[kern417]

So I already like to think of myself as pretty frugal, but with a newborn I have even more motivation to scratch the itch to mod my car without blowing too much money. So what is everyone's favorite free/cheap mods? Try to keep it $100 or below. I'll start with what I've done:

Debadge - $0
I used some floss to pop the badges off on a hot day and rubbed off the remaining glue with my fingers. I did mine after I got home from delivery, so the numbers came off clean with no need to compound/polish. But otherwise maybe $10 for detailing supplies if you don't already have them.

Remove Clutch Delay Valve - $0 + Price of Brake Fluid if needed
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...5&postcount=31
The clutch delay valve prevents you from shifting quickly, smoothly. Removal gets rid of unexpected bogging or slippage when driving aggressively.

Enable Rear Fog - $0 (or cost of OEM button if you want it) + Coding
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=877278
Follow the DIY to modify your existing button or replace with the OEM Rear foglight button, then code to enable it. Only works on Pre-LCI models as far as I'm aware.

Clutch Stop - $10
https://www.ebay.com/itm/230519560074
I was genuinely surprised at how much this improved the driving feel. There's a lot more dead space behind that pedal than you think.

Amazon Stainless Steel Brake Pedal Covers - $20
Automatic: https://www.amazon.com/Drill-Steel-B.../dp/B01MG53TVI
Manual: https://www.amazon.com/MOON-Aluminum...dal+f30+manual
Replicas of the MPerformance Stainless Steel Pedals for a fraction of the OEM price.

Coding - $25
I bought an ENET cable on amazon. The Esys software was free. It's pretty simple to do yourself if you follow one of the many guides that are out there, but you can also buy an app or have it remotely coded for a bit more.

MirrorTap - $40
https://store.blendmount.com/mirrort...aps-p3513.aspx
Must have for a clean radar detector install, especially with only one power outlet in the front.

eBay Dual Slat Grille - $75
https://www.ebay.com/itm/122418396223
Fitment was fine and no //m badge, just how i wanted it.

IND Painted Reflectors - $85
https://www.trinityautosport.com/ind...roduct_id=1319
Self explanatory. Cleans up the front end wonderfully. I bought from Trinity because the shipping was the cheapest.

I also bought some used h&r super sport springs for $100, but some consider used parts to be cheating

What else?

[jeffc83]

I bought the LCI door trim off of eBay but the rears needed to be trimmed. (the silver trim piece towards the top of the doors that is black on PRE-LCI models) Really adds to the "interior feel" IMO.

I also bought an LED lighting kit with remote for the front (Amazon, $30) and rear footwells to add better ambient lighting. (recently hard wired it too) Although I usually just stick with white like OEM for the floor, it really pops with the blue and red at night!

As a side note, I have two power outlets....why do you only have one? There is one in the center and another under the glove box on the passenger side. (third in the rear to but I know I know, who the hell would plug it in there, lol)

Oh and I also popped this trim over the LCI lighted faceplate to give it a different look since I liked the glossy black with the silver trim - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-Dash....c100005.m1851

[vgore]

Good list. I 'll add another one.
eBay door projector lights - 12.98
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4X-LED-Logo...VZ~TU-&vxp=mtr

They look very cool @ night

[B58 parts]

lol .. i've owned the 340 for less than a month and so far I have done (in order)

- clutch stop
- dual slat grills (no badge)

planning to do
- matching side reflectors
- debadge of rear (free)
- minor coding tweaks

So very good list, you and I are on the same page.

That's probably it for me though. That and 4 snow tires + a 2nd set of wheels and good summer tires. Stock is good.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by jeffc83

As a side note, I have two power outlets....why do you only have one? There is one in the center and another under the glove box on the passenger side. (third in the rear to but I know I know, who the hell would plug it in there, lol)

not sure. i have a 2018 lci and it only has one between the cupholders (and the useless one in the trunk).

Originally Posted by YuminNuman

lol .. i've owned the 340 for less than a month and so far I have done (in order)

- clutch stop
- dual slat grills (no badge)

planning to do
- matching side reflectors
- debadge of rear (free)
- minor coding tweaks

So very good list, you and I are on the same page.

yep, i actually bought the grilles and sidemarkers first and had them waiting at home before mine was delivered.

and i forgot i debadged the rear too haha. i'll have to add that to the OP.

[jeffc83]

kern417 Interesting; so you truly don't have one on the left side of the passenger foot well below the glove box?! I wonder why they would delete/remove the additional outlet under the glove box for the LCI models. It's very convenient for passengers and owners alike. If they did delete it, what did that save them in the long run? A few dollars? This cost cutting is similar to how GM approaches it if that's the case.

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by jeffc83

kern417 Interesting; so you truly don't have one on the left side of the passenger foot well below the glove box?! I wonder why they would delete/remove the additional outlet under the glove box for the LCI models. It's very convenient for passengers and owners alike. If they did delete it, what did that save them in the long run? A few dollars? This cost cutting is similar to how GM approaches it if that's the case.

I bet it's there. Look carefully - it's on the bottom of the dash - upsidedown above the passengers left foot.. It's like an Easter egg . My LCI 320i came with it, and it didn't even have the one for the rear passengers. I added the rear one myself.

[Mr. Tasty]

Originally Posted by jeffc83

kern417 This cost cutting is similar to how GM approaches it if that's the case.

EG: E90 to F30 build quality

[jeffc83]

Originally Posted by Mr. Tasty

EG: E90 to F30 build quality

True that...

[jeffc83]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

I bet it's there. Look carefully - it's on the bottom of the dash - upsidedown above the passengers left foot.. It's like an Easter egg . My LCI 320i came with it, and it didn't even have the one for the rear passengers. I added the rear one myself.

I had a feeling they didn't cost-cut like GM Never would BMW do such a nasty thing!

[enjoythemusic]

Best cheap mod is to remove the whining passenger(s) who comments about my driving 'style'. Saves at least 120 lbs of weight plus makes it easier to hear the engine.

[Metanoia Prime]

Originally Posted by jeffc83

I bought the LCI door trim off of eBay but the rears needed to be trimmed. (the silver trim piece towards the top of the doors that is black on PRE-LCI models) Really adds to the "interior feel" IMO.

I also bought an LED lighting kit with remote for the front (Amazon, $30) and rear footwells to add better ambient lighting. (recently hard wired it too) Although I usually just stick with white like OEM for the floor, it really pops with the blue and red at night!

As a side note, I have two power outlets....why do you only have one? There is one in the center and another under the glove box on the passenger side. (third in the rear to but I know I know, who the hell would plug it in there, lol)

Oh and I also popped this trim over the LCI lighted faceplate to give it a different look since I liked the glossy black with the silver trim - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-Dash....c100005.m1851

Can you link to the lighting kit on Amazon? How easy was it to hardwire it? I would love some footwell lighting (especially red, to match the current lighting in my M Sport).

[Basswacker]

Originally Posted by vgore

Good list. I 'll add another one.
eBay door projector lights - 12.98
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4X-LED-Logo...VZ~TU-&vxp=mtr

They look very cool @ night

Did this to mine and everyone comments on it and how awesome it is. Can't beat this $20 mod

[jeffc83]

Originally Posted by Metanoia Prime

Can you link to the lighting kit on Amazon? How easy was it to hardwire it? I would love some footwell lighting (especially red, to match the current lighting in my M Sport).

I still cannot believe how cheap they were but don't let that price fool ya; the quality is there -
https://www.amazon.com/SurLight-Mult...ior+car+lights

Hard wiring was easier than the lighting install; I had installed a custom screen running Android and had an extra +/- lead. If I didn't approach it that way, I most likely would've just tapped into the lighter socket even if it retains power for 10 mins. (I'm used to shutting the LEDs off using the remote anyway) You can also just use the lighter socket below the glove box if you prefer not to wire it up.

[kalien34]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Best cheap mod is to remove the whining passenger(s) who comments about my driving 'style'. Saves at least 120 lbs of weight plus makes it easier to hear the engine.

LOL. This is great.

[DanM2C]

1. Black kidney grills

2. Debadge/black badge

3. Black CF vinyl overlays for BMW roundel

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by Basswacker

Did this to mine and everyone comments on it and how awesome it is. Can't beat this $20 mod

Looked it up but it says it is not compatible with my car a 2013 335. You have a 2013 328, which is not on the list either.

[Basswacker]

Originally Posted by jgoens

Looked it up but it says it is not compatible with my car a 2013 335. You have a 2013 328, which is not on the list either.

I bought mine from amazon. The ones I bought are no longer available but there are a few others on there

[jeffc83]

Originally Posted by Basswacker

I bought mine from amazon. The ones I bought are no longer available but there are a few others on there

I've had a bunch of these but never for the Bimmer. How long have you owned them and did they fade? Every single one I have owned faded in one to two years tops as the lenses were cheap. Really want to do this again too....

[Basswacker]

Originally Posted by jeffc83

I've had a bunch of these but never for the Bimmer. How long have you owned them and did they fade? Every single one I have owned faded in one to two years tops as the lenses were cheap. Really want to do this again too....

I've had mine for over a year and no fading yet. Took about 15 min to install all 4

[jeffc83]

Originally Posted by Basswacker

I've had mine for over a year and no fading yet. Took about 15 min to install all 4

Must've been an issue with the first/second gen units, thanks brother! Yeah, this is definitely a quick install if it's anything like the others I've done in the past...pop the old housing out, plug the new one in and pop it in place. Thanks again, grabbing a set now.

[kern417]

well, i'm glad i looked up pictures of where the other power outlet is located. every time i read about it, i assumed it was adjacent to the glove box door or somewhere on the side panel. i didn't realize it was literally under the glove box pointed downwards. it's only slightly more useful than the one in the trunk lol, but i'll take it.

obligatory photo of when i used my front facing camera to find the new hotness. finding existing features = best free mod ever.