Our BMW 335i budget build concludes with some subtle styling upgrades. We look back at how a series of small, well-placed performance upgrades add up to make a remarkable transformation.
After upgrading the suspension, wheels, and tyres, it’s time to give our BMW 335i the stylish, aggressive look it deserves! In this final phase of our BMW project, we’ll be focusing on a few key styling modifications that tie everything together. These tweaks won’t break the bank, but they will bring our beloved E92 bang up-to-date, giving it a modern, sleek aesthetic that turns heads everywhere it goes.
Giving the E92 a Fresh Look
While the SE spec provides a solid foundation, it’s no secret that after nearly two decades, it could do with a bit of a refresh. Our goal was to modernise the look of the car, giving it a more aggressive stance that complements the performance mods we’ve already made. Here’s how we did it without blowing the budget.
The Gloss Black Kidney Grilles
First up, the iconic BMW kidney grilles. The factory-fitted ones do their job, but for a modern and aggressive look, we went for MStyle’s gloss black finish. This subtle tweak instantly updates the front end, especially when paired with our new Wolfrace Munich GTR wheels in gloss black. Not only do these grilles tie in with the rest of our black styling components, but they’re also super easy to install—just unclip the old ones and snap in the new.
Front Splitter: Aggressive Stance, Minimal Cost
To keep the black theme going and give the front bumper a modern edge, we added a front splitter from MStyle. This part is crucial for creating a lower, more aggressive stance without needing an expensive body kit. We chose a black finish to match the kidney grilles and wheels, which also saved us the hassle (and cost!) of having it painted. The splitter not only enhances the car’s look but also improves the aerodynamics slightly, making it functional as well as stylish.
Rear Lip Spoiler: Subtle, Yet Impactful
The final touch to our exterior BMW 335i styling transformation was a rear lip spoiler, again from MStyle. We kept it subtle, but even a small addition like this makes a huge difference to the car’s overall profile. Once again, we opted for a black finish to match the other elements, keeping the whole look cohesive. This simple upgrade enhances the sporty, modern vibe of the E92 without going over the top.
The Final Look
The result of these simple but effective styling modifications is a BMW 335i that looks fresh, modern, and aggressive—without needing a massive overhaul. We’ve kept the modifications minimal but impactful, focusing on bolt-on upgrades that enhance the car’s overall aesthetic while staying within budget.
The black theme—from the kidney grilles to the splitter and rear lip spoiler—works perfectly with the gloss black Wolfrace Munich GTR wheels, creating a sleek and unified look. It’s amazing how a few carefully chosen elements can transform a car, giving it the aggressive stance and road presence it deserves.
Reflecting on the Transformation
Looking back at where we started, our BMW 335i has come a long way. From the handling and performance upgrades to these final styling tweaks, we’ve successfully turned a stock E92 into a modern-day street machine that performs as good as it looks.
But the beauty of modifying cars is that there’s always something more you can do. We’ve focused on suspension, wheels, tyres, and styling for this build, but who knows? We might revisit the N54 powerplant in the future for some extra tuning. And with a selection of quality tools from Machine Mart at our disposal, there are plenty of tuning jobs we can take on.
For now, though, we’re absolutely thrilled with how this build has turned out—it’s a perfect balance of performance and style.
This project is proudly supported by Machine Mart, providing us with the tools and equipment needed to carry out each stage of the build. Check out their wide range of garage essentials and performance parts to tackle your own projects at www.machinemart.co.uk.
