wishing i didnt just buy a late model...

[benjamin]

first off, i dont know if this is the right place to post this, move if needed.

i bought my first e30 a couple weeks ago, a 1991 325i. i guess i didn't do enough research, as i had no fucking idea that plastic bumper cars have lower rear fenders. maybe its just the pictures im finding, but all low late models just dont look like they sit right to me, the rear fenders always seem to tuck too much tire. whats everyones take on this?

can anyone show me some pictures to change my mind? i dont want to drop doll hairs on it if its never going to have the right stance.

here it is the day i got it

135,000 miles, runs strong, got an amazing deal on it. i was really happy. super bummed out right now.

[Dude]

Most people prefer that style, the bumpers are less obnoxious.

[Holland]

You have got to be kidding me. I would kill to have a late model, but all I could get was an early. There are absolutely none around me.

[benjamin]

no no no. i like the plastic bumpers. its the rear fenders that are killing me.

[StereoInstaller1]

Early fenders FTW.

Sorry 'bout that.

[E30SPDFRK]

I agree the early rear fenders are way better. It's not that bad though, you can still get late models sitting pretty .

[Holland]

Early fenders<Late bumpers, skirts, valences, options, etc. Besides you make up for it with that nice forward rake that looks so sweet and aggressive. Not to mention late tails look so much better and to me more euro.

[benjamin]

to Holland - ya, i agree that plastic bumpers look great, but i can do a plastic bumper swap no problem. i cant swap rear fenders... literally the only thing i can think of that i couldnt do. fuck.

i keep looking at pictures of Stephen's car and it looks soooooo money. even before the current baller as fuck wheels.

[E30Nova]

Meh, I'll take the late fenders if it means I can get plastic bumpers and actually have a rear valence to go with them.

[Holland]

to Holland - ya, i agree that plastic bumpers look great, but i can do a plastic bumper swap no problem. i cant swap rear fenders... literally the only thing i can think of that i couldnt do. fuck.

i keep looking at pictures of Stephen's car and it looks soooooo money. even before the current baller as fuck wheels.

Late rear valence swap isn't exactly easy either. you can run the same setups on a late car, you just need to be a bit more creative.

[E30SPDFRK]

you can run the same setups on a late car, you just need to be a bit more creative.

False. Early arches have way more room, plus you can go an inch and a half lower, which gets you more camber and helps you fit even wider wheels.


It's not impossible to swap the rear fenders... maybe a possible future project

[Holland]

False. Early arches have way more room, plus you can go an inch and a half lower, which gets you more camber and helps you fit even wider wheels.


It's not impossible to swap the rear fenders... maybe a possible future project

I think your sig picture proves otherwise. Stunning setups can still be achieved with late fenders. I don't even own a late model and I think I'm doing well with my early car but I would still love a late model.

[StereoInstaller1]

No, it isn't impossible...but even when my Dad (retired after 50 years as a body man, he was damn good) was in his prime, he would pass on it.

Just never gonna be the same, unless it were a total chassis rebuild, like "tubed" and 4 link kind of crap, when all the stress has been taken off the unibody structure.

All the layers of metal come together on that rear arch. No fucking way would I ever expect a replacement to actually work.

Any of you guys ever take a tape measure to both? I have 1 of each, believe me I have.

You would have to stitch together dead center on body panels. Masters only, please.

[StereoInstaller1]

[benjamin]

i do agree that Byron's sig is a prime example of a great looking, low late model.

i guess i should stop bitching. my friends mom sold it to me for less than a set of ground controls go for. (not like she needed the money, it was parked in the garage next to her 15 year old daughters X3)