[Jakesax]

Here goes, so I picked up my Sapphire Black 2020 X7 M50d two weeks ago for £55k from an approved BMW dealership up in Scotland. It came with Visibility, Comfort, and Premium packs. I’ve been searching for this sort of spec in black for about six months, and this is the first one I’ve found on the approved site. There were other colors available, but I decided I wanted to go back to black (not carbon black).

BMW wise I’ve previously had a space grey X5 M50d, a sophisto grey II 740d (very dark and definately comes a close second to black), a carbon black 635d (bought online from the other end of the country and to my surprise it was navy blue) and a sapphire black 320d (my first BMW). In my opinion black on black is by far the best.

I’m about to start making some changes to the X7 and will include the costs for each mod.

Parts

So far, I’ve got the following parts, which will be fitted over the next few weeks. I’m sticking with OEM parts where possible.

Bonnet and Boot Badges/Roundels, and Floating Centre Caps
These are currently being dechromed. Cost: £80 for the bonnet and boot badges, £60 for the centre caps, and £100 for the dechroming.
I did a post asking peoples opinions on changing the blue on the badge to black but didn’t get much feedback, I’ve decided against doing this.

All-Black Badges
Wing ‘M’s, X7, and M50d. I haven’t swapped them yet; I’ll do it in a few weeks when the other parts are ready. Cost: £130.

M Wing Mirrors and Supporting Rings
The covers are being sprayed the same color as the car. Cost: £300 for parts; the spraying cost is bundled with some other minor bodywork to fix a few general marks.

Black Grille
Cost: £260.

Other Bits

Security
Immobiliser fitter, cost £475. My 7 series got stolen off my drive a few years ago via relay theft I presume as the keys weren’t taken, this was probably the best car I’ve ever owned and the plan was to pass it on to my mrs when I next changed cars. This wasn’t meant to be unfortunately. Since then I’ve had an extra layer of security by adding a reputable immobiliser fitted and always keep my keys in a faraday pouch or box. I know if they really want it they’d get it but at least for a few years I’d like to enjoy this car.

Blacked-Out Exhaust Tips
Having these removed the week after next and powder-coated. I haven’t received a quote from the body shop yet, but they’re usually reasonable. I’ve read several posts about removing them myself, but I don’t have the time or patience, so I’ll leave it to the pros. Estimated cost: £50 for powder coating.
I did consider buying new but they have a habit of peeling on the inside or being silver, neither of which appeal to me.


Window Tints
I’m getting full tints all around on the 27th. In the past, I’ve gone with 5% on the rear and 30% on the front. I’m considering going lighter on the rear since the car’s interior is spacious, and with my previous cars, 5% made the back very dark. However, I still don’t want any visibility into the car through the windows that are legally tintable in the UK. I’m also adding protective film behind the door handles and on the door moulding to prevent damage from my two young children. Estimated cost: £300.

Lower Trim Wrapping
At the same time as the tinting, all the lower trim, which is currently cerium, will be wrapped in black. I didn’t realize the active shutters are also silver, so those will be done too. Cost: £100.

I’ve been considering swapping the trim for the extended Shadowline trim. I wish the car had come with it, but unfortunately, the spec I wanted was only available on two cars on the approved BMW site—one grey and the one I purchased. I got a rough quote for this upgrade, which, including one missing part, came in at £930 or so I thought. I then remembered the cerium trim on the rear below the headlights and the tow hitch cover, I estimate the total for parts will be around £1,200, plus fitting costs. Is it worth it? Yes. Is it worth the potential aggro from my mrs for spending more after already wrapping them in black? Maybe. If I do go for it this will be in a month or two when the rest is finished.

Wheels
I’m going to have the wheels powder-coated. I must admit, they’re growing on me, but it’s highly unlikely they’ll stay as they are. I’m tempted to wait until everything else is complete to get them done just to see how it looks, but I’m 99.9% sure I’ll go through with the colour change. Also I might get impatient and do it sooner. Cost: £270.

TPMS Valves
I’ve looked at swapping the TPMS valves since they’re currently silver, but I haven’t found any black ones in the UK. I’d prefer to use OEM parts, but I don’t think BMW offers them (I could be wrong). If anyone has the part numbers for black ones, please share.

Coding

I’ve just ordered the OBDLink MX+ (£150) and will be using BimmerCode, which I believe costs £40. I plan to enable uninterrupted windows when the doors are opened, boot control via key with one press, and turn off seatbelt reminders. I’ve looked into what BimmerCode offers for this model, and there are a few features I’d like to try, so we’ll see how it goes.

Would like to hear any recommendations people have.

Potential Future Mods

Lowering
I’ve seen posts where people have lowered their X7s and added spacers. I’m considering spacers but unsure about lowering it. I’m going to try coding the car to default to sport height in all modes and see how it looks. Since the car is under warranty, BMW can’t object as long as everything remains OEM and as soon as I use aftermarket lowering links I think they’re would drag their heels if anything were to happen suspension wise. These are fairly inexpensive mods with the spacers coming in at £200ish and the lowering links being £100+ shipping and fitting.

Body kit
Also there’s potential for a body kit. I know this won’t be OEM but would be open to a good quality one. There does only seem to be one style available in black and now there’s an LCI too which I believe has a similar rear end in terms of fitment for kits hopefully there should be some more coming to the market. Saw a wicked carbon rear diffuser by ‘Future Design’ but I’m after black and having spoken to them this isn’t something they offer. One kit I’d looked at was around £900 fitted.

Interior
I can’t really think of any interior mods that are needed in all honesty, possibly some seat gap fillers and an arm rest organiser. Other than that what else could it do with?

Again, would love to hear any recommendations for mods people have had or thought about

Thanks for reading. If you have any questions, opinions or constructive criticism then please drop me a reply, all feedback welcome, no doubt I’ll have some questions for you guys.

Also, please bear with me as I’m still getting the hang of this app. I’d like to post photos after each modification, but I can’t seem to do that yet—they just get dumped at the end of the posts, which messes with my OCD and I’d like to add some links for things in too but the rest of the post just looks like a link when I do that, can’t get my head around it. For now, I’m doing the best I can.

Photos to follow!

[totomoto]

photos?

[MystroX5]

I am fully “blacked out”with my road trip wheels. The black badges really work.

[Jakesax]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

I am fully “blacked out”with my road trip wheels. The black badges really work.

This is exactly the look I’m going for. Did yours come with the extended shadow line trim or did you wrap it?

[Jakesax]

Originally Posted by totomoto

photos?

Will be up here shortly, as of next week it’s go time

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by Jakesax

This is exactly the look I’m going for. Did yours come with the extended shadow line trim or did you wrap it?

Came with extended shadow. I sent away to Europe for oem black badges. Harder to get than I thought in the States.

[Jakesax]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Came with extended shadow. I sent away to Europe for oem black badges. Harder to get than I thought in the States.

I struggled to get black badges when I got my x5 a few years ago, especially the wing M badges, I ended up getting the standard chrome ones and having a body shop spray them but managed to source the oem x5 m50d ones . This time around they’re readily available from my local BMW garage.

Think I’m going to have the trim wrapped regardless and see what I think about it for the sake of £100. You just don’t get the same shine with a wrap after a while so will probably do the full swap later down the line.

[Jakesax]

MystroX5 love the plate btw

[theoracle8]

In the UK also, purchased this last week and am loving it - full blackout, has a body kit on too which I wasn't too fussed with but do think it adds a little to the car too. Had a 40i on order but because of the stop sale going on I couldn't wait any longer so purchased this M60i from a non BMW dealer instead!

[Jakesax]

Originally Posted by theoracle8

In the UK also, purchased this last week and am loving it - full blackout, has a body kit on too which I wasn't too fussed with but do think it adds a little to the car too. Had a 40i on order but because of the stop sale going on I couldn't wait any longer so purchased this M60i from a non BMW dealer instead!

M60i 😍😍. The photos didn’t upload would like to see.

[theoracle8]

Originally Posted by Jakesax

M60i 😍😍. The photos didn’t upload would like to see.

One sec, new to forum still trying to figure that part out!!

[theoracle8]

Attachment 3543088

[Jakesax]

Originally Posted by theoracle8

Attachment 3543088Attachment 3543089

😍 mega, love the wheels!! Silverleaf is litterally 5 minutes away from where I work.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by theoracle8

Attachment 3543088Attachment 3543089

That is smokin…..

[theoracle8]

Originally Posted by Jakesax

😍 mega, love the wheels!! Silverleaf is litterally 5 minutes away from where I work.

Ha nice! I'm up toward Newcastle, so drove down with the Mrs last Thursday to look/test drive etc and drove it home an hour later, cancelling the reserved vehicle in the process! Well pleased with it so far.

[Jakesax]

Originally Posted by theoracle8

Ha nice! I'm up toward Newcastle, so drove down with the Mrs last Thursday to look/test drive etc and drove it home an hour later, cancelling the reserved vehicle in the process! Well pleased with it so far.

How’s the mpg on a run? Was really tempted with a m50i because of the miles I do - since then I’ve been using my mrs car for the miles to work so it will definitely be on the cards in a few years.

Anyone know which wheels these are?

[theoracle8]

Originally Posted by Jakesax

How’s the mpg on a run? Was really tempted with a m50i because of the miles I do - since then I’ve been using my mrs car for the miles to work so it will definitely be on the cards in a few years.

Anyone know which wheels these are?

The wheels are 23 inch 'revere' wheels, so not BMW own - think it came with the bodykit additions that were made to it.

So far MPG around 24mpg through a few hundred miles, I do a mixture of motorway and shorter journeys. It's on par with the Mustang GT I have that I am used to regular fuel stops with!!

[DishoomX2]

Originally Posted by theoracle8

Attachment 3543088Attachment 3543089

What seats are those? They aren't available in the US!

edit: looks like X5M seats

[Jakesax]

Originally Posted by DishoomX2

What seats are those? They aren't available in the US!

edit: looks like X5M seats

I believe these are the m electric sport seats, can spec them on to a new x7 in the uk

[PenguinX7]

Those wheel do look great. I feel bad for whoever needs to keep those clean!

[JupiterBMW]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Came with extended shadow. I sent away to Europe for oem black badges. Harder to get than I thought in the States.

You must've never heard of iND have you? They do all sorts of premium aftermarket stuff for BMW (as well as others). They have the rear badges, the fender badges, ALL sorts of stuff and they have custom options available as well if you email them.

https://ind-distribution.com/collect...egory=Exterior

[totomoto]

What's the name/brand of the splitter on the one at Silverleaf?