318ti bumper/body kit styling input needed...

[TiTime]

I was contemplating which bumper/body kit to get for my ti. The e36 M3 bumper looks clean and goes great with the ti styling. But I also saw the e46 version M3 bumper for the ti. This is a nicer looking bumper, but am not 100% convinced that it goes:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-9...61061191QQrdZ1

I also found a sweet ZX Body Kit on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB..._BIN_Stores_IT

I want to have a unique ti, but at the same time, I don't want to end up looking like a Honda "Rice Machine." Any input would be great.

Thanks

[madfronter]

What ever you do don't get fiberglass stuff. Spend a little more for the OE BMW E36 bumper or get the Rieger E46 look front bumper. Both are made of ABS plastic and will be a lot more durable compared to the fiberglass crap that will crack if anything hits it.

[TiTime]

Are the ABS plastic ones a lot more expensive?

[madfronter]

Well the OE stuff is more expensive but you get what you pay for. If you have a honda I wouldn't care if you put fiberglass kits on your car but its a BMW.

[TiTime]

OK, thanks for the info.

[FMD]

Get the e36 M3 bumper, not digging the e46 look on the ti.

[TiTime]

I've even seen some e36 ti's that have the e46 bumper along with an e46 hood that kinda covers the headlights.

What do you think?

Yah or Nah?

[robcarync]

i prefer the e36 kit personally...not a fant of the e46 kit on the TI

[stormos]

reiger

[flex_318]

I got the Rieger infinity front bumper and i love it. If i were to do it all over again i would get the same thing.

[96cali]

The problem with making an e36 look like an e46 is that it never looks complete because you know what an e46 looks like (kinda the definition of posing if u think about it). I prefer the way e36's were made by the bimmer god designers but if you have to, the Reiger is subtle and does not distract a lot, The zx kit is a laugh- please don't do it.

On the other hand Jedz_ti has a nice lower lip on the non-M front bumper. Unique, economical and looks damn good. The rear stock M bumper is perfect as is IMO.

[x177izikex]

where can i get an m3 front from?

[ubiquity]

the m3 front end is almost the same as the ti front end. The only changes you need to make are the splitter on the bottom of the mtec bumper and the grill.

I bought the oem m3 kit when a friend crashed my car and the entire front end needed replacing, just got it back and I am very happy with the result :

www.ubiquity.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/bim1.jpg
www.ubiquity.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/bim2.jpg

[m-technik_ti]

Originally Posted by x177izikex

where can i get an m3 front from?

You can get the OE M3 front bumper from Bavarian Autosport: www.bavauto.com


I had one of those fiberglass replica E46 M3 front bumpers on my Ti for a while. I didn’t mind the look, but it was the build quality that bothered me the most, especially the issue with not being able to attach the M3 under panel to the bottom of the bumper; you could see the ground right through the mesh part of the bumper which made it look very unfinished.

If you are looking for something different than the OEM Bmw parts, go for Reiger; their bumper fitment is good and they are manufactured from ABS plastic. Modbargains sell them: http://www.modbargains.com/dept.asp?dept_id=12-002-001

I recently changed back to the OEM E36 M3 bumper and added the OEM lip spoiler and Velocity Splitters. I've received quit a bit of positive feedback from the change. I posted some pics in a recent thread. Take a look; it may give you some ideas:

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=10267

[TiTime]

Thanks for all the info. I think I'll stick to the OEM e36 M3 bumper. The more that I look at those other kits, the more it makes me wonder if they won't just break once I start driving with them. Also, why stray from the e36 look anyway? I like the e36 look of the ti. I'll check out the sites & prices, hopefully I'll get one soon, and then I'll post some pics of the result.