[GoVikings]

Hi, newbie here.

Just got my 2017 X3 M sport x35i, alpine white! I`ve included a pic of the exact same vehicle.

I am thinking about some mods and could use your input. It comes down adding to real carbon fiber trim and m colors (using non-oem parts) and a big change to the grill:

Carbon Fiber:
door handles, side mirrors, fin antenna, grill frame, trunk/hood emblems and rim caps, tire valve caps

M colors:
door projector lights
small badges (either just tricolor, //M, or carbon fiber with tricolor)
-potential locations include above the side signal light, on the gas door, and/or near logos such as the xDrive 35i

Grill:
carbon fiber frame with glossy black double slats
plus/minus tricolor

I'd appreciate your thoughts about this. Especially, what do you all think of tricolor grill vs not? I love the look but worry it implies M performance engine and 'poser'? I do have a 35i engine, but not quite the same obviously.

When I get a better idea of my plan, I may post a photoshopped version of what I propose if there is any interest

Thanks for reading and any thoughts you may have!

[tracer bullet]

Some CF touches here and there to personalize the car, perhaps enhance certain things is fine. Doing too much, in my opinion, does look silly like you just had time and money on your hands and started modding anything you could figure out how to. Ever seen a Civic where someone spray painted the wheels and mirrors and various dash parts they could pop off w/ a screwdriver? Don't be that. On the other hand, it's your car, you should do whatever you think looks good. Just make sure you can reverse the changes in case you change your mind.

[GoVikings]

Thanks TB. Yeah, I will moderate my enthusiasm a little
I think CF grill but no tricolor. Still thinking about CF handles and fin...

[x3sm]

I want the carbon fiber grills as well. I wonder who sells them for the best deal?

[GoVikings]

I am still looking for the best price, though I think one has to be careful ordering from overseas, never know how reliable they are. X3sm, what's your vehicle?

[x3sm]

Originally Posted by GoVikings

I am still looking for the best price, though I think one has to be careful ordering from overseas, never know how reliable they are. X3sm, what's your vehicle?

2011 X3, but I'm doing a facelift right now

[Riick]

Don't rice out an x3

[GoVikings]

Originally Posted by Riick

Don't rice out an x3

Yeah, I get it. Ok no to excessive stripes! How about just carbon fiber touches?

X3sm, good luck with your Facelift!

[Merlin82]

On mine I did the gloss black grill with tricolor, and the carbon centercaps for the wheels and have considered doing the mirror covers. I also did the M sport door projectors and I am really happy with how it turned out and think those things set off the look of the X3.

[pokerface]

I would do black dual slat grill, no tri color, dechrome the window trim

MAYBE replace existing M badges with competition colors, but I wouldn't add any more.

Then proceed to lower the X3 a bit, wider tire, ECU tune.

[lovebimmers]

Quality window tint is a must.

[najnad]

I would only do the following cosmetic changes:
- CF tricolor grill
- puddle lights
- window tint (as dark as legally allowable in your area)

Anything else is going to look like you had too much to drink while shopping at pep boys. Save the money for a tune and intake.

[Riick]

If you MUST, MUST do something cosmetically? Window tint, lower it with Bilstein B6 struts, H&R Springs, Hawk HP front brake pads, all season performance non-run flat tires.

The factory tires handle like jello and being runflat running over a pebble will hurt your back. The factory brake pads are made of wood and don't stop for shit. The factory ride height is great if you're going off roading at Moab but terrible for highway/street use.

Done. Now you would have actually UPGRADED how the car works for day to day street use, not just glued on some tacky carbon fiber bullshit like you're 17 years old showing off to hoes in a parking lot meet at 10pm friday night. Leave the engine alone. Don't do a stupid intake, exhaust, chip, whatever. None of that matters it's not an M3 you track every weekend it's a SUV made for hauling groceries. Who cares if it's faster than your buddies Ford Escape (it already is).

[GoVikings]

Originally Posted by Merlin82

On mine I did the gloss black grill with tricolor, and the carbon centercaps for the wheels and have considered doing the mirror covers. I also did the M sport door projectors and I am really happy with how it turned out and think those things set off the look of the X3.

Awesome, got any pics of your car to share?

[GoVikings]

Originally Posted by pokerface

I would do black dual slat grill, no tri color, dechrome the window trim

MAYBE replace existing M badges with competition colors, but I wouldn't add any more.

Then proceed to lower the X3 a bit, wider tire, ECU tune.

Thanks for the input. Happy that my window trim and roof rails are already gloss black. Seems like most feedback I get is: dual slat gloss yes, tricolor too risky (posing)

[GoVikings]

Any thoughts about adding the "xdrive 35i" badge to the trunk on the left, opposite the X3 badge? I wish it were standard, proud of my 35i

[Riick]

You should put "BMW" across the windshield too

[GoVikings]

Originally Posted by Riick

You should put "BMW" across the windshield too

Haha very funny. Ok got it.

[Merlin82]

Originally Posted by GoVikings

Awesome, got any pics of your car to share?

This was just after I put the new summer wheels on.

[GoVikings]

SWEET!

[GoVikings]

Hey does anyone have an opinion on double slat grills for M-Sport (not M-performance) vehicles? I have heard some feel it fits with M-Sport accents so no problem, while others feel it should be left for true M cars...

[ez_2get]

Originally Posted by GoVikings

Hey does anyone have an opinion on double slat grills for M-Sport (not M-performance) vehicles? I have heard some feel it fits with M-Sport accents so no problem, while others feel it should be left for true M cars...

I have a non-M, 2015 xline Canadian version. I bought double slat gloss black at amazon. I had my roof wrapped gloss black to match. I think double slat is a subtle mod on a non-M, that can easily be reverted back to OEM grill should I change my mind..