| Cosmetic Modifications |
All the cosmetic modifications I have done are with genuine BMW parts from Germany.
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BMW Motorsport Rear Spoiler
The rear spoiler was the first cosmetic modification I did to my car. I actually ordered the spoiler with the car itself. I had seen it on a ti at the dealership and thought it looked really cool, but thought it would be silly to spend the money for it when there were other options I wanted. I originally negotiated a price for the car with metallic paint, but ended up deciding on Jet Black (and DAMN glad I did) so rather than renegotiate the price, I asked if we could just substitute the spoiler for the paint and my salesman said fine. I think that I actually came out a bit ahead. :)
This spoiler is 318ti/316i-specific. I think that especially the Sport model with the 16" wheels looks great with this part. It is very subtle yet adds some little necessary length to the car that many people complain it is missing, and just sort of completes it. Plus the ///M badge on the back is really cool. ;-) Though BMW says that following about it: "Gives a customized, sporty look and optimized road handling", I think that it is mostly for aesthetics.
Check out some spoiler pictures.
M3 Lower Front Spoiler Lip
This spoiler lip comes stock on the E36 M3. It's a flat black plastic piece that mounts underneath the front spoiler and juts out a couple of inches and looks very cool. Since the 318ti Sport has the same front air dam/spoiler as the M3, this part bolts right on. Like the spoiler, this part adds a nice subtle touch to the car.
Check out some lip photos.
Clear Turn Signal Indicator Lenses
The clear indicator lenses I got from Turner Motorsport. They are genuine BMW parts from Germany and I think that make the car look much nicer as opposed to the stock amber ones. The headlights seem to almost wrap around the front of the car now, where they used to stop at the amber corner lights. They make the car basically look sleeker and more aggressive overall. The only countries that I know where BMWs come stock with these are Germany and Australia. As far as I know the big reason for having the amber lenses in the US is due to a DOT (US Department of Transportation) regulation. Stupid. :)
Check out some comparison pictures.
Illuminated Shift Knob
The illuminated shift knob is probably the most useless modification I have done, but it is so damn cool! This is actually the knob that came on the M5. Normally it looks just like the knob faceplate of the 5 speed grid with the ///M emblem in the middle, but when you turn the lights on, the grid and ///M illuminate a red color. I was hoping it would be the amber of the rest of the dash lights, but it is the red of the hazard light button. Still totally cool. It wires right into the harness behind the dash and will come on with the parking lights and even work with the dimmer. The easiest way to wire it in is to tap into the cigarette lighter wires, but I decided to pay to have it wired right into the harness. As much of a novelty this is, if you take it off or drive another without this at night, all of a sudden you realize that something is missing....
Check out some details and photos at Ron Stygar's web site at Dale's Unofficial BMW site.