93 E36 325i - your opinion...invest in makeover?

[ChiChiBo]

Okay- a few months ago I bought a great 93 325i, black and completely stock. The car is immaculate and runs well. Had to change out the brakes and the drivers side window gave me a bit of issue but all is well now. Today, the car hit 165,000 miles. The previous owner babied it, and kept up on the maintenance, I know, because I know him. Dealer for all fluid changes, etc. When I got it, changed the fluids and spark plugs right away.

I love this car more everyday, and it was steal at $2k. I found a great deal on some vader seats, as the bolster ripped through on the original leather sport seats (the only part of the car that really showed any wear) so I changed em out. I don't drive the car much, probably less than 50 miles a week so far.

Here's the question - would you invest in new wheels, exhaust, intake, painting the skirts and bumpers, etc knowing the high mileage? I know that BMW motors are known to last when kept well, but how about the automatic transmission?

Would you supe 'er up? Or save your money since the mileage is 165k?

Do one or all of the following-

-Pick up some wheels at a reasonable price? $1500 with tires (maybe used)
-Buy a cold air intake
-pickup a quality exhaust (Dinan, SS, Stromung, UUC, B&B, etc)
-Paint the skirts and bumpers?
-Anything else?

what say you? And if you recommend anything, in what priority order?

Thanks in advance guys, I appreciate your opinions.

[esberelias]

i have a '92 auto with 197 miles on it...and running strong...just keep up the reg. maintenance on her....i say its worth it.

[johncow]

check out my post. lol

[97 RED 328is]

If you like the car there is no reason to not customize it and make it your own. If you are confident on the cars reliability the next thing to turn to is customization, just my 2 cents, either way you go let us know and post pics too!!!:buttrock

[flyfishvt]

Do you want to paint the skirts because they are Grey? If so that comes off and the original paint is under it. I painted my bumpers and skirts black for a two tone effect. It took a couple hours to mask it and prime it. Then it sat overnight. Took another half hour to paint it. I think I spent about $15 for all the supplies.

[WV Jim]

I did what flyfishvt did, painted them black; but my car is white, so the two tone is more dynamic.

I also have a '93 325i, and it has just about the same mileage as yours. I've put wheels and tires, lowered it, CAI, TMS chip, strut brace, cross drilled rotors/Hawk HP pads on it. It runs and looks incredible.

Do what you want to it. If it's been taken care of, it'll last you another 200,000 miles.

But as you know, make sure the cooling system is all updated first. After that, have fun with it.

Here's a link to pics:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1243514

[iferro]

do the performance stuff first see how the car takes it and how you like it.
then suspension
then wheels and paint

[ChiChiBo]

check out my post. lol

WOW...I'm about ready to get a Reiger kit after seeing that...LOL. impressive. If I had your skills, I'd go hog wild on mine!


I did what flyfishvt did, painted them black; but my car is white, so the two tone is more dynamic.

I also have a '93 325i, and it has just about the same mileage as yours. I've put wheels and tires, lowered it, CAI, TMS chip, strut brace, cross drilled rotors/Hawk HP pads on it. It runs and looks incredible.

Do what you want to it. If it's been taken care of, it'll last you another 200,000 miles.

But as you know, make sure the cooling system is all updated first. After that, have fun with it.

Here's a link to pics:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1243514

Jim- when did you put on the CAI, chip, etc, recently with the higher mielage or did you have em on for a while now?


do the performance stuff first see how the car takes it and how you like it.
then suspension
then wheels and paint

good advice...

thanks for all the input guys...anyone else have .02 cents to add?

[keystroke]

it will last well past 200k miles, i say go for it and mod it how you want maybe get some clear corners and tails, and chip it after you get the exhaust and intake. just keep up with the maintenance and it will run great.

[xXs14XxxXe36Xx]

I got an 1994 325is w/ 211,xxx and still running strong.

Believe or not, after 2 yrs of owning it i just started to mod it. I kept it simple with Raceland coils & m3 contours which in total, only costed me 600$ and made it a hell of a better daily.

I recommend doing all the regular maintinance on it 1st though.(oil,coolant)

[WV Jim]

I put the chip and CAI in around 135,000 miles. I put the wheels on shortly after that. I put on the H&R/Bilstein suspension at about 145,000 miles, then put the brakes on shortly after that. I put the exhaust (Borla) on it at around 153,000 miles, as well as the strut brace.

I don't regret any of it. The car drives like a dream.