[bigchimpin101]

Okay, my parents got me a used 06' 325i sedan in Sparkling Graphite for my first car. I love it, but it's so stock, and I'm ready to change that. I don't have enough money for rims, so I'm thinking about powder coating my stock 16s matte black or maybe a gunmetal grey. I haven't seen my color with either color rims, and would appreciate some input and hopefully some pictures of examples.

Idk if its possible but maybe leave the lips gray. Btw they are stock 156's. In addition, i think I'd like to get a matte black grille, and possibly tint the tail lights a little.Also, I hate the orange part of the headlight. What's the best way to take care of this without risking the light itself?

I also don't like the cheap looking exhaust pipes; would like black ones. Anyone know of a website where I could order a pair for cheap?

I'm a newb, enlighten me people

[E90 87ss]

Nice first car, mine is 22 years old, $3,000 and probably $10,000 in parts over three years finally upgrading to a 325i.

They sell covers for the headlights and tint, your choice... I left mine orange after much thought. I think the blackline tail lights look the best. As for powdercoating you are looking at $75 a rim and probably $25 to $50 more for the lip per rim. Just buy exhaust tips, not sure if they come in black, i have the chrome OE ones. I would save $1,500 or look in the for sale section for used rims at a good deal instead...

[shoes]

Nice first car!

I'd say save for some decent wheels.
If I'm correct, those are 16" wheels... kinda small in my opinion. I wouldn't sink any money into them unless you actually like them.

For the headlights I would look into some of those vinyl overlays. They're not as good looking as some oem Euro headlights, but the the price is right and they help mask the amber.
My girlfriend got some overlays for her 325i from longtran here at the forum (just PM him and ask about them).
**********s has some decent pics of them.

You can get some matte black grilles pretty much anywhere. Check out the different vendors that are here at the forum.

For the tailights, check out some blacklines.

And I'm not sure where to pick up some exhaust tips... sorry.

Hopefully this will get you started with your new money pit!

[Sara]

Here's what I did. I have the same car as you. My technician took tail pipes off a 330i and placed them over mine. Gave them a fuller look. Not the best, these are the only pictures I have of them ATM.

[MuchMoore]

Originally Posted by Sara504

Here's what I did. I have the same car as you. My technician took tail pipes off a 330i and placed them over mine. Gave them a fuller look. Not the best, the these are the only pictures I have of them ATM.

Thats a great idea!

Matte black grills, some blackline tail lights, tint, and 18" OEM wheels should be a great start. An intake and/or exhaust sometime down the road would be a nice touch as well.

[Sara]

OK I'm going to take this a step farther and do a price break down for you.

2006 325i

Black Matte Grills. Little mod that makes a BIG difference in the front end.
$70
(excuse the bugs)


For the headlights:
Black Amber Gone Vinyl Overlays. Gives the car a kinda of sassy appearance in rear view mirrors.
$30


Tail Lights: Really sexes up the back end. Compliments the curves of the car.
Blacklines OEM $230. Then sell you stocks for $200 to a BMW Repair Shop. Out of pocket cost $30.



Chrome Tip exhaust: Ask your Tech at BMW for spares lying around. Cost Free.

pic in post above.

Then a nice set of staggered wheels to make the car look more aggressive and have the girls heads turn.
and you get





All total less than $2,000.00

[Aurora Bearialis]

ENGINE SWAP!!!!!!! and for taillights do the blacklines

[Sara]

Originally Posted by Aurora Bearialis

ENGINE SWAP!!!!!!! and for taillights do the blacklines

[Sebastian_e90]

Looks like shoes and sara already gave you the hookup. The only thing that you may want to look into are the grills. If you really want to make it cheap you can paint them black yourself. If not, I'm sure someone is selling there's. Look in the private sales, people are parting out left and right. Also, as for the wheels, I don't know what your budget is, but lots of people are dumping their wheels, you can find them for reasonable. If you really want to paint yours, I don't have any pictures. I know that UDubBadger went matte black on his 161's, you can give him a pm for some pics. I haven't seen it done on the 156's though.

[Sebastian_e90]

BTW sick car Sara. Haha I have the exact same setup as you, except my v710's are matte black. Good taste.

[JayKay335i]

Wowww, look at the girl being all sweet to the newb.

Anywho, leave stock rims alone till one day you can afford some new ones. Maybe drop it on some springs in the mean time.

Listen to everybody else on here, they've all got some great ideas. All great advice so far.

[JayKay335i]

Originally Posted by Takashi

There are tons of things you can do to your new BMW.
Go to the DIY section for details. When I first got the car I spend a whole month reading through everything.

+1

First mod = read the forums

[s1cke92]

nice car

[Sara]

Originally Posted by Sebastian_e90

BTW sick car Sara. Haha I have the exact same setup as you, except my v710's are matte black. Good taste.

Hey thanks! I was .02 seconds away from changing my order to black matte!

[Re1nkE]

my SA said they charged $120 per wheel to powdercoat. i said FUCK THAT SHIT

[Porschefile]

Black grill, exhaust tips and save for wheels. I wouldn't spend money on the 16's.

[Derek Zoolander]

suspension > wheels

[MuchMoore]

Originally Posted by Derek Zoolander

suspension > wheels

This.

Unless they're OEM wheels...and cheap, 16's are pretty bad.

[bigchimpin101]

thanks everyone. i like the blacklines i'm def gonna get them. its all the aggressive good looks of blacking out your lights without it looking cheap. and i've decided to wait till i can afford some real rims.. ideally, 19's. I really like the v710's in matte black.. anyone selling theirs? and if anyone is selling any rims cheap, hit me up, cuz almost anything is better than 16s.. i guess thats what u get when u buy a used car. i guess the person who had it b4 me kinda skimped on the rims

[3lusive]

Originally Posted by bigchimpin101

i guess the person who had it b4 me kinda skimped on the rims

Those rims most likely were OE from the factory. Just the basic rims for 325i w/o sport package.

[F32Fleet]

Driving school my friend. It'll be the best $$ you've ever spent, and you can take what you've learned with you after you've dumped the car.

[Psychorugby]

I will have some matte black grilles for sale in the near future... whenever I get my car back from being repaired after a drunk hit it. Hopefully tomorrow!!