***PIX OF THE NEW X5*** (Still a work in progress). Enjoy!

[C's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Ajogu

Very nice setup. Is that a scratch on the left side of the M5's front bumper?

Scratch? There are no scratches on my cars. I'm extremely anal about detailing my own cars and keeping them showroom spotless. I think what you are seeing is the yellow reflector which I had painted the same color as the car, when I got the M5. This reflector on the front bumper is on the LCI 2008 M5 models only. It's similiar to what I did with the X5 and the front yellow reflector. However, the X5 reflector was tinted. The M5 reflector was painted the same color of the car.

[C's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by JVegas

I like the X a lot...did you paint the emblems (X5 & 4.8) or were they ordered that way?

I ordered an extra set of emblems from the dealer I use, here on the East Coast. He gives me a 25% discount on all OEM parts, for being an E60.net member. I then had these emblems (along with the extra set of 4.8 Kidney Grills I bought from him too), custom painted a high gloss black. I did all the rebadging myself. I used painters tape to align everything just perfectly. Debadging involves a hair dryer, dental floss or fishing line, some Goo-Gone and some Detailing Polish.

Since I custom ordered the X5, I had over a month to get everything prepped and ready for the arrival of the car. All the items that have been done so far were sitting in my garage, awaiting the arrival of the new vehicle.

Anyway, thanks for all the compliments guys. I appreciate it.

[Michelle]

It looks great so far! Keep posting pics as you progress!

Can't wait to see both the X and the M in person at the Tri-State Meet!

[C's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Michelle

It looks great so far! Keep posting pics as you progress!

Can't wait to see both the X and the M in person at the Tri-State Meet!

Thanks Michelle. My wife is due with our baby girl at the end of June, so depending on how she is feeling (and how big she will be), I might just come alone that day with the X5 and leave the M at home. If she feels like driving that day, then she'll drive the X and I'll drive the M. Regardless though, I will be there.

[mrbmwx5]

looking good so far.... cont... on

[C's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Sher KamaL

Good taste is very rare, you have it.

Both BMW's are stunning.

Thank you very much. You couldn't be more right. It's very easy to get carried away with these cars, as there's many choices to swap out parts and change things around. Remembering that these cars are high end luxury vehicles and not Honda Civics is key. It's all about keeping the scheme the same and utlizing the colors that are in the paint when adding your accents. Fortunately, the X5 doesn't offer many choices or additions, so it keeps things simple. The M5 on the other hand has many options. Luckily, these parts are rather costly, so it keeps me in check. Kind of...

[hiren04]

Originally Posted by cmansbimmer

I ordered an extra 4.8 set and had them painted a High Gloss Black. There's a dealer on the East Coast that sells OEM BMW Parts at a 25% discount.

REALLY niCE and REALLY CLEAN!!

question- which dealer do you order from? i need to get the aluminum step rails and i want to do the kidney's like yours, but maybe matte finish not high gloss..

[Herr Bauhaus]

Looks great! The only thing I would change are the wheels, the 214 style wheels just don't do it for me. I had them on my sapphire black X5 for 9 months until I decided to shell out the extra money for ferric-gray 215's. Together with Aerokit and front window tint the X5 is near perfect.

[C's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by hiren04

REALLY niCE and REALLY CLEAN!!

question- which dealer do you order from? i need to get the aluminum step rails and i want to do the kidney's like yours, but maybe matte finish not high gloss..

Garry Romani (Parts Manager) - BMW of Newport (Rhode Island). Tell him you are an E60.net member and you will get 25% off. I believe there's a dealer on the West Coast that does this too. I can't remember the dealers name though...

Garry is where I got my Aero Kit from at 25% off.

[C's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Herr Bauhaus

Looks great! The only thing I would change are the wheels, the 214 style wheels just don't do it for me. I had them on my sapphire black X5 for 9 months until I decided to shell out the extra money for ferric-gray 215's. Together with Aerokit and front window tint the X5 is near perfect.

I might be following in your footsteps too. I'm going to try the 214's for now. To be quite honest, I'm not in love with the 215's though. If I do decide to upgrade to 21's or 22's, I'll be going with something else most likely. I'm a huge fan of the Hamann Race Edition wheels. Those are the 3 piece forged wheel with black mesh centers and a nice lip. Those are true classics, but they are not cheap. We'll see... I'll keep the 214's on for the summer and see how they look, after I get them powdercoated.