 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| JUNE 2004: Just Acquired 1995 318i M42 |
| FALL 2005 : BMW Keyless Entry, New Rims & Tires, E46 Grill |
| SPRING 2005: 6K HID Xenons & TOM TOM GO GPS navigation |
 |
| WHAT'S NEXT??? Chrome Tail Pipe Trim, M3 Diffuser, Paint Detailing, Brakes...& lots more FALL 2005: coming soon Thanks for viewing the CalypsoRed BMW page... |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| AUGUST 2005: FOOTWELL LIGHTS/NEW LEATHER INTERIOR |
| JUNE 2005: New Paint & SideSkirts, Speakers & Door Panels |
| WINTER 2005 : New paint, Fog Lights, WoodTrim Interior |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The first thing this car needed was tires. and whiles looking for tires I was lucky to get a brand new set of Michelin Pilots packaged with OEM Alloy Rondell Y spoke Rims that came off a 2003 Z3 car on Ebay (for only $400). Next, I purchased a new Master Flip Key Fob Unit to supplement the aftermarket Keyless Alarm System I had put in the day I bought the car home. During the Summer I had gotten new brakes, an Air Mass Sensor, Full Service Inspection and Interior Spa Detail, New Weather Stripping Trim, New SRS Airbag swich, New Ignition Cylinder Housing and extra keys at the BMW Of Manhattan Dealership ($$$). I also registered the car there for future servicing and Emergency Assistance. I also replaced the 1995 style E36 grill panels with 1998 and up E36/E46 style full chrome BMW grill panels. |
| The story goes I needed a car during June 2004 as I had moved into my new place in New Jersey and needed something better than my legs. At the time, I had about $5,000 saved up and extra dough loaned out from the bank. I had rented Chevy Malibus in the past and that was my top pick. I also wanted to check out Mazda's Millenia 2000 cars and SAAB 9.3 hatchback that were in my price range BMWs were always my dream car especially the E36 3 series and the E39 5 series sedans. However, I didn't think I had the budget yet for a BMW. I searched the web and at the advice of a friend I figured I would check auto aucton dealerships.... |
| Next Up, I was tired of the weakness of the stock 318i halogen light package and wanted HIDs but I only had money at the time for foglights. So I got OE Depo Brand Glass Euro Fogs. Around that time, I got my fender scraped by a MTA city bus and their insurance gave me a new paint job to the entire front of the car and the passenger side doors. I also got a wood trim steering wheel and a burlwood auto shifter installed. I've since remove the steering wheel wood trim because it didn't match the shifter and it looked cheap and out of place in the BMW's austere cabin. |
| Sold some junk on Ebay and was able to finally pay for 6000 color/temp HIDs packaged with BMW OEM EURO ZKWs glass projector ellipsiods. The package also included Daytime Running Lights and Separate steel anchor Ballasts Boxes for each HID bulb. What this does is tranfer the 12 volts used from the battery into 12,000 volts inorder for the bulbs to turn on. Once on the HID bulbs burn colder than Halogens and use less voltage and energy. Not even the new BMW 2006 E90 325i BMW comes with this package. It has to be special ordered as an option. The lights look awesome, but whats better they work awesome. Visibilty is incredible...and I've increase the re-sale value of my car by about 20%. This is probably one of the best mod I could have done for this car. Around the time I also had extra dough and picked up a TOM TOM GO navigation GPS system for the car. I needed this since I love road trips and exploring new places. I believe since then to now the TOM TOM had paid for itself with the money saved on gas that would have been wasted from getting lost. What I like about the TOM TOM is that is it cordless (it charges like a cell phone),It has voice control and loud direction, and it compliment the car's cabin and dash.It also has all the maps and can be modified to give you traffic information and top spots where Highway patrol cops hide. |
| The footwell lights were probably one of the most annoying mods. At $15.00 the OEM BMW kit is really cheap and the Do-It-Yourself directions seem straightforward enough, but the labor was intensive since my battery kept dying. Anyway my buddy at his shop took about 8 hours to put them in, left my interior in a mess, and charged me $180 for the labor. At least they work and they look good and are functional so they add re-sale value. The leather interior was another great EBAY steal (the best steal since I got the wheel package a year ago). I originally wanted to re-upholster the dirty and shredding cloth seats that came with the car (YES some BMWs do have cloth interior packages!) with new sports leather that would have cost me $700 at www.leatherseats.com plus labor (and after my buddy charged $180 for footwell light labor, there was no way I was going back to him to do this) So I spent lots of time on EBAY and found rear leather seats for $260 and the front seats for $130 all new off a 1998 318i. I was pleased the condition and color all coordinate with the door panels and are immaculate. I probably just doubled the resale value with this upgrade. I installed them myself and I plan on selling the old cloths right back on ebay and try to get 50-70% of my money back. |
 |
 |
| Acidentally found these on Ebay; two speaker tan leather panels, virtually brand new condition from a 1998 328i sedan I won them for $160. The also had new two speakers on each door, so I got a bonus in the upgrade. Resale value is also increased! My old coth panels were realy old and dirty but I still re-sold them back on Ebay for $120. My luck- I discovered there is a market for BMW cloth interior parts. Anyway, I made close to 95% of my money back. That is why I love Ebay! |
| The paint job and skirts were on the insurance of a woman who hit me whiles swerving her SUV all over the road. The hood, and driver's side doors, fenders and rear panel were painted and I got new sideskirts. All the work was done at the BMW Dealership Collision center. |
 |
| So at the State Auto Dealer- ship, I tested a Camry 2 Malibus,3 Millenias, and briefly sat in 2 SAABs, before I saw this little shiney red, clean, one owner 318i stting on the lot next to the Camry. I couldn't believe it was in my price range as well. I got into it and I was sold instantly. Everything felt right, the seat comfort the controls, the engine, everything...I couldn't believe I was about to buy my dream car. At the time I had no knowledge about cars, much less BMW E36s, but I took a chance and bought it and I went to the BMW of Manhattan Dealers to get the car fully serviced and inspected the following week. I also joined up with www.BMW-forums.com to learn more about maintaining and upgrading my new used 318i. So, I must credit that site and the members and staff there for most of the ideas and stuff I have done to this car. ENJOY the Progression!!! |
 |