Black Sapphire M550 LCI build in progress

ashmostro · 06-06-2023, 09:48 PM

Getting close to where I envisioned her... I'm still waiting on a few remaining cosmetic bits, but the core look was reached today when the Vossen wheels went on.

Current setup:
- RW Carbon performance-style front lip
- RW Carbon side gill covers
- RW Carbon M-style mirror caps
- Ebay F90 style black rear diffuser
- BMW M Pro rear decklid spoiler
- Vossen 20x9 et25 and 20x10.5 et45 HF-3 wheels in Double Tinted Gloss Black; no spacers
- Michelin PS4S in 255/35 and 295/30
- Eibach Pro-Kit springs
- F90 non-comp sway bars
- Dinan mid pipe mated to an Eisenmann axle-back
- CG Precision valve controller - default to valves open (sounds perfect)
- BMW M performance big brake upgrade
- Xpel ceramic tint on all windows and windshield
- Paint corrected, and protected with Diamond Protech Body 36
- Gloss black rear model lettering
- Deleted X drive emblem

Waiting to receive:
- Bimmer Plug F90-style carbon front grille
- IND painted roundels front and rear (huge backlog on these)

Appreciate any and all feedback!
-Ash

BWilson263 · 06-08-2023, 01:44 AM

Great looking ride...continue to keep us updated.

maDjzo · 06-08-2023, 06:09 AM

Great build, car is looking awesome. Is the rear spoiler OEM? If so any reason you did not go with RW as well?

Orion12521 · 06-08-2023, 07:30 AM

Great looking car!

ashmostro · 06-08-2023, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maDjzo

Great build, car is looking awesome. Is the rear spoiler OEM? If so any reason you did not go with RW as well?

Yes the rear spoiler is OEM - didn't go with RW simply because it was backordered. That said, I'm glad I did because on a part that is higher up on the beltline, having a completely flat surface with no waviness that you normally see in non-OEM parts (including RW) is a plus. is it worth twice the price? It's a beholder thing. For me it was.

Thanks for the comments so far, all!

maDjzo · 06-08-2023, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Yes the rear spoiler is OEM - didn't go with RW simply because it was backordered. That said, I'm glad I did because on a part that is higher up on the beltline, having a completely flat surface with no waviness that you normally see in non-OEM parts (including RW) is a plus. is it worth twice the price? It's a beholder thing. For me it was.

Thanks for the comments so far, all!

Good stuff

Rocket455 · 06-08-2023, 04:23 PM

Nicely done, I love it!! The carbon fiber gives just enough contrast against the black paint to stand out, and your grille will complete the look. Are you thinking about side skirts?

ashmostro · 06-08-2023, 04:35 PM

Thanks! I almost did side skirts but I decided since the G30 doesn't have the birthing hips of the F90 that it could make the cabin section look a little too slim proportionally. For now this look works for me but you never know!

ashmostro · 06-08-2023, 04:38 PM

Update: I've ordered an f90 comp rear sway bar to swap out with the current non comp unit. Idea is to induce less traction on the rear to give the front more balance. F90s have just 10mm of tread width difference front to rear; my car now has 40mm.

I'm hoping this will make the car feel more neutral in corners.

ashmostro · 06-16-2023, 10:05 AM

Added some carbon bumper vent trim and gloss black M badges to the fenders.

For the latter, I think it helps balance out the large negative space behind the wheel well. Was on the fence about it till I tried it out.

Gautam · 06-16-2023, 10:57 PM

Mean, looks great.

ashmostro · 06-20-2023, 02:08 PM

Bimmerplug dual-slat carbon grille installed. Quality is very good!

NRoyalone · 07-07-2023, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Added some carbon bumper vent trim and gloss black M badges to the fenders.

For the latter, I think it helps balance out the large negative space behind the wheel well. Was on the fence about it till I tried it out.

Agreed with the side Ms; IDK why the US didnt get them standard. I need to order some myself. We need more M550s in DC/MD/VA lol

NRoyalone · 07-07-2023, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Bimmerplug dual-slat carbon grille installed. Quality is very good!

Did you delete the active grille for this?

ashmostro · 07-07-2023, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NRoyalone

Did you delete the active grille for this?

Negative. You can if you want to, but there is no interference between the aftermarket grille and the active louvers.

ashmostro · 07-07-2023, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NRoyalone

Agreed with the side Ms; IDK why the US didnt get them standard. I need to order some myself. We need more M550s in DC/MD/VA lol

Agreed! I actually saw one the other day and both of us were clearly surprised haha.

NRoyalone · 07-07-2023, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Negative. You can if you want to, but there is no interference between the aftermarket grille and the active louvers.

Perfect! I've been considering this mod, but didnt want to go through the hassle of removing the active piece/s.

ashmostro · 07-07-2023, 10:12 PM

Yeah, I'm with you. I also prefer having the added fuel economy for longer trips.

pperc · 07-08-2023, 11:09 AM

Very nice. The oem wheel caps fit the Vossen wheels?

ashmostro · 07-08-2023, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pperc

Very nice. The oem wheel caps fit the Vossen wheels?

They do not, unfortunately. What I did was purchase these BMW OEM domed center cap emblems and applied them to the Vossen center caps with a little extra 3M VHB tape applied to the middle of the emblems.

M550iWoW · 07-11-2023, 01:21 PM

Looking great!!! Keep us posted. I need to start doing things to mine as well.

M550iWoW · 07-11-2023, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Added some carbon bumper vent trim and gloss black M badges to the fenders.

For the latter, I think it helps balance out the large negative space behind the wheel well. Was on the fence about it till I tried it out.

Where did you get carbon bumper vent trim from? RW as well or somewhere else??

06-06-2023, 09:48 PM	#1
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Black Sapphire M550 LCI build in progress - murdered out! Getting close to where I envisioned her... I'm still waiting on a few remaining cosmetic bits, but the core look was reached today when the Vossen wheels went on. Current setup: - RW Carbon performance-style front lip - RW Carbon side gill covers - RW Carbon M-style mirror caps - Ebay F90 style black rear diffuser - BMW M Pro rear decklid spoiler - Vossen 20x9 et25 and 20x10.5 et45 HF-3 wheels in Double Tinted Gloss Black; no spacers - Michelin PS4S in 255/35 and 295/30 - Eibach Pro-Kit springs - F90 non-comp sway bars - Dinan mid pipe mated to an Eisenmann axle-back - CG Precision valve controller - default to valves open (sounds perfect) - BMW M performance big brake upgrade - Xpel ceramic tint on all windows and windshield - Paint corrected, and protected with Diamond Protech Body 36 - Gloss black rear model lettering - Deleted X drive emblem Waiting to receive: - Bimmer Plug F90-style carbon front grille - IND painted roundels front and rear (huge backlog on these) Appreciate any and all feedback! -Ash Attached Images Last edited by ashmostro; 06-08-2023 at 10:50 AM..
	Appreciate 8 maDjzo861.50 MRDILLONS138.00 UKF302524.00 Drifttime85100.50 Packfodder32.00 Bsm55048.00 FlyingWombat243.50 M550iWoW152.00 Tweet Quote

06-08-2023, 01:44 AM	#2
BWilson263 Second Lieutenant 187 Rep 292 Posts Drives: 2019 540i - 2020 X5 40i Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	Great looking ride...continue to keep us updated.
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06-08-2023, 06:09 AM	#3
maDjzo Captain 862 Rep 885 Posts Drives: G30 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M550i [0.00]	Great build, car is looking awesome. Is the rear spoiler OEM? If so any reason you did not go with RW as well?
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06-08-2023, 07:30 AM	#4
Orion12521 New Member 63 Rep 29 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M550i Join Date: May 2023 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M550i [0.00]	Great looking car!
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06-08-2023, 04:23 PM	#7
Rocket455 Grumpysaurus Rex 484 Rep 423 Posts Drives: 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1972 Firechicken [0.00] 1969 Toronado [0.00] 1970 Camaro [0.00]	Nicely done, I love it!! The carbon fiber gives just enough contrast against the black paint to stand out, and your grille will complete the look. Are you thinking about side skirts? __________________ “Science has made us gods even before we are worthy of being men.”
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-08-2023, 04:35 PM	#8
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Thanks! I almost did side skirts but I decided since the G30 doesn't have the birthing hips of the F90 that it could make the cabin section look a little too slim proportionally. For now this look works for me but you never know!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-08-2023, 04:38 PM	#9
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Update: I've ordered an f90 comp rear sway bar to swap out with the current non comp unit. Idea is to induce less traction on the rear to give the front more balance. F90s have just 10mm of tread width difference front to rear; my car now has 40mm. I'm hoping this will make the car feel more neutral in corners.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-16-2023, 10:05 AM	#10
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Added some carbon bumper vent trim and gloss black M badges to the fenders. For the latter, I think it helps balance out the large negative space behind the wheel well. Was on the fence about it till I tried it out. Attached Images
	Appreciate 3 maDjzo861.50 FlyingWombat243.50 Bsm55048.00 Quote

06-16-2023, 10:57 PM	#11
Gautam Lieutenant 617 Rep 522 Posts Drives: M550 Join Date: May 2021 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M550i [0.00]	Mean, looks great.
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06-20-2023, 02:08 PM	#12
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Bimmerplug dual-slat carbon grille installed. Quality is very good! Attached Images
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07-07-2023, 10:12 PM	#18
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Yeah, I'm with you. I also prefer having the added fuel economy for longer trips.
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07-08-2023, 11:09 AM	#19
pperc Private First Class 116 Rep 171 Posts Drives: G Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Philly iTrader: (0)	Very nice. The oem wheel caps fit the Vossen wheels?
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07-11-2023, 01:21 PM	#21
M550iWoW Private First Class 152 Rep 113 Posts Drives: Bmw M550i Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Miami, Fl iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 bmw M550i [0.00] 2020 Lexus GS 350 F ... [0.00]	Looking great!!! Keep us posted. I need to start doing things to mine as well.
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