My 2012 BMW 550 i with X Drive - Now with vents

I LOVE my new 550 i with X Drive (with M Package). It's a beast when I want it to be, and it has all the amenities that I could ever need.



When it comes to body styling, I love the front end. It looks muscular in that special BMW way. However, the side view doesn't scream power, and while the lines are nice, it doesn't hint at what's under the hood.



Soon after taking delivery of my 2012 550, I started searching for a way to add a little spice. Years ago, I had a BMW Z3 M Roadster, and loved the look of the fender vents with the chrome streak through them. So, when I started thinking about what to add to my car to give it that something special, I went there for inspiration.



I took a plastic part that I bought off the internet and took it to a local shop (Midwest Hot Rods) here in Plainfield, IL. I asked them to manufacture a real part (not plastic), and install it. I also asked them to remove the reflector and X Drive badge as these would conflict with the vents.



Here's what they created:

Close-up

I love the new, cleaner, sportier look.
The bonus is that it looks totally natural and integrated into the existing lines of the car.  It doesn't look out of place at all.
It also just feels right that the vent came from another BMW rather than some of the other chrome streak looks that I was considering from 50's sport cars.

Just Purchased new fortified camps for my Republican Roman and Carthaginian armies.

Carthaginian Camp

Roman Camp

I purchased these from Dragon Painting Service on ebay. They should arrive put together and fully painted.  (I'm getting so lazy these days).

Romans and Allies

More pictures of Rome and her allies:

Hastati

Principes

 

Triarii

Italian Allies

Carthage

More pictures of the Carthaginian Army

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Punic Wars Images

Roman and Carthaginian lines clash

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Punic War Armies Complete!

11 months ago, Scott MacPhee embarked upon a mission to paint two huge Second Punic Wars armies for me. The work is finally complete and the armies are safely on my table and ready to play Command & Colors: Ancients.

I also plan to re-fight the entire Second Punic War. I will be using the 'Hannibal: Rome vs. Carthage' board game for the strategic side of things, and C&C:A to fight the battles.

More on that to follow. Meanwhile here are pictures of the miniature armies (28mm figures from Aventine, Renegade, Relic, and a few A&A), the man who made them beautiful, and the guy who will be playing with them:

The artist: Scott MacPhee

Me

All I can say is 'Wow' and 'Thank you' to Scott. These figures are certainly some of the most beautiful to ever fight on the tabletop.