[BMWtight2me]

Although I innitially was attracted to the look of the standard front bumper, I slowly felt myself falling out of love, and began lustfully stalking msport conversion kits on the web. Thanks to LTMW I was able to buy an oem msport kit for a great deal and am now awaiting install.

What's interesting to me about the standard bumper is the way it connects the aerodynamic design around the fog lights all the way across the bumper with the exposed intercooler in the middle. It feels in theme with the connected look of the headlights and kidney grill. At first this look felt more unique than the msport bumper (which really played to the BMW heritage of the previous gen 3 series design).

However over time other aspects of the design began to bother me and it certainly doesn't feel as unique anymore now that the car has been out for years and the streets are full of standard f30s. I can't say I don't like the front bumper, honestly I'm a bit torn. I was annoyed with how high off the ground it looked in comparison to the side skirts. It has an almost up-turned nose effect. I also feel like the air inlet around the intercooler is too small (especially since I had the larger ER FMIC installed). Still a part of me really likes it, so before installing the msport kit, I've given the current stock front end a last hoorah!

Here it is significantly lowered, with the kelleners lip, and a DIY rubber extension to exaggerate the more msport style front splitters look. The bumper extends down further now, aligns with the lines of the side skirts, and looks more commanding and stylish than it did stock. Msport will be on in about a week, so I wanted to share it and get your guys thoughts before the current bumper is exiled to my storage.

[Vitoco]

Well I'm feeling it, good job

[jmg]

It looks really good with that lip, at least in the photo, but congrats on the new bumper!

[alex_f30]

I like those red braces as well ?

[BMWtight2me]

Appreciate the nice comments Vitoco and Jmg.

Originally Posted by alex_f30

I like those red braces as well ?

Hah! Thanks to you Alex Before the kidney grills got kind of lost on the all black car. The red bars really help attract the eye and accent the details in the grill. Still, I might have to switch the matte red to a gloss red when I swap bumpers.

I took another photo with the light catching the red. From this low angle you can also see how the bottom of the front bumper rests the same height from the ground as the side skirts. It finally has a lower profile and balanced look all the way around the car.

[_bdiddyb_]

Not feelin' it. Rubber extension looks out of place, carbon fiber would have been better. Msport bumper with splitter will trump this look. Beautiful rims though. Can we get a side shot?

[Deleted853]

Originally Posted by _bdiddyb_

Not feelin' it. Rubber extension looks out of place, carbon fiber would have been better. Msport bumper with splitter will trump this look. Beautiful rims though. Can we get a side shot?

I agree, and the other issue is that he destroyed the front bumper by drilling it for the license plate...

[BMWtight2me]

Originally Posted by _bdiddyb_

Not feelin' it. Rubber extension looks out of place, carbon fiber would have been better. Msport bumper with splitter will trump this look. Beautiful rims though. Can we get a side shot?

This is a DIY addition -- no available carbon extension for the Kelleners front end. I'd take a pic of the side, but the car is in the shop right now getting the msport kit and carbon fiber lip. Here is an older pic without the modified front end, but you can see the wheels.



The carbon fiber is tricky with the overall look. You need it in all the right places in order to integrate it into the overall pallet of the car. The rubber already tonally matches other parts (window sills and plastic around the fogs for example). Gonna miss the rubber because it saves me from scratching up the underside of the font and skirts. Might have to try experimenting with it on the new set up.

Originally Posted by Mwm1166

I agree, and the other issue is that he destroyed the front bumper by drilling it for the license plate...

"destroyed" lol -- that's dramatic! A front plate won't be going on the new bumper, but I don't mind it on the standard bumper -- unlike the msport, it has a big open space where the plate fits nicely.