Plastic bumper conversion: talk me off the cliff

[kloucks]

I recently finished up the mechanical/turbo side of my project car and now I'm looking to the body. I currently have some tucked bumpers and the 325is old style valence with some slight modifications to allow intercooler fitment and better air flow. I'm thinking of making the switch to the plastic bumpers to give it an updated look.


My main questions are: Will fitting my intercooler behind the plastic bumpers be harder to accomplish without major gutting? Also will the plastic bumpers really make my car look thaaaaat much better? (I'm aware that last one is opinion based, and I'm prepared to take the banter)

[merlinfe]

Your car looks fine man. Don't sweat it.

[ELVA164]

If I tell you the plastic bumpers won't leave room for the intercooler, will you leave the aluminum ones on?

[kloucks]

I agree that the front looks great, i just have been having second thoughts about the back end. i need a valence back there to make me happy i think.

[curtis_luu]

pics of your back-end?
I'm thinking of tucking mine and running those valences as well.

[ELVA164]

I have a Zender valance I'll be putting on the rear of mine. Looking forward to it. Looks like this:

[the imitator]

You can cut the ugly spare tire well out, get a z3 finned diff cover, and show some ass.

[ELVA164]

You can cut the ugly spare tire well out, get a z3 finned diff cover, and show some ass.

But then your spare tire will fall out of the trunk

[deeze30]

Your car looks fine man. Don't sweat it.

I think it looks great as well

I need a rear valence also. Back end just seems incomplete without it

[ak-]

You'll be limited to a certain thickness and height if you go plastics.
You will also have to get your chargepiping right considering the brake ducts, fogs, and the car's core support area at the bottom.

If you have a fabricator, it can be done no sweat without modifying anything I just mentioned.


(old pic)

[ELVA164]

Plastic bumpers are so vanilla

[audiquattrot]

I wouldn't swap to plastics. I love the look u have now

[itsonlygeorge]

Go for euro bumpers. Keep the sweet early valence.

[TimeMachinE30]

I would say keep the front. Clean up the rear. Wver si ce I sold off my IS cow catcher..the DBs are gross. I am making the move to plastics.

Keep the cow catcher and the front looks sweet.

[J.Rizo]

unless you want to spend the money for euros, stay DBs. get a new set, sand em down, and mirror the finish. you'll look at your early model in a completely new way lol
just dont go plastics.