New to BMW and Bimmer...lookin for upgrades!

[DubDz]

I bought an '06 325i Sedan on Friday-White, automatic, no navi, with 32k miles from a private party, and doesn't have any sort of package to my knowledge. It's not immaculate but close enough. I will post pictures once I have them on my computer..please bare with me in this post, I might ramble.

I am completely brand new (yes, I am a newbie :help) to the BMW world coming from American muscle cars and I am wanting to do some work to my new baby. Nothing engine related besides maybe a filter or intake or something but I mainly want to make it look sleeker. It's lookin' pretty right now with its white exterior and tinted windows, but I am not in love with the stock rims, wheels, suspension, and exhaust. Any suggestions? I am not looking to spend a sh*tload of money (about $2000 tops) but definitely could use some upgrades. Leaning towards some black rims...the previous owner stated the wheels are the ones that can ride on flats for a while, so it'd be nice to be able to keep those since they are pretty new/expensive but I know they are only big enough for the stock rims which are what, 15, 16 inch?

I also have some basic questions about the car itself -- I notice it has 2 buttons on the steering wheel for what looks like handsfree phone use/voice command? Is that what is it? How do I set it up? (I don't have navi, which looks like a requirement...) Also, would I know if it had an alarm?

The driver [front] fog light is out, is it as easy as ordering a new one and changing it myself? Or do I have to take it in because they warning light is on for it?

Lastly, the previous owner said that the rear brakes are needed to be changed soon. But to my understanding, rear brakes usually last a lot longer than just 32k miles that are on it...any thoughts? I guess the BMW dealership said during its last service that they needed to be changed "soon"


I appreciate any help and any suggestions! I am glad to be part of the bimmer world!! I'm stoked to drive my new baby!!

[RonNSoCal]

I do not think you need the navi to use the phone switches. I do not have navi but my car (2008 328i Coupe) operates my cell phone using the blue tooth system built into the car. I assume yours has this two. If you have a manual and the other little booklets the car comes with, it is not too tough to set it up. I understand most phones are compatible with BMWs system, although there may be some phone features that will not work with some models. There is a site that BMW has, that tells what phones are compatible and what the limitations are. I used to have it but I guess I deleted it from my bookmarks. I found it on google, I think. There is also a site that shows little videos to help you learn how to use the features in our cars, in case you cannot find your manual. I have not set up the voice recognition system yet, so cannot comment on how it works. I have been meaning to get to it, but I have not done so yet.

With regards to rear brakes, apparently they do wear out rather quickly according to other forum members, quicker than the front pads. A sensor should alert you to when you need to have the pads changed. If off warranty, (over 4 years from date of original sale) be sure to find out if the rotors are good to go for another set of pads. Usually they do not need to be changed after just one set of pads wear out, although the dealer may not tell you it is not necessary to replace the rotors and replace them too. BMW does not advise resurfacing rotors, I guess they are pretty thin to begin with.

In my experience, BMW dealers charge about twice what the rotors cost from a good internet parts house for the same parts! So if off warranty, you may want to consider buying the same brand rotors BMW uses from a reliable internet source and have them installed at an independent garage. You can easily save $200+ by doing so. If you hate the black brake dust messing up your wheels all the time, you may also want to look into good "dustless" pads like the Axis deluxe pads. They cost about the same as factory pads and seem to work as well without all the black dust.

Enjoy your ride.

[floydr]

Brakes: As Ron says, BMW brakes wear fast, some people wear rears faster than fronts. Rear rotors are more expensive than fronts (parking brake), but they may not be needed - be sure to check the thickness.

Fog light: It's just an H1 bulb, the entire housing should pop out the front and you just replace the bulb like any halogen.

Although the phone and voice activation buttons are there, it does not mean that the Bluetooth module is in the car. You will have to check the option/build sheet. Or you can try pairing a phone - see your manual - if it works, fine.

Wheels: Standard/non-sport are 16" on the 325i. If you change the wheels, the TPMS sensor has to go on the new ones. Check tirerack.com for wheels; they range from around $125 up.

[DubDz]

RonNSoCal and floydr

Thanks for your input about the brakes. The only warning light that is on is the fog light one so I'll be sure to keep my eye out for it and also take a look at them. I asked the mechanic I go to how much rear brakes would cost to replace and he told me over $1,000 but I think I can buy them and replace them myself for a lot cheaper. It is not under warranty which definitely scares me just because I know IF and WHEN repairs are needed, it'll be expensive, but just the risk I am willing to take for the type of car it is. I can't stand the Japanese cars LOL.

I will look more into the bluetooth, I was reading the manual online since the car owner didn't pass along the manual unfortunately. I have a blackberry so I am hoping if the car does have bluetooth it'd be compatible since it'd be extremely convenient without having to install anything, etc.

And it's looking like I'll wait until I need to change all the tires just so I'm not spending tons of money since I know rims will be a wallet full themselves. Anyways, thanks for the input and information! I am definitely enjoying every aspect of it so far for my first beamer!

[mryakan]

Press the menu button on the radio unit. If "Phone" does not appear in the list, then you do not have Bluetooth. It can be dealer added, but that is pretty expensive.
P.S. Change mechanics, he is raping you with the labor/parts cost. Here I can get all 4 pads/rotors replaced for less than that at the dealer and that is with 13% tax included.

[DubDz]

Pretty sure there is no bluetooth since when I hit the menu button the phone does not come up on it. Not a huge deal but just weird that the car has the buttons but not the bluetooth? Oh well. And I am currently searching for a place to take my car once I need service done on it without paying out the nose. I'm in the Bay Area in California so I'm sure things are going to be pretty expensive but also got a lot of places to go.

[mryakan]

Not a huge deal but just weird that the car has the buttons but not the bluetooth? Oh well.
That is normal. They don't want to deal with inventory and build order complexities. It is cheaper to use one part for all, even if some buttons are redundant. Also since the car is prewired, BT can be added after the car leaves the factory, and this way you would not need to also change the steering wheel.