Well, I thought I'd start up a thread about what I've been up to. I have a thread about the wheel work I've been doing, etc. but I will summarize again below. I have a base 2005 TL with Navi and had considered trading, selling or whatever but I like the car a lot so I thought I'd freshen it up with some new styling mods.

Here is the pic as it sits 10 minutes ago.


I picked up an A-Spec kit from Bruce which I added a pic below. In addition, I landed a well-priced set of Tein SS coils also from a A-zine member. The kit is in the I'm Sure Familiar Box pictured below along with the coils.



Now for my pride of the project; BBS RS wheels. I understand many don't care for these wheels but that is another reason to like them. I waited until I found the right set before jumping on them. Very few RS wheels are drilled to 5x114.3 but I found them and with a 22et so they will fit with the right poke. The Falken 512's are above and will have quite the stretch which could brings jeers

The wheels came to me purple but as you will see, I broke them down and resprayed them ABP. The RS were 17x8.5 in the front with one inch lips and 17x10.5 with 2.5 inch lips. These are 7.5 and 8-inch barrels alike. I sold the 1-inch lips for a set of 2-inch lips which creates 9.5's up front. A ran into one issue where the hub on the TL is 64.1mm but the RS is 62mm from what I now so I'm working to bore it out for the correct fitment. I pictured the work below which includes stripping the faces, painting, sanding the rash on the lips and repolishing them by hand and with an Eastwood polisher. I have individually polished the original bolts and hex caps. I also added new BBS valve stems with an Acura twist. More to come!




Sanded down with Scotch Brite and sprayed...a look inside the ABP paint code





Bolts and hex caps...and lonely faces waiting for the new lips!





And the last pic of everything waiting for install.


Enjoy!

 

Nice-in for pics when everything is on!

 

What size tire did you wind up putting on the front and rear. Looks like a nice amount of stretch, but not overdone. I can't wait to see how this turns out as well. Get a move on! lol

 

Looks like a lot of work ahead of ya, it'll be worth it though

 

Lol...the Iowa weather is slowing the process a bit

I'm staying with the 215/45/17 that were there with the original 8.5's. the stretch should be just right when referencing the pic with 3 wheels above. I think my bigger issue is going to be widening the bore of the BBS

 

wow you are ready! i cant wait to see when its all said and done

 

Oh wow in to see with everything on!!

 

Aah man this was all a teaser hhaha. I was looking forward to seeing a pic with thos bbs wheels on. Well Ill def stay tuned to see the finished product! Keep up the good work man

 

I wish i had all that stuff just chilling in my living room!! LOL...

 

I hope not to let anyone down :p

I should start getting the wheels back together by this weekend and then we shall see. I'm looking to get something for the decklid but the OEM lip spoiler was quite pricey from what I saw. Of course I've considered an exhaust as well but I haven't had a ton of time to read through all of the threads on here about what works best for base TL's.

 

This is gonna be good, can't wait.

There are decent decklid spoiler options on ebay that are cheaper than the OEM option. The ebay vendor most popular is "bmwoemshop" I believe.

For exhausts, if you have the cash, there are several good full exhaust setups from vendors on this site (XLR8, ATLP, RV6). If you're on a budget, search for "stage 3 exhaust mod". Also search on youtube...there are tons of videos around.

 

Nice!

I love looking at photos of parts awaiting deployment.

I'm excited to see all the parts installed.

 

Its all about th details, Well Done Sir!


Cant wait to see this stuff installed.

 

Thanks man! I'll do some checking on the decklid spoilers today. I don't want to use the term "money is not an issue" because my douche meter would fly off the screen. LOL That said, am I willing to spend $800 plus on an exhaust set up? Yes!

I'm of the mindset in many ways that less is more so I don't want to go too crazy...for now

 

You can definitely find nice-condition, used exhausts in the BM forum for around $800 or less. I said I wouldn't go too crazy at one point...that lasted for about a day hehe.

 

Thanks man...I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for one.

 

 

Like this a lot...lol

The new lips will be here soon and I think I have an exhaust picked out. My chick might kill me

 

can't we to see the finishing touches

 

Hello all...quick update. 3 of 4 wheels are together and the new 2-inch front lips are on. I need to get the beads popped on the tires and I'll be ready to go.

 

Another blue TL owner...

My personal taste would not rock those particular wheels but I'm all for the final set-up paint-matched ABP!

x2

 

Im not really a fan of the stretched tires thing as I dont think it looks good, and dont see the point of it, but I do like the style of the wheel and love that a-spec kit. All that stuff along with the coils should look pretty sweet!

 

Bobby, you must have been reading my mind. After replying to someone in a different section asking about a 17x9 +15 setup, I thought of you and asked myself, I wonder if he ever got those wheels on yet? Glad you posted something, I was too lazy to dig up the thread, lol. It won't be long no until we see the finished product!!

 

I like the dark blue on the TL's so I hope I make you proud

To address and the post above, I know many people don't care for the stretch and this sttyle wheel but to be honest it's one of the reasons I picked them. I think they are a wheel that can be pulled off by many cars and realized I hadn't seen them on a TL so I thought "let's do this". That and I'm doing all of the work so I appreciate every bolt. Thanks for props.

I wouldn't leave you hanging, bro. With the holidays, travel, a broken garage door, dead water heater and selling my house I had to step away from the project for a minute. I think it's going to turn out better than I expected!

 

Hurry up and get these put on

 

Hey guys. I did a quick test fit and hope I don't get killed here. Can someone p-chop about a 2 1/2 inch drop in a couple of these pics? I can't put my coils on quite yet. With the monster truck stance, they look really small to me but I'm not giving up yet





Thanks. I hope the chop will help get an idea for now.

 

Wow those wheels do look really small with the 4x4 status. Hopefully someone will do a PS for you. I think once you are lowered these are going to look really good though!

 

should be better after the drop

 

Bobby, I'm not sure about this setup....

 

This'll look good once its lowered.

 

I hope so, Ross. Interested to see it lowered.

 

Yeah, I was honest in saying I wouldn't be sure either but I want to give it a shot. It's different but without a drop, I don't want to through it out yet. I think it will still work...the drop is going to dictate that in my eyes.

 

I liked until the test fit, hopefully they look better with a drop

 

Those wheels will look great once the car is on the ground

 

Bump for p-chop help?

 

If you post a picture of your car lowered I'm sure someone would do a quick photochop for you.

 

quick chop.

 

WOW, that is SLAMMED! I was able to get another person to help out as well.

 

I would like to see a PS of one in between those 2 chops posted. I think that's where you will end up height wise.

 

Well, sad news. Some recent life changes and home purchase is requiring that I unload some stuff and free up cash. The wheels and A-spec kit are up for sale.

It's sad because this never came to be

Sorry if I have failed you.