25 Best BMW Accessories Every Owner Should Consider
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BMW builds some of the better base-specification cars on the market. But there is a significant gap between what comes standard and what the car could be with the right BMW accessories, some of which BMW themselves offer, and some of which the aftermarket has solved better or more affordably.
This list covers 25 accessories worth considering across practical upgrades, interior improvements, protection, technology, and driving experience. Some are genuine BMW M Performance items. Some are aftermarket alternatives. All of them are worth knowing about.
PRACTICAL AND PROTECTION
1. All-Weather Floor Mats
BMW's own all-weather rubber mats are purpose-made for each model with raised edges to contain water, mud, and debris. They clip into the original hooks and sit flush with the footwell. Far more practical in a UK winter than the carpet mats that come with most BMWs. Available for virtually every model in BMW's accessories catalogue.
Typical price: £40–£90 genuine BMW. Cheaper third-party alternatives available from £15.
2. Boot Liner
A properly fitted boot liner prevents the carpet taking on water from wet shopping, muddy boots, or a dog that has just been for a walk. BMW's own liners are model and generation-specific. They fit around the spare wheel well, the organiser hooks, and any subwoofer housing without leaving gaps. Third-party alternatives from Oria or WeatherTech are similarly effective.
Typical price: £30–£80.
3. BMW Tow Bar
A genuine BMW tow bar integrates fully with the car's electrical system and, on newer models, includes the trailer detection function that adjusts the ESP and ABS behaviour when towing. Aftermarket tow bars work, but require careful wiring to avoid PDC sensor interference. Fixed or detachable options available depending on whether you want to preserve the rear bumper appearance.
Typical price: £400–£900 fitted.
4. Paint Protection Film on High-Impact Areas
Not a BMW-specific accessory but relevant for any BMW owner who wants to preserve resale value. PPF applied to the front bumper lower section, leading edges of the bonnet, and door edges prevents stone chip damage that accumulates quickly on UK roads. Particularly worthwhile on darker colours where stone chips show immediately.
Typical price: £300–£800 for a partial front end, depending on installer.
5. Faraday Key Pouch
Any BMW with Comfort Access (keyless entry) is a potential relay theft target. A Faraday pouch blocks the key fob signal when you are at home, preventing criminals from amplifying the signal to open and start the car. An essential and inexpensive accessory for any keyless BMW in an urban area.
Typical price: £8–£20.
6. Dashcam — Hardwired
A hardwired dashcam is one of the most practically useful additions to any car. On a BMW, the aesthetics matter, and a discreetly mounted camera behind the rear-view mirror keeps the installation clean. Hardwiring to a fused spur rather than the cigarette socket avoids a dangling cable and allows parking mode monitoring. Nextbase and Viofo both make quality cameras with BMW-compatible mounts.
Typical price: £80–£250 camera, £50–£100 fitting.
INTERIOR UPGRADES
7. Ambient Lighting Upgrade
G-generation BMWs have factory ambient lighting points that can be upgraded to a more extensive multi-colour system through the dealer or via independent coding. F-generation models without factory ambient lighting can have LED strips added to the door sills and footwells relatively easily. The effect at night transforms the interior feel from functional to noticeably more premium.
Typical price: £50–£300 depending on extent of installation.
8. Wireless CarPlay Adapter
Older F-generation BMWs with wired CarPlay can be converted to wireless using a small adapter that plugs into the USB port and pairs with your phone over Bluetooth. Brands like CarlinKit and Motorola MA1 work reliably on most F30, F20, and related models running the correct iDrive version. Eliminates the cable without replacing the head unit.
Typical price: £50–£120.
9. M Performance Gear Knob
BMW's M Performance gear knob in Alcantara and leather is one of the most tactile changes you can make to the interior of a manual or automatic BMW. It bolts directly onto the gearstick or shifter without modification and transforms the feel of every gear change. Available for F- and G-generation manual cars and as a surround upgrade on automatics.
Typical price: £80–£180 genuine BMW M Performance.
10. BMW Alcantara Steering Wheel
Addressed in detail elsewhere on this site, but worth including here. An M Sport or M Performance steering wheel in Alcantara is one of the highest-impact interior upgrades available. Genuine used examples from specialist yards represent excellent value.
Typical price: £120–£350 genuine used. £400–£900 new.
11. Sun Blinds — Rear Side Windows
BMW's own rear side sun blinds clip into the door seal and pull down over the rear window glass. For anyone with children, or who parks in direct sunlight regularly, they are a practical and unobtrusive addition. The factory fit versions look considerably cleaner than aftermarket suction-mounted alternatives.
Typical price: £30–£60 genuine BMW.
12. Interior LED Upgrade Kit
The reading lights and footwell lights in F-generation BMWs use older bulb technology that BMW updated to LED on G-generation models. A plug-and-play LED upgrade kit for the interior lights on F-generation cars is a 20-minute job that significantly improves interior brightness at night. Bulb type varies by position. Check the specific requirements for your model before ordering.
Typical price: £15–£40.
AUDIO AND TECHNOLOGY
13. BMW Harman Kardon Audio System
If your BMW left the factory with the standard audio system, the BMW Harman Kardon speakers set upgrade is the single most noticeable interior improvement available. The DSP amplifier is calibrated specifically for your BMW model's cabin dimensions. Genuine used complete kits, amplifier, speaker set, and wiring from the same donor car, are available from specialist yards at a fraction of new pricing.
Typical price: £200–£500 genuine used complete kit. £800–£1,200+ new.
14. Wireless Phone Charger
G-generation BMWs can be factory-fitted with a Qi wireless phone charger in the centre console. F-generation models without this feature can have a retrofitted charger installed in the cubby below the gear selector. Both genuine BMW units and quality aftermarket options work well. Particularly useful for daily commuters who keep their phone in the centre console.
Typical price: £60–£150.
15. Android Auto Retrofit
BMW did not support Android Auto until the G- generation on most models, and even then adoption was gradual. F-generation owners can add Android Auto functionality through third-party interfaces. Bimmerlink and similar apps provide some functionality, while hardware adapters from brands like IrisTech offer fuller integration.
Typical price: £100–£300 depending on solution.
16. Parking Sensor Retrofit
Not all BMWs left the factory with front parking sensors. A retrofit kit, four sensors in a matching colour, a PDC control module, and wiring, adds the function to a car that was not originally specified with it. This requires coding to activate the PDC system and is a half-day job for an independent BMW specialist.
Typical price: £150–£500+ fitted.
17. Reversing Camera Retrofit
Similarly, reversing cameras can be retrofitted to BMWs that did not have one from the factory. The camera typically mounts in the boot handle or number plate light surround and feeds into the iDrive display. Requires coding. On newer models this is more complex due to the integrated nature of the camera system.
Typical price: £200–£450 fitted.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
18. M Performance Exhaust — Rear Silencer
BMW's M Performance rear silencer upgrades the exhaust note on M Sport models without replacing the full system. It fits directly in place of the standard rear box and produces a deeper, more characterful sound on cold start and under acceleration. Available for most F and G-generation M Sport petrol models. Genuine used examples from donor cars are occasionally available at significantly less than new.
Typical price: £600–£1,200 new M Performance.
19. M Performance Carbon Fibre Paddle Shifters
Longer, more tactile carbon fibre paddle shifters from BMW's M Performance accessories range. They bolt directly onto the steering column on automatic BMW models and are immediately noticeable in use: longer reach, firmer click, better feel. Compatible with most newer generation automatics.
Typical price: £150–£300 genuine BMW M Performance.
20. Upgraded Brake Pads — EBC or Ferodo
Standard BMW brake pads are adequate, but upgraded performance pads from EBC or Ferodo DS range offer reduced fade under sustained use and improved pedal feel. Worth considering on M Sport models or any BMW used for occasional track days. They do generate more dust than OEM pads, which means more frequent alloy cleaning.
Typical price: £60–£150 per axle.
21. Winter Wheel and Tyre Set
One of the highest-value practical investments a BMW owner can make. A set of correctly fitted steel or alloy winter wheels with winter tyres transforms a rear-wheel drive BMW in cold and wet conditions. Preserves the original alloys from winter salt damage. Most 1–3 Series, and X-series BMW models in 17 or 18 inches on a winter set represent excellent value.
Typical price: £600–£1,200 for a complete set fitted.
22. M Performance Front Splitter
BMW's M Performance front splitter attaches to the lower section of the M Sport front bumper, extending the lower lip and improving front-end appearance. Made from gloss black polycarbonate on standard versions and carbon fibre on premium versions. It clips and bonds onto the existing M Sport bumper without drilling. Compatible with F and G-generation M Sport models.
Typical price: £150–£450 depending on material.
EXTERIOR AND APPEARANCE
23. Gloss Black Mirror Caps
One of the most popular visual upgrades on BMW F and G-generation models. Replacing the standard silver or body-colour mirror caps with gloss black units produces the shadow line appearance associated with higher specifications. Available as genuine BMW accessories and from quality aftermarket suppliers. A 10-minute clip-on installation on most models.
Typical price: £30–£80 genuine. £15–£40 aftermarket
24. BMW M Performance Side Stripes
The iconic M stripe graphic for the front wings. Available as genuine BMW M Performance vinyl graphics that self-apply without painting. They are the correct width and spacing to replicate the factory-applied stripes on M cars. Available in the standard M tricolour or in single-colour options to complement individual colour schemes.
Typical price: £80–£150
25. Illuminated Door Sill Plates
BMW's illuminated door sill strips light up when the door opens, displaying the BMW or M logo. They replace the standard metal sill plates and are a plug-and-play installation on most F- and G-generation models. A subtle detail that makes entry and exit to the car feel more premium and is immediately noticed by passengers.
Typical price: £60–£200 genuine BMW, depending on model.
Summary
Twenty-five BMW auto accessories across five categories, but if you had to prioritise, start with the practical ones that pay for themselves in the UK climate. All-weather mats and a boot liner are the most overlooked purchases BMW owners make, and the most regretted when they skip them. A Faraday pouch costs less than a takeaway and is essential for any keyless BMW parked on a public road.
For the interior, the Harman Kardon upgrade is the single most noticeable improvement you can make without touching the exterior. If your car was specified without it, a genuine used kit from a BMW specialist costs a fraction of the new price and sounds identical. The Alcantara steering wheel is the other interior change that people notice immediately, every journey, every gear change.
The winter wheel set deserves its own mention. It is not glamorous, but putting a rear-wheel drive BMW on proper winter tyres for four months of the year transforms the car's usability and takes the pressure off the original alloys. More BMW owners should do it than currently do.
M Performance accessories: the paddle shifters, the front splitter, the exhaust rear silencer, are the upgrades for drivers who want the car to feel more like an M car without the M car price tag. All of them are available as genuine used BMW accessories at significantly less than new if you know where to look.
The technology retrofits (CarPlay adapter, wireless charger, parking sensors, reversing camera) are the ones that close the gap between an older BMW and a current one. Some cost less than a single service. Most take an afternoon.
Disclaimer: prices quoted are indicative estimates based on UK market research at the time of writing and will vary by supplier and availability. Product recommendations reflect our own opinion. We have no commercial relationship with any brands mentioned. Always confirm compatibility with your specific model before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy BMW accessories in the UK?
For used genuine BMW accessories in the UK, the best-value route in the UK is a specialist BMW breakers yard. MT Auto Parts stocks genuine BMW accessories removed from documented donor cars at significantly less than new dealer pricing. New accessories are also widely available through dealerships, BMW's own online shop, and independent specialists.
Are aftermarket BMW accessories as good as genuine BMW ones?
It depends on the category. For functional accessories, floor mats, boot liners, tow bars, quality aftermarket alternatives from brands like WeatherTech or Thule match or exceed the genuine BMW product. For electronics and anything that integrates with the car's systems, parking sensors, CarPlay adapters, ambient lighting, genuine BMW accessories or well-reviewed brand-specific aftermarket products are the safer choice. Cheap unbranded electronics can cause iDrive interference or fault codes.
Are BMW 1 – 3 Series accessories interchangeable?
In most cases, no. BMW accessories are model and generation specific. Floor mats for an F20 1 Series do not fit an F40 1 Series. An F30 3 Series boot liner is a different shape from a G20 3 Series liner. A 2 Series Active Tourer and a 2 Series Gran Coupé use different accessories despite sharing a similar name. Always confirm compatibility using your full model code or VIN before purchasing.
What are the most popular BMW accessories in the UK?
Based on what BMW owners search for and purchase most frequently: all-weather floor mats, dashcams, wireless CarPlay adapters, gloss black mirror caps, Harman Kardon audio upgrades, M Performance paddle shifters, and winter wheel sets. The Faraday key pouch has grown significantly in popularity as relay theft awareness has increased.
Disclaimer: Prices and availability vary. Always confirm compatibility with your specific model before purchasing. This article is meant only for informational purposes and is written only based on data available online and our experience.
