[omarphi215]

I currently have this valence

I have this valence sitting in my basement

I want it to look like this

Do I need brackets of some sort. Can I do this on my own or should I go to a body shop. If I do go to a body shop (I play to get som dings removed and touch up paint soon) how much should this cost?
Thanks in advance

 

[hornhospital]

You'll need most of the brackets in this picture here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=1113-USA-01-1988-E30-BMW-325i&diagId=41_0134

Yes, leave it to a body shop.

 

[Ceeker]

I currently have this valence View attachment 572172

I have this valence sitting in my basement View attachment 572173

I want it to look like this View attachment 572174

Do I need brackets of some sort. Can I do this on my own or should I go to a body shop. If I do go to a body shop (I play to get som dings removed and touch up paint soon) how much should this cost?
Thanks in advance

Find someone parting out a e30 with the late model valance or buy the side brackets from the dealership. you will need them to mount the front plastic bumper. Body shop might hack them on or they might end up getting from the dealer as well. the brackets tie the fender and front valance together as well.

 

[hornhospital]

Find someone parting out a e30 with the late model valance or buy the side brackets from the dealership.

I don't know what the E30 parts market is like where the OP is located, but most places it's not as easy as you make it sound, and most people parting out a late model valance won't want to sell the brackets by themselves, since doing that would complicate the selling of the valance itself. He doesn't need a second valance. Much easier to buy the brackets new by themselves.

 

[Ceeker]

I don't know what part of the world you guys are on but I have a set of brackets..so I guess it all depends on luck? The Canadian market is 10 times smaller then USA. So I think finding them south of the border would be much easier. However, I did say get them from the dealership right?

 

[hornhospital]

I did say get them from the dealership right?

Yes, which is what I meant, in addition to the BMW on-line parts vendors.

Being as how you are in/near a major city, I'd think the used parts market is pretty active. A lot of us are in areas that have little used parts available. A mostly intact E30 showing up in the junkyard results in a feeding frenzy around here.

 

[Ceeker]

We do have an advantage with being in a major city..Even living in Toronto..,.these days., very hard to find an e30 that's in the scrapper before it's parted. But as you said, it gets stripped in no time if by chance one does arrive. Word gets out and game over. lol

 

[Rustneversleeps]

You'll need most of the brackets in this picture here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=1113-USA-01-1988-E30-BMW-325i&diagId=41_0134

Yes, leave it to a body shop.

Hey thanks for the link to E30 parts it will come in handy when looking for part numbers for cross reference...
Man i love this site....:thumbup:

 

[fporro]

Convertibles front and rear bumper swap is super easy, just find a color matching car and buy those parts including plastic bumpers, they can come from any body style, be it coupe, sedan., also, save your cabrio rubber lip as it fits newer valance.

here's my 87 zinno with plastic bumper upgrade and further pictures here ... http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=76852

 

[Ceeker]

Bumper upgrade

Hey I thought the rear plastic bumper needs to be modified to fit properly on early style cars? First the metal brackets aren't on the diving board cars that hold the ends on. I also heard the bumper needs to be shortened to properly fit the body lines?

 

[fporro]

Hey I thought the rear plastic bumper needs to be modified to fit properly on early style cars? First the metal brackets aren't on the diving board cars that hold the ends on. I also heard the bumper needs to be shortened to properly fit the body lines?

short answer is ...

- small tail light non cabrio's do need rear bumper modification, cabrio's do not, be it big or small tail lights.
- 88's cars with DB's and big tail lights do not need modifications to rear bumpers.
- make sure you get the plastic sliders, screws, etc that bumpers mount with from donor vehicle.
- cabrio's front lip fits newer valance, dual oil cooler openings, yeah!, riding 2 slots at same time
- bolt a Racing Dynamics rear apron, muffler will fit fine, not as pictured.

the whole drama has to do with higher arches on DB cars,
it makes distance between arch and corner shorter.

 

[Ceeker]

cool thanks for the clarfiication...appreciated..