Some Heroes Saved Two Old BMW Accessory Configurators For You To Play With

I’ve always been of the belief that it would be cool to pay a little bit of money to access a full OEM configurator of your car when it was new. See what the options look like, see what accessories are available, live out a bit of a fantasy. Sadly, configurators generally get updated yearly, meaning you won’t be able to play with some models again. Well, that’s usually the case. See, some absolute hero saved two old versions of the BMW accessories configurators, letting you digitally play with a variety of late-1990s, 2000s, and very early 2010s BMWs once again.

Granted, there are a few caveats here. Only two versions were saved, they don’t cover any of the M models or offer any of the Individual colors. Regardless, two Internet Archive users have recently uploaded versions 3.3 and 12 of the software, so if you can run Windows, you can have a bit of fun with visualizing long-discontinued options catalogs.

Let’s start with version 3.3, which I’m guessing is from about 2005 or so. New enough to contain the E90 3 Series sedan but old enough to predate the E92 3 Series coupe. Of course, since it carries some previous-generation models, that also means you get to play with models like the E39 5 Series.

Look, this 530i is like Matt’s own car, except with the M Tech aero kit and a set of Style 37 M Parallel 18-inch wheels. It’s a tasty yet fairly accessible spec for an enthusiast to build today, although perhaps only on the outside. See, when it came to the interior, I went a little bit nuts.

Ah yes, how about Stone Green leather and the rare “grid” interior trim with square dots on top of a galvanic finish? While we’re at it, let’s add an impractical metallic shift knob and handbrake, the factory navigation system, and a late M steering wheel to really send things over the top. It’s a slightly bold spec, but it goes well with the theory of having either a loud interior or a loud exterior.

[Ed note: Since sending this to me, I haven’t been able to get the “grid” interior out of my mind. I love it so much. – MH]

Speaking of loud, did you know that you could get an X5 with all sorts of goofy stuff on it? I’m not just talking about the over-the-top flares and notched side skirts that were part of the accessory aero package, I’m also talking about a front-mounted chrome nerf bar and driving lights attached to the roof rack. Yep, these are all real BMW accessories, and when the X3 launched, it was only natural for BMW’s accessory division to follow suit with the X5’s treatment.

How about that? You can see a little bit of where BMW’s M division got inspiration for the then-far-in-the-future X6 M’s front valence treatment. Needless to say, the X3 aerodynamic kit is exceptionally rare in the wild, but if you ever spot one, you’ll now know that it’s not some aftermarket job.

Oh, and speaking of rare accessories, Dakar Yellow Z3 on Style 38 tri-spokes with the aero kit and the speedster cover, anyone? I genuinely can’t say I’ve seen these wheels or that hard tonneau cover in the wild before, but the latter makes sense considering Porsche was doing it with the Boxster, and aftermarket companies were offering them for other convertibles.

There’s so much more fun to have in version 3.3, but let’s jump ahead to version 12 for the sake of leaving stuff to be discovered. I reckon this is likely from September 2011 or slightly earlier, given that it’s new enough to have the initial five-door variant of the second-generation 1 Series hatchback with some colors marked delayed availability, but old enough to predate the F30 3 Series. As soon as I booted this one up, I got to work on some forbidden fruit—a 335i wagon in Montego Blue. I ended up adding the BMW Performance body kit as I’ve always felt it’s better resolved than the LCI M Sport front bumper, along with the same split-spoke wheels seen on the 335is, xenon headlights, BMW Performance suspension and brakes, a sport exhaust system, and that’s about it on the outside.

Inside’s a bit of a different story, though, starting with the BMW Performance bucket seats. Those branded Recaros with side airbags were rare and pricey in their day, but they really do hold you in place. Complementing those chairs, the BMW Performance shift knob is a bit thicker than the popular ZHP knob from the BMW parts catalog, but I easily decided against the BMW Performance steering wheel because why have a noon marker on a street car? Otherwise, this thing gets the toys I want and not the toys I don’t. Dual-zone climate, heated seats, the smoker’s package to have a cover for the oddments tray and a convenient 12-volt socket, aluminum trim, aluminum pedals, and the Professional radio were added, iDrive was left out. Sweet.

On the other end of the spectrum of taste, I’m fairly sure there’s a rendering error on these stripes, but still, notice those roof fins, those likely unnecessary carbon winglets up front, and the sheer amount of over-the-top accessorizing going on with this X6. BMW really knew it’s target audience with this thing, and played to it with the accessory catalog.

Alright, let’s bring this thing home with something weird. Did you know that in certain markets, you could get an X1 with a gold cloth interior? Combined with especially zig-zaggy wood trim, it adds the right amount of color and texture to what is otherwise a fairly staid cabin, and it’s proof that cloth doesn’t get used nearly enough. So, what do you want to cook up with a virtual accessory catalog visualizer for most BMWs sold in the 2000s?

Top graphic credit: BMW

Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.