My writer’s block is continuing, so I am just updating some recent changes on my 2017 BMW 750i XDrive. As a previous company-leased vehicle, I am sure most of its years were spent driving old executives around town, so the build I have planned for it should give this luxury sedan an entirely new life (consider it a mid-life crisis for both the car and myself).

I picked up a carbon fiber wing on a deal and like the look, and while the Jatoba Brown paint looks amazing with carbon fiber, the existing chrome trim pieces do not. Instead of ordering the OEM black trunk trim piece, I think I will simply Plasti Dip it this weekend, so hopefully that will improve the look. They also make black exhaust covers for pretty cheap, so I may also look into that option, but I am not too fond of the bar in between (image shown below).

Currently, I have done the following to the car:

• Carbon fiber wing
• Custom MagnaFlow dual exhaust (deleted both resonators, added 2 MagnaFlow straight-through mufflers, and an x-pipe)
• K&N drop-in air filters
• BimmerCode tuning: Alpina gauges, video in motion, etc.
• BimmerLink monitoring/gauges (cellphone)
• BMW emblem front license plate
• Custom rear-seat entertainment system (2 headrest monitors/DVD/USB players)
• Complete tune-up

To do:

• Fix/replace rims (road rash)
• Remove deteriorating paint protection film on the front of the car
• Paint/wrap chrome pieces
• Replace fuel door lock actuator (funny story)
• Custom front-facing cold air intake (or ARM Motorsports): Not required, but will sound better
• Dinan DINANTRONICS X Tuner (or Race Chip): I want a set-and-forget option, and as I will probably never go catless, this option would be ideal (as well as due to the fact I can remove the tuner when bringing my car into the shop due to still having a warranty)
• Replace windshield (pitting)
• Full window tints
• Possibly lowering links (need to add ramps on the driveway as I currently scrape a bit when the air suspension is fully lowered)
• Debadge, then add my already-purchased black emblems (I will probably keep the XDrive emblem off entirely)
• M Sport bumper grilles (middle, left, and right)
• Blue strut brace covers (with active grille shutters, I don’t know if this is worth it)
• Carbon fiber antenna cover
• Carbon fiber mirror covers
• Carbon fiber armrest cover
• M-style black grille (I would need to disable the active grill shutters, so not too keen on that)
• Audio: Coming from the 2016 STI, the factory H&K system is amazing, but looking into BavSound’s Ghost Subwoofer kit to replace the factory dual 8″ subwoofers, and possibly a larger amplifier

Here are some photos of the parts I am looking at:

After all of this, I should have a wonderfully luxurious, yet sporty car. I should be pushing around 500 HP and 541 pounds of torque without replacing my stock catted downpipes (which I might do after the warranty runs out). If I go the catless downpipe route, add in some colder spark plugs, low-temp thermostat, and a few other small/cheaper things, I could easily get an additional 100 HP and torque (over stock), putting me around 545 HP and 580 pounds of torque (wheel), which coupled with some transmission tuning, would make this boat have a very different feel!

For appearance, after these upgrades, I should be well over what is included in the M Sport package, and for a fraction of the price! As this car is merely a weekend vehicle (minus the wife’s grocery store runs), I am looking forward to this vehicle staying in the family for quite some time.