DINAN badge
I guess I just have too much pride in the 535i name to want to fool anybody to think of it as anything otherwise, then.
535i signifies something sportier than the 550i to me, which signifies brute smooth luxurious force to the nth degree.
But I still do some poseur-ing of my own, as I added an "M" license plate frame. Though, I don't think in this day and age where BMW already put other "M" badges on my car, iem steering wheel, dead pedal, door sills, ect., that something like an M license plate frame can be considered "poseur" anymore.
I have an 535i M-Sport in dark graphite just like yours!
Not only that, I also got rid of a 2011 Mercedes Benz e350 like you also did....
People asked me "Why?" and I said "Well, think of TWO great German car companies: ONE builds trucks and buses; the other one builds motorcycles --so *YOU* do the math".
I too, bought an "M" license plate frame like you did - but am unsure yet whether to install it on the car or not. The body kit and wheels are that of an M, but it's NOT an M5 either.
Someday however, I may debadge it and pit THIS badge in its place:
DINAN 5
Those badges are free, but ONLY if you get there by modding according to their "point" system = so many points for each modification.
I couldn't happen though yet for a few reasons -
1. DINAN is an engineering company first and foremost, and it may be years till they are ready with the appropriate 535i mods; though they are working on them.
I know this because I was there at the DINAN HQ in Morgan Hill recently and talkd to the people there.
DINAN WILL match the 5/50 factory warranty offered by BMW, but it might void the factory one, though I doubt it.
2. I am going to pay the car off this month so it will keep my wallet pretty empty for a while, except for date money and gasoline!
3. An integrated DINAN setup weill include mods to the suspension, remapping, engine and brakes at least - perhaps transmission and wheels too.
This could be upwards of $20k if you go full boat - and as many of us know, that when you start modding, often ties you tend to push things to the limit or take things as far as they'll go.
From what I've heard, seen, read and personally know about the DINAN operation, they are among the best, for BMW, up there with AC Schnitzer and Alpina, I feel.