The $44 facelift!

[vr2jetta]

To start, I picked this gem (1990 325i) up for $400 a few months ago. It needed a new head so I fixed that, along with about $600 in upkeep parts to go along with it. Now it runs decent and an 89 325 came into the junkyard the other day, so I went shopping! Parts I got from the junkyard and parts store are as follows:

1. Front valance (including brake ducts and fog lights)- $20 (WHAT?!?) Yup.
2. Volvo lower lip- $9
3. 1 can of red paint- $5
4. 1 can of clear paint- $5
5. 1 can of black trim paint- $5

Thats a grand total of $44 + tax!! This is what it got me!! Lets start with before pics:







Here is with it all together:











It looked so good..........I couldn't wait to get the grill painted!!












I used some black paint I had lying around the garage for the brake ducts, and I also used some old window tint to smoke the side markers. The kidneys were painted with some paint I had lying around too. A few coays of good wax and she looks like a million bucks! I have some clear issues on the bumper I need to take care of, but first I have some weaves that were given to me so I want to get them painted and installed, along with all red tails and shadowlining. Thats all the next step!

I was wondering, now that the front end looks all nice and new, the headlight rings kinda stick out to me. What do you guys suggest I do? Paint them black? Paint them silver? Wire brush them them just clear them? A buddy of mine suggested painting them red, but I am not so sure.

[MR 325]

Wow, looking good already! I love budget builds.

For the headlight rings, black looks best.

[dashboardmonkey]

For the headlight rings, black looks best.

+1

looking much better

[TrentW]

Huge improvement for 44 bucks! Makes ya want to drive around and show it off now doesn't it? Personally, I much prefer the ducts red though.

Agree on painting headlight rings black.

[nando]

I hate volvo lips but that looks a hell of a lot better than the mangled valance you had before! somehow I'm thinking the P.O. of your car may have been a girl.. ;)

[blueapplesoda]

well with chrome kidneys, a set of minty ass chrome rings looks super nice with smoked ellips.

the way it is now tho, sick. gj on $44 :D those are always the best kinds

[Jand3rson]

I disagree on the headlight rings, repaint them silver. I did mine with metallic silver Rustoleum, and they look awesome. I think black rings make the headlights look smaller.

[vr2jetta]

I much prefer the ducts red though.

I was torn between red and black, I like them both a lot, but I think the black gives the front end more depth.

I hate volvo lips but that looks a hell of a lot better than the mangled valance you had before! somehow I'm thinking the P.O. of your car may have been a girl.. ;)

Im still a little new so the volvo lip will do until I keep seeing how sick the 'is' lips are! I just now can tell the difference. And for the PO.....I dont even want to go there, the door cards look like someone stabbed them with a knife like 20 times on each card! Its pretty sad.

I disagree on the headlight rings, repaint them silver. I think black rings make the headlights look smaller.

I was thinking the same thing. I guess I will have to start paying attention to that when looking at other cars and seeing what I like.


Thanks for the replies guys! Im lovin' this car!

[StereoInstaller1]

WTF, paint them headlight rings red!

jk

Great job, man. Keep it up!

You can tell the hippie chicks you are saving the world 1 classic BMW at a time. If that don't get you some laid, something is wrong.

[3bvert]

wow, looking good already! I love budget builds.

For the headlight rings, black looks best.

+2

[kamotors]

looks nice.

[samiam3356]

WOW! That looks better. Was wondering how the black brake ducts looks because I will have to do this same process as well.

My valance is crooked and I was wondering how hard it would be to staighten it back out, but after seeing how cheap you did this, I think its time to head to the yard.

[NickL]

I wish junkyards around me had e30's :(

Looks great man.