Newbie valance question...

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  • CompleteCustoms
    Member
    • Dec 2011
    • 53

    #1

    Newbie valance question...

    I found a local junkyard that has an '85 318i. My question is, will the front valance from that car fit my '86 325? It seems to me like it shouldn't be a problem, but I was hoping someone could confirm this for me.

    Also, does anyone have an illustration of the front bumper assembly so I know where to mounting points are?
  • MR 325
    Moderator
    • Oct 2003
    • 37826

    #2
    Are you talking about the lower lip or the complete front valance?

    If you're referring to the lip, it will not interchange. The sheetmetal front valance on the 84-85 cars is different than the 86-87 cars. The actual sheetmetal valance will interchange though but I'd just look for the correct one.
    BimmerHeads
    Classic BMW Specialists
    Santa Clarita, CA

    www.BimmerHeads.com

    Comment

    • CompleteCustoms
      Member
      • Dec 2011
      • 53

      #3
      I'm looking for the complete lower valance (metal valance and plastic lip). The one on that car was pretty trashed so I didn't buy it anyway. I'm not in that big of a hurry to get one, so I don't mind waiting to find the right part.

      From what I've read though, it seems that most body parts are pretty much interchangeable on 84-87 cars regardless of model (318, 325) and trim (e, i, is, etc). Is this correct?

      Comment

      • MR 325
        Moderator
        • Oct 2003
        • 37826

        #4
        You're right on interchangeability, yes. But the valances ARE different.
        BimmerHeads
        Classic BMW Specialists
        Santa Clarita, CA

        www.BimmerHeads.com

        Comment

        • AndrewBird
          The Mad Scientist
          • Oct 2003
          • 11892

          #5
          And FYI, RealOEM.com has good diagrams.

          Comment

          • CW325
            E30 Fanatic
            • Jul 2011
            • 1434

            #6
            Iirc the 85 valance is 2piece and the 86+ are a single piece

            Comment

            • MR 325
              Moderator
              • Oct 2003
              • 37826

              #7
              Originally posted by CW325
              Iirc the 85 valance is 2piece and the 86+ are a single piece
              Also correct, 84-85 are 2 piece and 86-87 are 1 piece. On the 2 piece valances the section just below the kidney grille and headlight grilles will separate from the valance.
              BimmerHeads
              Classic BMW Specialists
              Santa Clarita, CA

              www.BimmerHeads.com

              Comment

              • CompleteCustoms
                Member
                • Dec 2011
                • 53

                #8
                Thanks all. I'm going to hold out for an 86 or 87 valence. If anyone know someone that has one they're looking to unload, and are willing to ship or are located near West Michigan, I would appreciate a heads up.

                Comment

                • CompleteCustoms
                  Member
                  • Dec 2011
                  • 53

                  #9
                  Originally posted by NitroRustlerDriver
                  And FYI, RealOEM.com has good diagrams.
                  Thank you so much. That's going to be really helpful.

                  Comment

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