1988 valance to 1987 IS airdam

[Robert Thibert]

Hi,

I am wondering if I would need much more then a 1987 325is airdam to do a swap on to my 1988is. Can I just remove my new style metal valance and replace it with the airdam or are there special brakets, ect.. that I would need? Anyone interested in a trade?

[Jordan]

You would need the iS airdam first. About $200USD.

You would need all the brackets and whatnot, very hard to get. $150-200 USD

You would need the early valance $25-50 USD

You would lose any ability to tow your car from the front, IE no more tow hook.

Why on earth would you want to downgrade anyways? You should be getting plastic bumpers, not fitting old stuff to a newer car.

[Robert Thibert]

Thanks Jordan. My last e30 was a small bumper car and I'd like something a bit different this time. I have always had a secret love for the snowplow 87 airdam and mixed with the 88 front bumper it makes a cool old school combo. I know this is not for everyone.

[BMW BMXER]

Someone posted pics of it before, Jordan hated it, I didnt mind it.

It can be mounted without the bracktry and what not though.

[Schniddy]

I've seen some brackets on ebay for for under $50. Keep your eye out

[NC325iC]

is it possible to mount the 87is airdam to a car with plastic bumpers.
im thinkin about puttin plastic bumpers on my car in a while.
also can anyone tell me whats involved in mounting the RD apron to plastic bumpers.

[Hatchman]

yea i was wondering the same thing, i know that mounting wouldnt be close but is there really that much diffrence between like the two cars that it wouldnt work

[Dominick]

i have the airdam on my early 318i. I mounted it without the lower early valence or any brackets.

Here's what i did. I tucked my diving boards as far back as possible, then i mounted the airdam to the aluminum bumpers by drilling a hole in the bottom of the diving boards and through the airdam. then using nuts and washers and bolts, i bolted them together and its been staying strong for 2 months now.

Only problem is i havent worked out how to get my bumper surrounds back on, i dont want them cuz they are so wavy and with the bumper tucked so far the surrounds pretty much cover the diving boards.

So i would have to cut those thinner. But they are wavy so i left them off.

[BMW BMXER]

Heres a modified one underneath plastics.

[EtaSport]

it takes a little work to make an iS valance fit on plastic bumpers. Easy way would be to run 'turbo' style and cut up a early model metal valance leaving just the lip at the top of the bumper. Then the sides need trimmed.

It takes some more work to make plastic kit parts fit on metal bumper (ie RD valances), and vice versa.

[Digitalwave]

Heres a modified one underneath plastics.

I love shaved roundels.

[BMW BMXER]

Heres a modified one underneath plastics.

I love shaved roundels.

I as well