Body damage

[dwforum]

So I have a 1990 325i thats in decent shape, but one of the previous owners had some front end damage. Cosmetically it doesn't look too bad, but the body piece that the lower section of the grills attatch to was bent in. The appearance doesn't bother me so much, the trouble is, it is in contact with the aux fan, and when the fan spins the rubbing noise drives me crazy. My shop said it shouldn't be a problem, but if I want to fix the noise I will need to bring it into a body shop. The piece is bent pretty bad, so I was wondering if anyone knows how difficult it would be to just replace it rather than try and deal with having it repaired. Anyone know what replacing this peice would involve?
Also, I was told my AC system is going to cost $1500 to be repaired, because there is no freon in the system. Of course this is well over half what I paid for the car, so I am interested in a cheaper option. I can live without AC, but it would be nice to have it somewhat function. Has anyone here tried the R-12 replacements, such as freeze 12, or have any other suggestions.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions, and I can post some pictures of the body damage if that would help.

[hamann318is]

Get certified for R-12 for 18 dollars and buy some old CLEAN cans on the bay.

[nando]

the lower valance unbolts from the car. if you can find a straight one off a parts car or from a junkard, that's the way to go. then you just have to paint it :)

[Matto]

I got a good used valence for $100 bucks from a junk yard, came with the brake ducts and a broken foglight.

[dwforum]

Hmmm....i think we may be talking about different peices. Here is a picture, the arrows point at the part I am talking about. You can see that the middle of the peice bends in out of sight, and this is where it is rubbing the aux fan.


I can take the grill peices off tonight and get a better picture of the damage. But does anyone know what replacing this peice would entail? Thanks

[318driver]

well, that piece is part of the lower valance belive it or not. Remove your front bumper to check it out. Theres only two large bolts on the bottom of the bumper and it just slides off.

You can tell in my pic where the colors are different.

[DSchultz325e]

well, that piece is part of the lower valance belive it or not. Remove your front bumper to check it out. Theres only two large bolts on the bottom of the bumper and it just slides off.]

uhm...

i'm fairly certain they call that part the nose panel. it's quite expensive to get an oe replacement so you're better off finding one from the junker. i need one on mine, too, but i think the aux fan resistor is mounted to it, if memory serves me correctly. i ended up just calling it a night after seeing that and haven't messed with it since.

i think jordan replaced his, too. check it out

[Super Eta]

Is it possible to replace it on the early models? like lets say 1986 325e

[DSchultz325e]

well its not the aux fan, it's part of the a/c line. the little bracket that mounts to the unibody has the line flush with the front of the panel. i just tried messing with it but it looks like it will take a while to remove. i'm sure it is easily removable, seeing as jordan has the early body style, but it would probably take some time. i'm not sure how you'd go about taking it off without having to disconnect the lines (it's probably not the best idea if your a/c system is charged). see if you can't remove parts 9, 10, and 11 from that picture.

[DSchultz325e]

i'm also going to get my a/c serviced as soon as i get the air compressor from brodee. my clutch broke on my old one. assuming that there are no leaks or any pinging gauges from the machines when they pull the vacuum on it, it should only run you about 250-300 bucks to get it fully recharged/retrofitted. this would include the labor and materials for redoing the seals, flushing, labor for doing the vacuum test, and labor/materials for oil and charge. i bought an r134a compatible reciever/dryer, too. ive heard of people buying the e36 r/ds and using those for the retrofit. this is a cheap way to go and not many shops will want to mess with it, so your best bet is to find someone you know who is certified for A/C.

[Super Eta]

The place i got my seat fixed at is willing to recharge my A/C system with R-12 for little under $200 like 150 i beileve.

[M-technik-3]

Is it possible to replace it on the early models? like lets say 1986 325e

Yes and no. bumper shape is differant.

I got one from an iS and it's like 318driver's. All one piece, from an 88 plastic bumper car. In Red arg the hardest color to strip to be painted Laguna. Might just send it to the body shop to be stripped. Damn stone guard paint.

[dwforum]

As for the ac my shop claims I must replace the compressor to run 134a, which is contrary to almost everything I have read online.

[dwforum]

I just pulled my bumper off, and it appears as though on my car this peice is the upper portion of the lower valance. Does anyone have suggestions on places I may be able to find a replacement in the bay area or near sacramento? For the time being I may just have a small portion cut away to get rid of the awful noise my car makes when the aux fan kicks in.

[Jordan]

all e30's from 84-86 should have the 2 peices nose panel/valance.

ALL laters it is one part, tack welded, glued, and painted together.