you'd fit right in!

Also, what else were you thinking about doing to the exterior? The car's gorgeous, leave it alone!

PS: They can pick up a LOT of power from a chip. +Good of you to skip the NAV, if I bought an e9x, I'd probably get one w/out also.

1/31/2011 9:27:02 AM

Quote :

"Are you planning on JB4?"

Quote :

"Wouldn't mind chipping it some day but I'll probably puss out because I'm worried about the warranty. I guess if I go the dinan route its theoretically still covered....but I'm thinking that'll cost like 3X what it should. "

Quote :

"how hard is it to replace?"

Judging from the amount of people I see doing it in the forums, it can't be that bad. Evidently there's a tool for it.

Quote :

"The car's gorgeous, leave it alone!"

Yeah I figured that was coming

Quote :

"wood >>>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>>>>> aluminum"

Guess it's a personnel preference thing...the 4 doors + woodgrain makes me feel like I'm 50. Trying to spice it up a little. What does everyone else thing about the woodgrain vs aluminum?

it's this:


versus this:

1/31/2011 10:05:04 AM

I had grey sycamore on my previous car and now I have brushed aluminum, at first I didn't like the aluminum but its growing on me. I really liked the wood, though.

1/31/2011 10:08:40 AM

Nah sedans are way hotter than coupes, only highschoolers think coupes are better... Aluminum is great also, just don't rice it out after that!

1/31/2011 10:40:12 AM

Sedan, aluminum, no nav, and no tint.

I like tint. I got the STI 35% all the way around. The thing about tinting German cars is the fucking bubbles you get from the dots along the edges of the windows. There is no way to make it look good. Vinyl strips like like shit, imo. Just leave it alone.

1/31/2011 10:42:36 AM

Quote :

"Nah sedans are way hotter than coupes, only highschoolers think coupes are better... "

ha ha ha

1/31/2011 11:16:35 AM

I like the woodgrain over the aluminum.

1/31/2011 11:22:59 AM

carbon fibeRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

honestly i'd leave it however it came and put the money toward something more fun. (HPDE or tune)

1/31/2011 11:43:42 AM

Don't mod it for a while (in terms of performance). The market for aftermarket parts is still developing and you should enjoy it the way it is for now. If you're interested in tinting the car shoot me a PM. I've got a guy who mostly tints high end cars. He did my Infiniti a few years ago and it's still perfect.

1/31/2011 12:01:38 PM

The sedan dot matrix is not as bad as the coupe, mine is tinted with 50% and it does not look ghetto at all.

The aluminium trim is really soft and dents real easy.

Installing a piggyback is real easy, extract a few harnesses, takes about 15 minutes after some practice. There are also GIAC and Cobb with flashes.

[Edited on January 31, 2011 at 12:21 PM. Reason : ]

1/31/2011 12:18:07 PM

It's true, sedans rock.

I've led a single life, no kids or dogs. Other than Corvettes and Porsches, my BMWs have always been sedans, even the race cars, cause they're just cooler. It was engineered as a sedan, why give up the access to the rear (for extra wheels, parts, people, cage fabrication or whatever the reason), not to mention the sedan is stiffer, and in some cases lighter (ie: e36). Also, the longer doors of the coupe + relatively forward sitting position in a 3 series means it's a significant pain to get in/out of the car in tight spaces. So really considering that there is no performance benefit of the coupes, it's for poseurs.

BAM!

1/31/2011 3:49:04 PM

And obd1 lovers lol ohh if there was a 95 m3 sedan...

No joke, I love sedans but then I don't need to enlarge my penis size with the look of my car either.

And most are stiffer and lighter because long doors are heavier and evenly spaced a,b&c pillars tend to make things stiffer. Unless your 2 door has no rear seats it would be cooler as a 4door IMHO that's why I want an fpv falcon instead of a mustang lol.

1/31/2011 4:10:42 PM

I admit OBDII can get annoying, but I don't mind it overall on some of the less finicky platforms. I particularly like seeing ignition/mixture deviation on individual cylinders not to mention the ability to watch both oxygen sensors on each manifold. Very helpful in troubleshooting. Also, having a portable scanner w/you can replace several different pieces of diagnostic equipment if you're going to the other end of the country for a track event. I am getting ready to take my 220+k mile M3 on several as we speak and a (backlit/canbus capable) OBDII scanner will be the only electronic tool I will carry other than some wire, a multimeter and some alligator clips.

2/1/2011 11:13:44 AM

Quote :

"I've led a single life, no kids or dogs. Other than Corvettes and Porsches, my BMWs have always been sedans, even the race cars, cause they're just cooler. It was engineered as a sedan, why give up the access to the rear (for extra wheels, parts, people, cage fabrication or whatever the reason), not to mention the sedan is stiffer, and in some cases lighter (ie: e36). Also, the longer doors of the coupe + relatively forward sitting position in a 3 series means it's a significant pain to get in/out of the car in tight spaces. So really considering that there is no performance benefit of the coupes, it's for poseurs. BAM! "

Ok, Mr. Bam! Sure, practicality wise, sedan BMW make perfect sense, but what % of BMWs are bought for practicality? For overwhelming majority, motivation to buy a BMW is certainly not practicality. For what they use their car for....99.9% of BMW sedan owners would have been fine with Honda accord sedan (as coupe owners would have been with, say, Solara). So if pousers buy coupes, you can argue that sedan buyers also buy it for nothing more than a status symbol. I doubt anybody ever bough a new E36 M3 sedan in mid 90s based on structural rigidity data. They’ve probably bought sedan if they had kids and/or had a preference for sedans.

They are designed to be coupes and sedans; otherwise we would not have both versions. E46 GTR and consumer M3 was coupe only. Dimension are very proportional. I would give you that E92 looks a bit too elongated from some angles, but both E92 and E46 coupes are both structurally more rigid and lighter than sedan versions. E36 sedan data is just marginally stiffer than coupe. Btw, E36 sedan is heavier by 50lb than coupe, not lighter. I think there is more difference in struc. rigidity data between E46 sedan with folding and non-folding seats, that there is between E36 coupe and sedan.

The whole E36 sedan stiffness became like a major cliché phrase among sedans owners in their for sale ads few years ago after somebody quoted some random forum post with Nm/degree data or something like this. In reality, I doubt even a full time racer would be ever be able to tell a difference in rigidity. You track a lot. Can you tell a difference between the two in terms of rigidity? I am no Fangio, but c'mon ...

2/1/2011 11:28:31 AM

According to BMW the e36 sedan and coupe share identical wheel base, track and weight #s. The torsional rigidity data they've published shows that the 4 door is marginally stiffer, difference is more significant if the 4 door did not have fold down seats (not available in the coupe). The sedan has 1% more drag.

I CAN tell the difference between fold down and solid rear seats, but that's all beside the point, I would own the sedan despite a performance hit if there was one for reasons stated above. I carry an extra set of wheels/tires in the backseat, easily. I used to carry a full tool kit in the trunk w/more spares still. My simple point was that there's no good reason NOT to pick a sedan over the coupe.

You can own your coupe, it's OK. BMW's got cars for every type of poseur. You could look at a 6 series next perhaps...

2/1/2011 12:07:38 PM

Nice car.

I agree with aluminum over wood on a car like this, but I personally wouldn't pay any money to swap it out.

Tint is always good. Keeps it cool, blocks a little light, and looks better too.

I recommend painting that silver trim around the windows. I've seen a few that painted it black and it was a big improvement. Especially when you add the tinted windows.

2/1/2011 12:26:44 PM

Quote :

"99.9% of BMW sedan owners would have been fine with Honda accord sedan (as coupe owners would have been with, say, Solara)"

So wait what does that make me, 1 out of a 1000?


^ thanks

I just found the trim kit on Tischer for $650 (http://tinyurl.com/49znnl6), so I think I'm going to order it. I'm assuming someone will want to buy my dark burl for something, it's not all that unpopular.

2/1/2011 12:55:49 PM

$650!

Wrap it with some quality wrap. Take before & after pics. It'll be cheap, it'll look great, and you'll keep the original trim intact so that the next buyer can revert to it if that's their preference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lODOMh0JPxA&feature=related

[Edited on February 1, 2011 at 1:17 PM. Reason : s]

2/1/2011 1:13:35 PM

good luck selling the wood trim, not many people want it.
I wrapped my trim, does not look too bad, piano black is tempting though.






[Edited on February 1, 2011 at 1:31 PM. Reason : ]

2/1/2011 1:22:20 PM

^^i would try the 35 dolla roll of wrap first too.

[Edited on February 1, 2011 at 1:23 PM. Reason : s]

2/1/2011 1:23:08 PM

Quote :

"My simple point was that there's no good reason NOT to pick a sedan over the coupe. "

E92 is lighter, it's more aerodynamic and will likely have better resale value. Looks are relative, but arguably to majority of people coupe will look more appealing.

Now let me go start shopping for pink 650i

2/1/2011 1:44:23 PM

Is there any local shops that do this kind of custom work for you? Install purchased trim, install the wrap, etc?

2/1/2011 1:45:43 PM

Quote :

"My simple point was that there's no good reason NOT to pick a sedan over the coupe."

yes there is....AVAILABILITY!! e36 M3 coupes are much easier to find then the 4 door variant.

2/1/2011 1:49:50 PM

Quote :

"My simple point was that there's no good reason NOT to pick a sedan over the coupe. "

Looks are a pretty good reason. If you don't need 4 doors why bother accepting the more (in most cases) pedestrian styling. The only reason that Ahmet stated that would make me pick a sedan over a coupe is being able to fit a set of 4 wheels/tires in the back seat. And even then I'd imagine you could fit all 4 in a coupe as well if you utilize the trunk.

Coupe > Sedan

2/1/2011 2:04:57 PM

btw, if you want shadowline trim dont pay for OE Texa$. this works

http://shadowlinetape.com/

2/1/2011 2:06:56 PM

Ahmet has man other reasons for picking a sedan. Mainly just because they plain look better.

2/1/2011 2:09:21 PM

Most people would argue that they don't. And we're talking about all sedans vs coupes, not the E36...


regardless the thread doesn't need to be derailed further. Good purchase man I hope you enjoy the car.


On a side note I was up at Snowshoe this past weekend and the roads were quite slippery around the mountain. My brother drove up with his '07 335i and said it was rock solid and never put a foot wrong thanks to the stability/traction control.

2/1/2011 2:26:06 PM

yeah the car is awesome... i would spend money on things other than wood grain if it were me but everyone has their pet-peeves.

On my car, mine is the damned stereo... i mean really and 05 w/o mp3 capability nor does it have a single or double din radio and the HVAC controls are built into it

2/1/2011 2:38:28 PM

awesome, yet another issue to add to my 335i list.
leaking head gasket.. thank god for CPO warranty.

I hope your lucky, my car spends alot of time at the dealer

2/1/2011 3:05:08 PM

Quote :

"btw, if you want shadowline trim dont pay for OE Texa$. this works http://shadowlinetape.com/"

Ordered! For $22 I figure I can throw some on there and see how it looks.

Quote :

"Wrap it with some quality wrap"

Good point...I may look into that.

Quote :

"Ahmet has man other reasons for picking a sedan. Mainly just because they plain look better."

I think the coupe looks better, and only got the sedan cause it was a good deal and had all the options i wanted...but obviously this all comes down to personal preference. Isn't the coupe lower to the ground? Any impact on performance?

^ damn what all has gone wrong with yours? Do they always give you BMW loaners when its getting fixed?

2/1/2011 3:20:14 PM

i think the coupe/sedan debate needs to be done on a car by car basis. i will say that i think the e36 /// sedan looks better than the coupe. I think the e90 335i looks better than the e92 335i but I am on the fence as to which /// i prefer.

2/1/2011 3:27:35 PM

Quote :

"^ damn what all has gone wrong with yours? Do they always give you BMW loaners when its getting fixed?"

Vanos solenoids, bearing ledge, misfires, bad thermostat,now head gasket. I do get a bare bones 328i as a loaner.

[Edited on February 1, 2011 at 4:11 PM. Reason : ]

2/1/2011 4:10:27 PM

ahmet must be trollin....e90 and e92 both look great, but i am a huge fan of the e92

here's some video of mine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO3se8-iRxI




[Edited on February 1, 2011 at 5:30 PM. Reason : link]

2/1/2011 5:27:43 PM

^ nice (nice vid too)

did you use some of that shadowline tape around the windows or did it come like that?

2/1/2011 5:31:41 PM

it came like that...i think it is called shadowline trim (comes with msport)

2/1/2011 5:49:19 PM

Quote :

"btw, if you want shadowline trim dont pay for OE Texa$. this works http://shadowlinetape.com/ "

do you have to take the trim off to apply the tape?

2/1/2011 6:04:25 PM

Guys, maybe BMW will make a car with proportions this spot on again someday;

I mean I wouldn't hold my breath, but I'm rooting for you. You guys can enjoy your 3 series, even if they have inadequacies, good for you all. I strongly prefer 4 doors versions of BMWs except for the e30 (where my preference is not strong).

Anyway, Catalyst, very nice video. I'll have to remember to ask you some things if I ever get into motion pictures!
This thing was parked next to me the other day, couldn't figure out what wheels those are, anybody care to help?

BTW, I tried building one @BMWUSA.com, and quit at about $70k for a 3 series, jeebus that's high!

2/1/2011 10:44:40 PM

One thing though that I really prefer in sedans in extra head space. E92 has less head space than E46. It is rather aggravating at times.

2/2/2011 12:30:37 AM

^^Style 225 M Doppelspeiche

8x19
9x19


pretty they are!

Full name!

M Leichtmetallräder Doppelspeiche 225M, 19" FOR M Sportpakete für BMW 3er Cabrio und Coupé

[Edited on February 2, 2011 at 2:23 AM. Reason : f]

2/2/2011 2:05:53 AM

catalyst what are you holding the camera on ?

2/2/2011 8:23:27 AM

camera is sitting on a slider. i made this:
http://zazaslider.com/instructions.html

that sits on a manfrotto tripod

2/2/2011 9:26:53 AM

dude that's a slick vid

2/2/2011 10:34:14 AM

Who else makes wrap besides Neffy? I'm trying to find some wrap that isn't all ricerish...something a little more muted/less shiny than the standard CF look.

2/2/2011 10:55:03 AM

I'm also thinking I like the after more than the before here:

Before:


After:

http://www.7machine.com/bmw/40646.html

We'll see once the tape gets here...

2/2/2011 12:27:54 PM

Shadowline trim looks ok, black grille and tint does not (at all). If this were my car, it'd get a tune, some tires/pads (when they're worn), and some HPDEs.

Resist the temptation of rice, you can do it.

2/2/2011 1:56:09 PM

^ all car photos need to have the sun roof elevated and the tires turned in a little bit

2/2/2011 2:04:35 PM

i think the blacked out grill and trim looks good as well as the tint. i like tint mostly because it reduces the solar gain in the car in the summer time. its very noticeable especially when a windshield sun reflector is used.

2/2/2011 4:50:59 PM

tint is only acceptable up to 35%, possibly 20%. below that it becomes ghetto. it is worth doing it if you plan on keeping the car for a long time and have darker interior. it will fade much quicker without tint.

2/2/2011 9:25:04 PM