I've Just Bought My First Beemer - Help Required!

[dan_hazza]

Greetings,

I've just bought a 318ci, the first time I've owned a beemer and I'm very pleased with her.

I just have a few initial queries to set me off on the happy path of ownership:

1. This is a coupe yes, rather than a compact? Dumb question I know

2. Can anyone recommend a website that sells decent mats, rather than paying BMW dealer prices

3. What sort of price should I be paying for a full window tint all round?

4. What sort of price should I be paying to have each alloy refurbished (mild kerbing/bubbling)?

5. Any good websites where I can buy any aftermarket bits to modify the car (I assume there will be loads)

Much appreciated, Dan :lol:

[Snypa-D]

Welcome to BMWOC and congrats on your purchase :)

1. yes its a coupe

2. Heres a link for mats.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Series-Coupe-E46-1999-2006-PREMIUM-Car-Mats-M-SPORT-Logo-Black-/110891627078?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19d1a7f246#ht_619wt_694

3. Full tintall round is 150-200 quid

4. Anything between 50-100 per wheel

5. ebay is where most people get bits from

hope this helps :)

[bmw1208]

1 coupe

2 not sure

3not sure

4about £20-£30 for a diy tint kit from halfords.

5 demontwicks.com/co.uk

[dan_hazza]

Cheers chaps

Any other good websites for modifying bits?

Couple more questions:

6. is it worth getting the ECU remapped? any advice? it's not something I've ever done before

7. any tips for removing the 318ci badge without !Removed! up the paintwork?

Thank you kindly

[bmw1208]

6 remapping gives you more power so didi it if you feel you dont have the power you need

7 it a cheer badge remove kit off the internet

[dan_hazza]

7. a what?!

[bmw1208]

a badge removel kit

[Snypa-D]

the 318 badge on the back will peel off easy if your pour hot water (from kettle) over it as it warms the glue up.And Evolve Automotive are the best BMW remappers around :)

[bmw1208]

didnt know that worked

[dan_hazza]

will try the hot water job later... will it not leave a sticky mess?

and would it be worthwhile spending the money on getting the ecu remapped when it is only a 2 litre petrol?

cheers

[bmw1208]

the ecu gives better perfomance and gives better econamy (sorry for spellings)

[Snypa-D]

It may leave a sticky residue but its just as easy to remove,and I'll always agree to remapping :)

[dan_hazza]

my local performance car garage said he'd do a remap for £150 as the gains wouldn't be massive

what else would you do to pep things up a bit... induction kit? can you recommend any?

[Snypa-D]

Take the air box off and put a nice big cone on it,dont forget to add a heat shield if ya can get one. S/steel exhaust (full system inc manifold) is always a good addition too :) (and yes I have both ;) ) Make sure you do all engine/performance mods before getting a remap !!

Not too sure about a 150 quid remap tho,hmmmm,id want before and after dyno print outs as proof and personally Id want to see it being done !!

[dan_hazza]

I'm a real novice mechanically... so why the heat shield and where does it go? where can i get one? and by 'cone' you mean the ones you get in induction kits?

how much was your SS exhaust and where from?

is there a guide anywhere on this site or on't net giving full details on these sort of mods for this beemer?

cheers!

[Snypa-D]

This is the cone and heat shield,the shield stops the heat from the alternator below getting sucked in by the cone,hot air = no good !!

Got my exhaust sytem from ebay for 250 quid

Cant really comment about mods for your Beemer as its a e46 318 and mines an e36 323,soz

[dan_hazza]

Interesting. Are heat shields readily available?

that seems DAMN cheap for a full SS exhaust!

[Snypa-D]

Interesting. Are heat shields readily available?

that seems DAMN cheap for a full SS exhaust!

Yeah you can pick em up easily enough,some companies will sell the complete thing,cone and shield.Just shop around.As for my exhaust,it usually sells for 400ish but I won mine on auction for 250,then had to pay for fitting etc :)

[J4M3S]

1 yes its coupe

2 ebay good for mat sets

3 not sure on tint price

4 chips away £50 per wheel

5 prob ebay again