NEED OPINIONS ON NEXT SET OF EXTERIOR UPGRADES

[IMOLA 4.6is]

As some of you might tell from my posts im at a turning point with my 4.6is, i love it dont want to get rid of it even when I would drive my e46 m3 for weeks i would miss my 4.6. But its time for some changes and i want to start with outside before engine and sound system.

my first option woould be to "enhance" the factory look; swap all lights to LED bulbs, LED tails, angel eyes, H&R wheel spacers on the stock 20"s,

then I came across this photoshopped picture and fell in love but at the same time its a totally different style, car looks like it should be in the next mr& mrs smith with the stripes but i like it!



what does everyone think?

should I do the "stock enhanced" or say F it and do this

[Bulk]

Stay classy. Don't make your German tank look like a rice rocket

[PersonaNonGrata]

It's all totally subjective and ultimately, it's your ride, your cash, so your call but since you asked....

The I agree with Bulk that you should stay classy. (Credit: Ron Burgandy) The stripes are more Mini Cooper. They look great on a Mini but not an X5. I saw your post about the LED tail lights and your concern about matching. I would not go with the all smoked as I don't care for that look. I think it would clash with your Imola. The regular smoked/clear combo is very nice. That's what I have and I know you saw the pics. If you want a closer match to the Imola paint, get the red/clear. They are slightly different red but not so much that it will stand out. You will get the cooler looking rack of 18 LED bulbs lighting up rather than the one bulb. Get some LED license plate bulbs too. They're only about $13 a pair on eBay. Maybe also some HID fog lights. I did mine and it was worth the $85-$100. Finally, another suggestion would be to swap or mod your headlights with angel eyes and clear corners.

One little mod that I haven't seen anyone else do is to color match your kidney grilles. Mine are all Steel Gray. Many guys have put on the matte black grilles but I think all Imola would look nice. You can buy a second set of grilles to have it done so you can switch back if you don't like it. I think the color matched grilles give the E53 a more aggressive appearance from the front. It is also fairly subtle.

It's fun spending other peoples' money.

[IMOLA 4.6is]

I have to say I like your style...

Iv decided if I go the route of the LED tails for sure clear/red, I dont know why I can get passed the stocks! maybe its because the LED has that white horizontal line a lot longer, Why did they do that?

LED Lic plates are on the car and I have full LED interrior lights which I LOVE!

Where can i get the clear corners from? Umnitza said they will paint them for me. I'm going to use the stock headlights and take them to umnitza and have the put the angel eyes in them tho, that brings another question do I go 6000k or 6000k with option of multi color. I kind of like to have the option of the muli color just bcus im still a younger single guy who parks in X in front of clubs in San Francisco

6000k fog lights will come for sure with headlights

I really do not like black kidneys on Imola for some reason, BUT Bimmian does offer custom factory painted around the outside (Imola) and black on the inside (ther vertical lights)

Iv deicded to put 30mm wheel spacers in the rear, just not sure what size in the front

Lastly, what do you think of a underglow Red light kit, (too fast and the furious) lol

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

It's all totally subjective and ultimately, it's your ride, your cash, so your call but since you asked....

The I agree with Bulk that you should stay classy. (Credit: Ron Burgandy) The stripes are more Mini Cooper. They look great on a Mini but not an X5. I saw your post about the LED tail lights and your concern about matching. I would not go with the all smoked as I don't care for that look. I think it would clash with your Imola. The regular smoked/clear combo is very nice. That's what I have and I know you saw the pics. If you want a closer match to the Imola paint, get the red/clear. They are slightly different red but not so much that it will stand out. You will get the cooler looking rack of 18 LED bulbs lighting up rather than the one bulb. Get some LED license plate bulbs too. They're only about $13 a pair on eBay. Maybe also some HID fog lights. I did mine and it was worth the $85-$100. Finally, another suggestion would be to swap or mod your headlights with angel eyes and clear corners.

One little mod that I haven't seen anyone else do is to color match your kidney grilles. Mine are all Steel Gray. Many guys have put on the matte black grilles but I think all Imola would look nice. You can buy a second set of grilles to have it done so you can switch back if you don't like it. I think the color matched grilles give the E53 a more aggressive appearance from the front. It is also fairly subtle.

It's fun spending other peoples' money.

[IMOLA 4.6is]

what does everything think of this look.... car is in the body shop now doing some minor fixes, and have to give them the go on powder coat wheels by this week. If i went with powder coat wheels I would put a red pin stripe too. and i would do red/smoke LED instead of all black tail lights

[cpgifford]

Originally Posted by IMOLA 4.6is

Iv deicded to put 30mm wheel spacers in the rear, just not sure what size in the front

^I would have to agree. I still need to order mine.... ECS Tunning has some for $140. They come with the second set of Lug-Studs you will need to secure the spacer to the hub and then use your stock Lug-Studs to secure the wheel to spacer.

Originally Posted by IMOLA 4.6is

Lastly, what do you think of a underglow Red light kit, (too fast and the furious) lol

^ Definitely to riced out. Dont want to look like a Honda do you?





I personally Like this approach

[umnitza]

You could get some X6 wheels in black

[PersonaNonGrata]

I agree that any sort of underbody lighting is way too fast and way too furious. Skip it and forget you even mentioned it. Bring it up again and you're going to get banned.

The black wheels could be nice. Check out a 4.6is owned by a member here with the handle "simonpcw". His silver 4.6is has a nice theme going with black tastefully added and his wheels are really well done.

EDIT: Found it for you. You're welcome!

[weekend camper]

^^ thanks PNG (and Simon), that thread gives me some real life visual clues about how I might mod mine a bit.

[mike_dmt]

Love everything but the rims. Sorry purists. Skip the spacers and grab a set of staggered rims with a nice big lip.

Oh, and some undercoating in the wheel wells. Not being picky, just my 2c.