127.6KVIEWS

468REPLIES

630APPRECIATES

114ACTIVE PEOPLE

02-18-2026LAST POST

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com news

BrockDM's X3MC Build Log

03-28-2022

BrockDM

Major

2,796 REP

1.2K POSTS

Hello all!

I decided to create a build log / photo log for my X3MC. I did this in the past with my Audi B9 S4 which I took up to 600HP with a hybrid turbo, Brembo BBK and many sets of wheels. I've noticed most build threads on here are of finished products but this one will be progression through the life of the car.

I purchased the car 3 weeks ago with 7k miles on it. It was a BMW corporate car so technically I am the first owner! I plan to update this regularly with photos and modifications done.

To start off, this is the spec

2020 BMW X3M Competition
- Alpine White
- Sakhir Orange Interior

OE Options:
- M Competition Package
- Driving Assistance Plus
- Executive Package
- Front ventilated seats
- Adaptive full LED lights
- Carbon fiber trim
- Panoramic moonroof

Current Mods:
Cosmetic
- 20% Xpel XR Ceramic tint on front windows and 45% windshield
- Evolve Billet Paddle Shifters in Tungsten
- AutoTecknic Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel Trim Link to post
- JBSpeed Carbon Fiber Roundels Link to post
- R44 Performance Carbon Mirror Caps Link to post
- Alpine White V Brace Link to post
- Blackline Billet Engine Bay Caps Link to post
- IND Paint Matched Reflectors
- IND Acexxon Rear Reflector Insert
- RW Carbon CF Front Lip Link to post
- RW Carbon CF Roof Spoiler Link to post
- RW Carbon CF Front Grill

Audio
- JL Audio 10" TW1 Subwoofer Link to post

Performance
First & Only 9sec Stock Turbo X3M! Link to post
- Bootmod3 Stage 1 93 Link to post
- F80 Paul Custom E60 Tune Link to post
- RK Tunes Intakes w aFe Filters, G8X Engine Cover Link to post
- Evolution Raceworks Catted Downpipes Link to post
- Carbon Fiber Intake Piping for RK Tunes Intakes Link to post
- GTHaus 3" GTC-OEC Catback Exhaust Link to post
- IRL Exhaust Valve Controller Link to post
- [Retired] Active Autowerke Signature Single Midpipe Link to post

Brakes/Suspension
- iSweep IS1500 Pads F&R Link to post
- KW V3 Coilovers Link to post

Wheels/Tires
- MRG 75mm Titanium Stud Conversion Link to post
- (Summer) - BC Forged TD02. 21x10 et16 & 21x10.5 et20 with 285/35 & 295/35 Michelin PS4S. Link to post
- (Track) - LFI... Coming Soon
- (Winter) - LFI TRS01 Trackspec, Matte Black. 20x9.5 et18 with 275/20 Michelin PA4. Link to post
- (Retired) - Japan Racing SL01, Matte Black. 20x10 et25 Squared with Michelin PA4 N-Spec 275/40/20 Link to post
- (Retired) - BC Forged RZ01, Brushed Dark Black. 21x9.5 et17 & 21x11 et35 with Michelin PS4S 265/40 & 295/35 Link to post
- (Retired) - Advan GT Beyond, Racing Hyper Black. 20x9.5 et25 & 20x10.5 et32 with 275/40 & 315/35 Atturo DZ850. Link to post
- (Retired) - LFI TRS01 Trackspec, Matte Black. 20x9.5 et18 and 18x10 et27 with 275/40 Nitto NT555RII & 305/45/18 Mickey Thompson ET Street R

Current Favorite:

Day 1 Photos:

Appreciate30

r33_RGSport

SLO.M3

Type M

+27

03-28-2022

paintedblack

Registered

0 REP

4 POSTS

Who dis?

Appreciate0

03-28-2022

SLO.M3

Honcho

2,066 REP

861 POSTS

Love it! I think I'll create a similar post for my M40i when it arrives

Appreciate0

03-28-2022

BrockDM

Major

2,796 REP

1.2K POSTS

5LEEPR_G01 wrote
Love it! I think I'll create a similar post for my M40i when it arrives

It's something fun to maintain and look back on!

Appreciate1

SLO.M3

03-28-2022

Jbh165nc

Second Lieutenant

178 REP

298 POSTS

In! Are there any goals here?

Appreciate1

BrockDM

03-28-2022

BrockDM

Major

2,796 REP

1.2K POSTS

Jbh165nc wrote
In! Are there any goals here?

Yep! Step one is to lower this thing. KW V3's will be order this weekend.

I'm going to start with a stage 1 ethanol tune and see how far I can take it. My ultimately goal is very low 10s even if it means shedding some weight and a proper wheel and tire setup. I go to the drag strip pretty often in the summer so I'll have a lot of info to share!

Appreciate1

r33_RGSport

03-28-2022

The_janitor

Colonel

1,352 REP

2K POSTS

How do you see at night with 45% tint? I can barely see with 30 and have to put the window down to reverse..

Appreciate0

03-28-2022

bear1m

Private

87 REP

99 POSTS

those paddle shifters are killer!

Appreciate1

hooligan_F39

03-28-2022

BrockDM

Major

2,796 REP

1.2K POSTS

thestimp wrote
How do you see at night with 45% tint? I can barely see with 30 and have to put the window down to reverse..

Good eyes I guess haha? I don't have any problems. Keep in mind 45% is lighter than 30%

bear1m wrote
those paddle shifters are killer!

Thanks! They feel super nice. The click is very precise and no play in them at all. Highly recommend!

Appreciate1

SLO.M3

03-29-2022

Kevin_The_Clean1

Major General

5,750 REP

6.1K POSTS

BrockDM Nice ride & the 2020 X3 MC's with the classic style iDrive 6 gauges are super sick. I also picked up an extremely low mileage BMW corporate car to begin modifying! :thumbsup:

Appreciate1

BrockDM

03-29-2022

Nippa

New Member

20 REP

24 POSTS

Oh great, the last time you made one of these posts I ended up spending way too much on my S4 🤣. Fancy seeing you here!!!

Appreciate3

BrockDM

Chubbiejones

03-29-2022

-JLT-

Brigadier General

3,928 REP

4.3K POSTS

subscribed :thumbsup:

Appreciate1

BrockDM

03-29-2022

-JLT-

Brigadier General

3,928 REP

4.3K POSTS

thestimp wrote
How do you see at night with 45% tint? I can barely see with 30 and have to put the window down to reverse..

i have 30% on my front windshield :scared0016:

Appreciate0

03-29-2022

goldfz8

First Lieutenant

419 REP

369 POSTS

Good stuff. Whats the plans with the car.

Appreciate1

BrockDM

03-29-2022

BrockDM

Major

2,796 REP

1.2K POSTS

Kevin_The_Clean1 wrote
BrockDM Nice ride & the 2020 X3 MC's with the classic style iDrive 6 gauges are super sick. I also picked up an extremely low mileage BMW corporate car to begin modifying!

I agree! I specifically didn't want the new completely digital dash. This is the perfect balance.

Nippa wrote
Oh great, the last time you made one of these posts I ended up spending way too much on my S4 🤣. Fancy seeing you here!!!

I have converted many lol!

-JLT- wrote
subscribed

What's up buddy! We'll have to get together this summer for another shoot. Any new rides?

goldfz8 wrote
Good stuff. Whats the plans with the car.

One thing usually leads to another but my immediate plans are coilovers, stage 1 tune and a few cosmetic bits. I'm going to hold off on hybrid turbos until I see more support and options. I think the stock turbos perform very well. Wheels down the line too!

Appreciate1

Kevin_The_Clean1

03-31-2022

whoismorggan

Bimmer Nut + Software Dev

577 REP

802 POSTS

Super clean. That S4 looks like it can move!

Appreciate1

BrockDM

03-31-2022

BrockDM

Major

2,796 REP

1.2K POSTS

hellyesmorgan wrote
Super clean. That S4 looks like it can move!

Thanks dude. It ran a 10.61 @ 129 on 93 and full weight. I never got to rip it on a proper ethanol tune but the platform is taking off. Integrated Engineering just ran a 9.80 @ 140 with the same turbo, weight reduction and full e85 haha.

Appreciate2

whoismorggan

Nippa

04-05-2022

BrockDM

Major

2,796 REP

1.2K POSTS

Bootmod3!!

The main reason I bought this vehicle was how well they react with just a stage 1 tune. I can't lie it hurt a little bit flashing a car with 7500 miles on it but it was going to happen regardless haha.

I chose BM3 Stage 1 93 as my free OTS tune. I plan to run this for a couple months and get the feel for the change in characteristics. I really enjoy drag racing and the data associated with it so I plan to see just how far I can take the car on Stage 1 93 and nothing else.

So I needed a baseline.

Bone stock, 93 octane, just over half a tank of fuel.

After flashing the BM3 Stage 1 93, I dove around for about 20 miles or so to see if the ECU needed to adapt or anything (my previous Audi did). Then lined up to grab another run. Same location, slightly higher DA.

BM3 Stage 1, 93 octane, just over half a tank of fuel.

I am thoroughly impressed! I didn't think cracking a 10s slip on 93 would be this easy and shaving off a full 2 seconds on the 100-200. Next goal is to see if I can squeeze a 10.7-10.8 in a better DA!!

Appreciate3

SLO.M3

Chi-X4M

04-05-2022

spta97

Colonel

1,488 REP

2.3K POSTS

Nice ride!

Is it your photos, ,lighting, or windshield tint or do you front tinted windows really match that well with the back?

I have not been happy with mine as I feel they are not a perfect match and not as clear as I have had in the past. I per my invoice got the 3M "color stable". They are supposed to deflect heat as well. But they don't match the front as well as yours.

Appreciate0

04-06-2022

BrockDM

Major

2,796 REP

1.2K POSTS

spta97 wrote
Nice ride!

Is it your photos, ,lighting, or windshield tint or do you front tinted windows really match that well with the back?

I have not been happy with mine as I feel they are not a perfect match and not as clear as I have had in the past. I per my invoice got the 3M "color stable". They are supposed to deflect heat as well. But they don't match the front as well as yours.

They match just as well in person. My installer uses XPEL XR Ceramic and he put a light meter on the rears to get as close as possible to the factory tint. I was extremely pleased with how well it turned out

Appreciate0

04-06-2022

spta97

Colonel

1,488 REP

2.3K POSTS

BrockDM wrote
They match just as well in person. My installer uses XPEL XR Ceramic and he put a light meter on the rears to get as close as possible to the factory tint. I was extremely pleased with how well it turned out

Appreciate the info. Depending on how much this bothers me I may go that route.

Do they look as clear as the back windows? Mine seem to have a blur more noticeable in sunlight.

Appreciate0

04-06-2022

BrockDM

Major

2,796 REP

1.2K POSTS

spta97 wrote
Appreciate the info. Depending on how much this bothers me I may go that route.

Do they look as clear as the back windows? Mine seem to have a blur more noticeable in sunlight.

Yeah they are just as clear as the rear. There is a slight hue difference if you look from the inside out both windows. The fronts are cooler toned and the backs are warmer toned. Not super noticeable though

Appreciate0

1 Series

2 Series

3/4 Series

5 Series

6/M6 Series

7 Series

8/M8 Series

M2

M3/M4

M5

X1/X2

X3/X4

X5/X6

X7/XM

Z4

BMWi

BrockDM's X3MC Build Log

BrockDM's X3MC Build Log