Need help deciding what to do with exterior project

[uflnuceng]

Ok... Im trying to figure out what to do here. My car is originally sterling silver metallic, but the paint is oxidized to hell and back. Talked with a body guy and there is no serious rust issues that can't be shot peened out. I've finished my M30 and 5-lug swap and now I want to make this car look as good as it sounds and performs.

I don't know whether or not I want to change the color or not. I would love either a darker silver, or alpine white, but Im not going to pull the engine back out again until the winter when I start my turbo project. If I can't paint this car a new color as thorough as people like Jordan or Dave Length did then I don't want to go down that road. It would haunt my dreams. So, should I stick with sterling silver?

I would like a carbon fiber hood, but there are no custom CF guys in the area. I was thinking of ordering an MAShaw one. Some people seem to think positive, others seem not so positive.

I am running some big 17x8.5" 245-40 rubber in the back, and Im getting contact on the fender (I guess when I launch it or take a turn). I have already cut some of the fender and put on some W. Viriginia chrome (a.k.a. duct tape) on as a temp fix. I like these wheels and they will fit. Does anyone other than BMP make a wide body kit for this car? Would it be stupid to try and fab the M3 fender flares on to a sedan? I think so. Im probably just going to have the body shop guy cut it some more, flare it slightly so you would really have to look to see its been modified. That's why the rear end is up so high in the pics, I have the coilovers at their highest.

I like what Jordan has done with the 328i rear and valence, but I don't want to be a copy cat. Any other recommendations. Im probably going to go for the M-tech II rear wing. Im having serious issues trying to choose the right front valence.

Some subtle things Im going to do is remove the sunroof, remove the door locks, body color door handles, Im getting sirius satellite radio so I may just get rid of the antenna as local stations suck, and I think Im going to make a 335i rear badge. My custom exhaust coming at the end of this month will have a single 3" exhaust tip.

So...

1. Color options?
2. Carbon fiber hood ideas?
3. fender, bumber kits, even e36 stuff that could be forced to fit.
4. what front valenance should I go for?
5. How do you get shadowline trim, paint the chrome stuff?

When I go and see my family in England this fall I might go looking for euro grills, but I don't have a hard-on for those as some people seem to have. Maybe I just haven't seen them in person or something.



Thanks
Jared

[ilia]

I'm sorry to reply without an answer for you, but how much is all this costing you? I want to have a figure to throw around to know what is a good deal. Thanks.

[Brew]

As for the fender clearance issues, rent or borrow a fender roller and go to work. You can get those wheels and tires to fit, and you don't need flares. Especially if you're going to be getting a repaint.

Repaint: stick with sterling and get the door handles painted as well. Shadowline would look nice, most people use SEM trim paint.

If you really want a different look for the exterior, I don't think you can go wrong with a genuine Mtech 2 kit. MHW smoked tails and a euro plate filler would look good, too.

Just my $.02, sounds like its going to be a sick E30!

[uflnuceng]

MHW? Feel a little embarresed to ask, but where do you get them. I have seen pics of them before but don't know where you get them at.

I really like the M-tech II body style. I know its the expensive route, but should I just go to the stealership and get the kit there. I get a pretty good discount with my BMW CCA membership card. And the guys at the parts desk are all on a first name basis with me :)

The project... well its gonna cost a bit. paint alone is going to be $2000-3000, genuine kit is gonna be another couple grand at least... Im not a rich guy, but Im willing to pay to get this done right.

Now... when it comes to rolling the fenders, how is that possible. Unless someone around here has actually done it themselves, I just can't believe it. I did try and roll the fender and the way that lip is in there just seemed to crush shit and not move anything. I've already cut it anyway and its going to have to get fixed at a body shop. That being the case I'll either have him roll it (if it is rollable) or modify it to flare a little bit. I want to tuck the wheel up another 1-1.5 inches and need to really look at interference issues.

Thanks for the ideas so far... keep 'em coming.

[erik325i]

Now... when it comes to rolling the fenders, how is that possible. Unless someone around here has actually done it themselves, I just can't believe it. I did try and roll the fender and the way that lip is in there just seemed to crush shit and not move anything. I've already cut it anyway and its going to have to get fixed at a body shop. That being the case I'll either have him roll it (if it is rollable) or modify it to flare a little bit. I want to tuck the wheel up another 1-1.5 inches and need to really look at interference issues.

It is possible to roll the fenders. You can either get a fender rolling tool, or use a baseball bat to roll the fenders in.
I wouldn't recommend cutting the lip off the fender because there would be a sharp edge that could cut the tire.

[uflnuceng]

1. It was cutting the tire even before I cut the fender.
2. The fender has been cut and Im still getting interference.
3. Right, roll the fender-in... I need to push it out because of the rubber Im using. And I have already had the fenders professionally cut. No sharp edges, but still rubbing. Need more space.

[BahnE30]

you need to roll in inner lip, the one that follows the horizon at the top of the wheel well, roll it up into the wheel well, should give you almost an inch more clearence depending on what you've all ready cut.

[niq_nak]

why dont u go with the full bmp kit, especially if ur going turbo cus it has the big opening in the front valence for a intercooler.

[uflnuceng]

Eh... I was kinda thinking that RS50 body style, but its too radical for me. I did give it a thought for a couple months though.

I really like what Jordan has done with his car, just don't know if I should bite on his custom work, or try and do something a little different. Like, I could get some cheap salvaged body peices from 328s or M3s and then make them fit. It might be more time consuming but I think it would be less expensive than buying an entire M-tech II sedan kit new from the stealership, discount or not.

Its a shame that fucker at Lowen is such a theif cos the kit that he falsly advertises on his site is EXACTLY what I would like my car to look like.





See, that car is just hot. And if I shaved off the locks, body color painted the handles, tinted the windows... mmm... that would be hot.

[Brew]

MHW? Feel a little embarresed to ask, but where do you get them. I have seen pics of them before but don't know where you get them at.

Abrahams motorsport carries them: http://www.abrahamsmotorsport.com
They are a forum sponsor, too.