[capelleti]

Hi All, I just picked up my car from the body shop this afternoon after going through the M bumper conversion. Here is a brief story of my modifications to date:

April 2015 - I purchased a CPO 2013 BMW 335i sportline that came with 16K miles (glacier silver metallic).

November 2015 - After browsing the forums for several months and toying with the idea of getting an M-bumper, I pulled the trigger. I bought the M Tech bumper from Selma on ebay after reading many success stories from members on here. I called six different body shops and received quotes ranging from $450 to $1200 for paint and install. Ultimately, I found a member on here who got his E92 modified with the M aero kit and he suggested a body shop who quoted me $600 for the work. I dropped my car off at the shop on Friday 11/6 in the morning and got it back today.

Here are some notes:
1) I love the way the new bumper looks, I kept the stock one as well in the event I ever need it again. If anyone is interested in purchasing it let me know, it has no front license plate holes.
2) The buying experience through ebay was very smooth, I received the bumper from the folks at Selma within 4 days of ordering it. The package is huge but it did fit in my car once I put the seats down.
3) At this moment I don't plan on getting the M side skirts as the stock ones don't bother me, and I've seen two forum members who only got the bumper fitted as well.
4) What shall be the next modification? I was thinking JB4, but then again I am quite pleased with the cars current performance.

See pictures below for comparison of stock vs. M bumper look:
Old Look (May 2015)

New Look (Today)

Old Front Shot

New Front Shot

[X2 Monstah]

Nice upgrade. I plan on having mine done in a few months.

[Jwheat1926]

Looks great. I'll be making this my next upgrade. Also, go for the jb4 with data cable. Well worth the money.

[WHL102]

I only converted the front bumper too. I'll only do the rear bumper if I decide to convert to a dual exhaust.

[tboooe]

Are you going to get the front spoiler? I think that really completes the look.

[joeyb26]

I'd say get some black grills!

[capelleti]

Originally Posted by joeyb26

I'd say get some black grills!

Is that an easy retrofit or do I need to remove the bumper to do it?

[awyongcarl]

Originally Posted by capelleti

Is that an easy retrofit or do I need to remove the bumper to do it?

It can be done without removing the bumper.

[MO_23]

Do you have the any suspension work? i would do suspension before any other tune. Handling will make the car a lot more fun!

[capelleti]

No suspension work done, I think with the sportline I get the M adaptive suspension right? (At least that's what shows when I do a VIN lookup). What would your suggestions be for enhanced handling?

[Vegetable]

Love the nerd goggles, aka fog lights

[ft1330]

Nice job.... Did they blend the paint into the car? Or just painted the bumper? I'm surprised they would quote you over the phone. I tried and they want to see the car...

[capelleti]

Originally Posted by ft1330

Nice job.... Did they blend the paint into the car? Or just painted the bumper? I'm surprised they would quote you over the phone. I tried and they want to see the car...

I got the bumper from Selma on ebay and it apparently came primed. However, the guy at the shop told me he re-primed it and painted it to match the car. Of all the body shops I tried, some of them wanted to see the car first, but this one had done multiple M conversions before so I am assuming they had a pretty good idea of the work involved.

[tgyberg]

Wow that looks great!

[elusive]

What a difference! Nice upgrade

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by capelleti

I got the bumper from Selma on ebay and it apparently came primed. However, the guy at the shop told me he re-primed it and painted it to match the car. Of all the body shops I tried, some of them wanted to see the car first, but this one had done multiple M conversions before so I am assuming they had a pretty good idea of the work involved.

Thats quality to know he re-primed. Usually (I stress, usually, not always, sometimes) the primer on these bumpers are shit, which is disappointing considering they do a pretty good job making them it seems.

[Bleser]

Very nice! Did the same conversion this past summer and couldn't be happier. I got it packaged with the M Performance lip spoiler as well and got it all painted and installed at the same time.

[capelleti]

Originally Posted by Bleser

Very nice! Did the same conversion this past summer and couldn't be happier. I got it packaged with the M Performance lip spoiler as well and got it all painted and installed at the same time.

Nice. Do you happen to have pictures of the painted lip as well? I would be curious to see what the car looks like with the bumper and lip in the same color...I've seen other forum members who left the lip in matte black, but I wasn't a huge fan of that.

[scionide]

Nice, good fit from a bumper on ebay haha.

[Bleser]

Originally Posted by capelleti

Nice. Do you happen to have pictures of the painted lip as well? I would be curious to see what the car looks like with the bumper and lip in the same color...I've seen other forum members who left the lip in matte black, but I wasn't a huge fan of that.

Sure. I painted the portions that cover the bumper in red but the lip itself gloss black. Goes with my whole theme. I've seen the whole thing color-matched as well and that looks good too but not the look I wanted.

[capelleti]

Originally Posted by Bleser

Sure. I painted the portions that cover the bumper in red but the lip itself gloss black. Goes with my whole theme. I've seen the whole thing color-matched as well and that looks good too but not the look I wanted.

Looks awesome man. I really like your wheels and it does indeed go very well with the theme of your car. Beautiful vehicle!

Other than those modifications, what else have you done to it?

[QuikSilver_]

OP, I have a couple questions about the M bumper. I noticed they have headlight washer covers. Did the shop retrofit that as well, or was that the only choice of bumper? Also, did the M bumper already come without the front reflectors? Not that I would want them, just curious.