New Owner! Not really sure what to do next.

[nsardello]

Hey guys! I just recently turned 17 and as a present got my first car, a black 2011 128i. I had been driving my dads 2010 Mazda 3 Hatchback (Which I still respect completely after driving one, its not a bad car at all) but I now have my first real car that is my own. I've always loved cars and been into anything car related , and the first thing I did was start looking at forums like 1addicts and bimmerforums etc. and noticed how many things people do to their cars after they get them and how many 135i m sports with this and that and such there are out there. I would like to start doing some of these types of things to my little 128 as well, but as you could guess Im not exactly out working for a yearly salary at 17 yet (Im still a junior in high school :/). So I guess it'd be cool for some advice on how you guys started out when you first got your car. (Parents also think doing anything aftermarket to my car is a terrible idea, but id like to do any exterior modifications and possibly interior and engine too, but like I said I don't exactly have a huge income to spend on such things). Anyway, just thought Id kinda see how all this stuff works as I'm pretty new to owning such a car. Let me know what you guys think!

[Pissoff]

I would go rear sub frame bushing inserts first. Then you can build and change from there. Inserts are not expensive, and will make a handling improvement.

[Yeineken]

Suspension/handling > power. My moto.

You can find a few exterior mods on eBay for good prices.

[Enovoc]

Welcome to the forums! For cosmetics I would say new wheels, smoked side markers, tints, and lowering springs. Make sure you do your research before you starting modding with certain parts you may need to throw down extra money. Since your parents dont like aftermarket parts I would focus on cosmetics only. Enjoy your new car drive it stock for a while just to get a feel of it than you can decide whats missing.

[PA135i]

It's good advice to it drive for a while. I have had a 128i as a loaner and the car is much faster then I thought. It's pretty quick. You may not want or need to add any more power.

Stick to cosmetics for now and take your time and get what you really want. Nothing worse than spending money on something and later wish you had chosen something different. Enjoy it.... good luck

Shit, when I was 17 my first car was 17 years old. A 1960 Chevrolet Bel Aire, black, no power nothing. But cost me $165 lol

[edisapimp]

Originally Posted by NickS2098

Let me know what you guys think!

I think you're a fortunate kid to have parents who are willing to shell out money to buy you a car, let alone a BMW - if they don't want you to mod, you can thank them for their present by being reverent, and not modding.

Second - welcome to the forums, it's a great community.

[rrinker]

Honestly? Get used to the driving dynamics and just build driving experience at this point. At 17 you can't have been driving for long, and no matter how responsible you may say you are, experience counts for a lot. Even the stock 128i has enough power to get you in trouble. I would stick to practical cosmetic additions and not even think about performance mods at this point.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by rrinker

Honestly? Get used to the driving dynamics and just build driving experience at this point. At 17 you can't have been driving for long, and no matter how responsible you may say you are, experience counts for a lot. Even the stock 128i has enough power to get you in trouble. I would stick to practical cosmetic additions and not even think about performance mods at this point.

This makes a lot of sense.

[TheCaptain]

Check out the BMW black grilles, they aren't too expensive and they look pretty good on a black car. You can pick them up at getbmwparts.com

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472208

[ChiBimmer]

Wireless Bluetooth audio. $10.

Patuoxun USB Bluetooth Stereo Audio Music Receiver Adapter for iPhone Ipod 3.5mm Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GZGQBTM..._ab1yvb1AF3Y6K

[Gray_Panther]

Originally Posted by rrinker

Honestly? Get used to the driving dynamics and just build driving experience at this point. At 17 you can't have been driving for long, and no matter how responsible you may say you are, experience counts for a lot. Even the stock 128i has enough power to get you in trouble. I would stick to practical cosmetic additions and not even think about performance mods at this point.

This car is fast and I would stick to learning how to drive it well enough so that you won't regret any experiences.

When my parents bought me my GTi I started by blacking out the grill and sidemarkers, then added 337 bodykit and wing and finally went ahead with HID projector retrofit.

I would look at black kidney grills and ebays performance spoiler for 88$.

Have fun and enjoy!!! You have great parents! And is it manual?

[ShocknAwe]

Just drive the car man! You are very lucky to be 17 and a super nice car like that. Enjoy it and don't rice it up.

I'd say save your money, and spend it on a BMW car control course. Start autocrossing. Stuff like that. There is no replacement for skill.

[Jettt]

Ur car is nicer than ur dad's.

[inFamousKicks]

Nice! A few years ago, I was just like you, eager to mod my first car. But now, I'd recommend just enjoy driving it and the mods will come slowly and eventually. Taking time to read through countless threads will really help educate yourself and narrow down your choices.

[NorthernDancer]

Learn to drive your car well; to me that means joining BMWCCA and taking one of their 1 day driving schools (or [much cheaper] their street Survival School). I have a 128 too, much older than you; only changes are a BMW performance exhaust and really good summer performance tires. Good Luck

[brocklanders]

My only advice is before you do anything post on this forum, when I was 18 I wasted money on dumb s#/! just to trash or sell the car and lose all that was put into it. Cosmetic "mods" are great it makes your car yours, but the bottom line is no one else even notices.

[3002 tii]

Sign up for car control, auto-x and eventually HPDE

Then buy my oem BMW performance shocks, pair with springs of your choice and install subframe inserts. Ditch run flats once they're worn down and go to non-rft

[3002 tii]

PS don't street race, it's stupid and you'll probably lose (these cars were not built for drag).

[PopsnBurbles]

You can do relatively cheap, subtle things like grills, floor mats (all weather, if you haven't already). That may limit you to mostly cosmetic but some of them are actually useful like floor mats, short shift kits, and pedals. That is if you truly want to mod/"personalize" your ride without your parents knowing or think the things you've done are a big deal. At this point, I'd respect my parents' wish of not modding the car.

But really, know the car first...know it very well, the way it pulls, steers, handles, size, everything. You don't have to rush to know it all ASAP...just get an idea. Once you have an idea + enough experience with the car + reasonably mature driver, you can then look into real performance mods (suspension, tires, power, etc.). By this point, you should have some cash to start the actual modding. Really, how will you know what to add unless you figure out what's missing?

Personally, 230 all motor horses is more than enough for street driving and enough to have fun in places where you can have fun. The 128i is a nimble car that is highly capable in most departments. Power would be the last thing I'd be looking at.

[6MT_Addict]

+1 for getting to know the car.

Not to go sounding alarm bells, but read up on what you need to do to maintain the car, and the known engine faults, which will need $$ to fix down the road. The waterpump for example.

Learn:

A. How the car drives/handles compared to what you know already.

B. How to drive the car 'enthusiastically' in a safe manner

C. How to maintain and care for the car long term, including how to perform oil changes and other routine maintenance (hell of a lot cheaper to DIY, and I prefer Castrol 0W-30 or Mobil 0W-40 to the OEM oil)

D. How to fix it when something goes wrong

Once you know all of the above, look into modifications. It might be a sweet looking ride all decked out, but it wont do jack all sitting on a driveway while you save up $$ for parts to get it back on the road.

But if you have a 6MT and not automatic, get the BMS short throw clutch stop. $10, still my favourite mod.
Anyway, welcome, enjoy the car, and post pics already!

[swagon]

Screw car mods and get driver mods. Drive, drive, drive and attend driving schools as some suggested. Learn how to look after your car, too.

Drive responsibly, have fun and congrats.

[SD_E88]

Hey dude! Congratulations on the 128! You're a lucky kid.

As far as cosmetic mods go make sure you keep it legal... Not sure what the laws are in TX but at your age you do not want anything on that car that will call attention to you. Whatever mod will be the reason for stopping you and then starts the fun...

Please follow the advise of the above members. Drive lots. Enroll in a driving school. Don't street race. Your parents are already so scared of what could happen to you out there. Don't do anything to that will end up confirming their worst fears. I know you feel like you know so much but you just cannot possess the kind of driving experience you need to really be safe out there...yet.

Good luck dude!!! Happy motoring.