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Free mods / cheap mods under $10

879K views 580 replies 296 participants last post by  Landlorder 
#1 ·
THREAD PURPOSE: To collect all information for e46 free mods

THREAD DEFINITION: Free mods defined as: UNDER $10 (excluding any fluid replacement) sometimes a mini-budget is good...

THREAD RULES: Do NOT double post a MOD, do NOT comment on mods...just LIST EM' :thumbsup:

THREAD STRUCTURE: I would like you all to adhere to the FOLLOWING ORDER:

MOD NAME
MOD COST
MOD BENEFIT
MOD DESCRIPTION (PICS OR FAIL)
MOD LINK (other sites/threads that contain a comprehensive DIY or provide more info)

Go Team e46Fanatics!
 
#2 · (Edited)
MOD NAME: Golf Tee Mod

MOD COST: FREE, $0.00

MOD BENEFIT: More low rpm 'rumble' exhaust note.

MOD DESCRIPTION: Remove vacuum line that closes a metal 'butterfly' valve. plug removed vacuum line with a golf tee or similar.

In the picture below you will see a metal butterfly valve in the right exhaust pipe, immediately above this is a rubber hose that connects to it. Nothing needs to be done on the exhaust side, as it will just stay open now.


This is the rubber hose that you pulled off of the exhaust, you can see I plugged the hose with a wire crimp.


MOD LINK

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=585653
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=520094

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MOD NAME: Clutch Delay Valve (CDV) Delete

MOD COST: FREE, $0.00

MOD BENEFIT: Smoother Shifting (Manual Transmission Only).

MOD DESCRIPTION: Remove an inline restriction valve that "limits" clutch slip for newbie's but is a major PITA for everyone else...(not in all e46's)

...CDV removed...



MOD LINK

http://m3.madrussian.net/diy_cdv.shtml

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MOD NAME: Clutch Stop Mod aka Perfect Clutch Stop

MOD COST: <$5.00

MOD BENEFIT: Less Clutch Travel, Faster, Shifting (Manual Transmission Only).

MOD DESCRIPTION: Screw in a 1.5" elevator bolt with a adhesive furniture leg pad in place of stock clutch stop.

Clutchstop installed:


MOD LINK

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=206363

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MOD NAME: Custom CAI

MOD COST: >$3.00

MOD BENEFIT: Colder/Free Flowing Air, Better MPG's

MOD DESCRIPTION: Cut 2" hole in bottom of air box, run flexible tube from air box to bumper cavity.

Tubing Installed:


MOD LINK

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=596255

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#16 ·
MOD NAME: Golf Tee Mod

MOD COST: FREE, $0.00

MOD BENEFIT: More low rpm 'rumble' exhaust note.

MOD DESCRIPTION: Remove vacuum line that closes a metal 'butterfly' valve. plug removed vacuum line with a golf tee or similar.
Wow, I'm so glad I read this. Turns out my butterfly valve was so covered in soot it was NEVER opening! I had to jab it with a screw driver to get it to move :rofl: rumble=:drool:
 
#3 · (Edited)
Mod name: debadge

Mod cost: free

Mod benefit: looks good

Mod description: use credit card and slide underneath each letter or number, removing the "badge" then use goo gone or alcahol wipes to remove the remaining gunk, whatever you use to take off the gunk wipe it off as soon as your done using it because its probably not that great for you paint.


Mod link:http:
//forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=594465&highlight=debadge
 
#10 ·
MOD NAME: E90 Vanity Lights Swap
MOD COST: $2.00 (Lights from ebay)
MOD BENEFIT: Better looks
MOD DESCRIPTION (PICS OR FAIL)
Before:

After:

MOD LINK (other sites/threads that contain a comprehensive DIY or provide more info)
My DIY Link


MOD NAME: Trunk Light mod
MOD COST: $3.00 (Lights from ebay)
MOD BENEFIT: More light for the people who actually use their trunk
MOD DESCRIPTION (PICS OR FAIL)

MOD LINK (other sites/threads that contain a comprehensive DIY or provide more info)
DIY Link

MOD NAME: Alarm Shock Sensor install
MOD COST: $10.00
MOD BENEFIT: Increase the functionality of OEM Alarm
MOD DESCRIPTION (PICS OR FAIL)

MOD LINK (other sites/threads that contain a comprehensive DIY or provide more info)
DIY Link

MOD NAME: Restoring rubber seals with silicone grease
MOD COST: $4.00
MOD BENEFIT: Restoring rubber seals
MOD DESCRIPTION (PICS OR FAIL)

MOD LINK (other sites/threads that contain a comprehensive DIY or provide more info)
DIY Link
 
#11 ·
MOD NAME: Valentine 1 Hard wire ***Only if you already have any radar detector.

MOD COST: Varies...$0 if you have a V1 ($0 also if you have a escort and a phone cable)

MOD BENEFIT: Mod shows a simple place to retrive 12v & Ground for windshield/mirror mounted devices.

MOD DESCRIPTION: Pull down overhead light/sunroof control panel, tap secondary power cable lead.



MOD LINK

http://m3.madrussian.net/diy_valentine_v1.shtml
 
#14 ·
Mod - Painted Reflectors
Mod Benefit - cleaner looking appearance
Cost - about $10 total for paint, primer and clear.
Difficulty - Easy, just takes time.

Painting the stock front and rear bumper refelctors vs. paying close to $100 for a set (front and back, or $60 for fronts).

I used Metailic Silver for mine. Did three coats of primer, 4 coats of color and 3 coats of clear. Not an exact match, but pretty close. The more Zanio (polish as they are now painted as well) I put on them with the rest of the car, the closer they match.





 
#18 ·
Subscribing

Sorry but I am at work, but I would like to mention the Red Needle Mod

Cost... a red sharpie, so $2 est?
All in all, take your instrument cluster out, then apart, color them evenly and carfully, several coats, put it back on, best 30 minutes you've ever spent :thumbsup:

I'll try and edit this later to keep it in format with the rest :hi:
 
#28 ·
I got them from Xenonmods.com - direct link here.

Six little white roundels, and six "BMW" logos for $7.99. I'll take pictures with the wheel off and post them so you can see the roundels on the side of the caliper too.

I guess technically this mod costs more because I spent about $20 in paint for primer, paint, and clearcoat (plus the stickers). If you get the stickers, you'll *definitely* want to spray lots of clearcoat over them.
 
#30 · (Edited)
Coffee Cup Holder

Mod Name: Coffee Cup - Alternate Holder

Mod Cost: Almost nothing

Mod Benefit: Stores my coffee cup safely out of the way when I am not using it and then I don't hit it with my elbow every time I shift.

Mod Description: No Pics - it isn't that difficult. Only works with coffee cups that have a handle that is open at the bottom.

Small piece of thin aluminum (hard plastic?) 2.5" x 1.25"

Short (7") piece of 1" webbing (fairly stiff)

Drill a hole near the top of the aluminum, melt a small hole in the two ends of the webbing, connect it all together with a pop rivet.

Slide the aluminum piece between the plastic frame and leather of the seat (careful!) just beside your transmission tunnel so the webbing sticks out foreward (underneath your knee area). When not in use, store your coffee cup there.

For double the cost, make another for you passenger.
 
#31 ·
Mod Name: Coffee Cup - Alternate Holder

Mod Cost: Almost nothing

Mod Benefit: Stores my coffee cup safely out of the way when I am not using it and then I don't hit it with my elbow every time I shift.

Mod Description: No Pics - it isn't that difficult. Only works with coffee cups that have a handle that is open at the bottom.

Small piece of thin aluminum (hard plastic?) 2.5" x 1.25"

Short (7") piece of 1" webbing (fairly stiff)

Drill a hole near the top of the aluminum, melt a small hole in the two ends of the webbing, connect it all together with a pop rivet.

Slide the aluminum piece between the plastic frame and leather of the seat (careful!) just beside your transmission tunnel so the webbing sticks out foreward (underneath your knee area). When not in use, store your coffee cup there.

For double the cost, make another for you passenger.
I would appreciate if you have a pic. :)
 
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