Parts needed or M3 front bumper conversion?

[318ti_Portugal]

Hello...

I got a M3 front bumper off ebay and know I want to get it painted and assembled on my ti. The thing is, I don't know wich other parts I need to get from my dealer...

Here's a diagram:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...58&hg=51&fg=15

I already have part number 1, wich is the bumper. What other parts will I need in order to achive a perfect assembly?

Regards!

[Viper3812]

I would say every part on there except for the fog delete and the lip if you don't want one. There are some of the screws that you reuse from your stcok bumper, but you might want to get some extras just in case you break them when you take off the bumper.

You probably don't need #27 unless they broke off yours.

[moku]

You should see if you have the following:
- brake ducts
- mouldings
- grill (mesh or slatted)
- expanding rivets (unless you can properly remove the existing ones)

You can buy new supports if you want, but your existing ones should work.

[ubiquity]

How important are the supports?
I bought a m3 bumper kit but it did not come with the supports and I cant seem to remove the old ones off an older m3 bumper that I have.

[moku]

Originally Posted by ubiquity

How important are the supports?
I bought a m3 bumper kit but it did not come with the supports and I cant seem to remove the old ones off an older m3 bumper that I have.

The supports I'm referring to are the triangle-shaped ones that attach on both sides. I would recommend getting new ones if you can't use your old ones, because they help keep the bumper in place.

[ubiquity]

I do have the supports from a m3 bumper but they are still rivetted to the old bumper and it would be very difficult to remove them. Moreover, they differ from the Ti supports, and I dont really know which ones I need.

It seems strange that the supports would differ from the m3 and standard models, especially as the m3 bumper is just the mtec bumper with accessories.

[moku]

Originally Posted by ubiquity

I do have the supports from a m3 bumper but they are still rivetted to the old bumper and it would be very difficult to remove them. Moreover, they differ from the Ti supports, and I dont really know which ones I need.

It seems strange that the supports would differ from the m3 and standard models, especially as the m3 bumper is just the mtec bumper with accessories.

I ordered the M-tech supports with my bumper but didn't end up using them because they were heavier and didn't really offer any additional benefit. Also, I didn't have the plastic that runs under the radiator like it does on the M3, so the M-tech supports didn't have anything to connect to on the inner side. I just used my old 318ti supports and everything works fine.

So, if you can't get the supports off of that other bumper, just use your current ones. They should mate up fine.

[ubiquity]

Unfortunatly the mtec supports were destroyed in the accident that ment that the bumper had to be replaced. I can either try to re-use the m3 supports that are stil perfectly fine ( apart from the fact I cant seem to get them off the bumper ) or I can order some new mtec ones

I am inclined towards the latter options because it is less effort and I am more assured of a perfect fit. I dont know why the m3 ones are bulkier and heavier, I had presumed it was something to do with changing the aerodynamics or perhaps cooling the brakes but I cant think of any real benifit on the Ti!

[moku]

Originally Posted by ubiquity

I dont know why the m3 ones are bulkier and heavier, I had presumed it was something to do with changing the aerodynamics or perhaps cooling the brakes but I cant think of any real benifit on the Ti!

Looking at the underside of the M3, I think the M-tech supports offer better aerodynamics. But since I don't have that section that spans between them, under the radiator, then it didn't make much difference which I used.

I think you'll be fine with either one.

[ubiquity]

I think I will leave it and see what the shop does. I think your right in that the Ti ones are preferable, but there is not a huge difference ( except in perhaps price?) between them.