Hello, I have actually done an e90 se pre lci to lci m sport conversion on my full car!
Was a hobby at the time! Ha

I slowly purchased all the bits of ebay.. I waited for the same colour parts to come available in a good condition rather then messing with repairs and painting. Bonnet, straight swap easy. Bumper needs all need grills and fog lights (with a bulb conversion adapter the bulbs are different from se to m sport fogs) you need the brake cooling ducting with the new bumper. The belly panel underneath I managed to screw straight to the new bumper but you can get an adapter.
After having all the parts I did this alone in one day for about £400 all in. But I didn't do the headlights as I couldn't be bothered with the wiring for the new halos etc. And there expensive!! I mainly did it as I really hated the chrome lip on the pre lci bonnet.

I also look on oem, and got the part numbers for all the screws needed to make sure I had extra.

 

Should have bought a LCI Msport in the 1st place :silly

Ebay is perfect and stick to genuine BMW parts. Large parts brand new from dealer cost a fortune. The bumper new from dealer is eye watering.

Best i could afford was LCI SE so slowly changing it toward Msport appearance.

I was quiet lucky a idiot driver lightly scraped my front wing and bumper and his insurance was paying for the repair and full respray of the wing and bumper.
I bought a used same colour Msport bumper on Ebay from a bumper specialist £125. The bumper had some scuffs but no crack or dents.

Part of insurance repair the garage did a full repair and respray on the Msport bumper and fitted.
Used fog lights and lower grill on ebay cost £100.
Sold the scraped SE bumber for £70 to garage.
Steering wheel bought for £65 and reused same airbag.
Msport gear knob £50 from dealer.
Now on the lookout for the front Msport seats.

Mine was E92 so not same style front as E90. But Davee did a fine job on his E90.

Post a picture of before and after :thumbsup

 

 

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That looks cracking dave. Think i will hold out for the coloured parts like you've done. And some great tips, cheers.

 

That's my before and after
I was quiet lucky on the seat, won a full set of alcantra interior with door cards in like new condition for £99.
One interior mod ive done which I love is the split armrest! So much more comfortable.

 

Looks like a original LCI Davee :thumbsup

 

Apart from I don't have lci lights normal fronts and darkline rears. I was going to do the front headlights but unfortunately she's now for sale

 

The bumper and the kidney grill does give the car a face-lift even without the light :thumbsup

 

Does look alot better, even the lines down the bonnet!
Hopefully have as much fun with the next project!

 

Not really.... Putting an m3 match on a 318 is ridiculous....
Ive made a basic SE car as nice looking and more luxury inside by installing all factory m sport items.
You wouldn't know it wasn't an m sport!
And the darkline rear lights are a genuine bmw item.
It was a hobbie.. I enjoyed it.
Also it may make the market slighter smaller by doing mods but so what....
Ive seeing modded SE models sell for more then a standard SE model. Yeah its a smaller market but to some people its worth more.

 

M sport is just a trim level colin? By that logic you wouldnt upgrade alloys or tint windows, becuase the car didnt leave the factoy in that conditon.

 

But sometimes people cant afford that bit extra for an m sport
Plus I got my SE half the price it should have being due to the sellers circumstances. So it was well worth it.

And not really as I have all the m sport struts and suspension fitted...

I can see where your coming from in the aspect of people putting 335 exhausts on a 320.
Pretending to be something its not and doesn't effect the car in anyway. Whereas on mine, I believe ive improved the car....
Looks nicer, feels nicer to drive... Ive benefited from the upgrades.

 

Anyhow, it doesn't answer the poster question.
People have different opinions.... There's plenty cars like it for sale and people buy them. Not everyone has the same opinion.
This guy wants to improve the look of his car, just as plenty of people have done and will do.. Some people don't want to. Sorted

 

Colin, the place i had my car remapped had a bmw f10 m5 replica, looked stunning. It was only a 520d! I think you may have had a heart attack had you seen it :rofl

 

I only upgraded the suspension as my shockers started to go.. Might as well improve when you have to replace.

And yeah there's a good difference normally about 1k in price ive noticed. Obviously same year and similar mileage.

As for re sale value... I wont get back the money ive put into it, but there's not many hobbies that creates profit but my looking online an m sport replica sells for a little bit more then an se, little bit less then a genuine. But when you do more mods, sometimes it can be worth more.
I got the car cheap, and fancied improving it.

But I do see where your coming from and now I'm in a better position money wise I wouldn't do it again. Id buy a top model car just like I'm doing after Xmas, unfortunately leaving the BMW lifestyle!

 

There is a difference between sticking on a M3 Badge on the 318 and doing some facelift with original BMW parts.
I like the msport look but suspension is not for me. I find it too hard for London roads.
Also when something needs replacing it's a good time to upgrade.
My front brakes disc needed replacing.Found a refurbished caliper set with almost new disc and pad from a higher model.
Perfect time to upgrade mine from my 300mm to 330mm.

I don't plan to sell my car for few years so not worried about resale value.

 

But that's your opinion.... A friend of mine has a factory m sport, but has put all the SE suspension on.
He likes the look of the m sport but didn't like the stiffness of the ride, wanted something comfortable.
Everyone opinion differs!
If you don't agree with what we are doing to our cars go find another thread...

 

Completley agree.

 

I'm almost certain, but does the lci come in sparkling graphite? Cant seem to find any parts at all, or am i just being impatient :hihi

 

This debate is like tea and coffee. Some people like the smell of coffee but don't like to drink it :hihi
I am curious if you put Msport alloys on a SE that does reduce the resale value.

Below are the before and after picture of my front end. If it reduces the resale value i will have to live with it but i am happy with the change next few years. And the net cost about £130 for the change.

 

This debate is like tea and coffee. Some people like the smell of coffee but don't like to drink it :hihi
I am curious if you put Msport alloys on a SE that does reduce the resale value.

Below are the before and after picture of my front end. If it reduces the resale value i will have to live with it but i am happy with the change next few years. And the net cost about £130 for the change.

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That's a bargain mate, looks cracking.

 

I think both cars look bang on - far better than original and its worth doing if you manage this on the cheap then go for it. But you must be aware, many people reaerch their cars before buying so come selling time, many people will simply not call as soon as they see "M Sport Conversion" in the advert - 9 times out of 10 that shouts "I've been in an accident"

 

But you must be aware, many people reaerch their cars before buying so come selling time, many people will simply not call as soon as they see "M Sport Conversion" in the advert - 9 times out of 10 that shouts "I've been in an accident"

Totally agree.
I would not even view a car thats been modified heavily. I dont even view car with aftermarket alloys
But it also depends the value of car. if you shopping for a car that cost over £10k you would want standard but if the car has has aged around 12 to 15 year thats a different issue.

Lets just look at 2001 E46. That car is worth max £1500 in good condition.
IMO the buyer would be looking for much spec as possible and good condition over a true Msport that's falling apart due to age.

BTW I have pictures of minor accident to show the damages so let the buyer decide when the car is older

 

I dont doubt the mods do add to the feel

You know the more I read your reply I am beginning to lose any respect for you and start you think you just a spoilt rich kid that had everything he wanted from childhood.

You clearly on another planet. Have you driven a SE to compare with a Msport to make the comment like that.
I am talking from actually changing the the steering wheel and gear knob.

The Msport wheel is thicker and softer so provides better grip. The gearknob is shorter and made of leather.
The Msport seat have side support.
These things do provide different feel to the car or did i miss something

These are the improvement over the SE.. I dont think anyone said the mods will add 50extra BHP and transform the car into a rocket.

Just be grateful you have a decent car and don't look down on others that don't have the financial power to by a 335

 

Its hard to concentrate on BS

 

Right come on then!!
He wants advice on what he wants to do to his own car...
He doesn't want people arguing or voicing why he is doing something they don't agree with.
Just wasting thread space.. Unless your answering the guys questions then here's an idea..... Don't post.!

 

Blimey, I go away for a couple of hours and people are having d*ck measuring contests here :rofl

Chill out lads

 

Joking aside though. Colin is clearly a prick. I can afford an m-sport but why? Like others, cars are my hobby. I'd consider simple modifications like this enjoyable. Not to mention the fact it has saved me thousands over the initial purchase price. I've owned the car for 3 years and fancy a refresh, doing this makes perfect business sense in my book. Colins most likely some pcp numpty, who has everything on finance. Good for you pal.

I also run my own business (oooo, look at me). Frankly, who gives a ****. Its the experience not the possession. Stop being a hater colin, aka dildo shwaggins*.

 

Mines bigger then yours

 

If your patient then id recommend waiting for parts in your colour, my e90 is red and having to spray everything is bringing up the costs significantly

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