Best skid plate option currently?

So I've combed through the forums and was hoping for some advice on the best skid plate option.

Mporium - reasonably priced, good weight (12lbs), needs to be drilled as far as I can tell?

Turner - expensive, heaviest (20lbs), maintains OEM mounting

Stock - cheap, light (5lbs), hangs low and not durable at all

I like the Mporium skidplate, but with my car I really prefer not drilling into the OEM bumper if at all possible. Would Turner be my best choice? Obviously the downside is weight, but I don't track it so I assume the 15 or so pounds will be negligible for everyday/canyon/spirited driving.

They all do the job of holding the bumper/fender liners together. Some are adamant (probably correctly) that the aero benefits of the OEM piece make it the best choice. Probably, but (at least where I live and my driving), there's a 100% chance it gets destroyed in a year. A destroyed OEM piece no longer provides the best aero or support.

I ended up going with the new face on the block - BPM/Bavarian Parts & Manufacturing. It came in at the best price for me, but also appealed to me most. I was impressed at how light it was, and it seems pretty sturdy and I have no concerns with it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFXigzUH4Kl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

I touched on it in my build journal, and you can see from the condition of (what was left of) my factory 'felt' piece that it takes a beating in Canadian winter driving.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1764637

rockstar93 wrote

They all do the job of holding the bumper/fender liners together. Some are adamant (probably correctly) that the aero benefits of the OEM piece make it the best choice. Probably, but (at least where I live and my driving), there's a 100% chance it gets destroyed in a year. A destroyed OEM piece no longer provides the best aero or support.

I ended up going with the new face on the block - BPM/Bavarian Parts & Manufacturing. It came in at the best price for me, but also appealed to me most. I was impressed at how light it was, and it seems pretty sturdy and I have no concerns with it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFXigzUH4Kl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

I touched on it in my build journal, and you can see from the condition of (what was left of) my factory 'felt' piece that it takes a beating in Canadian winter driving.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1764637

Thanks for the recommendation, and this one doesn't require extra drilling either? If so, I'm on board...

CravingBavaria wrote

Thanks for the recommendation, and this one doesn't require extra drilling either? If so, I'm on board...

If everything is OEM on your car, absolutely no drilling. There is an oil cooler line they suggest you ziptie, but completely non-invasive.

I have a GTS replica lip though, which doesn't line up with one of the factory bumper holes (outermost holes on this tray). Because of that I needed to drill holes in my bumper to mount the lip, but the tray has those holes pre-drilled. They're the inboard holes on the 'wings' by the wheels.

rockstar93 wrote

If everything is OEM on your car, absolutely no drilling. There is an oil cooler line they suggest you ziptie, but completely non-invasive.

I have a GTS replica lip though, which doesn't line up with one of the factory bumper holes (outermost holes on this tray). Because of that I needed to drill holes in my bumper to mount the lip, but the tray has those holes pre-drilled. They're the inboard holes on the 'wings' by the wheels.

F*ck I'm getting a lip too

CravingBavaria wrote

F*ck I'm getting a lip too

So my lip would have required drilling, tray or no tray. The end point of the GTS lip was half way through the factory bumper hole/fastener so there was no way it would have worked.

That said, YMMV. You might be able to leave both those holes empty if the lip is on there strong with tape? The tray also ties into the fender liner with 2 bolts so it's strong enough without them. I believe one of the local M3's to me did that with success, but can't confirm.

I have the turner one, which while heaver than stock, I feel really saved my shit when I hit a big rut/pothole on a shitty road recently. Kind of depends on what you want out of the plate tbh.

Aktavate wrote

I have the turner one, which while heaver than stock, I feel really saved my shit when I hit a big rut/pothole on a shitty road recently. Kind of depends on what you want out of the plate tbh.

I'm leaning toward the Turner one just to avoid drilling into the bumper. It feels like that's literally the only choice, besides maybe the BPM plate mentioned above. I am still waiting to see the process of using that skid plate with a POM GTS lip.

wns2n_t Skidplate https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdaWe8HPdr

I been following this guy's development. He's got a new batch coming this week. Thinking of picking one up as my felt just ripped away.
3.8lbs .065 thick $430 shipped $350 in socal

All are good options. I have the turner and split a possum in two this evening. I had to clean some residual hair, but the finish remains intact.

betacris wrote

wns2n_t Skidplate https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdaWe8HPdr

I been following this guy's development. He's got a new batch coming this week. Thinking of picking one up as my felt just ripped away.
3.8lbs .065 thick $430 shipped $350 in socal

I'm going to order one of these, this the same "BPM" one stated above. Looks like it could be the new go-to skid plate!

CravingBavaria wrote

betacris wrote

wns2n_t Skidplate https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdaWe8HPdr

I been following this guy's development. He's got a new batch coming this week. Thinking of picking one up as my felt just ripped away.
3.8lbs .065 thick $430 shipped $350 in socal

I'm going to order one of these, this the same "BPM" one stated above. Looks like it could be the new go-to skid plate!

Haven't seen anyone respond about the Mporium option, and I recently installed one.

The drilling required is 'into their brackets' to put holes where your bumper holes already exist.

This is not a reason to avoid it.

Very happy with the fit and finish; would buy again.

Cheers

Ultimatemj wrote

Haven't seen anyone respond about the Mporium option, and I recently installed one.

The drilling required is 'into their brackets' to put holes where your bumper holes already exist.

This is not a reason to avoid it.

Very happy with the fit and finish; would buy again.

Cheers

Off topic, but I would like to see more ruby black metallic please. lol

derbo wrote

Off topic, but I would like to see more ruby black metallic please. lol

HA! Thanks! I probably should start a thread, just not sure where on this forum. M3F had a specific subforum for it~

Ultimatemj wrote

HA! Thanks! I probably should start a thread, just not sure where on this forum. M3F had a specific subforum for it~

Photo Gallery is where my journal ended up so I go with that

Ultimatemj wrote

Haven't seen anyone respond about the Mporium option, and I recently installed one.

The drilling required is 'into their brackets' to put holes where your bumper holes already exist.

This is not a reason to avoid it.

Very happy with the fit and finish; would buy again.

Cheers

i got this as well. went to install it and found out i had no belly pan.. at all. so have to get that and get back to it.

I ended up with a stock felt piece from FCPEuro for the lifetime replacements.

Nothing beats lightweight and easier to remove.

The felt is fine. The only drawback is if you are lowered at all you hit it all the time. The flat ones improve ground clearance on the corners by around 2"!

Ultimatemj wrote

The felt is fine. The only drawback is if you are lowered at all you hit it all the time. The flat ones improve ground clearance on the corners by around 2"!

I guess I'm not stance boizz low yet.

I'm only aimed at about 10mm lower than competition package cars.

is the bottom of the bumper became "wavey" after the installation of the skid plate?

Ultimatemj wrote

Haven't seen anyone respond about the Mporium option, and I recently installed one.

The drilling required is 'into their brackets' to put holes where your bumper holes already exist.

This is not a reason to avoid it.

Very happy with the fit and finish; would buy again.

Cheers

MisterClutch888 wrote

is the bottom of the bumper became "wavey" after the installation of the skid plate?

Ultimatemj wrote

Haven't seen anyone respond about the Mporium option, and I recently installed one.

The drilling required is 'into their brackets' to put holes where your bumper holes already exist.

This is not a reason to avoid it.

Very happy with the fit and finish; would buy again.

Cheers

Yes&no.

The area that you can't see standing next to the car (on the underside of the bumper) has a curve to it, but the plate is flat. So...about 8" back of the front of the bumper lip it has to flex a bit when you tighten things up, and can end up a little 'wavy'.

For me, it was of no significance. If anything I appreciated it pulling it up some and improving ground clearance...but I'm dropped a bit with coil overs.

MisterClutch888 wrote

is the bottom of the bumper became "wavey" after the installation of the skid plate?

Yup. It's because the bottom of the bumper is a nice curve/round shape where as the aftermarket aluminum plates are flat. It forces the bottom of the bumper to be flat too and makes it all fucked up looking

I never have any issues with the stock felt pieces.