Aesthetic 118i Mod Suggestions

[LewLew]

Hey guys,

So, initially I was quite chuffed with the fact that I finally got a beemer. It looks great, goes well and handles like a dream. I thought that'd be enough... Then I joined this forum.

Now I wanna mod it. But I don't want to compromise resale value or my motorplan - there are also budgetary constraints. So what I wanna do is make small aesthetic mods that are potentially reversible come sale time.

For a start, I'm definitely going to give this a try - give the rear bumper a sort of M-sport look: http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=70417

I have a mate who owns a car wrapping company, so other ideas I had were to add a black strip to the side mirrors, ala M-Sport, again.? Which would look better?

As for the front bumper, I'm not sure if there's anything I can do. Maybe black out the bottom lip? Black out the grill? Any thoughts on what would look good?

Do you guys have any other little tricks that might help my car look a little sportier?

 

[ChrisBrand]

Hi,

Its quite difficult to mod a car thats still under motorplan without loosing it.

The guys at BMW are very quick to cancel a motorplan if they even suspect that the car had cosmetic and/or performance work done to it.

That being said you would probably be safe to add new wheels (keep the stock ones) which would make a nice statement.

You can PlastiDip (FlexiDip) the grills to black and/or the badges.

Should you wish you can wrap the head and taillights with lamin x.

You can change the badges to CF ones or another colour.

Any other mod, other than those listed above, would in all probability void your motorplan.

 

[LewLew]

Thanks for the ideas. I'll definitely look into them. If I change my rims will the dealer buy them from me or will I have to sell them privately, should I decide to get rid of them?

Sh*t so even basic wraps will void my MP? :thumbdo: :thumbdo:

 

[r0ckf1re]

I think this would suit the front bumper. I have it done on my A4 and it made a nice difference.
Gloss black kidney grills as well.

 

[ChrisBrand]

Thanks for the ideas. I'll definitely look into them. If I change my rims will the dealer buy them from me or will I have to sell them privately, should I decide to get rid of them?

Sh*t so even basic wraps will void my MP? :thumbdo: :thumbdo:

I doubt the dealer will purchase the rims.

Yes, BMW may in their own discretion void the motorplan if any unauthorised changes have been made to the vehicle which in their own opinion may compromise any part of the motorvehicle (in your case the paint).

 

[LewLew]

Just got confirmation from my dealer that vinyl wrapping won't affect my motorplan. I've emailed BMW motorplan queries as well just to double check.

This is good news.

I think this would suit the front bumper. I have it done on my A4 and it made a nice difference.
Gloss black kidney grills as well.

Nice. Thanks. Looks pretty cool.

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

Most exterior mods are fine, just get an email from BMW to be safe like I did too.

The black out on the bottom bumper will be awesome.

There's a non MSport CF front splitter/lip available if I am not mistaken, might be something to consider?

You can also black out the 'diffuser' at the rear should give it a more sporty look and then maybe lamin-x the lights? Should tighten it up..

:cartel:

 

[LewLew]

Most exterior mods are fine, just get an email from BMW to be safe like I did too.

The black out on the bottom bumper will be awesome.

There's a non MSport CF front splitter/lip available if I am not mistaken, might be something to consider?

You can also black out the 'diffuser' at the rear should give it a more sporty look and then maybe lamin-x the lights? Should tighten it up..

:cartel:

Thanks man. Any idea where I might start looking for the front splitter?

Also, I have no idea where to even start looking for official BMW rims. Google yields very little, except for second hand stuff.

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

Most exterior mods are fine, just get an email from BMW to be safe like I did too.

The black out on the bottom bumper will be awesome.

There's a non MSport CF front splitter/lip available if I am not mistaken, might be something to consider?

You can also black out the 'diffuser' at the rear should give it a more sporty look and then maybe lamin-x the lights? Should tighten it up..

:cartel:

Thanks man. Any idea where I might start looking for the front splitter?

Also, I have no idea where to even start looking for official BMW rims. Google yields very little, except for second hand stuff.

I would ask one of the current forum sponsors as a start who work with the aftermarket parts, maybe they have some local stock. Importing one might be !ore costly..

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/forumdisplay.php?fid=61

Rims.. Yeah going to be honest.. If you want OEM decent rims you buy them new from BMW. There are some always advertised coming off the F30 base sport models on the gum 18" if I am not mistaken but yeah you take a gamble either way.

 

[LewLew]

Car's booked in to have the rear diffuser and front lip vinyled in gloss black next week. The guy says he can't use vinyl to black out the grill though. Does anyone know of any reversible alternatives? Someone mentioned plastidip? How does that work?

Or have any of you had success using vinyl to black out the grill? Do I even need to worry about it being reversible - it's such a small mod I doubt anyone will even notice.

Also, I was thinking of covering the side mirrors in gloss black too. What do you guys think? Too much?

I'll post some before and afters next week.

 

[ChrisBrand]

Plastidip (or Flexidip) is a rubber type spray. If you apply enough coats (4+) it can easily be removed by simply pulling on it.

check the YouTube vids

 

[LewLew]

Plastidip (or Flexidip) is a rubber type spray. If you apply enough coats (4+) it can easily be removed by simply pulling on it.

check the YouTube vids

Thanks Chris. Any reputable places in the Randburg area you know who might do this?

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

Hmm vinyl on the grill, it's doable but will probably be one big PITA ...
Rather just spray it/dip it. For resale nobody really looks at this stuff on general cars.

As a semi-related note: All that matters at resale time is general condition, year model and kms. Whether you have 50k+ worth of mods is irrelevant..

 

[r0ckf1re]

Plastidip (or Flexidip) is a rubber type spray. If you apply enough coats (4+) it can easily be removed by simply pulling on it.

check the YouTube vids

Thanks Chris. Any reputable places in the Randburg area you know who might do this?

Speak to Shamlin at Design Labs in Linden

He can help with the wrap, and most likely the grill as well.

082 two five seven 19 five six

 

[ChrisBrand]

At any Builders Warehouse

 

[LewLew]

Plastidip (or Flexidip) is a rubber type spray. If you apply enough coats (4+) it can easily be removed by simply pulling on it.

check the YouTube vids

Thanks Chris. Any reputable places in the Randburg area you know who might do this?

Speak to Shamlin at Design Labs in Linden

He can help with the wrap, and most likely the grill as well.

082 two five seven 19 five six

Thanks bud!

 

[LewLew]

Okay so I had the rear bumper, the front lip and the side mirrors vinyled in gloss black yesterday. I haven't managed to get a pic of the front yet, but in the mean time here's ones of the rear.

I'll post some pics of the front soon. I'm keen to hear what you guys think about the gloss black side mirrors. Wasn't sure at first but it's growing on me.

I'm going to see the guys at Design Lab to have the grill done.

All I need now is an M badge and I'm sorted :roflol: :roflol: :roflol:

BEFORE: (yes, she's filthy)

AFTER: (not the best pic - looks great in person)

 

[KPM3_30]

Also give J&K Customs a call. They are really doing some great work. Have a look at their Facebook page :blowheart:

 

[Teezy_F30]

looks good man ... now front pics please! ...
gloss black mirrors do look good .. I had the f30 mirrors sprayed gloss black .. gives a sportier edge to the car compared to colour coding ..

 

[peanut125i]

Wow that little bit of paint really transforms the look of the car.