Front body damage '97 318ti
 

Hello 318ti compatriots, my beloved '97 Silver Cali top 318ti has major front end body damage - photos attached. Bogey and I are majorly bummed. It's just not the same driving around in my folks loaner Dodge Caravan. No Cali top for Bogey to stick his head out.:sniff::tears:

It still runs well so I'd like to get it fixed but on a student budget... So I'm trying to find affordable parts - front end fenders, hood etc. My mechanic friend said it would be cheaper buying a salvage or cheap 318ti and using the parts off of it.

My question is are the body parts the same for the other years ('95-'98)? :confused: They look the same to me unless there are subtle differences... And of course if anyone hears about an available 318ti near Fort Lauderdale, FL that might fit what I need please let me know.;)

Thanks,
Zeke & Bogey

All of the parts you need can be swaped over from any e36 sedan or another 318ti. With exception of the bumper and nose panel, Coupe parts will not fit. Two things to remember when purchasing parts, though they are interchangable are: 1) the sidemarker lights changed in '97, so if you want the larger/older style sidemarkers, get fenders for a pre-'97 sedan or compact. 2) The nose panels changed in '96. '95 and earlier e36's had recessed, more aggressive kidney grilles, while '96 and newer models had a more modern look. The kidney grilles must match the nose panel, but any e36 nose panel will fit. The hood needs to be from a sedan or compact, the fenders have to be from a sedan or compact, headlights and corner lights need to be from a sedan or compact. There's a couple guys parting their cars out on here, try contacting them first.

th damage looks minor thankfully

as Jess says above,

cone from a 94-99 model, the kidneys must be compatible with the nose cone though, be aware if buying separately.

the hood must be a sedan / compact item, the coupe/cab is longer

the wings changed 9 / 96 to small side blinks.

check the wings are correct before purchase

headlamps for your vehicle are made by Hella specificly for the compact. You could if you choose change up to some elipsoid bosch / ZKW / Depo units, but be aware there is a minor wiring change that needs to be made in order to fit the new lights

the front indicators are sedan / comp only


your model is a facelift :)

i have a set of grills, stock, up for grabs. So far i've had two ppl interested but flaked out. So if u want them hit me up. I also have the stock sidemarkers. and stock headlights.

ill have a look too buddy,

you can have for free, but you have to front postage pennys :)

Sorry to see your woes but Gdamn your dog cracks me up. I'm imagining him driving the car and wrecking it then hopping in the passenger seat to deny he did it. :tongue:

Thank you.
 

I appreciate all the info. And found a guy in NC on here selling parts off his totalled ti so hoping I can get some from him. Wondering about shipping though. Marv17 thanks for the offer but I'm just starting out in this and not yet familiar with the part names and don't know exactly what I need.

To sort that out I need somekind of illustrative resource listing part names/numbers. Does anyone know how to get access to that info? My mechanic friend said I could go to a BMW dealer and also mentioned a possible CD? Is there something on line or on this site that has the part names and numbers? That way I could have the parts right there to compare. Thanks again everyone - I'm beginning to feel getting my ti back on the road is do-able.

bookmark this site....
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

+1 on realoem, great resource! Also use the part# cross-refference by copy and pasting the part#, back up a page and click search parts, click part vehicle search and paste the 11 digit # in the block. It'll tell you every model that part is compatible with. Or in your case any model that you could find that part used on. By the looks of the damage, if you're thrifty, you and Bogey could be pimpin again for less than 500 bucks. Best of luck to you guys. BTW, I roll with my dog too.