Newbie with questions for a 325i

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dirsh

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Hello
I just picked up a 92 325i auto and I have a couple of questions. I'd previously owned Hondas exclussively, but I thought it was time I stepped up my game and got something more classy. First, what do these buttons do: blank button by the window switches, button to the right of the steering wheel(has a picture of a window and a lightning bolt), button by the climate controls (has a picture of a snowflake), button on the turn signal lever (BC).

Second, what site does everyone get their parts from? I'm looking for a site that has cheap OEM parts and a site that has cheap aftermarket parts.

Third, what kind of aftermarket shift knob can I use? Will any universal one work?

And finally, what kind of paint/dye can I use to color my door panels and dash? The car currently has a brown and tan interior and I would like it to be black and gray.


thanks for any help
 
lpquick

lpquick

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dirsh said:
Hello
I just picked up a 92 325i auto and I have a couple of questions. I'd previously owned Hondas exclussively, but I thought it was time I stepped up my game and got something more classy. First, what do these buttons do: blank button by the window switches, button to the right of the steering wheel(has a picture of a window and a lightning bolt), button by the climate controls (has a picture of a snowflake), button on the turn signal lever (BC).

Second, what site does everyone get their parts from? I'm looking for a site that has cheap OEM parts and a site that has cheap aftermarket parts.

Third, what kind of aftermarket shift knob can I use? Will any universal one work?

And finally, what kind of paint/dye can I use to color my door panels and dash? The car currently has a brown and tan interior and I would like it to be black and gray.


thanks for any help
Click to expand...
Sorry, but looking for cheap oem parts doesn't fit a BMW, sell your bimmer to someone who can appreciate it and buy a cheap rice car!
 
donmbmw

donmbmw

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what site does everyone get their parts from? I'm looking for a site that has cheap OEM parts and a site that has cheap aftermarket parts.

Third, what kind of aftermarket shift knob can I use? Will any universal one work?

And finally, what kind of paint/dye can I use to color my door panels and dash? The car currently has a brown and tan interior and I would like it to be black and gray.

I don't get it. You specifically bought a bimmer because you wanted to step up in class and now you want to crap it up. Whats up wid dat?
 
K

Kenny2g

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The botton by the winow switch is the lock botton for the other windows. When pressed down, you can't operate the other windows. (Child Safety)

The botton by the right of the steerting wheel is the Circut breaker button. (You don't need to press this button.) it basicly turns off your fuses that control somethings in the car.

And Paint? Please forget that. Don't paint anything inside that car. Believe me. It's not Honda.
 
SKycity_BMW

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Welcome to the board ! ! !

First off . . . I bet your bimmer is a 4 door.

#1 - The switch inbetween your window switches is to lock the rear window controls . . . child proof.

#2 - the lighting bolt switch is a Automatic Circuit breaker - to protect the electric window motor by tripping in the event of a fault or overload and to prevent chlidren left in the car from operating the windows, push button.

#3 Snowflake button - Air conditioning button

#4 - BC question . . . good one don't know ? ?


Here's some DIY sites to help you.

http://www.geocities.com/e36rulz/DIY.html

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~smithm3/mods/index.htm

http://members.aol.com/agspeed/bmw.htm

Aftermarket parts . . . hum check these out.

http://www.bimmerzone.com/default.wws

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/catalog/shopcart/BE36_catalog.htm

This should help you.

Now for your last question . . paint/dye . . . do it right . . .
you now own a BMW . . . not some ricer car, anymore . . . go to the classifieds section and replace with the color that your looking for and you can also sell your stuff as well.

Take pride in your Bimmer.

Good Luck ! !
 
andreyiv

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The snow flake is A/C. Nd to clear a bit more on the blank button, when its pressed, the window switches by the rear seats don't work but you can still operate the windows using the center console switches.
 
Kirby

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If you want to dye the LEATHER, check out this site - http://www.leatherique.com/products.htm

This is the stuff that the pros use to restore leather. It's NOT cheap, but everything I have seen and heard has been good.

Don't mess with the vinyl, fabric, etc. - the results will probably not turn out too good and in the long run it will look worse.
 
selavia

selavia

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#10
dirsh said:
.

Third, what kind of aftermarket shift knob can I use? Will any universal one work?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if any knob will work, but if you look on ebay you can find some very nice AC Schnitzer (sp??) and other better brands for quite cheap. I got a leather wrapped original stick for my car for under $50 off ebay. Plus, a lot of the sellers on ebay will tell you what will and will not fit your car. Good luck man.
 
Bmw 325i 7803

Bmw 325i 7803

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SKycity_BMW said:
Welcome to the board ! ! !

First off . . . I bet your bimmer is a 4 door.

#1 - The switch inbetween your window switches is to lock the rear window controls . . . child proof.

#2 - the lighting bolt switch is a Automatic Circuit breaker - to protect the electric window motor by tripping in the event of a fault or overload and to prevent chlidren left in the car from operating the windows, push button.

#3 Snowflake button - Air conditioning button

#4 - BC question . . . good one don't know ? ?
Click to expand...
BC on the turn signal is the onboard computer multifunction toggle....
 
D

dirsh

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#13
Thank you to everyone who answered my questions.

as for parts, i'm just trying to save a little money by finding a site that has cheaper OEM parts than a dealer.

about the interior: I just don't like the brown and tan interior. I'm going to try and use vinyl paint and see how it turns out. I'll post pictures when I'm done so you can say "wow, it turned out pretty nice" or "I told you it will look like crap" lol. If it looks like crap I'll just replace everything.

and for the shift knob: i'm not just going to use any generic brand carbon-fiber looking crappy knob, I just wanted to know if BMW shift knobs are BMW-specific

Thank you once again to those that helped and thank you to the haters that drive me to work harder
 
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Stupenal

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#19
If you have any other specific questions, just post them or PM me and I'll do my best to help. One thing to note - bmws and hondas are both cars. BMWs are NOT that difficult to work on, you just need a bit of patience and guidance. I suggest buying a Bentley manual for DIY repairs, or there are many many helpful links including pictures for common DIY repairs. However, always make sure that when you work on a car, do things correct the first time. Dont go cheap and half ass the job. I know hondas are very reliable and so are BMWs. However, german cars have little quirks to them that need to be addressed. Gluck and welcome to the other side!
 
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