All over the world we’re under strict shelter-at-home orders due to COVID-19. Although unprecedented, we are here to help make it easier to stay home and well. Here is a list of our favorite DIY projects to take on. Share and tag us on your before and after photos on the ‘gram (@indstyle / #indstyle).
IND Painted Front Reflector Set
Difficulty (1-5): 1
Time to Install: 0-1 hour
What better way to start a list than with one of IND’s staples? Unfortunately for most of us outside of Europe, we were cursed with ghastly orange reflectors that stick out like a sore thumb. To level the playing field, IND’s painted replacements slot into place and restore the front-end aesthetic we should all enjoy. Since IND uses OEM cores and carries a paint guarantee for all of their reflectors, you’ll never have to worry about ill-fitting or mismatched pieces.
The best part? We stock most standard colors across the most popular BMW model line-up so you’ll be able to get them in a hurry. Might as well add a set of matching side grilles while you’re at it.
Acexxon Rear Reflector Insert Set
Difficulty (1-5): 1
Time to Install: 0-1 hour
On the opposite end, Acexxon’s rear reflector inserts are another hugely impactful addition to your exterior. Depending on your car, two patterns are available: honeycomb and slatted (both are available in gloss or matte finish). Either option is designed to coordinate more effectively with the OEM trim or your own personal preference.
Application pending, Acexxon’s inserts are a sporty alternative to our own painted variants and are readily kept in stock for most models, even outside of BMW (Porsche, VW, Audi, and more).
BMW Floating Center Cap Set
Difficulty (1-5): 1
Time to Install: 0-1 hour
It only took almost two decades for the Rolls Royce floating center caps to trickle down into BMWs production, but here we are. This has been one of the more popular upgrades over the past year for their visual novelty, but there’s also another great benefit: they are super easy to install. For those of you who are looking for even more customization, we offer two additional variants: 1.) a painted option with similar effect to our popular roundel treatment and 2.) a carbon fiber version which substitutes an attractive weave for the traditional Bavarian blue.
IND Painted Roundels
Difficulty (1-5): 1
Time to Install: 0-1 hour
Speaking of painted roundels, we’d be amiss if we left these off the list. The subtle touches make all the difference in the world and these roundel replacements are a great example of that. Roundels for both hood and trunk are kept in stock and available in three ring finishes: gloss black, matte black, and black chrome.
Looking to coordinate your carbon floating center caps with these? Don’t worry, carbon roundels are available too.
IND Start / Stop Buttons
Difficulty (1-5): 1
Time to Install: 0-1 hours
If there’s one thing that BMW has been consistent with through the years is a very “focused” interior. Indeed, BMW’s palette is spartan compared to their German counterparts, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything you can do to add some character to your cabin. One of the easiest improvements comes by way of a new start / stop button. Our replacement buttons are available in blue, yellow, and red depending on whether you’re looking to coordinate or add a contrasting pop of color.
As an extra touch, F-Chassis cars can also add an ignition bezel which is available in silver, gloss black, or black chrome.
Painted Engine Covers
Difficulty (1-5): 1
Time to Install: 0-1 hour
As car enthusiasts, eye candy goes well beyond the exterior. We have a slew of engine covers available in short order, including carbon variants from BMW M Performance and Eventuri, and our own custom painted covers depending on your application.
Whether you’re trying to coordinate with other carbon fiber accents in and around your car or run a paint-matched look throughout, our variety of engine covers help make a bold statement.
Just like the other items on this list so far, you’ll spend more time taking a photo for Instagram than it’ll take to put them on.
Acexxon Universal Lip Protector
Difficulty (1-5): 1
Time to Install: 0-1 hour
Just like we need to be conscious about protecting ourselves during this quarantine, your car’s front lip could use some preventative care as well. Acexxon has designed and manufactured a creative solution for virtually every front lip—these rubber strips affix to the underside of your lip to create a barrier between it and the abrasive road surface. No more scrape marks and road rash.
The “standard” lip protector kit is constructed of a softer, more pliable rubber material and is only 3.8mm thick, making it a stealthy choice for most enthusiasts whether you need it to stand up to rough road conditions or repeated loading on / off track transport. The “heavy duty” variant, which is due out later this year is a harder wearing rubber that boasts a 5.47mm thickness to stand up to more consistent road abuse.
Fall-Line Motorsports Tow Strap
Difficulty (1-5): 1
Time to Install: 0-1 hour
Although it sounds like it’ll be some time before we can actually get our cars on a road course again, that doesn’t mean that track prep has stopped. One of the most popular upgrades for track or track-inspired enthusiasts is the Fall-Line Motorsports tow strap. The strap itself is sewn and rated for real motorsport use and features a stainless steel shank. While black and red are standard offerings, custom colors are also available (including the ever-popular M tri-color treatment)
For owners who prefer to use the tow strap on a daily basis, IND paint matched and slotted tow hook covers are also readily available.
Future Classic Wheel Spacers
Difficulty (1-5): 1
Time to Install: 0-1 hours
Wheel spacers: arguably one of the most noticeable improvements you can make to the stance of your vehicle in short order. While most spacer manufactures have adopted a simple formula of punching holes into aluminum, Future Classic has gone the extra mile to truly engineer the most comprehensive spacer kit that is lightweight, beautifully manufactured, and motorsport tested to confirm it stands up to anything you can throw at them. It remains the only spacer that bolts to your hub, which does two things: 1.) helps defeat installation “wobble” and 2.) makes it way easier to install a wheel over since your spacer won’t rotate freely against the hub.
Future Classic’s spacers are made for the discerning enthusiast who wants the very best equipment and are available in both 5x120 and 5x112 bolt patterns. All designed and manufactured in the USA.
Eventuri Carbon Intake
Difficulty (1-5): 2
Time to Install: 1-2 hours
You can’t talk about engineering without mentioning Eventuri. Just like the wheel spacer industry before Future Classic, people never thought aftermarket intakes would make power until Eventuri came along. The UK-based outfit has crafted beautiful carbon fiber intake systems for some of the world’s most popular platforms and made independently proven gains on every single one of them.
If it’s not power you’re after, you’ll be greeted by a generous uptick in induction noise and a whole lot of shine when you pop your hood for your neighbors (who are staying 6 feet away).
If you’re looking for more DIY ideas, be sure to Subscribe to our YouTube channel and check out our full install guide library here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtUAxCjV3UvWgoSOpADvTTvd1LUKvJ2cr
