new wings, front panel and paint prices?

[gareth]

i have recently got a payout from the aa: http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=21315

i need to change the front panel as it's kinked in the middle (onlt about 1/2") but as a seperate issue, i need to change the wings as they've had bad tyre damage!

any ideas on the best place to get the parts? is it best to source good used ones? what's the painting likely to cost and any recommendations for where? is it possible to get them painted, off the car, and fit them myself easy enough?

[Simon13]

it's best if it's painted on the car for the best colour match. Ԛ£150 a panel is the going rate so i'm told for a good job

[gareth]

ahhh... but you then run into the problem of my arch rival. overspray! it'll never be quiote as good as i want for the money i want to spend!

i assume some slight blending may be required? or as it's white, would a very thorough cut back suffice to get the colour right?

[fuzzy]

euro car parts does the front wings for Ԛ£19 each and im sure the front panel is around the Ԛ£50 mark, it would probably cost a couple of hundred quid for a bodyshop to paint them though, best to tackle it yourself, its surprisingly easy to get a top class finish if care and time is taken.

[gareth]

i've since had a more cunning plan! i spoke to the bodyshop opposite my work (they do all the paint for Lynx, the Jag D type manufacturers!) and the guy reckons they'll never get a perfect match on my paint as the white bleaches. if i do the whole front end it'll look like it's smacked into something and been rebuilt.

they reckon the best is either a 'proper' Ԛ£3k respray or good used panels! honesty or what!

i've arranged the purchase of a whole 318i with a dead engine but all of the panels i need as as they're bolt-on it should be relatively easy...

(famous last words!!!)

[JOSEMI]

gareth wrote

all of the panels i need as as they're bolt-on it should be relatively easy...

are the panels just as easy as 'bolt-on' and off you go really ?? just curiosity

Jose

[gareth]

that's the theory! i hope it's true or i'll be most upset!

at least i'll have a trial run on the 318i when i break it.

i'll keep you all posted............

[Brianmoooore]

Entire front end outer panels are held on by loads of 8mm headed self tappers, four 10mm head (bumper rear brackets) and a couple of countersunk female hex headed under the headlamps. Also need a T55 torx for the bumper (hex if older model).
Need to remove the under arch liners as well, which may be the hardest part.

[gareth]

cheers brian.

should be a laugh whatever! i like to know how it's all put together... it's the curse of being a design engineer!

[Simon13]

provided u have a bit of patience and soak some wd40 for a few days into the bumper bolts. It should be a piece of piss.

The only real bottom is the bumper bolts and the arch liners as Brian said.

U will be surprised as too how many bolts hold on the front valance! not alot 4 or so!