Welded Side Skirt On 94 325?? - BMW Forum

DaveW · 04-17-2005, 10:36 AM

Hi guys, I just went to the stealership for a base estimation on repainting my side skirts and bumpers. I have the grey side skirts and want them color matched to my car, as well as the bottom of the front and rear bumper. I was talking to their bodyshop guy and asked him about just swapping them out for different bumpers and side skirts (m3 style) He said that the side skirts were welded on and would have to be cut off to change them. Upon closer inspection, it does actually look like their welded on.

Have any of you guys run into this issue and if so, any suggestions on getting around it?

Thanks.

Cruzin 323is · 04-17-2005, 10:43 AM

on my car, i have the older m3 verson side skirts, or the sport package side skits... and i also havr the old shitty things underneath them... so i guess u can just put the new 1's over the old 1's!

Delmarco · 04-17-2005, 10:51 AM

They could have been previously replaced and welded on...
but I don't know how the factory does it...I think its welded in the factory but I'm sure from what I've seen that most of the aftermarket M3 style kits can be clipped on...
just paint match them...my local BMW dealership quoted me $200 for both sides...

don't waste money like that, those kits are like $400 and you won't get them already painted and you'll pay extra to paint them.

TMac325is · 04-17-2005, 11:03 AM

bumpers and sideskirts should be bolted on, not welded on. unless the previous owner of your car did some custom work, i dont know what the bodyshop guy is talking about

bmwultdrivinmach · 04-17-2005, 02:43 PM

Maybe I'm wrong but if its what I'm thinking, could it be the rudder boards (skirts go over it)? This is the case on my grey "side skirts", I don't have true skirts and therefore they appear to be "welded" on. I still find it strange that the body dude said that. Like I said I could be completly wrong.

catalyst. · 04-17-2005, 06:01 PM

Your cars stock skirts are welded in place and cannot be removed. The M3 skirts simply clip on over the stock skirts and are IMO a waste of money.

You cant change your skirts, but you can put other skirts ontop of your stock original skirts.

2ndclasscitizen · 04-18-2005, 04:43 PM

I dont get it. Why would a stealer weld them on? I dont know of any that do standard. Mine arnt and their standard and the same size as M3 ones, so M3 ones wouldn't go over them. Unless as mentioned before its after market work which i have seen done before. Have you got any pictures to post? That should help us tell you by how it looks.

And anyway, arnt the skirts plastic? I wouldnt try welding that....

e36 belgium · 04-18-2005, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DaveW@Apr 17 2005, 04:36 PM
Hi guys, I just went to the stealership for a base estimation on repainting my side skirts and bumpers. I have the grey side skirts and want them color matched to my car, as well as the bottom of the front and rear bumper. I was talking to their bodyshop guy and asked him about just swapping them out for different bumpers and side skirts (m3 style) He said that the side skirts were welded on and would have to be cut off to change them. Upon closer inspection, it does actually look like their welded on.

Have any of you guys run into this issue and if so, any suggestions on getting around it?

Thanks.

[snapback]333832[/snapback]

Hi , i am new here but i noticed your question,
the origional "sideskirts" are a part of the self suspended bodywork, they ar not bolted on, welded on, it's just a part of your cars body.
Do not cut or modify these -- its critical for the car's stiffness and suspension.
Bmw used to paint it standard in a diffrent color(usually grey) , this is a special coating (prevents rust) (like you know it rains a lot in germany).
With a special base primer you can paint these, but it is more easy to put the m3 skirts over .
My favorite skirts are the lower ones you can order by RIEGER (germany)

hopes this helps
greetz..

e30fanm3 · 04-18-2005, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 2ndclasscitizen@Apr 18 2005, 05:43 PM
I dont get it. Why would a stealer weld them on? I dont know of any that do standard. Mine arnt and their standard and the same size as M3 ones, so M3 ones wouldn't go over them. Unless as mentioned before its after market work which i have seen done before. Have you got any pictures to post? That should help us tell you by how it looks.

And anyway, arnt the skirts plastic? I wouldnt try welding that....

[snapback]334435[/snapback]

the dealer doesnt weld them, if they are like that then it would come that way from the factory.