Advice on M3 body upgrade

[old skool]

I need to purchase an M3 front bumper and mirrors.

M3 Bumper conversion:
Apparently for the bumper you need 11 parts to make the upgrade:

1. 51-11-2-251-767
OEM - E36 M3 bumper/fascia part Front lip (front lip spoiler?) for M3 2dr, spoiler, M-Technik spoiler

2. 51-11-2-250-685
OEM - E36 M3 bumper/fascia part front mesh grille (goes in front spoiler/fascia large opening), oem description prime coated covering

3. 82-11-9-403-142
OEM - E36 3 series non-M3 to M3 retrofit kit bumper/fascia part, oem description spoiler - this is the M-Technik bumper and hardware needed to use the rest of the M3 fascia parts, (is not a complete kit - only the bumper portion, customer will need moldings (either flat or porus - the dark grey portion of plastic that goes on the bumper), the mesh grille, and the lip spoiler)

4. 51-11-2-251-389
OEM - E36 M3 bumper/fascia part, oem description seal (left)

5. 51-11-2-251-390
OEM - E36 M3 bumper/fascia part, oem description seal (right)

6. 51-71-2-250-641
OEM - E36 M3 bumper/fascia part, oem description wedge (left)

7. 51-71-2-250-642
OEM - E36 M3 bumper/fascia part, oem description wedge (right)

8. 51-11-2-265-637
OEM - E36 M3 bumper/fascia part, oem description rubber strip (left), grey moldings on bumper, 96-99 M3, look textured mouldings

9. 51-11-2-265-638
OEM - E36 M3 bumper/fascia part, oem description rubber strip (right), grey moldings on the bumper 96-99 M3 look, look textured mouldings

10. 51-11-2-265-636
OEM - E36 M3 bumper/fascia part, oem description rubber strip, grey moldings on the bumper (center piece), 96-99 M3 look, look textured mouldings

11. 51-11-2-265-639
OEM - E36 M3 bumper/fascia part, oem description M3 tow cover

Here is a thread in the group buy section where you can buy these parts: $515.19

Used: ~$300 - ??


M3 Mirrors:
There are 3 options:
1. OE/OEM new/used
www.pacificbmw.com
www.bekkers.com:$481.58
Bavarian Auto Recycling: ~$250-300?
Ebay/Classifieds: ~$250-300

2. Grey market OEM new/used
Here is an Ebay auction for grey market mirrors: ~$100 ea.
Here is their website: http://www.carpartswholesale.com/

3. Aftermarket new/used
www.pelicanparts.com: $203.70



Well, this is the information that I have compiled thus far. Please feel free to add any relevent information.

My predicament is this: I need to pick these items up fairly quickly but of course I am on a budget. I would prefer OE/grey market items, and used is fine.
It seems difficult to find these items when you need them however. If anyone has a line on any of these items at a competitive price please let me know.

Please post your experience and information pertaining to M3 body kit upgrades.

[NeverLeaned]

Im sure you can grab a used M3 bumper, then just buy the 10 remaining parts from the conversion kit. That should save ya a few $$$$$.

Your on a tight timetable, and a tight budget?? Thats a difficult combination. If you gave yourself some time Im sure you could save yourself some more $$$$$ by hunting BMW classifieds and ebay day in and day out.

[old skool]

Im sure you can grab a used M3 bumper, then just buy the 10 remaining parts from the conversion kit. That should save ya a few $$$$$.

Your on a tight timetable, and a tight budget?? Thats a difficult combination. If you gave yourself some time Im sure you could save yourself some more $$$$$ by hunting BMW classifieds and ebay day in and day out.

I have been looking for a used bumper...haven't found anything yet.
The time schedule isn't particularly tight but I don't want it to be 2 months from now. As for the budget....I have some insurance money but not quite enough to buy a whole new bumper at market prices....

[old skool]

In case you are interested:
Ebay seller claims to have full kit
$399 + $70 for lip spoiler - can't tell if it comes with mesh grille or seals....

[schwarzIIe36]

I bought my front bumper from MREPARTS on ebay. He was super nice and gave me a great deal. It didn't come with the mesh but if you ask him he sells those also. I got my bumper and the mesh shipped from him for less then the group buy.

[old skool]

and how much was that amount?
I noticed he only offers bid pay or money order which usually is asking for trouble...at least for money order, but I don't know much about bid pay except that I think it has a cost for the buyer....

[NeverLeaned]

$400 for the whole kit?? Someone (well 5 people) should grab that.

[RacermeX]

Just curious.
Why do you NEED to purchase M3 parts?

[old skool]

Just curious.
Why do you NEED to purchase M3 parts?

Because my car got vadalized and this is my way of making it better.


That, and I like them more.

[old skool]

$400 for the whole kit?? Someone (well 5 people) should grab that.

$400 minus the lip spoiler, minus the mesh grille and possibly minus the misc seals that are listed as a requirement.
Which through the group buy on this forum would be $386.84


I imagine that you can transfer your fog lights and brackets.

[RacermeX]

Because my car got vadalized and this is my way of making it better.


That, and I like them more.

Sucks.
Hope you get it the way you like

[old skool]

It does suck because it is a violation, and it makes you realize that your prized posession is at the mercy of others......
But on the lighter side this may give me some incentive to fix a few issues with the exterior appearance now that I am working on it anyway.

[schwarzIIe36]

My total cost was right at $500 if I remember correctly. I got the bumper, mesh grill, brake ducts, and plastic fasteners, moldings, screws and clips, just about everything you can think of. It even came with new pieces for your foglight brackets that are shaped a little different to bolt to the bumper beam to the bumper cover. It was a great deal. I was skeptical at first about bidpay to but he sent the bumper and all to me just as promised.

[Blufire]

None of these prices include the paint, right? Or are they pre-painted?

[old skool]

None of these prices include the paint, right? Or are they pre-painted?

Primed, no paint.

[old skool]

post-Christmas bump.

[eldonjuan]

be careful what you buy off ebay...most of the body kits are made of fiberglass which is brittle and can easily brake if you hit a parking stump or curb...(show me someone who has never hit the curb with their car and i'll be impressed)...their are however some sellers on ebay that sell ABS plastic bumpers OEM....recently I found one for the M3 E36 bumper with all hardware for $200...you dont have to buy the other parts to the bumper cause their all built in (ie moldings)...and you need to get it painted and installed...good luck

[bimon4life]

what about ECU. auto and 5-spd don't mix. gotta have 5spdy trans ECU.