New fender install, Qs?

[Quseless]

Hey all,

somewhat new to body work, especially on the e30. I got in a little fender-bender a while back.

I picked up an aftermarket (I know I know) for just the right money.:drink:
According to the seller, it needs to have the top holes drilled out for perfect fitement.

I have been ready the Bentley, but I am still not 100% about this. so while the weather sucks, I figured I would ask here, maybe someone did it.

I especially have questions about the said "fender gasket"?

thanks in advance.

Q

[PiercedE30]

For the holes: I would say (if your willing to) cut that part of the old fender off and place ontop of the new one. Then mark where the holes are and you should be set.
As for the gasket......no idea.

[Quseless]

For the holes: I would say (if your willing to) cut that part of the old fender off and place ontop of the new one. Then mark where the holes are and you should be set.
As for the gasket......no idea.

Well, the holes are already there, but not big enough/lined up perfectly.

thanks for the reply.

Q

[turbo_negro69]

its not a gasket its just some body seam sealer aka fancy silicone. it goes where the fender meets the A pillar (look at the other side) or look at someone else's e30

[Quseless]

My car has been resprayed a couple times in the past. So whatever is there I can't get a good idea what to make of it.

Is it possible to use an off the shelf autostore silicone for this purpose?

I'll need to remove the fender to paint it, don't really want to buy 2 gaskets.

yes I am a cheap ass.:pimp:

Q

[wycoco]

yes I am a cheap ass.:pimp:

Oh so R3V

[StereoInstaller1]

I put fenders from an E on my I, both early.

I had to cut some metal off of the inner fender to make it fit.

There is a bump on the outside of the body shell that was different.

Do a test fit first to make sure all is OK.

Luke

[JGood]

I'm not sure what's the cause of all the problems. I took fenders off of an 89 325i and put them on my 85 325e. With the grille removed, it took no more then 30 minutes for removal and installation, and they fit 100% perfect.

You don't need to do anything with a gasket/sealant/putty/filler/peanut butter.

If you look at your cars fender where it meets up with the firewall/lower windshield frame/inner fender area, you'll see it looks like someone smeared some sort of putty in there then painted it. That was BMW. You don't need to do that.

Remove the 10-15 bolts holding on the fender, put the new one on, and your done.

I'm not concerned as to why you bought an aftermarket fender, I'm concerned with why you don't just buy a used one now that you know aftermarket body parts are about as useful as the Tornado fuel saver and electric superchargers.

I've seen good factory used fenders sell for $20. Actually I bought a SET of fenders for like $30 I think.

Is $40 (at the most) worth shitty fitment, modification time, poor rust protection, posibly weaker material, etc...?

[Quseless]

well, The only reason I picked this up, is that the Eurodepot and the 2 junkyards I went to only had damaged or rusted pass side fender.

I have to get the car inspected and will probably need a clutch/transmission "rebuild" soon. I am just trying to make the most with what I have and still drive the car daily.

thanks for the replies, I'll post back after I do a test fit.

JGood,

did you remove the bumper? Bentley claims bumper removal as one of the steps. weather being what it is, I'll rather not have to take anything off if I don't have to.

Q

[PiercedE30]

Yes you do have to remove the bumper. There are a few screws that connect the fender and the front valence. (the black thing that holds the side of the bumper to the body)

[StereoInstaller1]

You do NOT have to remove the bumper, only the valence.

On my '87 "is", I didn't even remove the "airdam"

Luke

[backtrail69]

You just need to remove the bumper filler panels, so you can get at the bolts under them.

[Quseless]

You just need to remove the bumper filler panels, so you can get at the bolts under them.

Now I am completely lost.

I was looking around the front of the car, there are 2 bolts on the bottom of the front bumper (cover or whatever). Is that what the manual refers to?

the manual also refers to "four bolts inside the wheel house" , what are they talking about?

I wish I could just start unbolting and figuring out as I go, but I need the car tomorrow morning.

Q

[PiercedE30]

the two bolts on the bottom of the bumper are going to allow you to pull it off and have access to everything else.

[Quseless]

the two bolts on the bottom of the bumper are going to allow you to pull it off and have access to everything else.

cool, that's seems pretty straight forward now.

I'll attempt tonight.

thank you all.

Q