The BMW Shadowline package is the most widely available optional extra from BMW. It’s an option on almost every BMW model, and unlike most packages, it only affects the exterior of your car. This is different from packs like the Executive package or the Luxury Seating package that focus on interior upgrades, like technology or comfort.
The goal of the Shadowline package is to make your BMW stand out. We’ll talk through the features of the Shadowline pack in detail below, but you’ll see changes in the lighting, grilles and even brake colors depending on the BMW model.
What is the BMW Shadowline Package?
Let’s start by looking at what models have this pack, and what is included when choosing the Shadowline package. This can be confusing, as BMW includes different options depending on the vehicle model.
What BMW Models Have This Package?
The Shadowline package is limited to only a handful of BMW models currently. You’ll find this option on the following models.
- BMW X1
- BMW X3
- BMW X4
- BMW X5 (Only Shadowline trim)
- BMW X6
- BMW X7 (included in M Sport Professional Package)
- BMW M240i
- BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
- BMW 3 Series
- BMW 4 Series
- BMW 5 Series
- BMW 7 Series (included in M Sport Professional Package)
- BMW 8 Series (included in M Sport Professional Package)
- BMW Z4
- BMW i7 (included in M Sport Professional Package)
What’s included in the BMW Shadowline Package?
The BMW Shadowline package contains the following options, depending on the model you are buying:
- Black Mirror Caps
- Extended Shadow Trim
- M Shadowline Lights
- Illuminated Kidney Grille
- M Sport Brakes with Red or Blue Calipers
- Rear Spoiler
- Upgraded Exhaust
What is the M Sport Professional Pack?
As of 2023, BMW has started to rename this as the M Sport Professional Pack on certain models. You get the same features as the Shadowline Pack (listed above), but BMW has included an M Sport exhaust system. We’ll cover this in our list below too.
Black Mirror Caps
This change is fairly straightforward – instead of side mirrors in the same color as the body, you get high-gloss black mirror caps instead. We think this change works better on some BMW colors, and it looks particularly good on white and red models. On some darker colors like grey or blue, the black mirrors don’t stand out as much, but some owners love them.
One factor worth mentioning is that the black mirrors collect less dirt than the body color alternatives, and on a section of the car that picks up a lot of spray from the front wheels, it can help to make your car look cleaner.
The black mirror caps are available on the following BMW models, as part of the Shadowline package:
- X1 28i
- 330i
- 330e
- 430i
- M440i
- i4 e35
- i4 e40
- Z4 30i
- Z4 M40i
Extended Shadowline Trim
The Extended Shadowline Trim is the main feature of the Shadowline package. This replaces a number of the exterior trim parts, which are usually in a lighter chrome, with darker colors. These parts include a darker front grille, parts of the rear bumper, and darker trim around the windows. Additionally, some models come with dark chrome exhaust tailpipes as part of the Shadowline trim.
Like the mirror caps, on some models and colors, this works really well. This does give the car a far more ‘sporty and aggressive’ feeling though, so factor this into your choice if you’re looking at the Shadowline package.
The Extended Shadowline Trim is available on all BMW models with the Shadowline package
M Shadowline Lights
The M Shadowline Lights option adds more exterior changes to the car. Despite the name, this feature doesn’t change the lighting setup on your BMW, it simply changes the color of the chrome inside the light housing. On most modern BMW front lights there is a strip of chrome along the top, which is made darker to match the Shadowline trim around the front grille.
This is a minor change, but from the right angle, it makes the front lights a lot more aggressive and goes well with the other exterior trim changes.
M Shadowline Lights are available on the following BMW models:
- X1 M135i
- X3 30i
- X3 M40i
- X4 30i
- X4 M40i
- X5 40i
- X5 50e
- X5 M60i
- X6 40i
- X6 M60i
- 230i
- M240i
- M2
- 330i (with upgraded LEDs)
- 330e (with upgraded LEDs)
- M340i (with upgraded LEDs)
- 430i
- M440i
- i4 e35
- i4 e40
- i4 M50
- 530i
- i5 e40
- i5 M60
- 840i
- M850i
- Z4 30i (with upgraded LEDs)
- Z4 M40i (with upgraded LEDs)
Illuminated Kidney Grille
The illuminated kidney grille is a feature of the Shadowline pack only available on a handful of models. This adds lighting behind the front grille, which turns on when the car is opened. There is even the option to keep the kidney grille lights on when you’re driving.
Overall this option is nothing more than an impressive and unnecessary centerpiece for BMW’s top-range models. Unfortunately more and more ‘features’ like this are getting added to modern luxury cars, but some owners will like this option.
The illuminated kidney grille is available on the following BMW models:
- X5 40i
- X5 50e
- X6 40i
- X7 40i
- 530i
- i5 e40
- i5 M60
M Sport Brakes with Color Calipers
This is a straightforward feature and is available on most models. The choice to change your brake caliper color is purely aesthetic and has no impact on the performance of the car. Even so, colored brake calipers do stand out with the right wheels, and add some excitement to the less vibrant body colors.
We are huge fans of colored brake calipers (I have blue calipers on my current BMW) and if they are available as part of the Shadowline pack, it’s definitely worth selecting.
Colored M Sport Brake Calipers are available on the following BMW models:
- X5 40i
- X5 50e
- X5 M60i
- X6 40i
- X6 M60i
- X7 40i (includes black calipers)
- X7 M60i (includes black calipers)
- 230i (red calipers only)
- M240i (red calipers only)
- 330i
- 330e
- M340i
- 430i
- M440i (red calipers only)
- i4 e35
- i4 e40
- i4 M50 (red calipers only)
- 530i
- i5 e40
- i5 M60
- 740i (includes black calipers)
- 760i (includes black calipers)
- 750e (includes black calipers)
- i7 e50 (includes black calipers)
- i7 e60 (includes black calipers)
- 840i (black only)
- M850i (black only)
Rear Spoiler
The final feature of the Shadowline package is the rear spoiler. This is only available on a handful of models and adds a high gloss black lip spoiler to the rear bumper. This is a small and purely visual change and has almost no impact on the performance of the car.
If you want your BMW to look sport-focused, this is a must-have option. Strangely this is included in the luxury sedan models too, with the 7 Series a particularly strange choice for a rear spoiler. Still, like most of the Shadowline options, this will make your car stand out.
The Shadowline rear spoiler is available on the following BMW models:
- i4 e35
- i4 e40
- 530i
- i5 e40
- i5 M60
- 740i
- 760i
- 750e
- i7 e50
- i7 e60
- 840i
M Sport Exhaust System
With this upgraded exhaust system, you’ll get increased noise when driving, particularly in Sport modes. It’s a noticeably deeper sound and definitely makes you feel like you’re in a more powerful car. This upgrade isn’t as impressive as the exhaust systems on M cars, but if you want your BMW to sound more aggressive, this is the feature for you.
The M Sport exhaust systems is available on the below BMW models:
- X5 40i
- X6 40i
- X7 40i
Black Exhaust Tips
Unlike the last feature, the option to change your exahsut tips is purely a visual change. With no impact on the performance of your BMW, or any change to the sound, you might be thinking that this is a pretty minor change, and to be it is, but it fits the shadowline pack.
This might be a small change, but for BMW enhusiasts they’ll notice the difference, and even if it’s a small part of the car, it helps to make the rear look aggresive. This isn’t an option i’d select if it was sold on it’s own, but as part of this pack it’s a nice bonus.
Black exhaust tips are available on the below BMW models:
- M2
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of the Shadowline package depends on the model, but as a rough guide for the US market:
- X1 28i: $300
- X1 M135i: $500
- X3 30i: $400
- X3 M40i: $400
- X4 30i: $400
- X4 M40i: $400
- X5 40i: $1,650 (M Sport Pack)
- X5 50e: $850 (M Sport Pack)
- X5 M60i: $650 (M Sport Pack)
- X6 40i: $1,650 (M Sport Pack)
- X6 M60i: $650 (M Sport Pack)
- X7 40i: $1,350 (M Sport Pack)
- X7 M60i: $300 (M Sport Pack)
- 230i: $850
- M240i: $400
- M2: $300
- 330i: $1,100
- 330e: $1,100
- M340i: $600
- 430i: $900
- M440i: $400
- i4 e35: $950
- i4 e40: $950
- i4 M50: $400
- 530i: $1,050 (M Sport Pack)
- i5 e40: $1,050 (M Sport Pack)
- i5 M60: $1,050 (M Sport Pack)
- 740i: $950 (M Sport Pack)
- 760i: $950 (M Sport Pack)
- 750e: $950 (M Sport Pack)
- i7 e50: $950 (M Sport Pack)
- i7 e60: $950 (M Sport Pack)
- 840i: $800 (M Sport Pack)
- M850i: $300 (M Sport Pack)
- Z4 30i: $950
- Z4 M40i: $950
Is the Shadowline Package Worth It?
Depending on the BMW model, the Shadowline package makes a huge difference. This is a pack for anyone who wants their BMW to look imposing, aggressive, and stand out more. For models like the M240i and 8 Series, I think this package makes some noticeable upgrades, particularly with the extended trim changes.
For some models though, this package won’t be as popular. It’s definitely worth finding an example of the BMW model you want with this package and comparing it to a standard model, to decide if it’s the right pack for you.
The Shadowline package doesn’t add any useful tech upgrades like the Premium pack, and it doesn’t improve passenger comfort like the Luxury Seating pack. Even without these changes, the Shadowline package has one of the most noticeable impacts on your BMW.
Why doesn’t the Shadowline Pack include every option for all BMWs?
In the aboe sections you’ll see that each BMW model includes different features as part of the Shadowline Pack. For example, you can’t get blue calipers on every model, and only a handful come with rear spoilers. Don’t worry though, if you don’t see the BMW you want on the list, there might be a good reason for that.
The Shadowline Pack covers a range of optional extras, but on many BMW models you get some of these features as standard. For example, on the i4 models blue brake calipers are standard, so you don’t need the Shadowline Pack to upgrade.
This is the case with many features, particularly on higher spec BMWs. If you have a question about a particular BMW model, and what features it comes with, just let me know!
Can you add shadowline features to your BMW?
Because most of these features are visual upgrades, there are options to change parts on your BMW for Shadowline versions. This is limited, and for some items (the illuminated kidney grille) aftermarket installations are difficult.
BMW has official parts on sale for these items, and there are plenty of third party options to change the look of your BMW. If you want to find out more about these options get in touch, or leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to help you with any questions!
If you liked this post and want to find out more about BMW and packages from other manufacturers, check out the links below:
