Benjamin M. Monroe Blog: Reader’s Corner: Sakhir Orange BMW M3 F80 Project

David Zhou, a reader of BMWBLOG, is sharing with us his Sakhir Orange BMW M3 F80 Project which received a wide range of performance upgrades.

As we all know, the F80 generation is coming to an end and we are eagerly awaiting for the G80 M3 to come out. For me, this give me an opportunity to make something very special with the F80 as most modifications are out for the car already so that I have so many options to play around with when making this build.

Having owned a Dinan tuned M235i in the past, this is my first true M car. I have always dreamed about owning a M3 not only due to its legendary history but also how aggressive the F80 looks compares to its competitors. As to choosing between a M3 or a M4, to me it was a no brainer as M3 looks much more masculine with the wide hips where as the M4 looks more fluid, also, having four doors makes it very practical for daily use, this M3 was not going to be garage queen.

By the time I decided to purchase a M3, BMW Canada was no longer taking new orders so I had to do my research and see what I can find out of the existing stock. Luckily, I was able to find this 2017 F80 M3 at BMW Sherbrook with the combination I was looking for – ZUP package, DCT, Sakhir Orange exterior with full merino leather interior. And the best part, I am the first owner as this was a showroom demo.

Not long after getting the car, I got in touch with Ryan at IND Distribution and we started making a list of the upgrades that I wanted to do to make this car into a showcar level. Matt at RW Carbon was kind enough to work with me on getting most of the exterior carbon pieces for the car and Prapan at NVD Autosports for the interior carbon pieces. Along the way, I also dealt with other vendors online that helped me to make this project possible.

Most of the parts were installed at the Budds BMW dealership and Budds collision for the paint job with the help of Stephen, Paolo, Ian and the team. Stephen helped me with my Dinan parts for the M235i and we went with Dinan again for this M3 as well. Of course, with an investment like this, we can’t skip out on protection as well, so a full XPEL wrap was done by Sekanskin to give that extra satin look and protection.

Going forward, I am looking forward to doing a bit more for the interior, doing a bit more personal touches to it and make it even more unique. I am also looking forward to taking it to different car shows to share the love with fellow BMW drivers, with a build like this, on the road and sharing the love/displaying it with fellow drivers is where it belongs.

There are so many people that are involved in this project, I just want to give a quick shootout to all my online vendors – Active Autowerke, BlackboxMyCar, Dinmann, EAS, IND, JBSpeed, ModBargin, NVD Autosport, RW Carbon, Studio RSR. Also to my local shops – Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists, BMW Sherbrooke, Budds’ Collision Services Ltd., Budds BMW Oakville, Fanshawe Motors, Scotty’s Shine Shop, Sekanskin.

Full list of mods:

Breaks/Suspension/Wheels
– BMW OEM breaks, brake callipers powder coated to speed yellow with M logo (Budds Collisions)
– BMW OEM M Logo Black Valve Stem Cap Set (IND)
– BMW OEM CS 763M Wheels (Budds BMW)
– BMW M Performance Suspension (Budds BMW)
– Macht Schnell 90mm Stud Kit (IND)
– Modesta BC-06 Heat Resistant Hard Glass Coating For Wheels (Scotty’s Shine Shop)
– Project Kics Black R40 Open End Racing Lug Nuts (IND)

Exterior
– Acexxon M3 Horizontal Slat Rear Reflector Insert Set (IND)
– Autotecknic Competition Carbon Fiber Bumper Trim (Mod Bargains)
– BMW Gloss Black Emblems Replacement (7 Pieces) for F80 (JB Speed)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Coolant Cap (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Crosslink Member (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Engine Oil Cap (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Fender Air Duct Grilles (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Oil Filter Cover (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Unit Compartment Covers (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 M Performance Blackline Euro Tail Light Set (IND)
– BMW OEM M3 Aspherical Euro Mirror Glass Set (IND)
– IND M3 Painted Front Reflector Set (IND)
– Future Classic Club Sticker – Vader Style (IND)
– Future Classic Tri-Color Roof Vinyl Applique (IND)
– Glassparency – All Windows (Scotty’s Shine Shop)
– IND F8X M3/M4 Painted Engine Cover (IND)
– Modesta BC-08 Neosillica Matrix Coating (Scotty’s Shine Shop)
– Oneighty Headlights with custom Sakhir Orange accents (Oneighty)
– RW Carbon BMW F80 Carbon Fiber Grilles (RW Carbon)
– RW Carbon BMW F80 Half Carbon Fiber/FRP CSL Style Trunk (RW Carbon)
– RW Carbon BMW F80 M3 GTX Carbon Fiber Side Skirt Extensions (RW Carbon)
– RW Carbon BMW F80 M3 GTS Style Hood (RW Carbon)
– RW Carbon BMW F8X M3 CS Style CF Front Lip Spoiler (RW Carbon)
– RW Carbon BMW F8x M3 Kohlen Style CF Rear Diffuser (RW Carbon)
– XPEL Stealth/Ultimate Plus Wrap (Sekanskin)

Interior
– 3D Design Billet Aluminum DCT Paddle Set (IND)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber A/C and Stereo Trim (Studio RSR)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Center Console (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber HUD Cover (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Interior 3rd Stop Lamp (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Interior Dash Speaker Grille (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Interior Defroster Vents (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Interior Door Switch Panels (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Interior Headlight Switch Panel (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Interior Rear Console Panel (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Interior Roof Lamp Panel (NVD Autosport)
– BMW F80 M3 Carbon Fiber Interior Upper Door Trims (NVD Autosport)
– BMW M Performance Alcantara Armrest (Budds BMW)
– BMW M Performance Carbon Handbrake Grip With Alcantara Gaiter (Budds BMW)
– BMW M Performance Carbon Trim For The Gear Lever (Budds BMW)
– BMW M Performance Door Handle Trim, High-gloss Carbon (Budds BMW)
– BMW M Performance F8X V2 Steering Wheel (IND)
– BMW M Performance Gloss Carbon Steering Wheel Trim (Budds BMW)
– BMW OEM F80 M3 Competition Rear Seat Belt Set (IND)
– Eventuri BMW F8X M3 Carbon Seat Back Covers (IND)
– Future Classic Club Sticker – Vader Style (IND)
– IND M3 Red Start/Stop Button with gloss black F Chassis Ignition Bezel (IND)
– Pedal Haus Pedal Set (IND)
– RW Carbon BMW F30 F32 F8x Carbon Fiber Door Handle Trims (RW Carbon)
– Thinkware F800 Pro Dash Cam (BlackboxMyCar)

Performance
– Active Autowerke F8X BMW M3 Mid Pipe (Active Autowerke)
– DINANTRONICS Performance Tuner Stage 3 (Budds BMW)
– Dinan Carbon Fiber Cold Air Intake (Budds BMW)
– Dinan High Performance Heat Exchanger (Budds BMW)
– Dinan Lightweight Tubular Adjustable Anti-Roll Bar Set (Budds BMW)
– ESS Tuning F8X M3 / M4 Charge Pipes (IND)
– Fall Line Motorsports F8X M3 Front Mono Ball Conversion Kit (IND)
– Fall Line Motorsports F8X M3 Oil Cooler Guard (IND)
– Fall Line Motorsports F8X M3 Rear Upper Control Arm Bearing Kit (IND)
– Fall Line Motorsports F8X M3 Toe Link Kit (IND)