Base vs M Sport

[jparnes1]

For anyone on the fence about which trim line to get, here's some comparos that should make it easy to see cosmetic differences (thanks to my son's mad computer skills )

[BMW665]

this is fantastic. a great way to see the diffrences

[airmarc]

WOW, this is awesome. Very good for reference....

[Asbjorn]

wow - nicely done!

Could he add the N20-style base front bumper with the black grilles and the 35is rear bumper as well?

The base front bumper looks different on N54 cars compared to N20 models. Especially on black and yellow cars the N20 base bumper is a much better match than the 35i one. The 35i base front bumper looks better on grayish or silver colored cars and perhaps also the blue one. Rest are better off with the N20-base-type or the M-sport front bumper.

And I know most people like to see the M-sport bumpers as upgrades, and with some colors it is very hard to disagree. But I think the gif above shows how the base-versions actually looks better from the side both front and rear. When viewed from the side, the front has more angle on the intake area, and then there is the lip which disappears on the M-sport version.

As for the rear bumper I have to say the non-M-sport version is my favorite on "luxury" colors, whereas the 35is version of the M-sport bumper is my favorite on "sporty" colors. I like how the 35is version has a small diffuser and less dark color compared to the regular 35i M-sport bumper.

So my recommendation would be

Gray - Base N54 only
Silver - Base N54 only
Blue - Base N54 only
White - all OK
Red - is-M-sport or base N20
Yellow - M-sport or is-M-sport (both with custom black grilles) or N20 base
Orange - all OK
Black - N20 base or is-M-sport
Brown - all OK
Green - hey wait, are these colors even available?

[nicknaz]

nice!

I may be biased because I have it, but I kind of like the silver trim around the base bumper corners

[CeEl]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

nice!

I may be biased because I have it, but I kind of like the silver trim around the base bumper corners

I too think it looks very nice with some colors ... nice contrast. Others I like the black better -- again, just for contrast.

[CedarZ4]

Very cool, good job to your son

May I recommend a different color for the next photoshop (maybe white) or any lighter color for contrast, as it would be more clear to see the actual difference/lines of the bumpers.

[Hujan]

Your son has skills. M Sport for me, please! IMO, no M Sport treatment looks better than the M Sport bumpers on the E89 Z4.

[pavproch]

I am seeing the difference in my garage, as I did the conversion last week (both standard bumpers replaced with OEM M-sport, the front incl. all air ducts). Will post pics soon.