1985 325e to 1988 + Front End Conversion?
Good Afternoon All,
I own an 85 eta and would like to swap the bumper, etc., for an 88 or later version. Just called a junk yard that specialises in Bimmers and they gave what I feel may be a fair deal, a round figure of $500 for the front and rear. This sounds reasonable, provided said units are in good to excellent condition.
I am sure a good deal of this board's participants have performed a similar swap, so I need to know what dollar value to shoot for and some of your experiences, as in hardware and fitment issues.
The sucky part about this is the fact that I had my local Bimmer shop order the front valence panel, the one the tow hooks and struts go through. Well, we ordered the wrong one, the one w/o the built in brake ducts. My eta has the brake ducts plastic welded into the front fender shroud, so we ordered the other valence panel. The stock (original) one has 4 horizontal slots in it, two on either side of center. Should I have kept the first one to do this project? I think I goofed but at the time I was not sure the newer bumper and parts would be available.
I want the swap to look very much like a factory installed component and I am apprehensive that even if I pay someone to do this, they will want to half-ass the operation. I plan to drive my car to the junkyard, mainly to avail myself to the tons of odds-and-ends fasteners, etc., that may be crucial to do the job right. I am perfectly capable of doing this myself but it would take weeks to finish, due to unforseen fastener & hardware issues, hence the fact that I am paying for this swap.
Another option: If anyone in the Atlanta area has late model bumpers, etc., up for sell, let me know. It would also help if the seller is willing to share any knowledge with respect to the various extraneous parts that are required to perform a sound swap. I will buy dinner, beer........whatever motivates you.
As an aside, if this swap goes well (or at all), I will have (4) good eta bumpers and most (1 set) of fairly good plastic parts that I need to dispose of reasonably cheap, so I will let you guys/gals know what transpires.
Any shops/junkyards to avoid in the Atlanta area?
Thanks,
Del S. (Macon, GA)
Good Afternoon All,
I own an 85 eta and would like to swap the bumper, etc., for an 88 or later version. Just called a junk yard that specialises in Bimmers and they gave what I feel may be a fair deal, a round figure of $500 for the front and rear. This sounds reasonable, provided said units are in good to excellent condition.
I am sure a good deal of this board's participants have performed a similar swap, so I need to know what dollar value to shoot for and some of your experiences, as in hardware and fitment issues.
The sucky part about this is the fact that I had my local Bimmer shop order the front valence panel, the one the tow hooks and struts go through. Well, we ordered the wrong one, the one w/o the built in brake ducts. My eta has the brake ducts plastic welded into the front fender shroud, so we ordered the other valence panel. The stock (original) one has 4 horizontal slots in it, two on either side of center. Should I have kept the first one to do this project? I think I goofed but at the time I was not sure the newer bumper and parts would be available.
I want the swap to look very much like a factory installed component and I am apprehensive that even if I pay someone to do this, they will want to half-ass the operation. I plan to drive my car to the junkyard, mainly to avail myself to the tons of odds-and-ends fasteners, etc., that may be crucial to do the job right. I am perfectly capable of doing this myself but it would take weeks to finish, due to unforseen fastener & hardware issues, hence the fact that I am paying for this swap.
Another option: If anyone in the Atlanta area has late model bumpers, etc., up for sell, let me know. It would also help if the seller is willing to share any knowledge with respect to the various extraneous parts that are required to perform a sound swap. I will buy dinner, beer........whatever motivates you.
As an aside, if this swap goes well (or at all), I will have (4) good eta bumpers and most (1 set) of fairly good plastic parts that I need to dispose of reasonably cheap, so I will let you guys/gals know what transpires.
Any shops/junkyards to avoid in the Atlanta area?
Thanks,
Del S. (Macon, GA)
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