Fitting an M3 Front Lip

[jigg60]

I have a 98 Ti with the factory "M Tech" package, which includes the "M" front bumper. The only difference (that I can see) is that the "M Tech" bumper does not include the lower black lip on the front bumper as seen on the E36 M3's. I therefore went out and purchased a genuine BMW M3 lower bront lip, and picked up the factory installation hardware from the dealer. Trouble is; the stock hardware doesn't amke any sense to me - it includes seven white plastic clips of sorts and seven screws. However, the white clips ar about 3/4" tall and about 1/4" square on one end and flat oval on the other end. I presume that these are supposed to be recessed into the bumper at each of the seven notch locations on the lip spoiler - but to do that I would have to cut little square holes into the bumper (there is nothing there currently), and I am not sure how the clips would stay tight into the bumper.
So, I suppose my question is: Has anyone else fitted an M3 fromt lip spoiler to their Ti? If so, what method did you use to do it, and how do you like it?

I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks,
Jim

[J!m]

I was going to do a write-up on this, but never got time to do it.

You ned to locate where the holes will be by duct-taping the lip to the car (if you remove the entire bumper cover, it's MUCH easier to do). Then drill small round holes, no wider than the flats of the square (maybe smaller), then make them square with a file, then oval them (if memory serves- it's been a while).

Basically, you make a 'socket' and the plastic clips push in, and rotate 90 degrees to lock into the bumper cover. Then apply the 'lip' and screw it down.

It's a very time consuming and tedious process. I had some photos posted for a while, but they are down now. Not sure if I still have them or not...

[wade318ti]

i added a m3 lip on my TI w/ the m package. the bumper is the same as an m3.

i used 1/4 inch self tapping screws. its been on the car for almost 2 years and havent had a problem with it

[wade318ti]

also, it only took me 10 mins to do it. and it looks factory, well until you jack the car up and see the screws but i painted the head of them black so its not that noticable

[Storminmike]

Originally Posted by wade318ti

i added a m3 lip on my TI w/ the m package. the bumper is the same as an m3.

i used 1/4 inch self tapping screws. its been on the car for almost 2 years and havent had a problem with it

Did exactly the same thing on mine. Trick is to tape it well onto the front then mark/drill holes. Taking bumper off does make it way easier as drilling so close to ground isn't easy. Mind you, thow it onto ramps and you get a good deal of working space. Nice and cheap mod, especially from dealer too. Some loonys have paid twice as much on Eaby UK as you can buy them new from the dealer. Obviously under the impression that M parts can't be had and that the dealer surely can't be selling them that cheap.

[ClubSport332ti]

The fastest way is to tape the lip to the bumper and then get a rivot gun and a 1/8 drill bit. Drill 1/8 inch hole through bumper and lip then shoot a rivot in there. It looks very professional

[KIRASIR]

http://www.emotors.ca/articles/article.aspx?ID=28

SL

Originally Posted by jigg60

I have a 98 Ti with the factory "M Tech" package, which includes the "M" front bumper. The only difference (that I can see) is that the "M Tech" bumper does not include the lower black lip on the front bumper as seen on the E36 M3's. I therefore went out and purchased a genuine BMW M3 lower bront lip, and picked up the factory installation hardware from the dealer. Trouble is; the stock hardware doesn't amke any sense to me - it includes seven white plastic clips of sorts and seven screws. However, the white clips ar about 3/4" tall and about 1/4" square on one end and flat oval on the other end. I presume that these are supposed to be recessed into the bumper at each of the seven notch locations on the lip spoiler - but to do that I would have to cut little square holes into the bumper (there is nothing there currently), and I am not sure how the clips would stay tight into the bumper.
So, I suppose my question is: Has anyone else fitted an M3 fromt lip spoiler to their Ti? If so, what method did you use to do it, and how do you like it?

I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks,
Jim

[J!m]

Yep. That's basically what I did. I also installed the M3 LTW adjustable splitter at the same time which complicated things a bit, but for the little show splitter, that's the deal.

With the larger splitter, you need this small splitter in place, as well as the two filler pieces on the ends. The filler pieces use the holes you made for the small splitter, so these can be installed on any car with the factory small splitter. These fillers, without the large LTW splitter, were factory installed on the Euro M3GT. Nice up-grade if you already have the small splitter installed...