[lucreative]

Hey all. First time poster. I recently got a BMW X5 xdrive45e in Xline since I had to have the running boards. I have 2 little girls and a short wife that DO USE it all the time. I know there are very limited exterior mods to the Xline, i.e. aftermarket spoilers, lips, diffusers, etc. So I'm desperately asking for advice on how my make my Xline more sporty and aggressive.

So far the mods I've already done are:

Painted blue Brembo calipers.
Painted front fog trim in matte black.
Metallic black vinyl wrap for front and rear lower lip/valance.
15/20mm front and rear wheel spacers.
Added M Performance Flow-Through spoiler.
Rear carbon fiber side vents and mirror caps.
Smoked front and rear reflectors.

Future add-on: carbon fiber dual slats kidney grille that is coming in the post.

Since I can't change the color of my silver running boards, I'm debating whether I should/could change the silver window trims and silver roof rails to black. I'm keeping the color of the 20" rims and chrome exhausts since I think that flows well with the running boards.

Here are some pics so far. I appreciate any suggestions to balance out the sacrifices I made for not being able to get the M Sport package due to making the X5 more "family friendly".

Thanks BP!

[lucreative]

Anyone think those mid rear trunk wing spoilers in carbon fiber is a good idea as well?

[bagd0003]

Looks nice, good job! BTW, the front silver piece can just be easily removed. I did that on mine. I'd look into getting the exhaust tips powdercoated black. I love how mine turned out. Going to wrap the 2 front silver trim pieces shortly, had that sitting around for a while.

[lucreative]

Thanks. If you're meaning the silver front grille as the silver piece, yeah, I have a Carbon Fiber Dual Slat Grille coming in the mail.

Been debating this for a long time too, anyone think it looks better if I have the window trim blacked out in black vinyl wrap or keep it cerium gray to match the roof rails, running board, and rims? I'm not going to black out the any of those.

[bagd0003]

Originally Posted by lucreative

Thanks. If you're meaning the silver front grille as the silver piece, yeah, I have a Carbon Fiber Dual Slat Grille coming in the mail.

Been debating this for a long time too, anyone think it looks better if I have the window trim blacked out in black vinyl wrap or keep it cerium gray to match the roof rails, running board, and rims? I'm not going to black out the any of those.

I meant the silver piece down below that you had wrapped. It's an overlay that is just held by a handful of plastic rivets.

[eelnoraa]

Wheels?? Those are oem 19”?

[bagd0003]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Wheels?? Those are oem 19”?

those are 20s

[lucreative]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Wheels?? Those are oem 19”?

Those are 20"s. Can't go 21" as well due to ride comfort for wife and kids and availability of tire sizes. Maybe powder coat black? Still thinking about the blackout window trims. Paint, vinyl wrap, or the black steel overlays that are prevalent on eBay. Anybody have experience with those?

[lucreative]

Finally decided to get the chrome window trim wrapped in gloss black vinyl. Shop said wrapping the running boards would be very time consuming and possibly dangerous due to foot use. Should I keep the brushed aluminum roof rails or wrap/cover them in black or does it flow with the silver rims and running board?

[X6ix GTA]

Originally Posted by lucreative

Finally decided to get the chrome window trim wrapped in gloss black vinyl. Shop said wrapping the running boards would be very time consuming and possibly dangerous due to foot use. Should I keep the brushed aluminum roof rails or wrap/cover them in black or does it flow with the silver rims and running board?

I like it this way . Silver line flowing at the top and one at the bottom.

[lucreative]

Finally added the last touches to this "Non-M". Carbon fiber grille. Carbon fiber headlight "eyelids" and carbon fiber mid-trunk spoiler.

[rundeyvoo]

Originally Posted by lucreative

Finally decided to get the chrome window trim wrapped in gloss black vinyl. Shop said wrapping the running boards would be very time consuming and possibly dangerous due to foot use. Should I keep the brushed aluminum roof rails or wrap/cover them in black or does it flow with the silver rims and running board?

Looking great! I'd cover the roof rails in black, it would make it look really clean. I would even consider powder coating the exhaust trim black since you blacked out the trim in the front.

Everything looks great overall so far, good job

[Salcor]

It does look a lot more sporty now!

Looking to do sth similar around the window trim. How durable is that vinyl? Is it resistant to heat (I live in Florida)? Did you apply it yourself or had it done by a specialist?

[lucreative]

Thanks. Don't know about the heat yet, but had a shop do it for me with a high quality 3M vinyl. Seems to have held up very well so far.

[lucreative]

Took the plunge and decided to complete the black out look as some members had suggested.

- Gloss black vinyl wrapped roof rails

- Gloss black powder coated OEM 20" rims

- Gloss black painted exhuast tips

- Wrinkle black painted OEM running boards (to keep grip)

- Blacked out emblems and front iDrive fender badges

- Custom painted license plate

Was wondering about taking the full plunge to paint the plastic wheel trims and bumper, but the shop said it wasn't neccessary since it's already black and it gives this car some texture to offset too much black. Still have the LCI tail light upgrade coming. Should I paint the plastic trims?

[MADBMWX5MC]

Wow, looks stunning...well done.

[nicodep]

Hi, you want your Xline more aggressive ?

... this way : convert to body kit to X5M

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2003843

[lucreative]

Originally Posted by nicodep

Hi, you want your Xline more aggressive ?

... this way : convert to body kit to X5M

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2003843

Oh I wish! I saw your project, but need to keep the running boards for the wife and kids. Had to find a way to integrate them naturally.

[jonesy16]

Do you mind sharing the approximate costs of the vinyl wrapping on the chrome trim? I just picked up a 45E in Manhattan Green and I think the M-sport models with the shadow line look great with that green color.

[starlights]

Originally Posted by jonesy16

Do you mind sharing the approximate costs of the vinyl wrapping on the chrome trim? I just picked up a 45E in Manhattan Green and I think the M-sport models with the shadow line look great with that green color.

Willing to DIY?

https://www.amazon.com/EZAUTOWRAP-Gl.../dp/B07N6M8WPP

[lucreative]

Originally Posted by jonesy16

Do you mind sharing the approximate costs of the vinyl wrapping on the chrome trim? I just picked up a 45E in Manhattan Green and I think the M-sport models with the shadow line look great with that green color.

Depends on which chrome trim pieces. These were the approximate prices that a reputable shop in Hollywood charged me. The chrome window trim wrap was about $280 including the 3M vinyl wrap materials. The roof rails were about $150 if I provided my own vinyl material or $240 if they did (the wrap material needs to be about 10ft long which is pricey). The front and rear diffuser/bumper were $100 each to have wrapped, but maybe I should have had it painted or removed. The badges you could have painted, wrapped, or just replace them with blacked out ones online. The exhaust tips should not be wrapped, due to heat, but it can. I had mine painted for $200.

[jonesy16]

Originally Posted by lucreative

Depends on which chrome trim pieces. These were the approximate prices that a reputable shop in Hollywood charged me. The chrome window trim wrap was about $280 including the 3M vinyl wrap materials. The roof rails were about $150 if I provided my own vinyl material or $240 if they did (the wrap material needs to be about 10ft long which is pricey). The front and rear diffuser/bumper were $100 each to have wrapped, but maybe I should have had it painted or removed. The badges you could have painted, wrapped, or just replace them with blacked out ones online. The exhaust tips should not be wrapped, due to heat, but it can. I had mine painted for $200.

Thanks!