Noob. ebay m3 bumper covers? - BMW Forum

dknight3 · 02-21-2012, 01:04 AM

Hi all, new here, my name is Daniel and i just purchased a 96 328i.
It has front end damage so i need a new grille and front bumper.
I've been having a hard time finding them and stumbled across the m3 style bumpers that are on ebay. I was wondering what the quality is like on them? Are they OEM fitment or do they require modification?

BMW E36 3-Series 92-98 M3 OEM Factory Style PP Front Bumper Cover, Lip & Grille | eBay

Thank you all for your help, look forward to becoming an active member on your forums.

Jack Dabsy · 02-21-2012, 01:46 PM

Should pop straight on, Dan

Many E36 owners go for this as an upgrade !!

Lord Vader · 02-21-2012, 02:50 PM

Some of the eBay ones are shady. I upgraded to an M3 bumper a while ago and I got one made of Polyurethane. ABS plastic and Polypropylene ones are good too.

Can anyone confirm if the M3 brake ducts are different then the 328 ones? I'm pretty sure that I had to replace mine when I got the M3 bumper. That will be an additional cost on top of the bumper as most eBay places literally sell just the bumper.

Jack Dabsy · 02-22-2012, 02:01 PM

Think you're right Vader, M3 ducts a slightly larger and lower (I think), not hard to fab an adaptor though !

dknight3 · 02-22-2012, 03:44 PM

not sure what you are talking about?
brake ducts? got pics?

Lord Vader · 02-22-2012, 10:00 PM

In this picture, its the black square on the inside of the foglights. Their ducts that take cold air straight to the brake rotors to cool them down. This prevents brake fade, and warping.

E36 m3 brake ducts image by 328bimmer on Photobucket

dknight3 · 02-23-2012, 01:11 AM

cool, is there a duct that connects there and goes to the brakes or somthing?
when i got my car it was all fucked up missing a bunch of shit and it had nothing like that.

Lord Vader · 02-23-2012, 09:32 AM

Yes. Their are two plastic ducts that connect to the front bumper and come out at the fender liner. If your missing them it's okay cause you will need new ones anyway. Several retailers carry them.

dknight3 · 02-23-2012, 03:14 PM

okay thank you sir! ill post progress in a few days. need to get a alt belt tensioner and get the radiator in and hooked up and get a new radiator fan. much more work to do.

Lord Vader · 02-23-2012, 07:23 PM

We're definitely interested in seeing progress on you car. Feel free to post pics.