[bl@ster]

Bought a 2012 328i Luxury Line and have been loving it. But now that the M Sports are out, I kinda have aerodynamic body kit envy. I picked up a set of 403m wheels to put on my Lux and just got a quote from the BMW approved body shop here in Seattle that can put on the M Sport aerodynamic body kit. Cost is 5k for parts and labor.

Question for you all:
1. Is this a batshit crazy plan?
2. Has anyone else done this with a Luxury line?
3. Will the chrome trim on my kidneys and chrome window trim look odd coupled with the M Sport body style?
4. Am I making a "franken-car" and should just leave well enough alone?

Here's what I mocked up in Photoshop about how it'll look:

[pkimM3r]

Why not? Looks good to me. $5k though??how much is the labor part? $3k!?!?

[JasonX4MComp]

Originally Posted by bl@ster

Bought a 2012 328i Luxury Line and have been loving it. But now that the M Sports are out, I kinda have aerodynamic body kit envy. I picked up a set of 403m wheels to put on my Lux and just got a quote from the BMW approved body shop here in Seattle that can put on the M Sport aerodynamic body kit. Cost is 5k for parts and labor.

Question for you all:
1. Is this a batshit crazy plan?
2. Has anyone else done this with a Luxury line?
3. Will the chrome trim on my kidneys and chrome window trim look odd coupled with the M Sport body style?
4. Am I making a "franken-car" and should just leave well enough alone?

Here's what I mocked up in Photoshop about how it'll look:

$5k?! for that your better off looking at trading it in on a '13 328 M Sport and using that money as a down payment instead

[Ryan9095]

Originally Posted by Jason335iMsport

$5k?! for that your better off looking at trading it in on a '13 328 M Sport and using that money as a down payment instead

+1

[Maz335i]

Blaster,

I did the exact same thing with my F30 335i Luxury Line. I now own and drive an AW with Saddle Brown M Sport. You know how rare this is? The only one ever produced in 2012!!!

I did explore options on a trade in. What others are missing out on is that it's not as simple as it sounds.

Good luck with ur decision!

[Cyberdemon]

Is it the craziest thing ever? No.

But ask yourself if $5k is really worth it for new bumpers...that's a hard pill to swallow. So is taking the depreciation hit on trying to trade it in.

[buildbright]

I feel your pain, I wanted an M Sport in Mineral White with Saddles Interior. I would have given up the Saddle but not the Mineral White. I was going mod crazy but I stopped myself and will just wait for the M3/M4.

[BMWFanatic2008]

Not worth it IMO. If you really want an MSport, sell your car and order a new one exactly the way you want it.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by bl@ster

... I picked up a set of 403m wheels to put on my Lux and just got a quote from the BMW approved body shop here in Seattle that can put on the M Sport aerodynamic body kit. Cost is 5k for parts and labor.

Question for you all:
1. Is this a batshit crazy plan?
2. Has anyone else done this with a Luxury line?
3. Will the chrome trim on my kidneys and chrome window trim look odd coupled with the M Sport body style?
4. Am I making a "franken-car" and should just leave well enough alone?
...

1. Is this a batshit crazy plan?
   Only if you don't plan to keep the car long term. I say this because the stuff you are doing it all cosmetic and will have no value when you want to resell the car to a dealer or wholesaler. If, however, you keep the car for the entirety useful life (in an accounting sense) or longer, the resale value won't matter. What'll matter is whether you get $5K worth of happiness from having done it. If you sell the car to a private party, you may be able to get some of this value back.
2. Will the chrome trim on my kidneys and chrome window trim look odd coupled with the M Sport body style?
   Not if you like what it looks like. Based on your picture, I think it looks fine. I will say that even though I bought my son an F30, looking at your picture, I don't see what's different. If two were side by side, I might notice the difference.
3. Am I making a "franken-car" and should just leave well enough alone?
   This seems, in substance, like a repeat of question two. I'll just say I've seen pics from members who have created what I would call "franken-cars," and if the pic you provided represents what you want to do, you won't be joining their ilk.

All the best.

[drob23]

Also consider that it might be hard to match the paint of your 1-2 year old car. Which considering the hood line and how the bumper is "connected" to the hood, might look awful after they're done.

Edit - Is this a metallic paint? If so, don't even waste your time...

[IM2C]

Save $5k an use it as a downpayment for your next car.
Labor cost sounds excessive though.

[DrivenByE30]

I would love to have the same in imperial blue.... but $5000 is more than i can afford right now.

If you have the means and the cash to spare, go for it.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by e90im

Save $5k an use it as a downpayment for your next car.
Labor cost sounds excessive though.

That's how I'd use my money, despite what I said above.

[bl@ster]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

Why not? Looks good to me. $5k though??how much is the labor part? $3k!?!?

Actually, no. The PARTS are 3k :|

Here's the estimate:

[Cyberdemon]

For $5k I would rather take a trip to Hawaii...when you get back you'll be so relaxed you won't worry about how aerodynamic your bumpers are.

[bl@ster]

Originally Posted by drob23

Also consider that it might be hard to match the paint of your 1-2 year old car. Which considering the hood line and how the bumper is "connected" to the hood, might look awful after they're done.

Edit - Is this a metallic paint? If so, don't even waste your time...

It's Black Saphire Metallic. The guy who owns it says matching the paint is no problem and they do it all the time (as 70% of their business is BMW) and all the local dealers do their bodywork at this place.

[bl@ster]

There are a lot of parts involved:

[bl@ster]

So, another question to add to my list: Will 403m 19" staggered wheels look OK on a non-MSport body (ie. Luxury Line)?

[Cyberdemon]

The body isn't the issue, it's the fact that you'll have a higher ride height on the non-sport suspension...that never looks good.

[bl@ster]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

The body isn't the issue, it's the fact that you'll have a higher ride height on the non-sport suspension...that never looks good.

Yes, I plan on the suspension upgrade as well at some point soon. Or whenever the packaged kits get released...

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by bl@ster

Yes, I plan on the suspension upgrade as well at some point soon. Or whenever the packaged kits get released...

Another reason to think seriously about trading and getting the real deal.

HighlandPete

[Elk]

It appears you are unhappy with the car you have and want something else. If this is the case, trading in your car and buying what you actually want may be the best course.

On the other hand, if you enjoy modding and the process itself - mod away.

Do whatever will be the most satisfying for you.