Need feedback: M Tech 2 Body Kit...

[Custom 3]

Well gents (& ladies),

After the painful move...my DSL is back up again and I can get on to more important business

Since last you all heard from me, I've aquired an M Tech Kit. I'm currently looking into producing a replica kit in fiberglass that would be a bolt on for all 88-91 e30s with the newer bumper style...and also for the diving board bumpers of old. The older model would require an upgrade to the later valance...but would be straight forward after that. The biggest change would be changing the front piece from a separate bumper/spoiler combination, to a single piece bolt on to the valance.

Currently, the lowest price I have been able to find for a new original kit ranges over $3,000 US from BMW. I daresay easily over $2,000+ plus import costs to get one from outside the US. My goal is to get the kit produced efficiently, and make it durable, and look as close to the original as possible.

I understand that there is a company in Canada that currently has a replica kit. I've seen it and I am extremely disappointed. I'm aiming to get the complete kit below 1200-1500.

The question: Before I dive into the expense and labor of getting this done, and done right...is there anyone out there who would seriously be interested in this kit? The kit would include the front bumper/spoiler piece, the door molding panels for the coupe/2 door (6 pieces), the side skirts, and the rear apron.

The door moldings and the side skirts will be also available as a separate purchase, if you don't want the complete kit. The molding panels go very well with most e30 body kits, and eliminate the ugly black molding strips.

For those of you not yet familiar with the factory kit...I'm linking a couple of pictures of a car that I found from Australia that has the kit on it. Keep in mind that the kit was never fitted to coupes in the US, and was only offered on the 1992/93 325ic.

 

[equate]

me me me, damn my diving boards, how much are you asking?

 

[Custom 3]

I do not have a final asking price as of yet, because I don't currently know how much it's going to cost me to get the molds made and a prototype fit. I'm waiting for the company to get back to me with a quote. I'll probably call them again today.

My ultimate goal is to get the complete kit under 1500. This way it will at least be able to compete price-wise with other kits like Rieger, ACS, Zender...etc. Once I get everything made...I'll develop a wide-body (flared fenders) to go with the M Tech and non-mtech e30s.

Like I said before though, the original complete kit is over 3000 from the cheapest wholesale dealer I can find in the country. I'm trying to find out who would buy if I can get it below 1500 and who would still consider it between 1500-2000. If it's going to run more than 2000 for the final price...I won't even bother with the replication unless the opriginal becomes NLA.

 

[nadroj]

omg i need one of those

 

[bichmgnt]

Need a car to do the prototype on?

I want one of these kits and was looking at getting the AV3 as it also eliminates the diving boards on my car. I hope you see enough interest to get this going. I'd be very interested in getting this kit and paying 1500+ if it included fog lights and turn signals.

One thing about the kit pictured - the bumpers look diving board-ish rather than the smoother molded look of other kits. Do you think you would be leaving the bumpers like in the picture?


Steve

 

[dsobering47]

i would probably buy the door side skirts and maybe the rear skirt.....i like my front spoiler since i have an 325iS. If you could sell the skirts separately.....how much would you ask for?

thanks

 

[xLibelle]

Those rims! where do i get those? what size are they?

 

[Inline_6]

There's a local shop that builds molds, he's fairly reasonable. (I was going to build a boat hull) Are you talking chopped & sprayed fiberglass with gelcoat outside? That would probably be the least expensive. Critics say cloth fiberglass is stronger but layup is costly. (cure times are fast) Anyway, this is in my price range so count me in. Someone needs to find out where to get those rims & start importing them to the US. We never get the good stuff :~((

 

[DrPierceMD]

I have seen several of those kits in germany. We call them shadowline kits. They look great. The only thing that I would change on them is the front skirt. I have something I think is better. I would like to post a picture of it but don't know how. Can someone help me?

 

[mrferg]

I'd be down with that kit. I've always liked it, but the price kept me away.

 

[bichmgnt]

I was just re-reading parts of this thread and I saw that, since I have the diving board bumpers, I would "require an upgrade to the later valance" before being able to put this body kit on. What is meant by the term 'valance' and where would I get it?

Also, what timeframe are we looking at for producing the first kits?



Steve

 

[xLibelle]

im not so sure about the front spoiler. it mounts with the bumper over the body valance so the fogs are held by the body pannel?

So those rims are available in europe only?? if anyone has a link or something ill get on the horn right away and get family to send them in the container. shipping is free for me from europe, only deal is knowing where to get the goods.

 

[bichmgnt]

That's TWICE someone has talked about the valance and I don't know exactly what that is!!! I can't find it in my Bentley manual, even under removing bumpers.

Am I being ignored because I'm a jerk or is it something I don't know about?



Steve

 

[xLibelle]

part of your car under the front bumper

 

[bichmgnt]

So is that the front air dam or spoiler? Is that the same thing? I thought that was what Jason was making. Or is it the framework underneath the bumper?

What I really want to know is what needs to be replaced exactly in order to get this kit to work? I am actually very interested in doing this project soon.

Steve

 

[xLibelle]

Dr Pierce, your image:

 

[DrPierceMD]

xLibelle, thanks I really appreciate it.

Custom3, Do you make anything like the picture that xLibelle posted for me? And if so how much are you looking at for it?

 

[Custom 3]

Steve,

Sorry for the late reply on this. I've been concentrating on the web site trying to get it done, as well as trying to get info on what it's going to cost me to get this kit made.

the airdam/spoiler is the same piece. On the original kit, it's completely separate from the bumper...which sits directly above it. The 'valance' it the underlying metal piece that the bumper, spoiler, fog lights, etc....all mount to. The valance in turn, hold everything onto the body of the car.

To my knowledge, you should be able to use the valance from any of the later-style plastic bumper e30s. I'm currently checking with the dealer to verify the accuracy of that (if they'll learn how to use the hold button instead of hanging up). At any rate, I should know by tomorrow.

DrPierceMD,

Please...call me Jason. I do not currently have the Lumma Tuning CL1 front. Not many of my customers have inquired about this one. However...perhaps if we have 4 or more people interested in it, it will be worth my investing in that spoiler.

BTW, since you are in Heidelberg, Germany - are you military? I was up in the K-Town area for almost a year. If you're already in Germany...it would be much cheaper for you so find a shop local to you. D&W is an excellent store to look in. I believe they may have it. You can find most of their catalogs (over 1000 pages) in most news stands and book shops in Germany. They have stores everywhere.

 

[DrPierceMD]

Jason,

Well that sucks about the Lumma Tuning CL1 front. Atleast I know what it is called now.
Yes I am military. I am in the Army. There has been a couple of local shops that I have checked and one of them was in K-Town. I don't remember if it was D&W or not. It has been almost a year since I have been in Germany. I am in Iraq right now. I haven't even had a chance to drive my new 2004 325Ci. Needless to say I'm pissed. Anyway back to the subject. I haven't been able to find it at any of the shops. But I'l keep looking. If you ever start to supply it please let me know.

To everyone else,

Is there anyother people that like the Lumma Tuning CL1 front and would be willing to purchase. I would really like to get it.

Eric

 

[bichmgnt]

Cool, I could probably get that at a junkyard for a reasonable price, right? Any idea how much that might be? It also shouldn't be too hard to replace.

Do you have a possible timeframe for producing the first kits?

I hope you don't mind the ribbing I've given you about the website. FWIW, if I didn't think you were a good guy I wouldn't be saying anything at all.

BTW, got the wheels on and there's barely any room between the tire and the strut, like less than a finger width. It isn't rubbing anywhere but it sure seems close. I probably should have gotten spacers a little wider to account for error but I'm kinda stupid that way.

Wadayathink?

Steve