Aftermarket Upgrades?

Who out there has started customizing their new F25? Anyone?? If so, post some pictures and let us know what you have done. So far, I'm still 100% stock, but will probably be shaving badges sometime soon...

Shaving badges hardly qualifies as an aftermarket upgrade.

Yes thank you, I know... I'm just stating, so far I haven't done anything other than wash and wax... Was curious what others have done in terms of aftermarket... Wheels, suspension, engine/exhaust??

So far, I did two:

First mod!

and

Second mod!

Nothing to write home about, but I find both very useful.

Hmm, I really like both of those, especially the side view mirrors. What are the chances you can source these parts for the rest of us?

Hello,

I have a huge and $$ list of aftermarket upgrades that will do accordingly to my budget, like the 8.8" display retrofit with navigation and DVD or installing the X-Line Pro Kit, but, the 2 I have done so far:

1. Replacing all the 20 interior light bulbs with LEDS
2. Painting the Black Plastic parts with the matching color of my X3 which is white. This is by far is the best mod I've made, It really stands up for itself

And for the parts you asked, my best bet has always been ebay, for example:

Euro Heated Mirrors -- http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-10-11-12...6e2f2e&vxp=mtr
Euro Light Switch w/Fog lights --http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-OEM-F01-...#ht_938wt_1348

And no, I'm not an ebay aftermarket parts seller, just want to help others... But beware, aftermarket part shopping on ebay is addictive!!

Originally Posted by RO-CK

Hello,

I have a huge and $$ list of aftermarket upgrades that will do accordingly to my budget, like the 10" display retrofit with navigation and DVD or installing the X-Line Pro Kit, but, the 2 I have done so far:

1. Replacing all the 20 interior light bulbs with LEDS
2. Painting the Black Plastic parts with the matching color of my X3 which is white. This is by far is the best mod I've made, It really stands up for itself

And for the parts you asked, my best bet has always been ebay, for example:

Euro Heated Mirrors -- http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-10-11-12...6e2f2e&vxp=mtr
Euro Light Switch w/Fog lights --http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-OEM-F01-...#ht_938wt_1348

And no, I'm not an ebay aftermarket parts seller, just want to help others... But beware, aftermarket part shopping on ebay is addictive!!

You know the rules, pics or it didn't happen. Kidding but seriously let's see the painted black sections. I'm thinking of doing the same and would love to see how it came out.

Just picked up our new X3 this past Sunday and took it out for its first road trip from Seattle to Portland.

As we came into Portland we ran into one hell of a thunderstorm. Torrential rain and pea sized hail that slowed me to 25mph while all of the other cars were pulling over to the shoulder. That is one time I wish I would have the ability to turn on the rear fog lights. I'll be looking at that when I get home.

Well, let me start by telling you that this is my first BMW, I was a VAG fan all the way. Then we saw the X3 and the wife just loved it.

So, 3 days after we got it, we went out to hang out with some friends and the result was a very ugly scratch on the bottom of the rear bumper. So I decided to paint all the ugly black parts in white.

I was really happy with the ending result. They put on a kind of coating that makes the "orange" feeling go away and it feels just like the rest of the car material.

Before... -------Please ignore the window tint, I know it looks ugly as s$$$, but it's for security reasons------
(You can see the scratch)





And after...
(No scratch!!! )






So... I'm really happy with this mod, what do you guys think?

And this is my next mod to do this weekend:

Replacing my 6.5" non DVD CIC with the 8.8" HD screen CIC BMW Professional, DVD, media, etc..

DIY CIC Retrofit

Looks a million times better white. That's one of the major reasons I like the M-Sport, it paints all that stuff so you don't have to.

Originally Posted by Vortec4800

Looks a million times better white. That's one of the major reasons I like the M-Sport, it paints all that stuff so you don't have to.

Thanks for the input! I really like the M-Sport Package, but over here is around $3,000 usd, so for a $500 usd paint + the X-Line Pro Package I'm gonna give it a run for its money

Originally Posted by RO-CK

Thanks for the input! I really like the M-Sport Package, but over here is around $3,000 usd, so for a 500 paint + the X-Line Pro Package I'm gonna give it a run for its money

Very impressed with what you did!! Your X3 looks great!!

I'm very close to ordering a 2013 X3 28i in white and you've inspired me to paint the lower panels white too!

$500 for the paint job is a great price.

Did they paint the parking sensors white or did you have to buy them in white to replace the original black ones?

Thanks!

Thanks kcxi! They painted the parking sensors... You can even see the black around them

Originally Posted by RO-CK

Thanks kcxi! They painted the parking sensors... You can even see the black around them

Thanks for the info RO-CK! So the paint doesn't affect the sensor. That's great!

Your X3 looks like it came from the factory that way. The parking sensors with "black around them" look exactly like those on my white 2008 528xi.

I emailed a paint and body shop I used in the past to see how much they'll charge. I sent them the link to your pictures so they'll know what I want. Your photos are valuable and worth more than a thousand words

Thank you!

Happy to help!!

Looks great RO-CK.

Did they remove the plastic parts for painting or just mask off the rest of the body?

Yes, they removed all the parts, front and rear bumper... I had to purchase 35 staples (I don't know the correct word as english is not my native language) to put the black (now white) plastic parts back on their place

Hello guys,

Just to keep this thread moving I'm gonna publish some pictures from another aftermarket upgrade: Stainless Steel Chrome Exhaust tip, OEM of course

This is the part I installed



Let me know what you think

Before...




And after...





P.S. X-Line Pro Kit on it's way!!

ro-ck- loving the upgrade - have the same car and i will most likely do the paint job too- it really makes a difference on the car. Have you thought about running boards? BTW, how is the upgrade going for the CIC, have been reading your other post and that was(now is) also on my list of wants. Anyway, good stuff you are doing and actually, i like the tint, wish i had gotten something a bit darker on mine irregardless of security, as the florida sun can bake ... best luck[/SIZE]

This is one of the things that is going to kill me buying the new X3...the lack of aftermarket upgrades (that and no MT and the dreaded RFT's). Although I have changed the roundels on my current X3 and the pedals I don't consider that an Aftermarket Upgrade per se.

It is amazing that although they are using the N55 engine which is in several other models there is no chip mod for this yet. I have reached out to Dinan several times and more than a full year after production of the X3 there is still nothing. Not even a simple cold air intake.

Why is this so important? I like more torque than the X3 has to offer. I don't need more top end, but I need a better acceleration curve than it offers.

The other thing by having this ability when the X3 becomes outmoded in 2-3 years it gives it a way to breath new life into a model that may be waning in its competitive edge. And instead of searching for a vehicle all over again, all I have to do is search for a real Aftermarket Upgrade.

@plancktimebmw

No running boards at the moment because I bought the X-Line Pro kit, so I'll see how it looks installed first. The CIC retrofit it's 90% complete, but I'm still waiting on 2 mounting parts needed to have the CIC fully covered. At this moment you can see some of the lower part of the CIC on my car, so I'm waiting on the new parts to arrive and complete the write up as it should.

@Evlengr

Well, there are cosmetic, technological and performance aftermarket upgrades. I think that on the cosmetic/electronic part you have a lot of options/choices on what to do to your car for upgrades, on the performance part not so much. However, did you read that aFe on CA is asking for someone to share with them their X3 so they can develop an intake and whoever gives their car for testing gets a free intake? I think it's a great deal. --- Edit ---- Just saw that you posted over there as well, so you already know, LOL---

Care to share some pictures of the pedals? I'm thinking of doing this "upgrade", but I'm looking for a replacement for the whole pedals and not just the ones that goes above them

Exactly something like this (sadly, it says that they wont fit the F25)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Genuine-...cc4f79&vxp=mtr

RO CK Here ya go http://www.bmwpedals.com/ These guys were absolutely fabulous. They will even custom etch on the dead pedal if you like.

The whole thing, shipping included was about $125.00 US.

Not only do they look good. They feel good.

I wanted to add that I am in no way taking away from the cosmetic changes people can make. Yours are very nice.

It is just that the X3 is about the ONLY vehicle BMW makes that has no performance upgrades.

I get bored very easily with cars and technology and have always managed to overcome that by making little tweeks here and there with cars, computers, etc.... As much as I like my current X3 I am going to get rid of it as I have exceeded what it can offer. I would keep my current X3 if I could add a cold air intake, a better exhaust, etc.... (without spending a small fortune for ROI). For instance. I buy the 5 series and 6 months down the road add a CAI...another six months a ecu chip upgrade, and so on. Can't do that with an X3.

Sure I can change badges, put in different pedals, (have done it), but none of these will get me a quicker start or better growl in the exhaust.

Hoping that will change in the next 3 months or moving on sad to say.

Hartge makes the piggy back module for the N55. I also suggest h and r springs. It rides better and more stable. Make sure you do an alignment afterwards.

Hello guys! The thread hacker returns...

Now I have replaced the white mirror cover with the gray one that will match my X-Line Pro Package: YES!!! It's finally here!




Will post pictures with the complete X-Line Pro Kit installed when I fit it to my car

-- 1. Replacing all the 20 interior light bulbs with LEDS

Where did you get them? Do you have any pictures post-install you could share?

Thanks

J