Sorry if this question has already been asked or has a painfully obvious answer. I just bought my first Bimmer last week, a 1990 525i 5spd, black and am instantly in love with it. Then today I made it about 300 yards from the car wash before I drove it into the back of a Nissan Pathfinder. I almost started crying. Anyway, I'm assuming I'll need a new hood and grill (both fenders and bumper still seem to be in alignment). As I search for replacement parts or parts cars, what years are compatible for body parts? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

please save the following link to your favorites folder...the info the online parts database contains will be invaluable: www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

The body panels are pretty much the same except for the V8s and the 1995 models. The V8s and all 1995 models have the wider kidney grills, and the hood has wider "V" lines to compensate for the wider grills. All other body panels should be the same. Or you can check the parts diagram (at link above) which will have supplemental info if parts are date sensitive.

That sucks. Check local salvage yards too. It was also 1994 had the wider grills also....

...[all] the same except for the V8s and the 1995 models. The V8s and all 1995 models have the wider kidney grills...

I do believe the V8s came out in 1994 (530/540)...;) :) ;)