[Hamburg31]

Hey guys,

I just graduated college, got a job in accounting and saved every penny till I could afford a BMW. I finaly pulled the trigger and got one. Shes a space grey 2011 e90 lci, BMW 328i xdrive. Now it is time to make it just how I want her. Already orders 19" matte black v710s and Lux AE's. So far all I have done is 20% tints all around.

I'll attach pictures ASAP and ask for suggestions.

[Hamburg31]

Here is how it sits today after I cleaned it up. Wheels and AE's should be in this week. And I will upload more pictures of before and after with those.

Next plans are an M3 type spolier, front splitters, and a grill ( what do you guys think Matte Black or Gloss Black) I have seen around that Gloss Black looks much better.

What else should I put on the list

[135Pats]

I would strongly suggest a drop, an xdrive on 19s will look odd. Black grilles are always a good move and take no time to install.

[Hamburg31]

I would love a drop but I love the ride comfort and I don't want to lose that. Maybe 1in drop around that. I would also not want to do a whole suspension set up. Right away. And I get mixed reviews about that being ok to do. What is your opinion. Or suggestion for suspension

[fazi13]

Eibach springs will work with stock coilovers and will drop 1" I believe and will mostly maintain a factory feel

[Kalidian]

Nice ride, congrats! For suspension, save up for coils. The xi crowd especially seems to favour KW's (v1's or v3's if you can swing it). A nice significant (but not overboard) drop with firm and planted (but not uncomfortable) ride quality.

I have pretty much the same car ('09, in white) and the first things I did when I brought her home was plastidip the grills and badge, vinyl'd those ugly reflectors, and remove those stupid "xdrive" badges. Makes a world of difference. Plastidip (no glossifier) meant a matte look, but I think it looks great. If you want gloss I've heard disappointing things about plastidip + glossifier so you can either get bmw performance grilles, but imo those are way too overpriced (at ~$80)... or you can paint over the plastidip with some type of enamel paint coating from your local hardware store to make it shiny.

I'm also considering a trunk lip. check out emotors on ebay for the m3 stock lip rep, good review, ~$60 shipped and paint matched I believe.

And consider vinyl wrapping the roof black. Inexpensive and completely reversible, and it gives a grey car a lot more... "personality".

Oh and also, m-sport rear.

I'd 100% strongly recommend you pick up a performance exhaust asap. I recently got mine on and seriously... just get it. If you were to do just one mod, I'd say make it the PE.

lol sry for long rant/word vomit. I'm excited for you lol - you've got your work cut out. Have fun modding!

[Mardio]

Welcome and congrats.

[Hamburg31]

Thank you everyone for the input. Suspension will come a little later. I have seen a lot of people use the eibach and I like that amount of drop. Its just something I have to look into more.

I wil def take in consideration on all our your ideas.

Has anyone bought any spoliers, spliters etc from jbspeed. Seems pretty legit. I was more curious about the color matching of the parts. If i got a spoiler for my space grey. Would it be spot on.

[AndyR83]

Very cool!

Here are the first things I bought when I got mine:

Body color (painted) inserts to delete front amber reflectors
Matte black kidneys
White LED side turn signals (Don't know if you already have those or not with a 2011)
VMR v710's (same ones you bought)

[jeremicium]

Congrats on the car and the job. I love Space Gray. First thing I'd do would be the suspension...partly for the better stance, but mostly because with xdrive you are missing out on the sporty feel of having sport tuned suspension. There are good compromises between sporty feel while still maintaining a good daily driver/ forgiving feel. After that I'd do the m sport front lip. A more aggressive front end makes the car look so much meaner. I got my front lip and rear m sport bumper/diffuser from Tischer. A bit more expensive, but i didn't want any replica parts, even if they look identical.

[Hamburg31]

AndyR83, what size tires do you have on your v710s? Mine should be in today and I was going to go tire shopping this weekend. Im mostly concerned with side wall depth. They say 35 in front and 30 in back. Can I do 35 all around?

I am slowly getting talked into getting my suspension done. But before that I want to do some exterior mods like jeremicium suggested. I was looking at some front splitters or a lip. I feel the same about paying more for quality as well. Im just worried about how well it will match the paint.

[Brett335i]

I would go with the gloss black grills. I have them on my e92 and I love them. I also suggest a drop. E90s normally look higher and if you switch for some 19s, its going to look even worse. Get some H&R sport prings or go the expensive route and get some coilovers. but atleast an inch and a half drop would be good.

[Hamburg31]

Whats the most you can drop the car before causing any problems (camber, etc.) If and when I do drop it. I dont want to have all other expenses from having get it right. I did a full suspension on my old car. Coilovers all around and a front and rear camber kit to deal with the 2.25in drop. That was expensive

I dont want to go down that same path. I want to keep it simple. Would just running a small drop with springs only be ok? I mean I will get an alignment and everything, but I dont want to deal with rubbing and camber issues and uneven wear of the tires.

[Brett335i]

Doing springs is simple and easy. Most springs give you a max drop of about 1.5in. You shouldnt have to worry about cambers with that.

[Hybrid For Life]

Springs are lame, do it right once so you don't have to do it twice. Get yourself as set of coilovers

[Brett335i]

Originally Posted by Hybrid For Life

Springs are lame, do it right once so you don't have to do it twice. Get yourself as set of coilovers

Dude, he just said he didnt want to take that route.

[Hybrid For Life]

Originally Posted by Brett335i

Dude, he just said he didnt want to take that route.

I did read the thread, I'm giving my opinion.

[Brett335i]

Oh ok. Well, I figured you didnt read his last post. LOL

[AndyR83]

Originally Posted by Hamburg31

AndyR83, what size tires do you have on your v710s? Mine should be in today and I was going to go tire shopping this weekend. Im mostly concerned with side wall depth. They say 35 in front and 30 in back. Can I do 35 all around?

I am slowly getting talked into getting my suspension done. But before that I want to do some exterior mods like jeremicium suggested. I was looking at some front splitters or a lip. I feel the same about paying more for quality as well. Im just worried about how well it will match the paint.

I did the 35 front, 30 back combo. I bought the package together, and I took their advice when they suggested doing it that way. No complaints!

I actually need to bring my front passenger's side wheel in for a repair. I hit a giant pot hole and it got a bend in the lip. Not enough to impair driving, but enough to make me

[johnnyboi418]

congrats. Going for your CPA?

[psmitty95]

Originally Posted by Hamburg31

I would love a drop but I love the ride comfort and I don't want to lose that. Maybe 1in drop around that. I would also not want to do a whole suspension set up. Right away. And I get mixed reviews about that being ok to do. What is your opinion. Or suggestion for suspension

Go with the KW V1's. I have them on my xi and i'm extremely happy with them. They ride as comfortable if not more comfortable as the stock suspension did with a much more sporty and planted feel. Here's a before and after picture of my car on 19's

[zipstic]

Originally Posted by psmitty95

Go with the KW V1's. I have them on my xi and i'm extremely happy with them. They ride as comfortable if not more comfortable as the stock suspension did with a much more sporty and planted feel.

I also have KW V1's on my xi and really like them. As long as you don't want to slam your car, which is doesnt seem like you want to, then they are very comfortable for everyday driving.

I would not recommend only getting springs and using your oem shocks. The shocks will wear out much faster due to not being designed for that ride height and the ride quality deteriorate.

Hang around this forum long enough and you have a new suspension on in no time!