22 540i Upgrades

ArchieV · 07-30-2022, 01:45 PM

Finally got around to making some slight upgrades. Thought I would just start up another feed for all future updates as well.

Got the windows tinted all around (except windshield) in 20% XPEL Prime XR. Inside it's great in terms of night time visibility on poorly lit roads. No headache backing out of a dark driveway or things of the like. My only complaint is I thought it would be darker from the outside looking in. You can still see in fairly easily in day time but overall I am happy with it. It's a good balance of being just light enough that most cops probably wont ticket you. Given I am running no front plate the less the attention to me the better.

Replaced the chrome grill with a gloss black double slat kidney grill from Amazon. Fit was perfect and definitely gives it a nice touch. Only PIA was removing the old grill, 2 of the 6 bottom clips snapped on me. The top and side clips came off without any effort but I couldn't find the right angle to simply allow the bottom clips to release. Sadly eventually too much pressure got the better of me and snapped them but nothing a hot glue gun can't fix if need be.

iiwilsonii · 07-30-2022, 02:49 PM

Lookin mean!

peteinpa · 07-31-2022, 10:23 AM

Looks good. I love the black trim pieces against white

FrankW1029 · 08-01-2022, 12:27 AM

Looks good

Joe-BMW33 · 08-02-2022, 09:59 AM

Nice job, looks great. No issues with the double slat grill interfering with the active grill?

ArchieV · 08-02-2022, 12:52 PM

None at all. The back side of the slats sit in the same position as the original.

Joe-BMW33 · 08-02-2022, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArchieV

None at all. The back side of the slats sit in the same position as the original.

Are these the double slat grills in your picture? It's tough to tell, but they don't look like the M5 style double slats.

I like the double slat grills a lot, but I heard the OEM one's don't clear the active grills and even if the aftermarket ones do, there is a lot going on back there in terms of slats and active grill in terms of the look when the grill is closed.

EDIT: Never mind, I just realized you have an LCI and the double slat grills are less obvious than the pre-LCI.

G30 B58 · 08-02-2022, 04:12 PM

So that's what the non-Shadowline lights look like.

Any plans to wrap the roof?

ArchieV · 08-02-2022, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G30 B58

So that's what the non-Shadowline lights look like.

Any plans to wrap the roof?

Yes 😢 lol. I was at the dealer this past weekend and as I'm leaving of course a 22 is sitting right in front with the shadow line package. I kicked myself again for not just opting in for the package.

I think that's next on my list actually along with rear 540i and XDrive badge removal.

G30 B58 · 08-03-2022, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArchieV

Yes 😢 lol. I was at the dealer this past weekend and as I'm leaving of course a 22 is sitting right in front with the shadow line package. I kicked myself again for not just opting in for the package.

I think that's next on my list actually along with rear 540i and XDrive badge removal.

At the very least, the X-Drive has to go. Plus, it's a $.00 cost.

BMW012 · 08-12-2022, 03:46 PM

what about the side mirror caps

BWilson263 · 09-14-2022, 04:45 PM

Looks good...always wanted a white vehicle. Just wasn't sure if I would keep up with keeping it clean enough.

07-30-2022, 01:45 PM	#1
ArchieV Corporal 296 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 22 540i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	22 540i Upgrades Finally got around to making some slight upgrades. Thought I would just start up another feed for all future updates as well. Got the windows tinted all around (except windshield) in 20% XPEL Prime XR. Inside it's great in terms of night time visibility on poorly lit roads. No headache backing out of a dark driveway or things of the like. My only complaint is I thought it would be darker from the outside looking in. You can still see in fairly easily in day time but overall I am happy with it. It's a good balance of being just light enough that most cops probably wont ticket you. Given I am running no front plate the less the attention to me the better. Replaced the chrome grill with a gloss black double slat kidney grill from Amazon. Fit was perfect and definitely gives it a nice touch. Only PIA was removing the old grill, 2 of the 6 bottom clips snapped on me. The top and side clips came off without any effort but I couldn't find the right angle to simply allow the bottom clips to release. Sadly eventually too much pressure got the better of me and snapped them but nothing a hot glue gun can't fix if need be. Attached Images __________________ Archie
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07-30-2022, 02:49 PM	#2
iiwilsonii Enlisted Member 19 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW 540i Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Tempe iTrader: (0)	Lookin mean!
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07-31-2022, 10:23 AM	#3
peteinpa First Lieutenant 396 Rep 385 Posts Drives: 2013 535xi Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: SE Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	Looks good. I love the black trim pieces against white
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08-01-2022, 12:27 AM	#4
FrankW1029 Private First Class 74 Rep 105 Posts Drives: BMW G30 540i Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Looks good
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08-02-2022, 09:59 AM	#5
Joe-BMW33 Major General 7338 Rep 6,749 Posts Drives: '18 M550i\|'21 X5\|'03 540i Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Boston iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 VW Tiguan [0.00] 2015 Infiniti QX60 [0.00] 2021 BMW X5 [0.00] 2003 BMW 540i [0.00] 2018 BMW M550 [10.00]	Nice job, looks great. No issues with the double slat grill interfering with the active grill? __________________ 2018 M550ix\|Carbon Black\|Dinan Modifications\|2003 540i\|Jet Black\|M-Sport\|2021 X5 Mineral White Prior BMW's: 1987 325e\|1993 740i\|1998 740il\|2001 530i\|2002 745li\|2007 750li\|2006 750li\|2001 530i\|2012 535xi\|
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08-02-2022, 12:52 PM	#6
ArchieV Corporal 296 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 22 540i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	None at all. The back side of the slats sit in the same position as the original. __________________ Archie
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08-02-2022, 04:12 PM	#8
G30 B58 Pace Car Driver 1548 Rep 3,164 Posts Drives: '22 AW G30 B58 M-Sport Join Date: May 2014 Location: my garage in PA iTrader: (0)	So that's what the non-Shadowline lights look like. Any plans to wrap the roof? Last edited by G30 B58; 08-02-2022 at 04:39 PM..
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08-12-2022, 03:46 PM	#11
BMW012 Major 1008 Rep 1,176 Posts Drives: 2023 M550i CBM/Ivory Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2025 X6 BG/Silverstone [0.00] 2023 M550i CBM/Ivory [0.00]	what about the side mirror caps
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09-14-2022, 04:45 PM	#12
BWilson263 Second Lieutenant 187 Rep 292 Posts Drives: 2019 540i - 2020 X5 40i Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	Looks good...always wanted a white vehicle. Just wasn't sure if I would keep up with keeping it clean enough.
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