Most F30 and F31 owners start with the same handful of changes: gloss black kidney grilles, mirror caps, a boot or roof spoiler, and a fix for the worn buttons and trim inside. At the time of writing, interior LED kits start from around €9, grilles from around €56, spoilers from around €100 and a wireless CarPlay retrofit from around €243.
First, work out which car you have
The chassis code decides what fits:
- F30: the four door saloon.
- F31: the Touring (estate).
- F34: the Gran Turismo, which has its own F34 buying guide.
- F80: the M3.
The coupé and convertible of this era are the 4 Series (F32, F33, F36), so 3 Series bumper parts do not carry over. If you are not sure what you have, see how to find your BMW chassis code.
The facelift, which BMW calls the LCI, arrived in 2015. The quickest tell is the lighting: LCI cars have reworked headlights and LED tail lights. It matters most for lighting and electronics. More in LCI vs pre-LCI explained.
The third question is the bumper. M Sport cars have different front and rear bumpers from SE, Sport, Luxury and Modern cars, and lips, splitters and diffusers are shaped for one bumper or the other. Grilles, mirror caps and boot spoilers do not depend on the bumper. Everything we list for this car is in the F30, F31 and F80 collection.
Grilles and mirror caps
These two are the usual starting point because they need no paint. The gloss black double-slat kidney grilles replace the original chrome pair. The originals are held in by plastic tabs, and the new ones push into the same openings. Work slowly with a plastic trim tool, because the tabs break easily.
The M-style mirror caps in carbon look change the shape of the mirror as well as the finish. Carbon look is a printed finish, not real carbon fibre. Before ordering any mirror cap, check on the product page if it replaces the original cap or sits over it, because fitting is different for each.
Boot and roof spoilers
The saloon and the Touring need different parts. For the F30 saloon, the M Performance style boot lid spoiler in gloss black is the modest option. For the F31 Touring, the gloss black roof spoiler extends the roof line above the tailgate glass.
Both are bonded on with automotive tape, sometimes with adhesive as well. Degrease the panel, fit on a warm dry day and test the position before you peel the backing. Removal later is possible but slow.
Front lips, diffusers and side skirts
This is where the bumper question matters. Check the bumper type in the listing against your car before you order.
- The gloss black front lip for the F30 adds a lower edge to the front bumper, so the car looks lower.
- The M Performance style front lip in carbon look is listed for both F30 and F31. Again, the finish is printed.
- The rear diffuser for 320, 328 and 330 models has cut-outs for that exhaust layout. There is a separate version for the 335 and 340, so match the diffuser to your tailpipes.
- The gloss black side skirt extensions join the front and rear visually once a lip is on.
Lips and skirt extensions screw into the underside of the bumper or sill, so expect to drill small holes where nobody will see them. A lip will meet kerbs and speed bumps sooner than the bare bumper. For exterior parts that change the outline of the car, check local rules.
Lighting
The LED interior light kit swaps the yellowish cabin bulbs for white ones. Check which bulbs your car uses first, as some cars already have LEDs in places. The LED number plate lights are complete units that unclip and plug in.
The LED fog light units replace the whole fog lamp. Compare the housing and plug in the photos with what is on your car, since bumper type and model year both affect it.
Worn interior fixes
The F30 cabin wears in predictable places, and each has a cheap fix.
- The automatic gear selector cover replaces the scratched or peeling trim on the selector. It is for automatic cars only, so check the shape against yours.
- The door pull handle covers go over the worn pulls. Left and right hand drive cars differ, so pick the correct side set.
- A replacement window switch cures worn symbols and sticky buttons. Check the button count on your original, especially if you have folding mirrors.
Fitting is a trim tool job: lever the old part out gently, unplug it if it has a connector, and press the new one in. Our view: do these before any exterior styling, because you touch them every time you drive.
Screens and CarPlay
There are two routes. The wireless CarPlay and Android Auto module keeps your original screen and adds CarPlay as an extra input, controlled with the iDrive knob. The 10.25 inch wireless CarPlay screen replaces the factory display with a larger touchscreen and keeps the original iDrive system underneath.
Before ordering either, find out which iDrive system the car has (CIC, NBT or EVO) and the size of the current screen, because the wiring differs. Fitting means removing the screen and some dash trim and routing a loom behind it. A careful owner can do it in an afternoon.
Quick comparison
| Part | Typical price | Fitting difficulty | Reversible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior LED kit | Around €9 | Easy, 20 minutes | Yes |
| Kidney grilles | Around €56 | Easy to moderate | Yes, keep the originals |
| Mirror caps | Around €65 | Easy to moderate | Yes |
| Boot or roof spoiler | Around €106 | Moderate, taped on | With effort |
| Front lip or diffuser | €124 to €159 | Moderate, some drilling | Mostly, small holes remain |
| CarPlay module or screen | €243 to €369 | Harder, dash trim out | Yes |
Where to start
For a first-time owner on a budget:
- Fix what is worn inside: selector cover, door pulls, window switch.
- Swap the interior and number plate bulbs for LED.
- Fit black grilles and mirror caps.
- Add a boot spoiler (saloon) or roof spoiler (Touring).
- Add a lip, diffuser and skirt extensions once you are sure of your bumper type.
- Finish with CarPlay if you plan to keep the car.
Some of these parts ship from our EU warehouse and usually arrive in about 4 to 8 working days within the EU. Others ship from Asia and take longer. See our fit guarantee before ordering.
FAQ
Do F30 parts fit the F31 Touring?
From the front doors forward the saloon and Touring share most parts, so grilles, mirror caps and front lips listed for both will fit. The rear is different: boot lid spoilers are saloon only, the roof spoiler Touring only.
How do I know if my F30 is an LCI?
The LCI facelift arrived in 2015, so cars built after that have the revised headlights and LED tail lights. Around the changeover, go by the lights on the car, not the registration date.
Do I need an M Sport bumper to fit a front lip or diffuser?
Not always, but each lip and diffuser is made for one bumper shape. Read the listing and compare it with your own bumper.
Can I add Apple CarPlay to an F30 without replacing the screen?
Yes. A CarPlay module connects behind the factory display and shows CarPlay or Android Auto on the original screen. Order the version that matches your iDrive system and screen size.