21 Coolest BMW Upgrades & Modifications - YOUCANIC (2024)

You are looking for a way to modify or upgrade your BMW. In this article, you will find plenty of ideas on BMW accessories and upgrades.

M Color Grille Stripes

BMW Grill M Insert will make you fall in love with your BMW. Who doesn’t like M colors, red, purple, and blue? Add these three grille inserts to your grill in less than five minutes.

M color stripes can be installed within minutes. A cheap and easy upgrade for any BMW.

Door Projector Lights

BMW Door Projector Lights is one of the most incredible BMW upgrades you can get. These lights can be installed at the bottom of the door panel. If you didn’t notice, your BMW already has the lights, but these lights don’t project any logos.

What you can do is remove the old lights and plug these LED lights. The next time you open the door, you will see the BMW logo project on the ground. Easy and simple installation. No drilling is required; the holes are already in your door panel.

An upgrade that will make your BMW stand out.

Key Chain

A BMW keychain is one of the first items you will be looking to buy as a new BMW owner. Keychains are the #1 most popular BMW accessory.

The problem with BMW keychains is that there are so many designs we didn’t want only to list one or two here.

Carbon Fiber Trunk Lip

BMW Trunk Lip is another easy DIY BMW upgrade. These come in various shapes. You can get a small lip that looks like just the stock BMW trunk or gets a more significant trunk wing.

Regardless of your pick, it allows you to change your BMW’s look without spending a fortune.

The lip can be added to the trunk and comes with tape for easy installation. No drilling is required. I know what you are thinking. “Won’t it come off?” No, it doesn’t.

If somehow you manage to get the lip off, then you should be Formula 1 driver. This simple DIY upgrade is cheap and can be completed in less than fifteen minutes.

You can also add a rooftop wing if that is your style. The rear wing comes in carbon fiber. If you would instead make your BMW look stock, get the unpainted version and paint it to match your car’s color.

Engine Start Stop Ring

BMW Start Stop Ring is a beautiful accessory for your BMW. Get an engine Start/Stop ring that installs right on your button. The ring comes in various colors, including red and silver.

LED Light Bulbs

BMW LED Headlight Kitwill allow you to easily upgrade your older BMW lights by changing to LED bulbs. LED lights have come a long way compared to the HID conversion kits.

They don’t require any splicing and can be installed quickly. For a factory look, pick 5000k color temperature, and your BMW will look just like those with HID headlights.

BMW Mouse

BMW Wireless Mouseisn’t quite afor your Bimmer. Instead, it is an upgrade for your computer at home or work.

This is such an excellent idea that we thought it was worth including in the list of BMW accessories. If nothing else, it is a great gift idea for any BMW owner.

Valve Stem Caps

BMW Valve Stem Capsare for those paying attention to detail.If you are looking to personalize every aspect of your BMW, you may as well change those stock valve stem caps.

Twist the old caps off and twist the new ones with the BMW logo in seconds. Easy and cheap BMW modification. Great gift idea if you are on a very tight budget too.

Change BMW Logo Color

BMW Logo Sticker-If you are looking for a cheap way to modify the look of your BMW. Just change the BMW logo from white and blue to any color combo you like.

Two of our favorite combos are black and white or red and white. You buy pre-cut stickers in various colors and stick them on top of your existing BMW logo. No need to remove your old BMW logos. Easy BMW modification.

Custom License Plate Frame

BMW License Plate Frame-There is no better way to personalize a BMW than add a personalized license plate.

You can get a Custom License Plate frame that says anything you want or picks any of these pre-designed BMW License Plate Frames.

Custom BMW Floor Mats

BMW Custom Floor Mats -You can buy floor mats anywhere, but if you have high standards like me, you are looking for a custom fit.

The WeatherTech Floor Mats for BMW are a perfect fit and come custom cut for your BMW. Skip those universal rubber floor mats you see at the local store.

Key Case

BMW Key Casecan protect your key and save you hundreds

Yep, that’s how much a new BMW key costs if you damage it. Just snap this case on top of your existing BMW key to add a second layer of protection. You have already added a case to your phone. Your BMW key costs almost as much as your phone.

Phone Pairing Module

BMW Bluetooth Module can come in handy if your BMW does not support Bluetooth music and is hands-free. A calling interface will solve that problem. This interface allows you to integrate it with your BMW.

Once installed, you will make hands-free calls and play music from your phone. The best feature is that module allows you to control your phone from the steering wheel buttons. These modules even work with NAV and DSP.

Headlight Upgrade

For those who still love driving your classic Bimmer, upgrading the headlights is worth considering.

Not only will you get better light output, but these headlights can make your BMW stand out from the rest. Nowadays, you can find aftermarket BMW headlights for any BMW model. There are various project headlight designs for popular models, such as 3-series and 5-series.

Just pick a headlight that is a direct fit for your BMW. Even the wire harness should match what goes to your old headlight.

Lower Bumper Lip

BMW Bumper Lip – A bumper lip can change your BMW’s look without spending much money or time. Add a carbon fiber bumper lip or get an unpainted lip that will allow you to paint it to match your BMW color. While these tips may come with double-sided 3M tape, you should drill holes and secure the lip.

Otherwise, the lip will come off as soon as you touch another object. Make sure to prep the bumper before you install the lip. At a minimum, the bumper should be cleaned carefully.

These lips are available for all BMW chassis, including 1, 3, 5, 7 series, X1, X3, and X5.

BMW M Style Side Skirt

BMW Side Skirt – If you want to drastically change your BMW’s look, side skirts are the answer. These can make your stock BMW look like an M-series.

There are various aftermarket designs you can choose from. The side skirts come unpainted. You will need to find a body shop that can paint them for you. Don’t install the side skirts unpainted. Take them to a local auto body repair shop and ask the shop to paint them based on your BMW’s color code.

Caliper Covers

BMW Caliper Covers–These covers look cool. If you are working hard to make your BMW look like an M series, these will get you closer to your goal.

Remove the wheels and snap these on top of your stock brake calipers. That’s it! You are done.

License Plate Holder

BMW Tow Hook Plate Mount – Do you love the look of BMWs with the license plate off-center? This straightforward modification will allow you to move the license plate from the bumper’s center to the side.

Remove the tow hook cover and thread in the license plate holder. Easy DIY and only takes a few minutes.

No tools are required for this BMW modification.

Exhaust Tip

BMW Exhaust Tip – Here, we have another BMW modification worth considering and won’t make you go broke. Add dual or single exhaust tips for a more aggressive look.

You can choose BMW OEM tips or aftermarket ones. They are easy to install and require basic DIY skills.

Carbon Fiber Roof Trim

BMW Carbon Fiber Roof Trim – You never thought about this, but the roof trim can be easily removed. And since it can be removed, why not change it to carbon fiber.

You will remove about 400 grams of unnecessary weight from your car. Don’t expect to improve the fuel economy with this modification, but you can make your BMW stand out at car shows.

Drilled Slotted Brake Rotors

BMW Drilled Slotted Brake Rotors Ceramic Pads–If you are looking for BMW performance upgrades, start installing slotted brake rotors and ceramic pads.

An easy DIY project will allow you to upgrade your BMW brakes right in your driveway. You don’t have to spend a fortune unless you are a Brake Addict.

Drilled holes allow maximum heat dissipation. Ceramic brake pad material performs best when the rotors heat up and even at cold winter temperatures.

If you want to go the extra mile, consider upgrading the brake calipers.

Wheel Spacer

BMW Wheel Spacer –Are you wondering why some BMWs look more sporty and aggressive? Often, that’s because of wheel spacers. Typically a 15mm spacer fits BMW wheels perfectly.

The most used wheel spacers have a bolt pattern of 5 x 120. A spacer can be installed even with stock wheels. If installing aftermarket wheels, spacers must avoid hitting the shock or allow the rim to sit correctly on the wheel hub.

Turbo Upgrade

BMW Turbo Kit Upgrade–Looking to increase the horsepower of your Bimmer? A BMW turbo kit can help you with that. This will be a good weekend project.

Not a cheap project, but the one that will bring a big smile to your face. There are several BMW turbo upgrade kits out there. Things to keep in mind if you install an intercooler or not. A blow-off valve with about 8 PSI is recommended. Ideally, you should have a boost controller at your fingertips to change the boot range when needed.

You will also need to install a turbo boost, oil, and water temperature gauge.

Technically you can get oil and coolant temperature from your instrument cluster. But at least install a turbo boost gauge to know the turbo is working correctly.

Slip Differential Upgrade

BMW Slip Differential–You may not think of the differential when it comes to BMW performance upgrades, but you will be surprised what a slip differential upgrade kit can do.

A three-clutch limited-slip differential setup can be used on most BMWs. This improves the clutch durability significantly, and at the same time, dynamic lockup is increased over the stock setup.

Charge Pipe Upgrade

BMW Charge Pipe Upgrade – If you want to increase throttle response and decrease turbo lag, you can add a charge pipe. Make sure to get a good clamp because it is common for leaks to develop at the joints.

This upgrade applies to various BMW models including 2012-2015 E84 BMW X1 35i 2008-2012 E82/E88 BMW 135i N54 & N55 including 1M 2007-2013 E90/E91/E92/E93 BMW 335i / 335xi.

Front Kidney Grille

BMW Kidney Grillupgrade is one of the most common BMW upgrades to install a black kidney grille.

This is an easy DIY project that you can perform in less than 1 hour. A tutorial on how to change BMW’s front grille can be found here. This simple and easy upgrade for BMW will make your car look more sporty and aggressive.

Black BMW front grilles can be purchased online for any BMW. These grilles come in a black mate and black glossy finish. The choice is yours.

Stage 1 ECU Software Upgrade

BMW Performance Chip–Improve your BMW torque and horsepower with a performance chip. This will allow you to gain up to 30 extra horsepower.

Depending on your setting, it can also help improve fuel mileage. The chips are very easy to install and require no previous experience. Follow the instructions with the kit, and in less than 20 minutes, you will have a new and upgraded BMW. The good thing is that this kit does not make permanent changes to your BMW DME module.

The manufacturer claims it won’t void the warranty and can be removed anytime. Some BMW performance chips can be plugged directly into the OBD-2 port under the dashboard, which takes about 15 seconds.

We hope you got a few ideas to get you started. If you have any suggestions for new BMW accessories and upgrades, please add them in the comments section below. We will add it to the list if it is a fantastic suggestion.

The first thing that comes to mind when you own a BMW is how I can personalize it. Or maybe you are just looking for a gift idea for someone with a Bimmer. Regardless of which BMW you have, be that a 1, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, X1, X3, or X5 Series, you will find something in this list.

We hope you find the 21 Coolest BMW Upgrades & Modifications guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your BMW.