SEMA Preview 2014 // Black Betty Build Journal // TAG Motorsports

[Gabe@TAG]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

The week leading up to SEMA is always intense but also a load of fun. It’s our time to pull out all the stops and see what it is we can accomplish. The “Black Betty” M4 has been a build in progress for some time and it’s getting some final updates as we speak.

The car will be showcased with the Akrapovic booth this year. As many of you know by previous threads (and the Akrapovic Livery) the car currently has the Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust system installed. The sound of this system is incredible, and the ability to control the valves is extremely convenient. Surrounding the carbon exhaust tips is the Akra rear diffuser in matte carbon. This will prove to be a focal point for the rest of the carbon later.





Once the car was delivered we got to work. We started with installing H&R Super Sport Springs (which would change later on.) It gave us a nice ride and stance, but we still wanted the adjustability. Along with the suspension came a set of 20x10 HRE Satin Bronze P104’s. These wheels accented the car beautifully and gave us a nice fitment with the current suspension.

Paintwork was next and this car became the guinea pig for future M4’s. We removed the seat backs from the front seat and rear headrests. We also removed the steering wheel trim and the shifter bezel. These all received red paint to match the calipers we had painted the same color.

With this car now covered in full Akra Livery we decided to start focusing on the subtle touches. We wanted all the carbon to match, so we thought the best way was to go matte. We installed Carbon M Performance Mirror Caps, Rear Spoiler, Front Lip, and E-Brake. We sprayed everything matte carbon in house and most people agree is looks incredible. The matte carbon against the metallic black paint is an incredible contrast. Later we would have the carbon roof wrapped in matte clear to match the rest of the car.













We shifted our focus back to suspension once KW Height Adjustable Springs became available. These gave us the the flexibility we were looking for. We did however run into an issue. We were running 20x10 up front and the spring perch didn’t allow us to lower the car to where we wanted (only about 1.2’” lower than stock.)









We switched shortly after to a set of BLK 20x9.5 501 GTR’s with a slightly lower offset. This setup gave us the stance we had been searching for. Everyone loved how those wheels looked and the quality is phenomenal. For the big show however, we went with a company that hadn't met our M4 yet...











BBS FI’s have become known for their quality, weight, and overall look. These particular wheels are 20x9.5 in a Titanium finish with BBS Performance Red Centers to match the rest of the car. We couldn’t be more excited with how the car looks right now.









You may notice in the photos below that the grills seem to have disappeared. Well as many of our fellow shops can probably attest, SEMA can have you working right down to the wire. We wanted to update the color of the grills and they are drying as we speak.



















TAG Motorsports is proud of how this car looks and we hope you stop by the booth, take a picture, and let us know what you think.

[crand002]

Damn......

[Sean@PSI]

Love the livery and wheels! Those matte carbon details really work well. Can't wait to see it next week!

[Jay1994]

Awesome nice job Grubbs! & Sick car Alex. Really well done

[karbonphiber]

Looks sick. What color did you change the grills to?

[Gabe@TAG]

Originally Posted by karbonphiber

Looks sick. What color did you change the grills to?

We tried an accent color but decided black was still the best.

[JTO24]

mmm Akra + BBS + BMW = so much win, as is tradition.

[Bob MG]

So hot

Was waiting to see a set of ti FIs on the F82

Trying to decide but think this is the route

Also are they 9,5x20 all around or are rears 10,5x20 ?

[Gabe@TAG]

Originally Posted by crand002

Damn......

That's what I said!

[Gabe@TAG]

Originally Posted by PSI

Love the livery and wheels! Those matte carbon details really work well. Can't wait to see it next week!

Thank You!! We were really happy with how the accents turned out. And with the wheels, we hated taking off the BLK's but these BBS's are something else.

[Gabe@TAG]

Originally Posted by Jay1994

Awesome nice job Grubbs! & Sick car Alex. Really well done

Originally Posted by JTO24

mmm Akra + BBS + BMW = so much win, as is tradition.

Thanks guys! We've definitely had some fun with this car.

[CSanto]

Grubbs, how does the carbon accessories look on the BSM car in person?
I'm contemplating doing the splitters, but I dont know if its a black redundancy.

[Gabe@TAG]

Originally Posted by Bob MG

So hot

Was waiting to see a set of ti FIs on the F82

Trying to decide but think this is the route

Also are they 9,5x20 all around or are rears 10,5x20 ?

The 20x9.5 and 20x10.5 fitment from BBS was a bit too weak for us up front however perfect in the rear, we elected for a set of H&R 10mm spacers on the front to even it out with the rear. That being said, mate it to a set of 255/30/20 and 285/30/20 rubber, and we have a bulletproof fitment.

[Gabe@TAG]

Originally Posted by CSanto

Grubbs, how does the carbon accessories look on the BSM car in person?
I'm contemplating doing the splitters, but I dont know if its a black redundancy.

Personally I think its a great looking contrast. It makes the carbon pop a little more because it's not polished like the rest of the car. I would imagine if we had installed the same parts but in gloss it wouldn't have looked nearly as good.

[Bob MG]

Originally Posted by Grubbs@TAG

The 20x9.5 and 20x10.5 fitment from BBS was a bit too weak for us up front however perfect in the rear, we elected for a set of H&R 10mm spacers on the front to even it out with the rear. That being said, mate it to a set of 255/30/20 and 285/30/20 rubber, and we have a bulletproof fitment.

So I'm still not following. Are the wheels 9,5 all around or did you out 10,5 in rears and 9,5 up front?

[castilla]

Can someone tell me what is the button between parking sensor and steering wheel setting??

[SkeezyLP]

Not my cup of tea, a bit on the tacky side.

[somer]

Not to sound redundant but in a couple of those pictures it shows 265/30's for the front tire fitment, did you change those out to 255's later on? Would there be room in the rear for 295's?

[greekcs]

It looks good without all the vinyl.

[E90M3JETS]

M4 meets Honda Civic SI

[e92proper]

I can understand why all the stickers and nonsense on the outside you have to stand out at SEMA, the import aftermarket companies have been doing that for years. Tacky is the new cool with euros I guess.

Without the vinyl the car would look great......and like every other new M we've seen on here the last couple months. Not sure about painting the interior bits red, kinda lame but I guess that's what you have to do for attention in Vegas.

[K.david]

I never comment on these things, but this thing is perfect. Great job.