[E36 PWR]

My wife and I leased this 2022 X7 xdrive40i as a comfortable and capable car we travel in with our newborn and golden retriever.

The goal with this car is to take it to as many mountains, beaches, forests, campsites, beautiful driving roads, and historic sites as possible.

Modifications wise, I won't be going crazy because it is a lease after all. Instead I'm striving for an OEM+ look.

I will be using this thread to document any modifications I make and more importantly to capture all the beautiful places I take it with my family. I hope you enjoy following along.


Exterior:
15% tint on front widows, rears matched
40% tint on windshield
IND painted reflectors DIY HERE
Debadge
BMW floating wheel center caps
Macht Schnell wheel spacers, 18mm rear, 15mm front


Interior:
Crystal volume control knob DIY HERE
BMW X door projectors
BMW rubber all weather floor mats
Seat protector and child seat
Bimmercode coding


Protection:
Carpro Cquartz ceramic coating
Stek PPF front bumper and headlights
Carpro Skin ceramic coating on PPF
All interior surfaces ceramic coated with Carpro ceramic products (dlux, leather, fabric, etc)


Still to do:
RG Sport lowering links


Port of Los Angeles. Located HERE

[Al Pinã]

Great photos!

[dawaxman82]

I ordered this exact one except I went blue calipers.

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by dawaxman82

I ordered this exact one except I went blue calipers.

Yep, we have the same with blue calipers but we have bi-color 22's. Best color for the X7 by far (the white).

[Jszlaga]

Congratulations to you and the wife on the beautiful new car and more importantly the newborn. I have a 2020 40i that has the same color scheme going on and a 6 month old as well.

General question to you and any one else who might have an opinion. I always wonder on leases why do all of the ceramic coating, PPF, etc.? I would think those are long term protection items that a leasee would not be too concerned about. With things like wheels, spacers, carbon pieces, etc at least you can take off and resell once lease is given back. I guess if money is no object it might not matter. Not trying to be a hater here but really curious. Thanks and congrats again!

[E36 PWR]

Originally Posted by Jszlaga

Congratulations to you and the wife on the beautiful new car and more importantly the newborn. I have a 2020 40i that has the same color scheme going on and a 6 month old as well.

General question to you and any one else who might have an opinion. I always wonder on leases why do all of the ceramic coating, PPF, etc.? I would think those are long term protection items that a leasee would not be too concerned about. With things like wheels, spacers, carbon pieces, etc at least you can take off and resell once lease is given back. I guess if money is no object it might not matter. Not trying to be a hater here but really curious. Thanks and congrats again!

Really, it boils down to aesthetics and ease of maintenance for me. Washing a ceramic coated car is significantly easier than a non coated car. It also looks a lot deeper and glossier. With the amount of sand, dirt, mud, snow etc this car will likely see, ceramic coating will save a lot of time during the wash process. Same goes for the interior, I know with a newborn, there will be spills (probably milk), which I can easily wipe off with a damp towel. I love to keep a clean car, but with this car specifically I want to be able to enjoy the car without constantly worrying about clean up.

As for the PPF on a lease, that just comes down to me being OCD about rock chips. The relatively small cost of PPF is well worth the cost to not have to look at rock chips all over the front end everytime I walk up to the car.

Lastly, the detailing process is simply therapeutic for me. I've always enjoyed washing and detailing cars.

[x7bmw23]

Nice ride. Love the simple but classy stock look. You captured the essence of her beauty in these pics. I love the front windshield tint.

[E36 PWR]

Some recent adventures

Oakley Headquarters (Located HERE)


San Mateo Campground (Located HERE)


New License Plate

[E36 PWR]

Went on a roadtrip from LA to SF, here are a few photos

Downtown Santa Barbara


Morro Rock



Bixby Bridge


Golden Gate Bridge

[Setllarboss]

Very nice!

[ddno1]

[QUOTE=E36 PWR;28622343]My wife and I leased this 2022 X7 xdrive40i as a comfortable and capable car we travel in with our newborn and golden retriever.

The goal with this car is to take it to as many mountains, beaches, forests, campsites, beautiful driving roads, and historic sites as possible.

Modifications wise, I won't be going crazy because it is a lease after all. Instead I'm striving for an OEM+ look.

I will be using this thread to document any modifications I make and more importantly to capture all the beautiful places I take it with my family. I hope you enjoy following along.


Exterior:
15% tint on front widows, rears matched
40% tint on windshield
IND painted reflectors DIY HERE
Debadge
BMW floating wheel center caps
Macht Schnell wheel spacers, 18mm rear, 15mm front


Interior:
Crystal volume control knob DIY HERE
BMW X door projectors
BMW rubber all weather floor mats
Seat protector and child seat
Bimmercode coding


Protection:
Carpro Cquartz ceramic coating
Stek PPF front bumper and headlights
Carpro Skin ceramic coating on PPF
All interior surfaces ceramic coated with Carpro ceramic products (dlux, leather, fabric, etc)


Still to do:
RG Sport lowering links

Does the vehicle NOT come with BMW floating wheel center caps already?

[E36 PWR]

Originally Posted by ddno1

Does the vehicle NOT come with BMW floating wheel center caps already?

Mine did not come with them. I added them after taking delivery.

[West01]

[QUOTE=E36 PWR;28622343]My wife and I leased this 2022 X7 xdrive40i as a comfortable and capable car we travel in with our newborn and golden retriever.

Beautiful looking car.

I have the exact same car and love it. I do find it hard to keep clean with teens! Your making me really regret not going with the darkest tint, looks fantastic

Congrats

[Sleepyfu]

That ceramic coating really makes the white pop!

How do you like the (BMW?) Seat protector and child seat?

[awesoM]

[QUOTE=ddno1;29228975]

Originally Posted by E36 PWR

My wife and I leased this 2022 X7 xdrive40i as a comfortable and capable car we travel in with our newborn and golden retriever.

The goal with this car is to take it to as many mountains, beaches, forests, campsites, beautiful driving roads, and historic sites as possible.

Modifications wise, I won't be going crazy because it is a lease after all. Instead I'm striving for an OEM+ look.

I will be using this thread to document any modifications I make and more importantly to capture all the beautiful places I take it with my family. I hope you enjoy following along.


Exterior:
15% tint on front widows, rears matched
40% tint on windshield
IND painted reflectors DIY HERE
Debadge
BMW floating wheel center caps
Macht Schnell wheel spacers, 18mm rear, 15mm front


Interior:
Crystal volume control knob DIY HERE
BMW X door projectors
BMW rubber all weather floor mats
Seat protector and child seat
Bimmercode coding


Protection:
Carpro Cquartz ceramic coating
Stek PPF front bumper and headlights
Carpro Skin ceramic coating on PPF
All interior surfaces ceramic coated with Carpro ceramic products (dlux, leather, fabric, etc)


Still to do:
RG Sport lowering links

Does the vehicle NOT come with BMW floating wheel center caps already?

Can you share what you used for the projectors? The BMW ones don't seem to work unless you are prepared to cut the cutout bigger. Any info is apprexiated

[jsmonet]

just get the bmw ones and use your edge trimmers to snip the cutout squared. it takes moments and you don't have to worry about having garbage janky projectors.

[Nonsuch]

Originally Posted by E36 PWR

Oakley Headquarters (Located HERE)

I need to take a similar photo, just realized Oakley is just down the tollway

[E36 PWR]

Originally Posted by Sleepyfu

That ceramic coating really makes the white pop!

How do you like the (BMW?) Seat protector and child seat?

I am using the Diono seat protector, seems to be doing a good job so far
LINK

Originally Posted by ddno1

Can you share what you used for the projectors? The BMW ones don't seem to work unless you are prepared to cut the cutout bigger. Any info is apprexiated

I am using BMW Part No. 63312414105. They are the older version that includes the BMW X logo. They were difficult to push in, but required no trimming. I'm sure I could have trimmed a tiny bit off to allow for easier install, but it wasn't 100% necessary.

Originally Posted by Nonsuch

I need to take a similar photo, just realized Oakley is just down the tollway

Open to the public and they didn't care at all I was taking photos. They are very relaxed there.

[E36 PWR]

Recent trips

Red Rock



Yosemite

[BlueRaven]

Beautiful clean lines, and nice photos! I am probably a little older but the really dark tint on the sides and front make it hard for me to see at night. I did the same (side and front windshield) but not quite as dark. Even though the dark looks really good, matching the other black accents