Advice on Mods!

Hey everyone, i am planning on buying a 2001 330i and i was wondering what the most important modifications would be and what i should do first.
thanks

it depends what your going for....looks or performance or both?

The first mod I recommend is ALWAYS the . It helps SO much!

It's incredible and it yields all your answers!

just look around on this site at some pictures and read some of the threads to get an idea of what mods YOU like. dont do a mod just bc someone else does it. if you're not looking to put too much into your car then id suggest just doing some exterior/interior mods but do w/e you want man

driving school

then raceland coilovers

Get the car first then we'll talk.

Mods? I have a few suggestions, though you might not think of them as mods...

First, +1 on 'get the car' and see how it drives...tell us mileage, and many will have an opinion on what needs to get done.

Me? I'm of the belief that mods should come after car is 'correct' functionwise...so

the oil change mod
coolant change and perhaps cooling system overhaul--check dates on things
brake/clutch fluid
trans/diff fluid
PS fluid flush
air filter/fuel filter
plugs

you'll prolly also need some combination of suspension work...as in--new control arm bushings, rear diff bushings

Your guibo, maybe center support bearing on driveshaft
Belts, idler pulley, tensioner pulleys, check other pulleys

Ah, then, the 'cleaning things up' mod--MAF, DISA, ICV, TB

You probably will be due for alignment, so check its tracking carefully

Listen for noises from wheels...as in maybe bearings

Brakes...check them carefully...measure the thickness of the rotors

Okay...I'll stop...just don't start pouring money into that beautiful new air intake that will clog your MAF and signal a code, before you get car running right. Best mod is the bmw on the road, not on driveway!

HTH...trying to...just don't want to see you pick all these 'official' mods and then run out of money to fix the things that need to be fixed...and there will be some...there's a reason why PO was selling car, and I bet it's coz he/she didn't properly maintain it.

Doug

Originally Posted by the_curry_man

it depends what your going for....looks or performance or both?

This^ Define what you want better, then we will talk.....

Supercharger.

Always better to be prepared rather than reactive!

Sent from my Droid using BimmerApp

Repairs first

and how can mods have an order of importance? You do whatever you want to the car and search the forum...

Depending on the mileage the first thing I would suggest would be a Cooling System Refresh Kit.

The E46 followed the pattern of weak cooling systems set by BMW in the late 80's. But it seems these models are excessively prone to overheating, causing huge repair bills. Due to a low coolant capacity once these engines enter the "Red Zone" on the gauge, thousands of dollars in damage is already happening.

Once these models have more than 60k miles they should be serviced, then every 60k miles there after. Water pumps begin to fail, thermostats housings crack, along with expansion tanks and begin to leak due to plastic construction.

Our most comprehensive kit was put together for a complete cooling system service.

Included in this kit:
* Water pump
* Water pump pulley
* Fan switch
* Thermostat & housing
* Sealing gaskets
* Expansion tank & cap
* 1 Gallon Coolant
* Upper & lower radiator hoses
* Accessory drive belts
* Radiator drain plug
* Coolant level sensor
* Level sensor clip

Click HERE to order or for more information.


Please let us know if you have any questions! Feel free to shoot me a PM or email.

Best,
Joe