[Kevin_The_Clean1]

This almost pristine 2020 X3 MC that I've been restoring has been gone through with a fine tooth comb from top to bottom. Before the PPF is installed on the front fenders I have to remove the X3 M units anyways, so I may just replace them with the all black M40i units. These smaller units have always looked more simplistic to me. With the M-sport units you can see the crisp beautiful edges of that fender opening much more clearly. Feel free to chime in. At the end of the day we (us owners) get to do what we want to our beloved machines. Because at the end of the day it's us that get to admire them in our driveways. But it's always nice to get feedback from other like minded enthusiasts.

[spta97]

Is the bottom pic with the m-sport unit or is that without either?

Do you have a close up pic?

I kind of prefer the 2nd pic - looks cleaner.

Edit - the more I compare the two photos, the OEM X3M looks out of place and forced. Hmmm....may have to look into this!

[Gsavarese]

Pic 2. As you point out it’s simplistic

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by spta97

Is the bottom pic with the m-sport unit or is that without either?

Do you have a close up pic?

I kind of prefer the 2nd pic - looks cleaner.

Edit - the more I compare the two photos, the OEM X3M looks out of place and forced. Hmmm....may have to look into this!

Yes indeed. The bottom photo is the one without anything in place as of yet. I'm just now ordering the M-sport units. So we'll see what it looks like as I mock up those units once they arrive.

Originally Posted by Gsavarese

Pic 2. As you point out it’s simplistic

I think so too and often times the simpler the lines of a car are the easier it is on the eyes. Fully realize it's not everyone's cup of tea. But it never hurts to think outside the box for items that are easily interchangeable.

[spta97]

Maybe it's the color, but the more I look at, the more I like it without.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

Yes indeed. The bottom photo is the one without anything in place as of yet... I think so too and often times the simpler the lines of a car are the easier it is on the eyes...

Have to agree with spta97 and Gsavarese - looks really clean without. Probably doesn't matter as much with dark colors where it doesn't stand out. Without rails suspect these aerodynamic lines would show even more...

[STi from DSM]

Before seeing this picture, I would have said you are crazy to do that, but after seeing this I would have to say the 2nd picture looks much cleaner.

[spta97]

To add, the second pic makes it look like a real vent (even though it is not).

[Sublimeside]

2nd pic. Like the clean appearance.

[silverathlon]

To be honest I just don't like the ones that come with the X3M. Looks out of place.
The M40i ones look way nicer imo.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by spta97

To add, the second pic makes it look like a real vent (even though it is not).

Reminiscent of the F15 which actually had a functional air breather vent behind the wheel. That was touted by BMW at the time as a significant advancement in aerodynamic efficiency, and indeed, for a vehicle that size the X5 xDr50i had a pretty remarkable Cd of only 0.33. I recall being disappointed when the G01 X3M40i was released with a plugged fake breather decoration, but came to realize newer data and vehicle design changes must've made the breather unnecessary. I know we've discussed before (and fairly recently as well) in other threads, but my preference would be for keeping the body lines which look fine, but just make that area solid body painted without a plastic decoration trying to fake a vent (IMO, as I know others have said they like the current form).

A few images from the old days showing the active breather vent on the F15 (formal image taken from: https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=846222 )

[gfisher99]

Might be interesting to see what the X3M piece would look like if it was color matched to your body paint. I have a BSM X3M with the black vents and I think it looks good because it blends in with the color of the body but has a very slight contrast as well. On the lighter shade vehicles, it does start to look somewhat out of place.

[hooligan_G01]

I prefer the M Sport/M40i vent trim.