Mods and upgrades explained - Very Long!!

Thanks for all the tips,
Unfortunately I just replaced my plugs with the Bosch Platinum plugs instead of the NGKs'. How bad are the platinum plugs?
Also, I couldn't get the little metal bits that screw onto the top of the plugs out of the plug wires. Is there a trick to getting these out? For now, I unscrewed the new bits and stick the wires back on. The care seems to be driving well so far, but will this be bad for it in the long run? If I need a new wire set, what should I be paying for them. The ones on BavAuto are $180.
thanks for any help.
S

Is yours an E30 buddy?

Platinums should be ok as they are what is recommended IIRC.

Just go Iridium next time

hi pirate,
yep, its an E30. Any thoughts on the rest of the post?
Thanks,
S

Try using needle nose pliers mate, that is what i used to do with my Mini back in the day

very interesting write up man! i have actually sat up all night nerding about air filters and have come up on many people that cant seem to agree on whether it is a good idea to add air filters ie k&n. something to do with more dirt getting in to the engine and filter sucking in hot air hence LOSING up to 10 bhp! after reading page upon page of basicly engineers arguing about this, i still dont know whether to get one or not. for one i dont understand algebra and thats what some of these discussions were coming to! i just want to know what other bmw owners think about this. any feedback would be usefull.thanks!

I personally dont think its that big of a deal. I havent got down to science of things but I figured since noone else has put any input in I will.

I would think by this by and age, (edit: reputable) cold air intakes do I pretty good job at keeping dirt out. As good as the stock oem ones? Maybe, maybe not. But Ive never heard first hand of (reputable) cold air intakes hurting the longevity of someones motor. I also think at least 90-95% of the hot air (if you mean caused by the engine heat) can be dealt with if the intake is properly shielded.

Intakes are VERY important that you get the right ones.
I would NEVER get a cheap eBay one, one from an unknown off-brand, or K&N (or any other oiled filter). I would only get a good, dry type filter from a name brand.
My choice would be the Apexi Power Intake. Its about 55 bucks for just the filter. Fab your own piping.

Also, get one that sits in your bumper (with a hydrosock to assure water won't get in), not the kind that sit in your engine bay. This will assure only cold air gets in and not hot air.

K&N has been proven not to filter or flow all that well, and there are MANY DOCUMENTED CASES of oil from the filters ruining the MAF. Some of this is because of owners over-oiling their filters, other times it is over oiled from the factory. I would stay away from them.

Tis true!!!

HOWEVER, i have always used K&N and always will

Tried others though (dry) and have no complaints

What about the Dinan one??

Dont get them in the UK so have no idea

Heard good reports though

so intake + exhaust + spark plugs gives it a noticeable performance boost?

Yes!!

Drivability and delivery more than power but there is a definite increase (I got better MPG too)

Anyone done this? If so, a brief rundown of the work involved would be appreciated. How much of the kit, if any, is already in place - I'm thinking of using BMW parts rather than aftermarket.

eh??

No parts are added, only one removed!!

Originally Posted by Pirate_copy

eh??

No parts are added, only one removed!!

Well eh indeed! My definition of retrofit goes something like this:

1. To fit into or onto equipment already in existence or service.
2. To substitute new or modernized parts or systems for older equipment:

Have we got a misunderstanding her perhaps - if so my apologies - my English is far from perfect i am afraid.

i am so so sorry.

I was totally thinking about a different thread when i posted this (CDV thread)

I apologise unreservedly!!

I have fitted all these parts, which one you interested in?

There are no BMW standard CAI's or ECU chips for the E36 and the only realistic upgrade to an exhaust with a BMW part is the M3 unit but that is VERY heavy

Originally Posted by Pirate_copy

i am so so sorry.

I was totally thinking about a different thread when i posted this (CDV thread)

I apologise unreservedly!!

I have fitted all these parts, which one you interested in?

There are no BMW standard CAI's or ECU chips for the E36 and the only realistic upgrade to an exhaust with a BMW part is the M3 unit but that is VERY heavy

My fault I suspect - I was asking re fitting cruise control and should probably have started a new thread.

on the dash board, under he mileage reader there is a little bar that reads from left to right
on the left side it says oil change and on the right it says inspection what does this mean.

also my ASC is stuck on an i cant or don't know how t turn it off can some one help.

Best post this in a separate thread mate!

The lights are for the inspection (I and II)

The little clock at the top is the brake fluid replacement indicator

How do you mean you cant turn the ASC off? do you mean there is no button on the console or the button doesn't work?

Good thread pirate

i have a asc button its right next to the shifter. it just wont do anything is sapost to be light up or what, how do i know its off. i know its on because i stops be from gassing the wheels on ice or in the snow.

the button does not light up, the light on the dash (yellow, in the middle) does when you press the button though

Alright guys, I'm new here.

I'm looking for some aftermarket mods for my hopefully soon to be 98 323is 2.5 manual.

I don't want to spend a lot of money, but I'm looking at somewhere around 220hp or as high as possible with a little bit of money, let's say a grand or a little more.

Thanks

Bump

220hp is a tall order without Forced Induction mate