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Hi, I'm Angelica from the Bay Area

44K views 475 replies 114 participants last post by  Bimmerguy57 
#1 ·
I'm 19 years old about to be 20 and I just bought a white 1999 328i manual transmission in October 2006. I never knew how to drive a manual and I learned using this car. Before I had a 1988 Toyota Camry and I am just LOVING my Bimmer....BIG upgrade. I think the main reason I love it so much is because I paid for all of it. Not like other people my age who drive around their parents car. I just bought a lip spoiler that I didn't install yet and I plan on painting the mouldings, buying new tail lights, and tinting the windows. Does anyone have any suggestions about painting the mouldings? I have a friend who says I can do it myself but I don't know if it would look bad.....any suggestions? Should I just have a professional do it? If so, how much would that cost? I really don't know much about cars and I'm just starting to learn but I know many people here know what their doing.

Also, I'm looking for places near Fremont that specialize in Bimmers because the dealership is sometimes more than a 19 year-old can afford. I had my front brakes replaced recently for $435 at Wheel Works, I had my window regulator replaced at the dealership for a little over $300, I replaced my rack and pinion and my power steering hose replaced at wheel works (forgot how much), and had my drive belts replaced at the dealership. I was wondering if anyone knew a place that's good with Bimmers that's less expensive than the dealership.

Here's a pic of the car now:

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/Angelijun/DSC00893.jpg" border="0" alt=></a>
I haven't done anything to the exterior yet. This is how it looked when I bought it.
 
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#81 ·
Definately Valentine 1

I just finished up my stealth install last night with the help of Stuart.
Do a search for stealth V1 install. He sells custom made ash tray set ups that work incredibly well. And look very very good. If you can't find it let me know and I'll hook you up. I did a lot of research and his set up is by far the best way to go for stealth.
 
#85 ·
I heard from a few people that radar detectors are a waste of money because most of the time it's a false alarm. One of my friends said he doesn't even pay attention to his anymore. But then I was reading in one thread that the V1 is well worth the money. So now I'm not sure if I should buy one. Is it worth the money or will it just end up being ignored and useless? Need advice on this one...anybody?
 
#87 ·
It depends on which radar your friend was using. If he is using a Cobra or one of those cheapo radar detectors, then yea, he will get a lot of false alarms. The V1 has three logic modes to filter out such false alarms. However, you pay a premium price for it. I find that the radar detectors for more useful and effect on those long freeway trip say from Norcal to Socal. Around the city and what not, it is somewhat useless. Beware of those overpasses though. I hope Norcal doesn't have cop on those overpasses shooting Lidar. :cry:
 
#92 ·
Here's a pic of the car now:

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/Angelijun/DSC00893.jpg" border="0" alt=></a>
I haven't done anything to the exterior yet. This is how it looked when I bought it.[/QUOTE]

Let me know if you need any mod ideas , ive got ideas and know of a few shops in your area who will hook you up.
 
#94 ·
#102 ·
It was already modified when we bought it. Check out my garage for pics. My husband drove a yellow 2002 S2k in high school until he totalled it. He just HAD to have another one because he missed it so much. I think in the future we might get a carbon fiber trunk...and maybe a hard top too but I'm not too sure yet. That car is his project and the Bimmer is my project. But when he gets out of the Marine Corps in September, he's gonna bring the S2k back to California and we're both gonna drive both cars.
 
#105 ·
Welcome to E46, car looks great, hope you can continue with the modding process that was already started by the previous owner...:pimpin:
 
#106 ·
Just installed my LED tail lights with some help from my friend Melissa. Looks nice. I'm looking for vinyl to wrap over my mouldings so I'll post pics once I'm done with that too. Right now, the car looks a little funny with black mouldings and LED tail lights. After that, I think I'm gonna install angel eyes. Then I'll tint the windows.
 
#111 ·
Ok. Here's a few pics of the lights. My car hasn't been washed though. As you can see, I started with the mouldings but the color is too white for my car so I have to get another color. Then it would look so much better.



<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/Angelijun/DSC01110small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>


<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/Angelijun/DSC01107small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
 
#116 · (Edited)
For Sale

If anyone wants to buy these trunk lights let me know. Unopened box. The seller on ebay made a mistake and sent me 2 boxes. $50 including shipping, within US only.

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/Angelijun/c2ec_1_b.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

This is what was on the item description on ebay:

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/Angelijun/BM090.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Scroll up for pictures of my car with identical trunk lights. Original ebay price is $69 plus $15 shipping. I want $50 or best offer (price includes shipping).
 
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