Sure you want to install that new spoiler??

[Nate2046]

A cautionary tale.

My recently purchased '11 M3 came with the Performance splitters, mirror caps, and for some reason a non matching spoiler. So, in an effort to tie things together I elected to purchase the Performance spoiler from a board sponsor. Of course, even though its a simple cosmetic part install I still read every helpful suggestion I could find here on the boards.

I decided to start out removing the offensive part using packing straps that I conveniently had a ton of wrapped around the boxes from my new wheels. This seemed like a good suggestion since the straps are stronger than fishing line and still thin enough to get between the two parts without scratching anything. After sawing like a mother*****r for 10 minutes, making no progress and completely destroying two straps in the process, I decided to apply some heat with a blow dryer. Heat, heat, heat, saw, saw, saw, no progress. Next I tried a plastic putty knife. I was able to wedge it in till it contacted the adhesive and then put my full weight behind it and......nothing. Finally out of desperation I resorted to the metal putty knife. I very carefully wedged it between the adhesive and the spoiler and with a hammer was finally able to begin to make some progress. 10 minutes of careful knife placement and hammering later I had the f****r off!

Now, I'm left with what you see below. Some sort of incredibly strong adhesive that I have no idea how to remove without damaging the paint. I've already let it soak in goof-off and had little luck removing it without pulling up paint as well. To make things even better it appears they may have sanded the paint in the area to make things adhere better. And no, the performance spoiler will not completely cover that area.

At this point I'm just considering putting the damn thing back on and selling the new spoiler. Thoughts?

spoiler before removal;


the only way this thing was coming off;


the aftermath;

[schnell325]

Oh my goodness, what a mess!!!! I'd discreetly drive to a local body shop and get their opinion.

If worse comes to worse, I'd put the spoiler back on.....it not too ugly. (Not in my top 5 choices, but it might have to do for you)

[03BeastCharmer]

That's terrible. I think you would have to sand and repaint to install the c/f spoiler. I'd probably cut my loses and re-install the old one.

If you do that, you can also sell me your c/f spoiler (if for a coupe).

From a fellow ex M Coupe owner.

[M3PO]

Is it silicone? Is it rubbery? Try an eraser wheel?

If the clear coat is still in tact, the sanded area can be repaired (wet sand and polish).

[Nate2046]

Originally Posted by M3PO

Is it silicone? Is it rubbery? Try an eraser wheel?

If the clear coat is still in tact, the sanded area can be repaired (wet sand and polish).

It isn't really gummy like I'm used to seeing silicone, has a harder consistency and it really seems to be bonded to the paint. I'm thinking the paint is f'ed so I'm just going to take it to a body shop and get a quote to clean it up and respray those areas.

[Nate2046]

Originally Posted by 03BeastCharmer

That's terrible. I think you would have to sand and repaint to install the c/f spoiler. I'd probably cut my loses and re-install the old one.

If you do that, you can also sell me your c/f spoiler (if for a coupe).

From a fellow ex M Coupe owner.

I'll give you dibs because of the e86 connection. At this point though I'm in a "I've come this far" kind of mood. We'll see if I still feel that way after getting a paint quote.

[M3PO]

That old spoiler is terrible and your M3 deserves better. Do it the right way and don't put it back on. I say respray the trunk and install the new spoiler. Good luck and please post the end result!

[Slapshot9]

Originally Posted by M3PO

That old spoiler is terrible and your M3 deserves better. Do it the right way and don't put it back on. I say respray the trunk and install the new spoiler. Good luck and please post the end result!

+1 However, I'm a fan of spoiler detete.

[jra85]

Might be a good excuse to just get a carbon fiber boot lid

[mkPOTO]

wow that sucks big time!

[sin911]

That sucks

I agree with the post above, if the paint is undamaged so far then they most likely can wet sand and polish.

[6spdg37s]

did you order the white spoiler or is that included with purchase?

[Nate2046]

Originally Posted by 6spdg37s

did you order the white spoiler or is that included with purchase?

I bought the car used with that spoiler already installed. Its listed on the add-on to the original window sticker of BMW Center installed accessories. Somebody was charged $520.49 for it but I'd let it go for considerably less

[CCLSVTM3]

I would give up and just pay a body shop to do it for me...

[6spdg37s]

Originally Posted by Nate2046

I bought the car used with that spoiler already installed. Its listed on the add-on to the original window sticker of BMW Center installed accessories. Somebody was charged $520.49 for it but I'd let it go for considerably less

ok cool i was like fk i hope my car doesnt come off the boat with that !! lol

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by Nate2046

I bought the car used with that spoiler already installed. Its listed on the add-on to the original window sticker of BMW Center installed accessories. Somebody was charged $520.49 for it but I'd let it go for considerably less

That was a BMW installed accessory?!?!?

If BMW installed it, they would most likely use Betalink. I'm not 100% sure what Betalink looks like but I don't think that's what it looks like. Might be worth looking into Betalink and how to remove it.

[Space Ghost]

Betalink is black. That wasn't Betalink. I successfully "sawed" off my betalink attached spoiler using a zip tie. Then I removed the remaining beta link using WD40 and plastic picnic knives.

[Nate2046]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure its not betalink since everybody references it being black and this is white. Yes, BMW installed accessory, the body shop I took it to today theorized that the service dept must have installed it rather than the body shop because he had never seen that type of adhesive used on a body panel. He thought it might be some sort of gasket sealant or gasket maker.

In any case, estimates for repainting the trunk are $650-800 so I'm going to end up dropping over a $1k just to switch spoilers. What a pain in the ass.

[Ricfutures]

Might as well get an aftermarket trunk and sell the spoiler for that price.

[Ryan@IND]

Originally Posted by Nate2046

Yeah, I'm pretty sure its not betalink since everybody references it being black and this is white. Yes, BMW installed accessory, the body shop I took it to today theorized that the service dept must have installed it rather than the body shop because he had never seen that type of adhesive used on a body panel. He thought it might be some sort of gasket sealant or gasket maker.

In any case, estimates for repainting the trunk are $650-800 so I'm going to end up dropping over a $1k just to switch spoilers. What a pain in the ass.

Yikes! That is a expensive respray considering you only need the outside of the trunk sprayed

[Nate2046]

Originally Posted by Andrew@IND

Yikes! That is a expensive respray considering you only need the outside of the trunk sprayed

You think so? I know you guys do a lot of paintwork, what would you have expected? I was hoping for no more than 400 so was a little disappointed when one estimate was twice that.

[Ryan@IND]

Originally Posted by Nate2046

You think so? I know you guys do a lot of paintwork, what would you have expected? I was hoping for no more than 400 so was a little disappointed when one estimate was twice that.

300-400. Also, that is a very strange looking adhesive. Beta link as well as most bonding agents we work with are black in color.