E46 328ci

[GunMetalGrey]

I can give you a hand for sure! Let me know when.

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[328ci]

Did the VCG and spark plugs this weekend. This was my first time doing either of these things to a car, had Ben and zach come over for awhile. It was nice to have the guidance as I had never done this before and the helping hand, also got my first ride/drive in an e28 after an impromtu chinese fire drill at a red light lol Finished the job and the car ran great. I did notice I had a SES light on, turned out it had been on from a couple days prior when my dad was driving the car. Got the code read and it was a small evap leak (P0442). Did some researching and the gas cap is the likely (and the cheapest) culprit, so I ordered one from ECS Tuning and it should be here this weekend. I bought paint to do my grills but I didnt get around to it, possibly this weekend. Here are random pictures:

Needs wheels by durty30, on Flickr

And a bad picture with the valve cover off (was more concerned about just finishing the job). It looked pretty good though

Poor focus, Poor light by durty30, on Flickr

[328ci]

I dont know man...I thought this was a good idea, but I dont know...not sure how I feel about the flow of everything in the front.

Before

IMG_1761 by durty30, on Flickr

After

IMG_1952 by durty30, on Flickr

Front kidneys are now gloss black instead of flat

Opinions?

[andyhundley]

I think it looks much better with the gloss.

[suspenceful]

I think its the clear sidemarkers that ruin it.

[328ci]

The bumper ones? Im thinking about painting them the body color

Also, got a ZHP knob. Completely changes the feel of shifting. Best purchase for this car

ZHP Knob by durty30, on Flickr

[jc43089]

I agree, it's the bumper side markers, either body color or dark tinted would be good.

[DrLeadFoot]

Body color the side markers for sure.

The gloss black is a "must keep"!

[wasnt m3]

+1 on the color matched side markers. I know you can buy pre-painted ones relatively cheap.

[328ci]

Ill probably just pick up some color matched paint and paint them myself. Paint in an aerosol is less than 15 bucks and I like doing things myself. Hopefully I dont destroy these trying to take them out like my ambers...lol

[RamRod E28]

Get some smoke blinkers and side markers and get those kidneys flat black again. This will change the look of the whole car

[patsbimmer1]

I really like the gloss black!

[328ci]

Ramze46 said:

Get some smoke blinkers and side markers and get those kidneys flat black again. This will change the look of the whole car

Im thinking smoked at some point. Maybe after tires and springs.

patsbimmer1 said:

I really like the gloss black!

Thank you, havent looked at it in person enough to know how I feel about them.

[328ci]

As I wait for the funds to accumulate for tires and springs (which should hopefully be soon with a handful of details lined up) I have been pondering some other small mods I plan on doing. Vinyl wrapping the interior is one of them. I think the wood trim in the e46 is nice, I just want something different. I have narrowed it down to two options:

Gloss black or Brushed black

Gloss black

or 

Brushed black

I think im leaning more towards the gloss black as of now. I think its a good neutral color. The brushed black just needs to be dark enough. I dont want it to look like my stainless steel fridge.

This stuff is cheap so I might just order a roll and do it since I'm gonna be done with school soon and itchin for some projects to do

[jc43089]

I vote the brushed black.

[shovz]

Brushed for sure

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[jc43089]

I feel like the gloss will show dirt/fingerprints really easy.

[wasnt m3]

I have oem metallic black trim in my e46 with tan interior. I really like the contrast. Couldn't stand the wood trim.

[328ci]

wasnt m3 said:

I have oem metallic black trim in my e46 with tan interior. I really like the contrast. Couldn't stand the wood trim.

This is exactly what I am aiming for. I want something that will look nice between the two colors. Do you happen to have anymore pictures of the interior showing the trim? There is a "metallic black" vinyl wrap that I could go with.

Thank you

I appreciate other giving their opinion, but I think the brushed black looks best between two shades of black, as opposed to black and beige in my car

[wasnt m3]

I'll see if I can get a pic tomorrow. It's hard to see the metallic in any of the pictures I have.