2022 BMW M235i Build: Family-Built Air Suspension and Carbon Fiber

Owner: Aiza Combes
Vehicle: 2022 BMW M235i
Instagram: @zasbmw_18

Author/Photography: Donnie Rochin
Instagram: @r0cean11_stanceauto

Facebook: r0cean11 Photography
Website: www.r0cean11.com

"My car is simplicity at its finest. Not overdone and not underdone." – Aiza Combes

When Simplicity Earns Attention

Some builds scream for attention.
Others earn it naturally.

Aiza Combes' 2022 BMW M235i build sits perfectly in that sweet spot—clean, tasteful, aggressive, and undeniably personal. It's not overbuilt or overloaded with unnecessary modifications. Instead, every detail feels intentional, creating a refined street build that reflects both her personality and her family's passion for car culture.

And honestly? That balance is exactly what makes this 2022 BMW M235i build stand out.

Built by Family, Fueled by Passion

Born in the Philippines and brought to the United States at just five years old, Aiza grew up in Las Vegas during the early '90s alongside her grandparents before eventually settling in Winnemucca, Nevada, with her husband and three children. Over the years, she's worked in both customer service and the mining industry, but outside of work, cars have always remained a huge part of her life.

Unlike many people who stumbled into car culture later, Aiza was introduced early by the men around her.

Her grandfather and father believed something important:
A woman should know how to handle things herself.

Oil changes.
Changing tires.
Basic maintenance.

Those lessons quickly evolved into genuine passion.

"After that, it was over. I started helping them whenever I could."

Growing up through the rise of both the lowrider scene and the JDM movement in the '90s only deepened that interest. Eventually, after meeting her husband Mike, the two began attending Midnight Mayhem events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and modifying their first project together—a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant.

That's where the obsession truly took off.

Finding the Perfect "Mom Mobile"

Interestingly enough, the 2022 BMW M235i build wasn't even the original plan.

Aiza had actually been shopping for a truck before the M235i entered the picture. But while everyone else was talking about future projects and modifications, she quietly started browsing cars on her own.

Then she test drove the BMW M235i (https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/2-series/gran-coupe.html).

And that was it.

"I completely fell madly in love with it."

What sold her wasn't just the styling—it was the driving experience. The turbocharged four-cylinder delivered just enough punch to make the car exciting while still practical enough to serve as a daily driver.

Or at least… it used to.

"It was the perfect mom mobile or grocery getter… now I can't even get groceries in the trunk."

Once the modifications for the 2022 BMW M235i build started piling up, practicality quickly took a backseat.

A 2022 BMW M235i Build Created Together

One of the coolest parts about Aiza's 2022 BMW M235i build is how family-centered the entire process has been.

Most of the work was completed at home alongside her husband, Mike Combes (@elevatedstang_17), with help from their kids and close friends.

That hands-on approach gives the 2022 BMW M235i build a much deeper meaning than simply buying parts and paying someone else to install them.

"My family has done 90% of the modifications ourselves."

The remaining work was handled by trusted names in their circle:

• @lowboostperformance
• @theclubcustom
• Friends and family helping throughout the process

The result is a 2022 BMW M235i build that feels personal in every possible way.

Engine & Performance Modifications

Under the hood, the 2022 BMW M235i build features a carefully selected combination of performance upgrades that enhance response, sound, and overall drivability without sacrificing reliability.

Performance modifications include:

• Eventuri carbon fiber intake
• Dinan intake resonator pipe
• Dinan Dinantronics tuner
• Dinan coilpacks
• Dinan throttle booster
• Upgraded downpipe
• Monaco Motorsports M carbon fiber exhaust tips
• Verus Engineering caps
• M Sport brace

The combination creates a noticeably more responsive and aggressive driving experience while still maintaining the refined characteristics BMW enthusiasts love about the platform. The Dinan tuning suite is specifically engineered for BMW applications, ensuring the 2022 BMW M235i build maintains factory reliability while unlocking additional performance.

Exterior Styling: Maxton Design and Carbon Fiber

Visually, the 2022 BMW M235i build strikes an ideal balance between modern European styling and aggressive stance aesthetics.

Exterior modifications include:

• Maxton Design front lip
• Maxton Design side skirts
• Maxton Design rear diffuser
• Maxton Design rear window spoiler
• Maxton Design rear winglets
• Monaco Motorsports M3 carbon fiber mirrors
• Monaco Motorsports carbon fiber gas cap
• Monaco Motorsports carbon fiber spoiler
• Monaco Motorsports RGB headlight accent
• IND blackout emblems
• The Club Customs graphics
• Type S RGB underglow
• Carbon fiber antenna cover
• Verus Engineering jacking pucks

The graphics package adds a unique visual identity without overpowering the BMW's clean body lines, while the carbon fiber accents subtly elevate the overall 2022 BMW M235i build.

Air Suspension, Wheels & Brakes

Aiza's 2022 BMW M235i build sits aggressively low thanks to a full air suspension setup, while still maintaining drivability for both show and street use.

Suspension & wheel setup:

• Airlift management with Maxload struts
• Kansei Astro 19" wheels
• Kansei blue special edition center caps
• Bridgestone Potenza tires
• M Sport blue big brake setup

The fitment, paired with the air suspension, gives the 2022 BMW M235i build a clean, confident stance without sacrificing functionality. The Airlift system allows her to drop the car for shows and cruising, then raise it for daily driving and speed bumps—the perfect compromise for a family vehicle that also serves as a show car.

Interior & Custom Audio Setup

Inside, the 2022 BMW M235i build keeps things clean while adding subtle luxury and custom touches.

Interior upgrades include:

• Carsilk diamond stitch mats
• Kicker Solo-Baric 12" L7S subwoofer
• Kicker LX850 amplifier
• Kicker wiring and distribution blocks
• Custom trunk and sub box setup

The custom audio setup adds both style and functionality while maintaining the premium feel expected from a modern BMW platform. The trunk setup required creative engineering to fit the subwoofer and amplifier while keeping the installation clean—part of why groceries no longer fit.

More Than Just Cars: Building Community

For Aiza, the car scene has become much more than simply modifying vehicles.

It's become a source of connection, friendship, and family.

"Some of the people I have met have become more like family."

Their garage has become a gathering place where friends show up late at night to troubleshoot builds, barbecue together, or simply spend time around cars. Even their children have become part of the culture, helping work on vehicles and learning alongside their parents.

That sense of togetherness is what truly defines the 2022 BMW M235i build.

The automotive community has given the Combes family more than just Instagram followers—it's given them genuine relationships, mentorship opportunities for their kids, and a shared passion that brings everyone together. This 2022 BMW M235i build represents not just Aiza's vision, but her entire family's contribution to car culture.

Future Plans for the Build

The 2022 BMW M235i build is far from finished.

Future plans include:

• ADRO swan neck wing

• New graphics package with @theclubcustom

• Additional family project cars:

• 2024 Lexus IS 350 F Sport

• 1991 Nissan 240SX with RB swap

• 2001 Mitsubishi Galant for their daughter

Clearly, the Combes family garage isn't slowing down anytime soon. Each vehicle represents a different family member's vision, ensuring the next generation grows up with the same hands-on automotive education Aiza received from her grandfather and father.

Complete Build Specifications

2022 BMW M235i Build - Performance

• Eventuri carbon fiber intake
• Dinan intake resonator pipe
• Dinan Dinantronics tuner
• Dinan coilpacks
• Dinan throttle booster
• Upgraded downpipe
• Monaco Motorsports M carbon fiber exhaust tips
• Verus Engineering caps
• M Sport brace

Exterior Styling

• Complete Maxton Design body kit (front lip, side skirts, rear diffuser, window spoiler, winglets)
• Monaco Motorsports M3 carbon fiber mirrors
• Monaco Motorsports carbon fiber gas cap
• Monaco Motorsports carbon fiber spoiler
• Monaco Motorsports RGB headlight accent
• IND blackout emblems
• The Club Customs graphics package
• Type S RGB underglow
• Carbon fiber antenna cover
• Verus Engineering jacking pucks

Suspension, Wheels & Brakes

• Airlift management with Maxload struts
• Kansei Astro 19" wheels
• Kansei blue special edition center caps
• Bridgestone Potenza tires
• M Sport blue big brake setup

Interior & Audio

• Carsilk diamond stitch mats
• Kicker Solo-Baric 12" L7S subwoofer
• Kicker LX850 amplifier
• Kicker wiring and distribution blocks
• Custom trunk and sub box setup

Car Clubs & Community Support

Aiza proudly represents several groups and businesses that have supported the 2022 BMW M235i build and their automotive journey:

• Team Elevate
• Stance Auto CC
• Low Boost Performance
• The Club Custom

The relationships built through the automotive community continue to fuel both inspiration and motivation behind every project.

Dream Car

While the 2022 BMW M235i build is already a dream daily, Aiza's ultimate dream vehicle is pure luxury aggression:

Lamborghini Urus Mansory — specifically black and yellow.

And honestly? That fits her style perfectly.

Final Words: Build for Yourself

Aiza keeps her philosophy refreshingly simple:

"Build for you and what makes you happy."

No chasing trends.
No building for approval.
Just passion, family, creativity, and enjoying the process.

And that's exactly what makes this 2022 BMW M235i build so special. It's not trying to be the wildest car at the show or the fastest on the street. It's a family project that represents learning together, wrenching together, and creating something meaningful that goes beyond modifications.

For anyone considering their own build—whether it's a BMW, import, domestic, or anything in between—Aiza's approach offers the perfect blueprint: keep it intentional, involve the people you love, and never lose sight of why you started in the first place.

This 2022 BMW M235i build proves that sometimes the best builds aren't the loudest or the most expensive. They're the ones with the best stories. ?

Call to Action

Do you have a build story like this one? Got a build on a budget? We want to see it. Submit your story to Stance Auto Magazine, and you could be the next featured owner showing the world how to do it right—without breaking the bank.

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