Calypsorot E36 - how to get started, ideas?

[bahasad]

I want to get started with adding some style to my car. Any ideas on what to do:



http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq78/bahasad/E36%20Photos/IMG_1702.jpg

Firstly, I want to do a full lighting upgrade. What should I go with - i'm thinking DDM HID DJ Autos, Clear side markers, smoked corners, and clear taillights?
Rims - I'm thinking DSII, Style 5 reps If i can find em. Or CSL rims.

Then what?

I do sort of have a budget in mind since I plan on getting an M3 or something else on the side.

EDIT: New photos have been added. I added HIDS, clear corners, smoked tails, and DSIIs to my car. I also have a set of HR springs ready to put onI sort of am going for a new look now. What should I upgrade...my budget is about $500-800...I am considering tinting the rears (stupid NJ state laws prohibit the fronts), clear side markers, M3 body kit or painting the bumpers, style 5s...any ideas on what would make my car look good on a limited budget to make it close to M3 levelish?

[bbancsov]

Can't go wrong with CSL's broski

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g242/bbancsov300/IMG_0091.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g242/bbancsov300/IMG_0025_2.jpg

[volcomnator999]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/volcomnator999/mariaautox.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/volcomnator999/1of1-4.jpg

[Luminossi]

coilovers and some oem 16's. don't mess with the tails, especially not clears ugh

[bahasad]

@bbcansov: where'd you get the CSLs? I know many websites, but what would you recommend?

[bbancsov]

I actually got them locally for a steal, about a third of the price they were actually worth. Modbargains.com has them i know that, seem to have pretty good reviews of them. Mine were 17's, with a nice drop it would really set the car off.

[psmura]

Id first start by doing mods that don't really cost much like painting your skirts, and grills.

Then id pick up a cheap set of DSI/II's, contours then coils.

If you planning on moving from a 318 to an m3 which could possibly be your wisest move, then don't spend anymoney modding your car.

[Bobby Autogeek]

DSII's and some Coilovers

[bahasad]

Id first start by doing mods that don't really cost much like painting your skirts, and grills.

Then id pick up a cheap set of DSI/II's, contours then coils.

If you planning on moving from a 318 to an m3 which could possibly be your wisest move, then don't spend anymoney modding your car.

I am planning an M3 upgrade, but after 2 years. I just got the car this year.
And even if i get an M3, this would be kept.

I do want to spend as little as I can on modding, saving it instead for maintenance and the M3, but I just find that it could look a lot better.

[WTFPENGUIN]

get zkws (that way you can put them on your m3 when you get that)

Coilovers (also transferable to m3)

Wheels 17 inch or bigger (also transferable to m3)

Only thing I would do to freshen up this car would be to paint the skirts/front bumper rear bumper. Get some fog light deletes and get those painted at the same time.

[robisconfusedd]

Get some good headlights, those faded headlights really take away from how good that color can look! Maybe some clears, and better wheels, and you should be looking pretty good.

[bahasad]

Headlights - I'm guessing DDM DJs? I would LOVE ZKWs, but budget is around $800-1000 on upgrades.
What would look better on this - clear corners or ambers?

I wanna buy something TONIGHT!

Rims are going in for sure...just whatever i can find. LTWs, DSIs/IIs, 5s, CSLs.

[iltoivfe]

If you plan on buying suspension and upgrading to an m, buy m3 parts.

Non-m struts dont have mounts for m3 swaybar endlinks

M3 struts can go on non-m but not the other way around.

[87shark]

Painted lowers, a set of ltws and coilovers, done.

[volcomnator999]

suspension: pss9's

[NO_M3RCY]

As others have said drop it a little. +1 to the CSL's and painted lowers, clear/smoked corners n tails, paint your kidneys black, maybe a lip or m3 bumper.

[Euro SC]

Like others have said give it a little drop. I personally like the ambers on Calypsorot. I have style 68s on mine. Great color that you don't see all the time.



http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t23/cmchitty/BMW%20pictures/100_7562.jpg

[Mauritius36]

I think your lighting plans sound good. painted lowers. front bumper license plate delete strip. m3 front bumper or a non-m lip. black grills. tint. wheels - cant go wrong with ltws, contours, dsii, or style 5s. calypsorot is a beautiful color-lots of potential. heres a nice example of one
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1503552
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1469219

[buck1115]

get zkws (that way you can put them on your m3 when you get that)

Coilovers (also transferable to m3)

Wheels 17 inch or bigger (also transferable to m3)

Only thing I would do to freshen up this car would be to paint the skirts/front bumper rear bumper. Get some fog light deletes and get those painted at the same time.

Coil-overs are not transferable unless he buys M3 coils, and retrofits them!

They don't teach you this at Olive Garden?

[bahasad]

I ordered fogs, HIDs, and clear corners for the car. Going to add the clear side markers and rears after.

Any opinions on blacking out the current rims?

[gatecrasher1978]

i haven't seen a stock E36 in a long time.. i like it

[94calypsored]

This was once exactly as yours is now.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o178/94calypsored/CIMG5121.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o178/94calypsored/CIMG5454.jpg

[bahasad]

OK I have pretty much decided what to do with the car - 17s, whatever I can find really that looks decent. Black out the rims. Coilovers.
And most def paint the bumpers, god I hate that grey color. How much should it cost to get it done by someone?

[Bleary]

start out small, calypso rot is definitely the best color
headlights, get color match bumpers, smoked corners and tails
alot of options out there

[Mauritius36]

please rethink the black wheels idea - its not going to look good. the wheels lose all of their definition and a bright color will look so much better with calypso

[bahasad]

Tomorrow getting a staggered set of DS2s. I didn't black out the wheels yet. I was considering it, just pictured it in my mind.

Next thing is some coilovers, possibly a spoiler, and painting those ugly grey bumpers and rocker panels. Any idea how i should paint them or should i take them to a body shop?

[atlantisvip]

please rethink the black wheels idea - its not going to look good. the wheels lose all of their definition and a bright color will look so much better with calypso

.

[dfreshx00]

Silver is going to be one of the best bets on calypso. if you can pull it off, which soon enough i might grab an extra set to do, white wheels can be nice.

ideas are all around you.

[bahasad]

Thanks for the superb ideas. I have added staggered DS2s to it that I got for a great price, although they have some nicks and scratches, which I will get refinished in time. Car looks a bit better.

Got my smoked corners, hids, and fogs which will be installed this weekend. Anyone have any comments on getting blacked out headlight covers? Very tempting

Just need coilovers, and for now, I am satisfied.

Honestly, I would like to keep it as close to stock as possible, with some tasteful upgrades. Might tint the windows too.
Don't really want any body kits or anything.

[Ramoo325i]

Make sure you change the headlights to the Glass ZKWs.. This will dramatically change the look of your ride. Don't leave it for last like I did..

[atlantisvip]

I have a tip, drop the whole "blacking out" theme.

[Bigbores Bro]

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x72/ill318/E36/2911.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x72/ill318/E36/327a.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x72/ill318/E36/Picture126.jpg

[bahasad]

some new pics of the car. Changed the ambers to smoked clears...infinitely better. Cleaned the front lights, got new fogs, added HIDs.
Most importantly got a real cheap set of staggered DS2s. Just some minor scratches and curb rash on one which will be cleaned up.
Next:
- Clear smoked taillights, sidemarkers, smoked laminx.
- 20% tint around
- Lowering Springs/coilovers

For now i think that's all I'll do, and possibly get the bumpers and stuff painted. Don't want to spend anymore on it exterior wise, move on to adding a keyless entry/alarm, maybe a turner chip, and that's it. Gonna save up for an M3.