Paul's German

[Paul.M]

Most of you will remember my st which I have recently sold:

after front by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

After this sold I was rolling around in a 1.4 fiesta to enable me to save more towards my house deposit

IMG_1217 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

However I didn't get on with the black fiesta at all, coming from the ST to it was just horrible, it needed the cambelt doing this year along with quite a lot of other work, recently I've been working my arse off up and down the country so I decided to treat myself to something nice to drive again, I've wanted an E46 for a while so I set about finding one, I was originally looking for a cheapish saloon so that I wouldn't be spending too much but whilst I was browsing autotrader at work I saw this one just down the road in preston, went to look at it took it for a quick drive and bought it there and then.

2005 BMW 318ci M-Sport
102k
Full service history
Factory bluetooth

The car is in great condition, theres not a mark on the inside at all, it needs a new passenger foglight at the front but other than that its pretty spot on.

Dealer pics:

Dealer pic 1 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

Dealer pic 2 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

Dealer pic 3 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

Sorry about the terrible pictures & it needs a wash badly but I'm bored so thought I would start my thread off:

IMG_1324 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1325 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1326 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1327 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1328 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1329 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1330 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1332 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

A quick photoshop of how I would love it to look:

Photoshop by theycallmepaul, on Flickr[/quote]

The changes will come in phases

First:
Full Service Done
Full detail
Upgrade the lighting
Aero wipers Done
Ipod aux cable (Bit awkward with having the bluetooth but im working on it)
Decent tyres Bought
Full Alignment Will be done when tyres are fitted

Second:
Eibach springs (not too sure which ones yet)

Third:
Some sort of wheels

 

[Paul.M]

After work Wednesday I fitted my aero wipers

IMG_2282 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

The fog that needs replacing, currently keeping an eye out for another one.

IMG_2284 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

I also gave the car a quick clean, which I am never doing again after the gym, the mv2's might look good but they are a pain to clean!

IMG_2286 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

 

[Paul.M]

Today I went to get 4 new tyres fitted and my tracking/ alignment done

Started off well, the difference in width between the front and back:

IMG_2314[1] by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

Took me ages but I got them all in the back of the car:

IMG_2321[1] by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

During:

IMG_2329[1] by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

But then we hit a snag the tyre machine has recently been replaced with a new one of lesser quality so the arm wasn't holding where it should be and this forced the metal 'blade' onto the actual rim which would have no doubt caused damage so we didnt risk it, round two at a different garage on monday hopefully.

 

[Jon.G]

Looks good Paul, Always liked that colour.

I picked up some replacement foglights from ebay, they're non-genuine, but they're just as good. £40 for the set. FYI a single new one from BMMiniParts is £75+.

You're lucky having a facelift as you can simply wire in a aux cable, as you should already have a plug for it. Mines an early '02 plate and the nav unit doesn't have any aux input, so I need to buy one that taps into the CD Changer. There are a few options you could look at, Dice Electronics, Dension Gateway and the best (if you have a nav unit) is the Intravee II.

 

[Naith]

Looks great that paul.

​Really oem and tidy. I'd love one for a daily, probably diesel mind.

 

[philmots]

I was going to say it sits high at the back NS.. Almost like a spring may of snapped at some point and they've replaced it with the wrong one.

No issue as you're getting Eibachs. I'd just get the Pro kit, looks nice without being obvious. I'd not change the wheels either.

Nice car.

 

[b1lly]

Nice clean example.

It's a small world I bought my megane cup from him last year lol

 

[Herr Flick]

Nice car, I had a 318 when i was 18. Was slow but a very nice all round car.

Mine was abit more 'chav' tho. Lol.

 

[jesus]

Looks good Paul, nice colour

 

[Paul.M]

Looks good Paul, Always liked that colour.

I picked up some replacement foglights from ebay, they're non-genuine, but they're just as good. £40 for the set. FYI a single new one from BMMiniParts is £75+.

You're lucky having a facelift as you can simply wire in a aux cable, as you should already have a plug for it. Mines an early '02 plate and the nav unit doesn't have any aux input, so I need to buy one that taps into the CD Changer. There are a few options you could look at, Dice Electronics, Dension Gateway and the best (if you have a nav unit) is the Intravee II.

Nice one thanks Jon Ill keep an eye out for some then, I've message rory (I think) on E46zone about sorting out an aux cable so hopefully that will be sorted soon.

Looks great that paul.

​Really oem and tidy. I'd love one for a daily, probably diesel mind.

Cheers naith, I looked at a 320d identical to this for pretty much the same price but it was no way near as tidy, tbh although people don't rate the 318's it seems to be doing everything I need at the minute, enough go to keep up with traffic and once moving on the motorway I dont notice the difference anyway, its great on fuel too for what it is.

Hope everything is going well for you.

I was going to say it sits high at the back NS.. Almost like a spring may of snapped at some point and they've replaced it with the wrong one.

No issue as you're getting Eibachs. I'd just get the Pro kit, looks nice without being obvious. I'd not change the wheels either.

Nice car.

Cheers for the insight Ill check that out!

Nice clean example.

It's a small world I bought my megane cup from him last year lol

He had some great cars there when I went to get this too, no issues at all with dealing with him.

Nice car, I had a 318 when i was 18. Was slow but a very nice all round car.

Mine was abit more 'chav' tho. Lol.

We've all been there! It's certainly not going to win any traffic light gp's but it will do me for a while.

Looks good Paul, nice colour

Cheers jamie, hope all is good with the trophy.

 

[Kneel]

Nice car

 

[MarcoB]

Nice motor! If you set the tyre machine an inch higher it probably won't touch the rim you know?

CS definitely needs to change it's name, or there needs to be another section for BMs!

 

[DB.]

Another BMW on here! Very nice regardless!

 

[DanielJames]

Nice car!!

How come your new tyres are different tread patterns?!

 

[Paul.M]

Nice motor! If you set the tyre machine an inch higher it probably won't touch the rim you know?

CS definitely needs to change it's name, or there needs to be another section for BMs!

I didn't have a clue about that no whoops!

Another BMW on here! Very nice regardless!

Thanks a lot, I didn't think it would go down too well on here with it just being a 4 pot.

Nice car!!

How come your new tyres are different tread patterns?!

Cheers!

I was pressed for time when ordering and trying to find 4 FK452's in the staggered sizes was a nightmare (All the bmw lads seem to run them) so in the end I got 452's for the rear and put RS2's up front, not ideal but they will do for now.




The tyres are now all on and the car has been fully aligned, which combined with the full service has made it drive brilliantly I'm really enjoying it.

 

[Paul.M]

I took the car up to the lakes this weekend, it performed faultlessly with 3 people and a boot full of luggage

A few pics:

IMG_1373 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1367 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1362 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1361 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1361 BW by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

The car its self seems to be doing everything I want it too quite well at the minute, I'm really enjoying it.

 

[jesus]

Cracking photos Paul.

 

[Paul.M]

Cracking photos Paul.

Thanks jamie, hope all is well with the trophy.


My list is slowly getting there now.

First:

Full Service Done
Full detail
Upgrade the lighting
Aero wipers Done
Ipod aux cable
Decent tyres Fitted
Full Alignment Done

 

[Jon.G]

What are you thinking, lighting wise?

 

[DanielJames]

Cheers!

I was pressed for time when ordering and trying to find 4 FK452's in the staggered sizes was a nightmare (All the bmw lads seem to run them) so in the end I got 452's for the rear and put RS2's up front, not ideal but they will do for now.




The tyres are now all on and the car has been fully aligned, which combined with the full service has made it drive brilliantly I'm really enjoying it.

I remember when I bought mine the front left tyre was a budget

When I changed all for for matching vredsteins the difference was amazing. The car drove like nothing I had driven before! Are RS2s Nankang?

​New pics are nice bud -

 

[Paul.M]

What are you thinking, lighting wise?

Im just want something a bit whiter, its got the projector lenses so I may look into these anti-glare hid kits? Ive not read too much about them, ill probably just go for a set of nightbreakers or something for now, then led lights for the number plates etc just to smarten it up a bit

 

[Paul.M]

I remember when I bought mine the front left tyre was a budget

When I changed all for for matching vredsteins the difference was amazing. The car drove like nothing I had driven before! Are RS2s Nankang?

​New pics are nice bud -

Thanks buddy, the rs2's are uniroyal rainsport 2's they come pretty highly rated by a lot of people, by no means budgets but I still would have liked to source four of the falkens, I can also tell the difference from changing off the budgets too, someone had looked after the car brilliantly its had everything done its needed... Then they stuck budgets on the back at potenza's on the front work that one out!

 

[Russ_16v]

It does look a fantastic car, colour suits it so well

 

[Jon.G]

I think its possibly one of my favorite colours!

 

[Paul.M]

I've finally had some time to get productive on the car today.

I changed the headlight bulbs to Nightbreakers, fitted led numberplate lights, sprayed my kidney grills satin black, gave the car a mini detail and sealed my wheels.

Anyway a few pics:

The sky this morning, it nearly put me off but it cleared quite nicely:

IMG_1411 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

Before spraying my grills:

IMG_1419 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

Headlights out:

IMG_1414 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1415 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

During:

IMG_1422 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1423 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

Nice sealed wheels (Tyre shine was applied after the picture don't panic):

IMG_1425 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

Back together:

IMG_1430 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

I also had some osram diadems to replace the indicator bulbs however they were totally the wrong size so ill have to order some silver bulbs and fit them another time.

Thanks

Paul

 

[Sir_Dave]

I really don't get the obsession with spraying the grilles black? Just ruins it imho.

But if you're happy

 

[Paul.M]

I wasn't too sure about spraying them myself at first either dave, but for now I like them, a few weeks down the line I may feel differently but I'll cross that bridge if I come to it.

Thanks for the comment.

 

[Jon.G]

I've played with the idea so many times, but I do actually like the Chrome Kidneys.

 

[Paul.M]

Yup you guessed it more pictures of a standard coupe for you.



I got bored the other night so thought I would go out and try a few shots locally:

IMG_1524 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1530 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1534 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1544 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1545 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1570 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1577 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr

IMG_1578 by theycallmepaul, on Flickr



Tax, Mot and insurance are all due next month along with a trip out to the ring then after that I'll start working on tidying her up a bit.

 

[montana]

Nice car

When are you taking it to the ring out of interest?

 

[Paul.M]

Nice car

When are you taking it to the ring out of interest?

thank you!

We're heading out for the bank holiday weekend, I couldnt tell you what dates exactly as its been organised through a forum my friend is on, the beemer is staying at home at the minute and we're taking his panda 100 which should be a great laugh!