87 325is bodykit

Sat Jan 14, 2006 5:36 pm

So it looks like i may be buying a 325is in great condition but i gotta lose the aluminum diving boards. I like the look of the mtech kits and apparently the tech1 fits straight on no problem. The problem is finding a source here in the US. I want a clean kind of factoy look to it and if it takes alot of tweaking to fit that is no problem. I will have access to an autobody shop with a very experienced individual giving me a hand. So if anyone has any suggestions on kits to look at and where i can get em please let me know. I also heard i could get some of the post facelift bumpers and tweak those to fit and just get some side skirts. Thanks again guys.

Sat Jan 14, 2006 6:42 pm

get your motor first - future events are never guaranteed. m-tech kits are great, no doubt. there are plenty of 'which kit' threads on here for you to trawl through. try looking at autovogue - they ship stateside.

good luck - and post up pics as you go along please.

paul

Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:13 am

you're very right, however when i get on an idea i gotta see it all come together in my head and not knowing what i want get's me incredibly aggrevated. I am actually just looking for the clean look that's on your car in your sig. Is that simply a face lift generation 325? Would I be able to source some over here and with some mods get them to fit clean? Thanks again.

Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:53 pm

mines a bit more than that you'll be sorry to hear. i spent thousands getting it to look just right like that. the larger bits are: autovogue front and rear - these take modifications to the bodywork and bumpers to fit. m-tech 1 skirts that have been smoothed to remove badge recesses and 3 bottom lines. de-badged, de-locked, de-aerialed (with replacement hidden in the a-pillar) etc

yes you can get it all over there - you may have to source the skirts in europe and get them shipped but maybe not you never know...

paul

Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:57 pm

If i were to buy an mtech1 kit and fit it to a 325is with the aluminum bumpers, would i still be seeing the aluminum bumpers and would the rear still stick out as far as it does or do i fully replace the bumpers also?

Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:07 am

sorry dude, you will need to replace the whole thing.

US had bigger bumpers to allow for the slow speed crash test, the bumpers were supposed to not permanantely deform in a 5mph crash, something the metal jobbies did not comply with. I believe they (Us and Europe models) have the same mounting points.

here is my rear Tech 1, the chrome bumpers are still there but painted to match the body colour ( a factory mod on the sport)

and from the front same deal..

should be able to find by trawling through the ebay europe sites and check PBMW and total BMW classifieds too as they occasionally turn up. shipping gonna hurt though!!

mrlee

Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:34 pm

would tucking my aluminum bumpers work or would i need to scrounge up some pre facelift aluminum bumpers to the euro spec in order for them to sit in tight like that and fit clean with the tech 1 kit

Sat Jan 21, 2006 5:06 am

anything is possible but to ge honest go for new euro style bumpers. try scrap yards etc.

Sat Jan 21, 2006 5:07 am

but also dont forget any metal pre-face lift bumpers will work, there were no sport specific ones.

Sat Jan 21, 2006 12:36 pm

But you will need a load of mtech specific parts to mount the kit to the bumper and finish it off, i.e. rubber bumper end caps, bumper strip various clips...