New BMW Owner - Alpine White 96 318Ti - United Bimmer Community

**triple t** · 08-15-2006, 12:13 AM

Hi All,

This is my first BMW ever. It's a wedding gift from my bro. From what I gather it's in great shape for a 96 318Ti, with 93K. It's a stock car, with stock wheels, brakes, everything. I'm thinking of changing the rims and tires to 16inch rims with Bridgestone Pontenza G009 225-50-16tires from Lakeshore Wheel and Tire. So, besides the wheels, what else should I invest in for this car? Also just moved to Silicon Valley near Mountain View, California..any mechanics with good rates to recommend in the area?

**curtishead** · 08-15-2006, 05:48 AM

Welcome! Keep your old wheels. Keep all your old parts.I'm the wrong dude to ask about mod's 'cuz I like BMW's taste and engineering, but this is the place to find out what works and what doesn't. I'm not changing anything 'til I can afford to drop it off at Dinan and pick it up with a badge on it's ass!

**celsdogg** · 08-15-2006, 08:08 AM

i had potenza G009's on my last E30, excellent tires IMHO.

welcome to ub.c and the world of bimmers!

i would go with a stiffer suspension first

springs maybe, but definatly some bilstien shocks.

**Rooz** · 08-15-2006, 08:40 AM

Welcome to UB.C

As far as to what you can do to your car, just browse our "rate my car" and see what you like

witeshark · 08-15-2006, 09:52 AM

Bimmers are awesome as they come right out of the box

Welcome to UB.C

**bakaroo** · 08-15-2006, 12:19 PM

I live in Mountain View.

There's a decent shop I go to called European Autoworks for the big stuff I can't do/figure out myself (engine problems, stupid locks, dang window not working); it's off of Evelyn Ave in Mountain View.

For routine maintenance, I take my car to Quality Tune-Up in Milpitas (right off of 237) because 1) the owner is my neighbor and everything is the right price (aka free) and 2) they actually do a really good job.

If you go down Evelyn Ave. around European Autoworks, there's a bunch of automotive shops up and down the street and then you can pick one.

**triple t** · 08-15-2006, 12:23 PM

Thanks for the replies. Generally, I like to keep my cars looking close to stock, no major mods; but I'm open to ideas :-) Regarding wheels, what is offset? I'm looking at these 2 rims and the 5 spoke comes with a +47mm offset, no idea about the other one. Will a +47mm offset work on my 96 318Ti?? What do u guys think?

**mullethunter3** · 08-15-2006, 01:34 PM

For offset, I would like to steal from Dudesky (as I had the same question a month or two back)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky

(Stolen from Yokohama's website):

[IMG]

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Also, the 318 generally has an offset of 47mm.

As for worthwhile mods, imho, Bilstein Sports are a great investmest. I also own a 318is, and as our cars are not very fast, a little help in the corners goes a long way.

I actually got the biggest compilment on my car a few weeks ago when I was on a BMW drive being followed by a 1998 328is.
"What did you do to your car??? I could barely keep up with it!"
"Bilstein Sports"

**Rooz** · 08-15-2006, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triple t

Thanks for the replies. Generally, I like to keep my cars looking close to stock, no major mods; but I'm open to ideas :-) Regarding wheels, what is offset? I'm looking at these 2 rims and the 5 spoke comes with a +47mm offset, no idea about the other one. Will a +47mm offset work on my 96 318Ti?? What do u guys think?

Send a PM to HABBIE
He sells some CSL wheels, they would look good on your car.