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325ci.com » My 325Ci » Mods & Specs

My 325Ci Mods & Specs

The day I took delivery, I installed the alarm and clears, thanks to the great instructions on BMW330Ci.com. I also removed the ugly visor airbag warning labels and a "non-BMW parts/accessories" warning label on the windshield. As for decals (since that's an important mod, ha ha [insert smirk here]), I put a little BMW CCA sticker on the rear driver side window and that's the only sticker/decal that's going on my car (well, and those two annoying, required NY State Registration and Inspection stickers). I took off the front license plate and bracket and plan on filling the hole, or maybe I'll put a blank logo plate there. Maybe I'll get a personalized plate instead.

After months of research, I finally decided on buying an Escort Passport 8500 (over the Valentine 1) with Visor Clip and Direct Wire SmartCord, which direct-wired to my car (without the remote display unit, for now). I also added an electronic deer warning system (Deer Alert) to my car (not the wind-activated cheap kind). Maybe I'll debadge my car. (Bimmers I saw in Europe were almost all debadged for some reason, and it looked pretty clean that way). I plan on keeping the car pretty much stock for a few years, or until the warranty period is over, since I have other places to spend and invest my money. Of course, if money wasn't a factor, things would be much different-- for one, I would be driving an E46 M3 Cabrio... :)

Current accessories and modifications:
Cosmetic

• Euro clear lens covers (front, side, rear), with DIY silver-painted bulbs
• BMW floor mats (velcro lock-downs), BMW floor mats (standard lock-down) [yes, i have 2 sets of floor mats!]
• Removal of front license plate and bracket. Personalized (vanity) plate in rear.
• BMW CCA and NYBMWCCA decals, on rear windows
• Roundel logo ABS plastic valve caps

Electronic

• BMW Factory Alarm
• Escort Passport 8500 radar detector, direct-wired
• DesignTech Deer Alert animal warning system
• EZ-PASS with suction cup mounting bracket

Performance/Sport

• 17x8" BBS RK rims with 225/45ZR17 Kumho V700 Victoracer tires, heat-cycled (for Autocross / Solo II only). Weight, mounted: 43 lbs.
• Bieffe Jet Auto Snell SA2001-rated helmet, size
• Winter wheels/tires: 16x7.5" MIM Venezia alloy (5-spoke) with 215/55R16 Michelin Arctic Alpin

Car Care/Maintenance

• Griot's Garage car care products: Car Wash, Speed Shine, Best of Show Wax, Wheel Cleaner, Interior Cleaner, Rubber and Vinyl Dressing, Sheepskin Mitt, Boar's Hair Brush, Microfiber Mitt, 100% Cotton Cloths, Synthetic Chamois, Hand Waxing Pads and Holder [read review]
• California Water Blade
• Rain-X Glass Treatment and Anti-Fog [read review]
• Airman Lion Portable Air Compressor
• Schumacher Manual Battery Charger / Starter
• Griot's Garage Liquid Extractor
• Craftsman 2 1/4 ton Floor Jack
• Craftsman Torque Wrench with Craftsman metric deep socket set
• Digital Tire Gauge

Future accessories and modifications:
Cosmetic

• BMW Leather shift boot
• WeatherTech Classic Premium rubber mats and Cargo Liner
• Cupholder replacement. Replace with cellphone holder or cubby, or Fischer CD Holder (Fischer C-Box, Part #607274)
• Ashtray conversion into cubby or candy dispensers (DIY)
• Chrome Exhaust Tips

Electronic

• Center dash console button panel DIY hack (where DSC button is now): buttons for various functions, such as...
  • Garage door opener
  • Escort radar detector mute button (and status LEDs)
  • Front missle launcher. Just kidding.
• BMW Universal Transmitter (Maybe, in the meantime)
• RJ-11 "power outlet" jack for 12V RJ-11 powered devices (radar detectors, etc.): DIY

Performance

• Steering Retrofit (yes, I recently decided that I want it, and I'm on "the list" now)
• Camber adjustment (Adjustable camber plates would be ideal, so I can dial in negative camber for racing, and back to factory spec for the street)
• K&N Filtercharger Air Filter (drop-in replacement)
• Koni Sport adjustable shocks/struts (Bilsteins maybe)
• Magnecor Ignition/Spark Plug wires
• Replacement brake pads: ones with less brake dust!
• Cat-back exhaust (maybe...)
• When stock tires wear out: 225/45R17 Yokohoma AVS Sport or Kumho ECSTA Supra 712

My 325Ci was made in Regensburg, Germany in January, 2001. I picked it up at Munich on March 19, 2001.

Options I ordered from the factory:

• Metallic Paint: Topaz Blue
• (Sand Leatherette)
• (5-Speed Manual Transmission)
• Sports Package: 10-way Manual Adjustable Sport Seats with Thigh Bolsters, 17x8" Style-44 8-Spoke Alloy Wheels, Michelin Pilot HX MXM 225/45R-17 Performance Tires (technically a "Touring Tire," Rated 91W, UTQG=140AA)
• Xenon HID Headlights
• BMW Business CD (in-dash CD player)
• Myrtle Wood Trim

Other items that came with my car (at the European Delivery Center, Munich, Germany):

• Floor Mats
• Foldable European-style Hazard Triangle with Case (in trunk)
• First Aid Kit (under passenger seat)
• US-style bumper-mounted front license-plate holder (drilled through bumper, unfortunately)
• 4 Keys (2 Master, 1 Valet, 1 Spare) and Owner's Manual
• Full tank of gasoline (it's expensive in Europe!)

Items I added to my car:

• BMW Alarm System
• Replacement of amber turning signal covers with BMW OEM European-Style Clears
• Switched power wiring (RJ-11) for 12V radar detector (Escort Passport 8500)
• Deer Alert powered deer alert system
• BMW Logo Tire Valve Caps
• Autocross wheel/tires: 17x8" BBS RK with 225/45R17 Kumho V700 Victoracer
• Winter wheels/tires: 16x7.5" MIM Venezia alloy (5-spoke) with 215/55R16 Michelin Arctic Alpin
• *see under Mods/Add-Ons for details / complete list

Specs / Technical Data

Data compiled from bmwusa.com, brochures, and my own research:

Weight
Unladen	lbs	3252 (3340)
Weight distribution, front/rear
ÝÝÝÝÝManual transmission	%	50.0/50.0
Automatic transmission	%	50.8/49.2
Engine
Liter/type		2.5/inline 6
Bore/stroke	inch	3.31/2.95
Nominal output/rpm	hp	184/6000
Max torque/rpm	lb-ft	175/3500
Compression ratio	:1	10.5
Fuel grade		Unleaded premium (91+ Octane)
Transmission
Manual gear ratios	I/II/III	4.23/2.52/1.66
	IV/V/R	1.22/1.00/4.04
Final drive ratio	:1	3.15
Automatic gear ratios	I/II/III	3.67/2.00/1.41
	IV/R	1.00/0.74/4.10
Final drive ratio	:1	3.46
Performance
Drag coefficient	Cd	0.32
Top speed	mph	128
Acceleration 0-60 mph	sec	7.1 (8.1)
Fuel Consumption
5-speed manual transmission
City	mpg	20
Highway	mpg	29
5-speed automatic transmission
City	mpg	19
Highway	mpg	27
Wheels
	Sports Package (Style 44)	Standard (Style 43)
Tire dimensions	225/45R-17 performance (Continental Sport Contact, Michelin Pilot HX MXM, or Bridgestone ??)	205/55R-16 all-season (Continental, Michelin, or Bridgestone)
Wheel dimensions	17 x 8.0	16 x 7.0
Material	Cast alloy	Cast alloy
Wheel Specs	PCD: 5x120mm (bolt pattern), Offset: ET40mm , Center bore: 72.5mm	PCD: 5x120mm, Offset: ET38mm (??), Center bore: 72.5mm
Electrical System
Battery capacity	Amp-hours	80
Alternator output	amps/watts	120/1680

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