Input please...

[Der Stig]

Okay, over the course of this summer, I've earned a bit of money doing various tasks. I've got around $200 and I've got some modifications that I've been looking at for my car. Obviously, I'm going to gather some more cash for the expensive stuff. Basically, if any of you have any input, I'd like to hear it.

OEM Euro-spec clear corners, side indicators and tail lights: $410 (Ouch)
ZHP Short-throw shift knob: $70
Valentine One Radar Detector: $400
Turner Motorsports Aluminum Pedals: $110

I plan to acquire all of these products over the course of my ownership of the vehicle, but I'm trying to prioritize as I have some money now. Thanks in advance.

[Spectre]

V1 >>> Shift knob >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Moons Of Jupiter>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Aluminum pedals>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Edge Of Solar System>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Clear tail lights.

[Der Stig]

Originally Posted by Spectre

V1 >>> Shift knob >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Moons Of Jupiter>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Aluminum pedals>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Edge Of Solar System>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Clear tail lights.

Christ, those moons are going to be bloody expensive...



I'll be saving my dough and picking a up a V1 then! I've heard nothing but good things about them, except the internet store/eBay being the only place to buy them.

[GRtak]

Save your money for the maintainence and tires.

[Der Stig]

Just did that recently. Rears were replaced (front set is still fresh) in November and just had my oil changed. That's why I've got some cash

[GRtak]

Well it is now July, how (in)frequently do you plan on changing oil?

[Der Stig]

Probably 5,000 miles- but in this case, I'm waiting for the 7200 miles until "Inspection 2" comes up. I don't really drive too much- it's really on holidays/summer when I drive.

[matt2000]

Originally Posted by Der Stig

OEM Euro-spec clear corners, side indicators and tail lights: $410 (Ouch)

?

[Spectre]

Except in his case it'd be this (kraut):



It being a German car and him wanting to put "Euro" lights on it.

[argatoga]

Originally Posted by Der Stig

Probably 5,000 miles- but in this case, I'm waiting for the 7200 miles until "Inspection 2" comes up. I don't really drive too much- it's really on holidays/summer when I drive.

That seems pretty long to me. I change it every 3,000 miles or every three months. Whichever comes first.

[GRtak]

5,000 miles isn't long, depending on how I am driving and what kind of oil being used. I have gone 15,000 miles between changes(synthetic, all expressway). Modern oils are far superior to those of 15+ years ago, along with the engines they go into. My DD gets it's oil changed at the 5,000 mile mark, because it is older(92) and high milage. The race car I help out on gets it's oil changed every month because it is being driven hard all the time. Of course I check the oil regularly and look for any indications that it need to be changed too(color change, smell, moisture, particles), as well as changing it myself(mostly).

[Der Stig]

Originally Posted by matt2000

?

Originally Posted by Spectre

Except in his case it'd be this (kraut):



It being a German car and him wanting to put "Euro" lights on it.

lol- I just despise the amber side indicators sticking out like a sore thumb. The clear bits are quite tasteful.
My car:


What I'm going for:


With the minute amount of driving I do during the school year, it's not really a big deal. I've driven 7k since I got the car last year and just changed the oil. The mechanic didn't say a word the whole time I was there.

EDIT: Also for consideration:
DINAN Intake

[Wade]

Radar detector? Overconfidence and speeding don't mix well! Besides, (Spectre correct me if I'm wrong) triggered speed detectors are so quick you won't have the reaction time to slow down once the thing starts beeping. And why not go for the Dinan intake first? You'll enjoy a few extra horses more than a shift knob and some white indicators.

[Cobol74]

Do not bring a car with white indicators to the UK - they are (or were - More EU stuff we do not want - illegal).

Red for brakes, White at the back for reverse, Bright Orange/Red for fog at the back, red/orange for turn signals the flash had to be a certain interval, and white for head/dipped and fog - fronts only.

[thevictor390]

Just because the indicators are clear when off does not mean they are white when lit... I'd assume they'd still be orange.

[klankymen]

Originally Posted by Der Stig

lol- I just despise the amber side indicators sticking out like a sore thumb. The clear bits are quite tasteful.
My car:


What I'm going for:


With the minute amount of driving I do during the school year, it's not really a big deal. I've driven 7k since I got the car last year and just changed the oil. The mechanic didn't say a word the whole time I was there.

EDIT: Also for consideration:
DINAN Intake

Looks much better, the yellow lights make it look like a E36... definitely go for the real lights, and not the 65mph spec lights.

[Vette Boss]

Leave everything alone and get some driving lessons instead. BMWs are about the driving experience, not stupid corner lights and silver pedals.

[Cobol74]

Vette Boss

I agree.

[Der Stig]

^ All true. I know it sounds ricey and lame that I'm looking for mainly cosmetic stuff, but my shoes slip on the rubber pedals (I have thought about removing the pads and putting on grip tape) and my shift knob is worn and a bit tall for my liking. Besides, both mods are relatively cheap. I'm no longer going to get a radar detector as I live with my parents and they cover my insurance (thankfully), so I am more than willing to make that concession.

Also, the clear lights do flash amber. It is merely the lenses that are clear. I abhor the US-spec ambers, so I wanted to do it right and get OEM European-spec lights. I would love to go to a driving school, but the Skip Barber and BMW Performance driving schools are at either end of the US and far too expensive. I've really only used the internet, especially youtube to learn about things such as double clutching. Most likely, I'm going to buy the DINAN air intake to get some extra MPG's and more powwwwwwweeeerrrrrr.

[TBoneUs]

Originally Posted by Wade

Radar detector? Overconfidence and speeding don't mix well! Besides, (Spectre correct me if I'm wrong) triggered speed detectors are so quick you won't have the reaction time to slow down once the thing starts beeping. And why not go for the Dinan intake first? You'll enjoy a few extra horses more than a shift knob and some white indicators.

You are partially right, but are missing several key points. Yes if the cop has his radar off for some time and hits you alone with instant on, you are screwed. But usually the cop will hit someone ahead of you and you will pick up the signal when they get tagged. Very good radar detectors (V1 and Passport 9500i/xi) will give you plenty of warning assuming that the radar is on. Since as a driver you should know this fact, you can plan accordingly. Lower your speed when you are alone on the road with no traffic in front. Best case scenario is that you can get behind a rabbit, someone driving quickly and preferably weaving like an idiot. Let them go ahead and trip any traps setting off your detector and giving you time to slow down. A radar detector is no substitute for vigilance and attention, but it is an indispensable tool in the drivers arsenal that can help keep you ticket free.


Now for your decision on radar detectors. First buy it on ebay, the deals are just too good. Second. I would have a look at the Passport 9500 series. While the V1 is the great choice, and has the arrows, I ended up going with the 9500. It has great range and the GPS feature is brilliant. It is so great being able to lock out all those annoying false alerts. Three clicks and that CVS door will not bother you again. But either way you will be making a wise choice.


On a different note, dont spend your money on any of those things and do like others have said and show up to the TAMSCC events this fall (or tomorrow if you read this in time) and lean to drive/have a little fun with your BMW. Then spend money on tires as you get better. I promise you will enjoy driving fast much more than any clear plastic lens caps.