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Looks nice as is. And it’s something you don’t see everyday on an e46 sedan. If you have matte black grills and matte black window trims I say go for it. If glossy black, then maybe consider gloss black trims?Quote:
Originally Posted by Prestovie
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I totally agree, it’s felt like something has been missing for awhile, especially considering the rear lower bumper trim is also TiAg which I’ve seen in gloss black that looks much betterQuote:
Originally Posted by 704sw
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That’s what I’m afraid of is looking like any one 325i on the road. Both my kidneys and window trim is gloss, I like the idea of more gloss, been meaning to also paint my mirrors gloss black to matchQuote:
Originally Posted by L0veZHP
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My vote goes for black trim. I like the contrast.
Black.
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I vote black as well! Quick question, I’m planning to invest in a set of winter tires. Should I buy these for $400 or invest in a set of Bridgestone for $200 more. I didn’t expect winter tires to be so expensive. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b9d67b1dff.png I couldn’t find any review on these Hankooks but Bridgestone has plenty of reviews. I have Bridgestone summer tires.
Quote:
Originally Posted by L0veZHP
Never skimp on tires, the most crucial safety aspect of your car. If there aren't any reviews of the Hankook but plenty on the Bridgestone, go for the Bridgestone.
I've had a couple of sets of Bridgestone winter tires and can attest to how awesome they are.
Only part of the car designed to touch the ground.Quote:
Originally Posted by az3579
Bridgestone, Nokian, or go home.Quote:
I've had a couple of sets of Bridgestone winter tires and can attest to how awesome they are.
I can vouch for Bridgestone, highly recommend the Blizzak WS-80’s
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Good explanation guys. I currently have Bridgestone summer tires. I guess I’ll be picking up the Bridgestone winter tires as well.
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At one point I had only Bridgestone tires... lolQuote:
Originally Posted by L0veZHP
S-04's for the summer daily set, RE-11's for the track, and LM-25's for the winter.
My next set (probably ordering tomorrow) are practically Bridgestone RE003's... I'll be ordering the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 to replace my summer tires. If I didn't have to make the trip to Ohio next week, I wouldn't be ordering summer tires yet, but... do what you gotta do. :(
Thoughts on matte vs gloss black for the trim? I don’t think I’ve seen an e46 with gloss black trim before, but maybe everyone’s missing out?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Prestovie
Matte. Gloss would chip too easily and look a lot worse when it does chip.
I don't recommend skimping on tires, but I "skimped" on winter tires. I have the General Altmax Arctic tires. The reviews were positive especially for the price. Going back, I would get the 225s over the 205 width tires. Last winter, we only had a few snow days. But I also read that the pros and cons of going narrower in the winter aren't that clear cut...except pricing.
That said Continental Wintercontact tires seem to rank pretty well and are cheaper than WS-80s. It's worth it to poke around reading reviews. Some of them might be on European sites as they seem to be a bit more serious about winter tires.
Ah I forgot about the chipping, I probably won’t even have to paint the trim pieces(though I probably should and will) because it’s matte black underneath the paint right now. Just strip it and sand it downQuote:
Originally Posted by az3579
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Heard good things about Firestone Indy 500 tires. Will probably be my next set of tires as well :thumbsupQuote:
Originally Posted by az3579
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I like the tread pattern. Though I don't think it's as good in the wet as the best performers.Quote:
Originally Posted by san
I have Michelin PSS now and they are really bad in the rain. Drive over any standing water and there is just no grip. The dws 06 I had earlier were just awesome. I know they are completely different types of tires for different purposes but the difference is quite surprising.Quote:
Originally Posted by holyc0w
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yeah, i'm thinking about these for the X3 next spring, too. they actually come in the size i am looking for (235/55/18 or 245/50/19... depending on what wheels i run), and the price is good.Quote:
Originally Posted by san
that's weird. i find PSS amazing in the rain. i couldn't stand driving on DWS... i drove a ZHP with them (stock 18" sizes) and they were so squirmy.Quote:
Originally Posted by san
What batteries does everyone use in their cars nowadays? I replaced my OE BMW Battery 5+ years ago with a Duralast 49-DL. Is this still the go to battery? Is there something better to go with now?
Car is rough starting this past week and with the drop in temperature this morning it barely started. Without checking (I don't have a multimeter) I'm guessing its the old battery, and if it isn't the battery it needs to be replaced anyway.
That's probably just because they're worn. The PSS' were amazing in the wet when mine weren't worn.Quote:
Originally Posted by san
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My experience, as well. Plenty of times dealing with standing water on my commute with aplomb.Quote:
Originally Posted by az3579
Agreed. I've had plenty of sets of PSS on several cars and they have all been outstanding in the rain/standing water.Quote:
Originally Posted by az3579
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I bought a Duralast Gold 94R-DLG a few years ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by Newjack
My PSS are great in the rain. I've heard of people tracking PSS in the rain.Quote:
Originally Posted by san
It works fine? No issues?Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWCurves
I remember when I got the 49-DL and pretty much everyone was going with it.
I don't think the 49-DL exists anymore. I remember looking for one but couldn't find one anywhere, so I ended up going with the 94R-DLG. I've had zero problems with it. It has more CCA than my factory battery. Replacing my 10-year old factory battery also helped solve my speaker pop issue.Quote:
Originally Posted by Newjack
It is on the pricey side though, I think I paid $165?
From the research I've done, the 49-DL battery was an H8, and has been superseded by the H8-DLG. It has 50 more CCA and the same CA according to Autozones website.Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWCurves
I remember some people saying the 49-DL was shorter than the stock battery and needed to be braced in a bit for proper fitment, but I never had that issue. The H8-DLG has the exact same dimensions as the 49-DL so I think this is what I'll go with. The other batteries being recommended on Autzones website were $200, this one is $155.
The other batteries don't have the same CCA as the H8-DLG either, and I live in a cold climate so I will definitely need the help.
References
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...9#post26987539
http://bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/1063211
My PSS were fine when I drove them in the rain once 2 years ago. Hehe
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Every aftermarket auto-store brand battery I've had lasted less than 3 years. I will probably stick to OE batteries going forward.
I've had my car since 2010 and I'm replacing my battery for the third time. lol
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Wow. Auto Zone or Advance Auto?Quote:
Originally Posted by az3579
I bought my 49-DL 6 years ago and it still worksQuote:
Originally Posted by az3579
Can anyone recommend where to find gloss black kidney grilles? I know they're becoming more and more rare....
With as difficult to find as they’re becoming (and expensive), I wonder if we’ll start becoming better off painting chrome grilles with proper black paint and clear coat. Probably less than $40 in supplies and some patience, and I’d think the outcome could be just as good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yankeefan
Prep/sand/prime on Friday after work, hit with coats of black paint during college football commercial breaks on Saturday, hit with coats of clear coat during NFL commercial breaks on Sunday. Bring inside Sunday night, let cure 30 days, done. It of course would help to have an extra pair of chrome grilles to work on, so you don’t drive around without for 33 days.
I literally just bought some off ebay for $20 the other day. Quality is pretty good for the price. They just have these little nubs on the back of the grills from being pulled out of the molding that need to be removed/sanded down and they will be fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yankeefan
I bought some from Khoalty years ago and they worked great, but eventually broke after a couple years.
I wouldn't mind getting a nice pair of glossy piano black grills, but the OEM ones are ridiculously expensive.
My non-OEM batteries have never had any problem. Not sure where you can find quality gloss black grills anymore.
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AutoZone.Quote:
Originally Posted by ELCID86
Your climate is pretty kind on batteries lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnrando
I got this one a few months ago. Looks like the price has gone up due to demand. I paid $148 with a $30 off coupon.Quote:
Originally Posted by Newjack
ACDelco 94RAGM Professional AGM Automotive BCI Group 94R Battery https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006N91C2M..._L2b5zbJQQQSFN
Cool, if it's that cheap there's no risk in giving it a shot. I may buy a pair and report back.Quote:
Originally Posted by Newjack