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      06-29-2014, 01:11 PM   #1
Roundown
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2015 X3 xDrive35i Space Gray

Hello all- just ordered my second F25 X3 (having only driven our first - an '11 35i - for 7 months). Went M-Sport for the sport auto, sport seats, steering wheel, anthracite headliner and wheels... the body kit I could do without, but I'll make it work (more on that below). Spec is as follows:

Space Gray Metallic Paint
Oyster Nevada Leather (w/o contrast stitching)
Brushed Aluminum Trim

M-Sport Package
Dynamic Handling Package
Premium Package
Technology Package
Cold Weather Package
Driver Assistance Package
Surround View
Harmon Kardon surround sound system
Enhanced USB and Bluetooth plus Smartphone Integration
19" M Double Spoke wheels - style 622M with mixed performance run-flat tires (19" x 8.5" front, 19" x 9.5" rear)
Shadow Line roof rails
Rear manual side window shades

On the M Sport body kit - the one item that I dislike are the (in my opinion) oversized lower grills. Of course, these are the new familial M Sport look which is shared with the X5. In the F15 community, a popular modification that breaks up the large surface area of the M-Sport is the addition of the horizontal silver trim from the M50d. See below:

Of course- there's no equivalent X3 from BMW, but Alpina appears to have mimicked the look for the XD3 BiTurbo. See below:

Last edited by Roundown; 01-12-2016 at 07:39 PM..
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      07-04-2014, 10:27 AM   #2
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Lots of talk re: M Sport being ugly and while I don't think it's the best implementation of BMW's new M Performance design language, I also don't think that BMW's press materials and the BMWNA configurator do the areo kit justice. For those on the fence, below are the photos (in addition to a quick trip the dealer when one finally landed) that helped convince me that I could live with (and possibly learn to love) M-Sport package (particularly the front bumper). For 35i owners, the right lower grill is (indeed) partially open and directs air to the oil cooler, for 28i/d, they're both dummies.

I think the following photo captures the real-life vs. rendering basis best; note that the front bumper has slope (toward the wheel wells) and horizontal curvature to it. When you look only at the configurator it appears much flatter/vertical.

Last edited by Roundown; 10-23-2014 at 07:49 PM.. Reason: Removed broken image links
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      07-04-2014, 11:33 AM   #3
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Sorry cSurf I was wrong, it does not look better in black. just one look at picture 2 would keep me away from buying the car. The lower air intake looks better on the X5 MSport, it does not look as over sized as the X3.
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      07-11-2014, 02:24 AM   #4
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For those who likes the m-sport but thinks the air intakes on the front bumper is a bit oversized I would recommend to buy the detail from the Alpina design. I'm only thinking of the silver details installed inside the air intakes, not the whole alpina kit. You can buy them separately and should be rather easy to install.

http://www.alpina-automobiles.com/fi...BITURBO_01.jpg

http://www.alpina-automobiles.com/fi...BITURBO_03.jpg

I have ordered a m-sport black sapphire with the 310 wheels and I'm thinking of adding these. I will wait a couple of months first though.
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      07-11-2014, 05:19 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by usual_suspect
For those who likes the m-sport but thinks the air intakes on the front bumper is a bit oversized I would recommend to buy the detail from the Alpina design. I'm only thinking of the silver details installed inside the air intakes, not the whole alpina kit. You can buy them separately and should be rather easy to install.

http://www.alpina-automobiles.com/fi...BITURBO_01.jpg

http://www.alpina-automobiles.com/fi...BITURBO_03.jpg

I have ordered a m-sport black sapphire with the 310 wheels and I'm thinking of adding these. I will wait a couple of months first though.
Agreed- see my first post.

Problem is, I don't think you can buy Alpina parts without an Alpina vin .
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      07-11-2014, 01:12 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cSurf View Post
Agreed- see my first post.

Problem is, I don't think you can buy Alpina parts without an Alpina vin .
Hah - missed that part.

Yes, you should be able to buy separate parts. At least thats what I've bin told when I spoke to their swedish reseller. They are also the only reseller of Alpina in Sweden so they should know.
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      07-11-2014, 08:01 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by usual_suspect View Post
Hah - missed that part.

Yes, you should be able to buy separate parts. At least thats what I've bin told when I spoke to their swedish reseller. They are also the only reseller of Alpina in Sweden so they should know.
Group buy??

US Alpina dealer told me that I needed am Alpina VIN.
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      08-04-2014, 02:37 AM   #8
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I am waiting for my X4- interested in "doing something" for the blocked off "air intakes" - although I understand that there is a bit of an opening on my 35i.

X4 35i, M Sport, Carbon Black, 310, dynamic dampers.
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      08-04-2014, 09:47 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tjalle
I am waiting for my X4- interested in "doing something" for the blocked off "air intakes" - although I understand that there is a bit of an opening on my 35i.

X4 35i, M Sport, Carbon Black, 310, dynamic dampers.
I picked it up Saturday. I'll post some pics/vids this weekend.

IMHO- Looks much better in person. The contours of the lower bumper just don't come through in press photos. So much so, that I don't think that I'm going to bother with the lower grill inserts.
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      10-22-2014, 08:23 PM   #10
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Updated with photos! See the first post.
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      10-22-2014, 10:47 PM   #11
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Not a fan of the new Msport X3/4 but love Space gray unfortunate not available on X4 not liking that Sophisto gray or whatever they call it in the X4. Congrats on your car!
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      10-23-2014, 03:41 AM   #12
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The photo are great in the original post. I've finally seen an LCI MSport in Space Grey and it looks great, which is a huge relief. I was very critical of the LCI MSport look originally. My new X3 was hopefully built last week. It's a Space Grey 35D which only comes as an MSport.
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      10-23-2014, 02:17 PM   #13
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space grey might be my next choice of color
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      10-23-2014, 05:31 PM   #14
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What's the part number/detail for your winter wheels?
I presume cheaper than OEM wheels.
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      10-23-2014, 09:00 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by philtrick123 View Post
What's the part number/detail for your winter wheels?
I presume cheaper than OEM wheels.
I actually spent a bit more on this 19" set (at ~$2,900) than you would for an OEM 18" set (at ~$2,700).

The wheels are O.Z. Superturismo LMs. They are made in Italy, TUV approved and (reasonably) light weight. They are low pressure cast (often described as 'flow forged') and shot peened (for added strength). I've run similar wheels on HPDE cars without issue for years. Tires are Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D DSST RunOnFlat. There aren't many winter RFT options (and I wanted RFTs) in 245/45-19 other than these, the Pirelli Sottozeros (which I don't like) and the PirelliWinter Carving Edge (which is too aggressive for my use). My wife and I use the X3 almost exclusively for weekend trips (highway travel), so deep snow traction isn't as important as cold wet/dry performance, low noise and reasonable wear- something the 3Ds do pretty well.

I went with ET29 all around, which is pretty aggressive. I'll post pics when they're put on in November.

All that said- you can get a nice set of 18"s (wheels, tires, TPMS; mounted, balanced and shipped) from TireRack for ~$2,300 or a functional set for as low as $1,600. On the high end, this set of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 ZPs) and BBS SRs (made in Germany, TUV approved, counter pressure cast) is pretty nice. The nice thing about high quality, non-OEM wheels is that when you decide move on, there might be a larger pool of interested buyers.

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      10-24-2014, 07:09 PM   #16
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Personally I think 19's are a tad too small for X3. 20's look great without compromising the ride quality much.

Nice wheels nonetheless.
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      10-24-2014, 07:36 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cy07
Personally I think 19's are a tad too small for X3. 20's look great without compromising the ride quality much.

Nice wheels nonetheless.
lol for winter? :
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      11-15-2014, 06:18 PM   #18
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That looks great!
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      11-15-2014, 09:12 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cSurf View Post
On the M Sport body kit - the one item that I dislike are the (in my opinion) oversized lower grills. Of course, these are the new familial M Sport look which is shared with the X5. In the F15 community, a popular modification that breaks up the large surface area of the M-Sport is the addition of the horizontal silver trim from the M50d.

Thanks.
Unfortunately BMW screwed up on this, the X5 looks fine for the car is enormous and the intakes are almost the same size as the smaller X3/4. I have always been a fan of the Msport till this iteration, maybe you could go to those reputable Pimp my ride shops they could smooth that out better or add the line across the intake you are looking, it can't be difficult except the thought off a new car being chopped
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      11-26-2014, 01:53 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cSurf View Post
Group buy??

US Alpina dealer told me that I needed am Alpina VIN.
Sorry for late reply. The swedish reseller wont continuing selling Alpina parts. Instead I sent an email directly to Alpina and got this answer:

"Dear Xxx,

Many thanks for your mail and inquiry.

Unfortunately, these silver covers are only available for genuine BMW ALPINA automobiles.

We kindly ask for your understanding.

Have a nice day!"


There should be another way to get these. I wonder if Alpina makes them in house or if its possible to find their supplier. I will continue digging...
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      11-26-2014, 09:12 AM   #21
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Interesting, the MSport actually look decent in space gray.
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      12-03-2014, 11:37 AM   #22
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Great look!
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