G'Day all,

I've been looking at some body kits on eBay lately and have noticed that they come in a range of construction material, from Duraflex to Fibreglass.

Wondering what people prefer, pros and cons for each etc... as I don't really know much in that area.

fiberglass=no no

I know most front lips and bumpers that hold up well are made out of polyurethane, IDK about the entire body kit tho. Fiberglass is made of threads, and a simple crack can lead to an entire "thread" stripping and ruining a larger area. The best material should be a tad flexible and bonded well enough with its surrounding materials if flexed, should either return to its natural shape or be able to be heat molded back.

I would say that the material would depend on the exact job application. Mind you, I have little experience with this stuff.

Fiberglass is great IF you really need that light weight aspect. Just know that a FG lip is going to last about as long as it takes for you to forget about that rut in the road. (highly fragile)

Not exactly sure what duraflex is. Hybrid between fiberglass and ABS plastic????

ABS plastics are great for things such as front lips. Mine is ABS and has withstood several nasty sounding scrapes. Are those rear spoilers like the ones Abrahams sells plastic or fiber glass or w/e?



AND, what type of body kit are wanting? Im sensing a possibility for future flaming from many members...

I was looking at ones M5 style such as:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-1995-BMW-e34-5-Series-M5-Style-BODY-KIT-Aero_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ36475QQihZ010QQite mZ200180174504QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/E-BODY-KIT-89-90-91-92-93-94-95-BMW-5-SERIES-E34-KITS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ36475QQihZ008QQite mZ180186645282QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Just a couple, but that kinda thing.

Id much rather goe with the traditional M5 kit. The other looks a bit cheesy


Ive always liked this (http://www.myhotbmw.com/bmw/Erebuni/Body_Kits/M3_Style_Body_kit/17422#) kit, but Im not sure how long I could live with myself after doing it

How'd you get the link to come up under what you want to come up?
i.e. "this" links to the site

How'd you get the link to come up under what you want to come up?
i.e. "this" links to the site



ok........




type the text you would like to link to he hyperlink. Then highlight that text. Next, click on the icon that has a Globe w/ two links of a chain over it. (its between the justify right and remove link buttons:shifty in the advanced edit menu) And, obviously copy the desired link into the pop-up window.


Tada! (http://videos.streetfire.net/video/13929996-204e-47ee-b99c-625c278af570.htm)

Id much rather goe with the traditional M5 kit. The other looks a bit cheesy


Ive always liked this (http://www.myhotbmw.com/bmw/Erebuni/Body_Kits/M3_Style_Body_kit/17422#) kit, but Im not sure how long I could live with myself after doing it

No offense, but that M3 kit is waay worse than those 2 he picked.

But go with a polyurethane kit. You will totally regret fiberglass.

Just think of it this way. How many ricers have you seen with fiberglass body kits are falling apart and splitting and generally looking like shit?

GO with plastic!

I searched on www.ask.com (http://www.ask.com) ...........................badda bing!

Fiberglass (FRP)
Majority of the aerodynamic products in the industry today are made of some form of fiberglass due to its relative inexpensive nature and its ease for mass production. Fiberglass (FRP) advantages include low cost,light weight, and its relative ease for customization. However, the disadvantages in today‼sup>TM</sup>s  elow cost” fiberglass market include increased shipping damages, low quality products, fitment issues, and ultimately more money spent at the local body shop for consumers. Many aerodynamic companies today have been able to offer  elow cost” aerodynamics at the expense of a poor quality product in which consumers are not aware of until they receive the product. With poor workmanship, the current  elow quality” fiberglass product has become an instant  eBuyer Beware” product in which buyers are forced to have to  edeal” with the problems. With the ever changing different grades of fiberglass many consumers have strayed away from the conventional  elow quality” fiberglass product in search of a higher quality product. The conventional fiberglass is recommended for the consumer with a low budget as long as they research the company they are buying from and avoid buying a low quality product.

Poly-Urethane (PU)
Another option consumers may consider is aerodynamics made of a high quality Poly-Urethane material. Urethane (PU) products are made with a closed mold process and the finished product resembles an OEM product on your vehicle. Advantages for the consumer include a high quality product, OEM fitment, and virtually no damage during transit. However, urethane products are known to be extremely expensive, sometimes resulting in two to three times the cost of a fiberglass product. Also, urethane aerodynamics consists of pliable plastics which make the ground effects heavier and more susceptible to heat, causing it to lose its shape, warp, and even tear during usage. Keep in mind that once urethane parts lose shape or rips, it is not repairable leaving consumers no other choice except to spend more money on another product. Urethane aerodynamics are recommended for the high end consumer who does not mind spending more money for a high quality product.

Duraflex (PFRP)
Duraflex is a combination of fiberglass, plastic, and flex resins resulting in the best of both worlds. Duraflex (PFRP) products have a higher durability rate, reducing damage rates up to 75%, while still retaining its flexibility and staying true to form. Every Duraflex product is inspected through a rigorous quality control process giving consumers the highest quality product available with superior craftsmanship. This process ensures that Duraflex products are free from normal fiberglass deficiencies including waviness, spider cracks, chips, and gel coat damage. Duraflex products come finished with a shiny black gel coat, high quality mesh, hardware kit, and an installation guide.
With such attention to detail, Duraflex products are surprisingly affordable, roughly 50% of the cost of a comparable high quality JDM product. Duraflex products include many advantages of both fiberglass and poly- urethane aerodynamics, while leaving out most of the disadvantages. Duraflex aerodynamics is recommended for the consumer with a medium budget and wants to get the best value for the amount of money spent.

Sounds like Duraflex is the way to go then.

This leads to another problem: how to source some paint that matches my car.

bodyshop supplies stores dude!

Bare in mind.....
1)-Fiberglass based items repair easily and get stronger with each repair. Glass parts ..although involve often times ..more fitting, CAN be made straight as a string with bodywork.......over and over......not so with poly.
2)- PLASTICS/POLYEUROTHANE items still require painting too when overflexed by parking curbs.
3)-Polyeurothane ,once torn...can be alot of work to repair and very difficult to keep perfectly true/stright.

It should go like this........if the buyer of said part ALWAYS pays someone else to do the work for prefitment and repairs.......ASK the repair tech that you'll be using locally where his expertise lays? Glass or Poly ?
Whatever he says....then ask him if his repair is straight and true,stronger or weaker,etc.
If he blowing smoke up your up your butt.....its up to you to read this and extrapolate your expectations.:shifty
Cheers,Vinny

Sounds like Duraflex is the way to go then.

This leads to another problem: how to source some paint that matches my car.

Actually it sounds like someone wrote that who sells duraflex.

Actually it sounds like someone wrote that who sells duraflex.

You KNOW it !Lol:stickoutt

i have been looking into this yesterday.

It appears the general consensus with www.raceonusa.com 1 of the larger ditributers next to this other company i forgot the name.

But half of the ppl say fitment sucks. the other half says the fitment is great for what u get. the service is great from raceonusa i heard.

keep in mind that if u plan to buy aftermarket stuff. there is no way to mount these products. hardware is given but itll still be difficult to mount it.

I have bought aftermarket stuff that doesnt fit properly. 1 thing i would never buy is a complete front bumper replacements. I would just get a bumper cover or a lip like the ACS or RD lip. the only way to mount it is with screws from the sides and 3M double sided tape.

What i probably suggest is purchase a lip from them and see the quality and fitment. and if all goes well u can purchase the rest of the kit. perhaps make a deal with the company or something.

-Darren

One does need to be honest within their personal skll levels. Making a full cover mount correctly is very easily done...but it does require some understanding of composites,resins and light fabbricating.
If you have none of these....stick with OEM componets.:)

No offense, but that M3 kit is waay worse than those 2 he picked.




lol, exactly what I figured anyone on here would say. Like I said, I do kinda like it, but I think id hate myself everyday after installing it.