[CoachMCs]

Still learning how everything works!!!

[im_an_alien]

Nice looking car...now prepare to get beat up lol...

[cfm56d7b]

Beautiful car. Congratulations and welcome. You will undoubtedly enjoy it.

[VP_56]

Nice looking car. I like the rear spoiler

[dmaxdmax]

Not sure I'd block any of our radiators. I fought against it, but finally decided to get the front bumper plate bracket mounted.

I have a '16 340i xD, but don't have that stuff on the front quarter panels...so I wonder if you have the track package or something?

[im_an_alien]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

Not sure I'd block any of our radiators. I fought against it, but finally decided to get the front bumper plate bracket mounted.

I have a '16 340i xD, but don't have that stuff on the front quarter panels...so I wonder if you have the track package or something?

I think he'll be fine with the plate there, still lots of airflow to the radiators. And that's an M3 front end...(I have a feeling you knew that already). The hood/bumper gap seems a bit off...

[dmaxdmax]

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

I think he'll be fine with the plate there, still lots of airflow to the radiators. And that's an M3 front end...(I have a feeling you knew that already). The hood/bumper gap seems a bit off...

Actually, I didn't know that...though I did notice things on his bumper different than mine after I posted. That explains the comment above, I guess!

...and although I'm 'mostly' sure you're right about the cooling issue, I'd also imagine that at the extremes of the car, the extra airflow is nice. I have two little holes in my bumper, but the plate blocks very little airflow...and doesn't add as much to the drag as it's mostly over the bumper. I like my engines cool...plus if it's ziptied...not a great look for a $60K car with $90K front end.

[eluded]

Front quarter panels also not stock. I was looking at it wondering maybe it was over seas. But then I looked at your plate and thought nope

[CoachMCs]

Originally Posted by eluded

Front quarter panels also not stock. I was looking at it wondering maybe it was over seas. But then I looked at your plate and thought nope

You are correct... front fenders and bumper are not stock.

[CoachMCs]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

Actually, I didn't know that...though I did notice things on his bumper different than mine after I posted. That explains the comment above, I guess!

...and although I'm 'mostly' sure you're right about the cooling issue, I'd also imagine that at the extremes of the car, the extra airflow is nice. I have two little holes in my bumper, but the plate blocks very little airflow...and doesn't add as much to the drag as it's mostly over the bumper. I like my engines cool...plus if it's ziptied...not a great look for a $60K car with $90K front end.

I agree... I bought it used like this. I think I am going to relocate the plate.

[CoachMCs]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

Not sure I'd block any of our radiators. I fought against it, but finally decided to get the front bumper plate bracket mounted.

I have a '16 340i xD, but don't have that stuff on the front quarter panels...so I wonder if you have the track package or something?

The fenders and front bumper are M3 style. The car does have the track package though.

[CoachMCs]

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

I think he'll be fine with the plate there, still lots of airflow to the radiators. And that's an M3 front end...(I have a feeling you knew that already). The hood/bumper gap seems a bit off...

Yes..the gap is off. I need to adjust the hood, bumper top or both. Any ideas about how to go about this?

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

Not sure I'd block any of our radiators. I fought against it, but finally decided to get the front bumper plate bracket mounted.

I have a '16 340i xD, but don't have that stuff on the front quarter panels...so I wonder if you have the track package or something?

Looks like it has aftermarket front bumper and quarter panels that look like an M3

[leadfoot12]

Originally Posted by CoachMCs

Yes..the gap is off. I need to adjust the hood, bumper top or both. Any ideas about how to go about this?

Might just be that the bumper cover is off mis-aligned at the top. If so, pop the hood, remove the weather stripping at the very front of the car to uncover a series of torx bolts. Loosen up the torx bolts along the front and then try to push the bumper cover in some. If that doesn't do it you'll have to research how to adjust the hood maybe...


Nice looking car. Those front fenders look great, wonder how hard they are to source/install.

[Ifellapart]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Looks like it has aftermarket front bumper and quarter panels that look like an M3

Actually, according to OP's previous posts. The car was bought with a salvage title after front collision. The previous owner stated the replaced parts are "genuine BMW parts" so the front bumper and quarter panels should be actual M3 parts. Hopefully the panel alignment issues are fixable.

[Billfitz]

I'd either ditch the grills for some with a mesh like that in the lower vents or put some of that mesh behind them. Rock damage to the radiator is common enough that BMW added additional radiator protection.

[DFarhat]

Originally Posted by Ifellapart

Actually, according to OP's previous posts. The car was bought with a salvage title after front collision. The previous owner stated the replaced parts are "genuine BMW parts" so the front bumper and quarter panels should be actual M3 parts. Hopefully the panel alignment issues are fixable.

Sadly genuine M3 parts would not fit the 3 series as the M3/4 shares the same front end as the 4 series. Different shaped headlights, wider fenders, wider bumper and differently shaped grilles, etc. These are aftermarket parts but from what I've seen usually all these aftermarket parts tend to have pretty good figment as they come from the same few suppliers generally.

[DFarhat]

Originally Posted by CoachMCs

Yes..the gap is off. I need to adjust the hood, bumper top or both. Any ideas about how to go about this?

You could also remove the left few torx screws under the weather stripping on the left side of the bumper and put a washer or two between the car and bumper to bring up the edge of the bumper to meet the hood. It seems to me the problem isn't with hood alignment but with the actual fitment of the curvature of the bumper where it meets the hood on the left side. A washer or two would help being up the left edge of the bumper and even it out. It's also easier to do yourself than attempting to align the hood so I'd try that first for what it's worth just my 2¢

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Ifellapart

Actually, according to OP's previous posts. The car was bought with a salvage title after front collision. The previous owner stated the replaced parts are "genuine BMW parts" so the front bumper and quarter panels should be actual M3 parts. Hopefully the panel alignment issues are fixable.

Seems sketch as you can get replicas for dirt cheap. Also the front end of the M3 is more like a 4 series front end than a 3 as it is wider with fender flares. Genuine M3 parts won't fit a regular 3 series properly.

[CoachMCs]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Seems sketch as you can get replicas for dirt cheap. Also the front end of the M3 is more like a 4 series front end than a 3 as it is wider with fender flares. Genuine M3 parts won't fit a regular 3 series properly.

True statement... I got the car for dirt cheap... hoping it works out. Looks good other than the fitment issue you see. I think I can solve that problem though. Mechanically speaking the car has been like a 20,000 mile should.

[Randy Johnson]

Car looks really nice even though it’s red. Never been a color red fan.

Hopefully the car gives you many trouble free miles.

Keep us updated.

[CoachMCs]

Originally Posted by Randy Johnson

Car looks really nice even though it’s red. Never been a color red fan.

Hopefully the car gives you many trouble free miles.

Keep us updated.

Thank you sir... I have always been a white or black car guy, but this was a deal I did not want to pass up. 18K for a car with only 22,000 miles. Its a risk, but I think its worth it.