Best Advice for Front/Rear bumper replacement (OEM vs Euro)

Boone Racoon · 12-11-2012, 12:42 PM

So for those of you who saw my damage, its time for me to start looking at a front bumper. I want OEM look and I saw vorsteiner GTS3 comes with the lip and has the euro style with no reflectors.
http://www.vorsteiner.com/bmw/3serie...ts3-bumper.php

Other than listed above what are the main differences because it looks OEM.

I pretty much need advice as to what to get, where to get it, etc so I can make the right decision on replacements, including rear bumper.

Also - thoughts on CF fenders?

Thanks in advance!

Blindside_137 · 12-11-2012, 05:16 PM

That's probably my favorite bumper for an "OEM" look.

Another difference with that bumper is the subtle flares just above the two ducts on each side. An OEM bumper doesn't flare out like that if you see what I'm trying to say (basically the duct opening is accentuated, and I love that)

For a non OEM look but still not straying too far I love the Arkym race bumper. It has what seems to be a molded arkym lip for the lower bumper portion, the same accentuated ducts like the GTS3 bumper, only on the arkym the are angled more giving the car a snarling effect.

And I'm not sure why you want CF fenders? They would be painted and IMO not worth it.

I'll try to find you some pictures

Photos courtesy of IND (who can sell you the bumper)

GTS3 left OEM right: You can see the GTS3 flare compared to OEM

GTS3 with flare clearly visible

aajami · 12-11-2012, 09:43 PM

I love the flare around the openings of the Vorsteiner bumper, but I hate the more aggressive "U" and the integrated lip / lower section of the bumper. I wish they offered an OEM bumper with nothing but the flare around the intakes.

SV Concepts · 12-12-2012, 07:53 PM

The GTS3 is a really good option for OEM styling with some added flare. I kinda wish they'd refined this existing bumper a bit more rather than what ended up coming out as the GTS5 but thats just my humble opinion.

Nati Beastcat · 12-12-2012, 08:01 PM

Get the OEM euro bumper and install a new front lip.

Boone Racoon · 12-12-2012, 08:14 PM

Maybe a stupid question - headlight washers... everyplace I can find the vorsteiner they dont have an option for it, but I see pictures (like provided) with the holes. Im not terribly comfortable having Hendrick Collision cut the wholes in CF, but maybe Im overly paranoid.

Definitely going vorsteiner after you pointed out the differences! At a minimum, euro it is, depends on how much State Farm says OEM is.

SV Concepts · 12-12-2012, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boone Racoon

Maybe a stupid question - headlight washers... everyplace I can find the vorsteiner they dont have an option for it, but I see pictures (like provided) with the holes. Im not terribly comfortable having Hendrick Collision cut the wholes in CF, but maybe Im overly paranoid.

Did the shop say anything about them being hesitant to do the work? Body guys are pretty innovative so I'd tell em what you're trying to do and they should be able to take care of it.

Blindside_137 · 12-13-2012, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boone Racoon

Maybe a stupid question - headlight washers... everyplace I can find the vorsteiner they dont have an option for it, but I see pictures (like provided) with the holes. Im not terribly comfortable having Hendrick Collision cut the wholes in CF, but maybe Im overly paranoid.

Definitely going vorsteiner after you pointed out the differences! At a minimum, euro it is, depends on how much State Farm says OEM is.

Interesting. I hope you are able to work it out! I love that GTS3 bumper and since your car is black the lip won't stand out so much and the whole bumper will just appear to be a more aggressive OEM look. Can't wait to see it.

PsydFX · 12-13-2012, 01:41 PM

looking good looking good

Boone Racoon · 12-13-2012, 08:25 PM

Picked up the vorsteiner today from IND. Looking forward to finally getting it on - will likely be close to the new year before I get it back. Ill post pics once its done. Thanks for the help guys!!

Blindside_137 · 12-14-2012, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boone Racoon

Picked up the vorsteiner today from IND. Looking forward to finally getting it on - will likely be close to the new year before I get it back. Ill post pics once its done. Thanks for the help guys!!

Awesome! Nice move you'll love that bumper. It's my favorite for the reasons you mentioned, a more aggressive look but still OEM style.

Chriskm3 · 12-14-2012, 09:33 AM

Posts the finished pics.

Boone Racoon · 12-15-2012, 03:27 PM

New question - how to paint!!?? My car is Jerez Black, all OEM.

Matte splitter or Clear Coat?

ANy other painting advice - it looks like this EAS one might have actually done a matte around the air intake entrances as well as splitter..?

Blindside_137 · 12-15-2012, 03:31 PM

I think glossy clear!

It depends on your grilles and side gills if they are aftermarket. Are they matte black or gloss black? try to keep the same theme

However, having the matte duct flares and lip will make them show up better. Tough call

BLACK OPS · 12-16-2012, 07:48 AM

Yeah tough call. They both look great but if you're going for subtle OEM look then clear gloss will look good with any other mods. Personally I think with the bluish hue in Jerez that glossy would look better.

12-11-2012, 12:42 PM	#1
Boone Racoon Private 5 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2008 e90 M3 - Jerez Black Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Best Advice for Front/Rear bumper replacement (OEM vs Euro) So for those of you who saw my damage, its time for me to start looking at a front bumper. I want OEM look and I saw vorsteiner GTS3 comes with the lip and has the euro style with no reflectors. http://www.vorsteiner.com/bmw/3serie...ts3-bumper.php Other than listed above what are the main differences because it looks OEM. I pretty much need advice as to what to get, where to get it, etc so I can make the right decision on replacements, including rear bumper. Also - thoughts on CF fenders? Thanks in advance!
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12-11-2012, 05:16 PM	#2
Blindside_137 Lieutenant General 6707 Rep 10,598 Posts Drives: 2011.75 SSII E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (2)	That's probably my favorite bumper for an "OEM" look. Another difference with that bumper is the subtle flares just above the two ducts on each side. An OEM bumper doesn't flare out like that if you see what I'm trying to say (basically the duct opening is accentuated, and I love that) For a non OEM look but still not straying too far I love the Arkym race bumper. It has what seems to be a molded arkym lip for the lower bumper portion, the same accentuated ducts like the GTS3 bumper, only on the arkym the are angled more giving the car a snarling effect. And I'm not sure why you want CF fenders? They would be painted and IMO not worth it. I'll try to find you some pictures Photos courtesy of IND (who can sell you the bumper) GTS3 left OEM right: You can see the GTS3 flare compared to OEM GTS3 with flare clearly visible Last edited by Blindside_137; 12-11-2012 at 05:25 PM..
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12-11-2012, 09:43 PM	#3
aajami Brigadier General 432 Rep 4,567 Posts Drives: Space Gray '09 E92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA iTrader: (4)	I love the flare around the openings of the Vorsteiner bumper, but I hate the more aggressive "U" and the integrated lip / lower section of the bumper. I wish they offered an OEM bumper with nothing but the flare around the intakes. __________________ '09 E92 M3: Space Gray, Black, Carbon Leather \| ZTP 2MK ZPP 2MT 6FL \| link 1 / link 2 Mods: M Performance exhaust \| ZCP retrofit \| Euro airbox \| GTS DCT flash \| JPN 240 ECU flash \| Euro LCI taillights \| CRT lip \| OEM alarm retrofit \| Space Gray bumper plugs \| BMW Performance: Mk. II spoiler / Mk. II non-electronic steering wheel / mirror caps / front grilles / side gills / intake louvers / emblem
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12-12-2012, 07:53 PM	#4
SV Concepts 361 Rep 5,859 Posts Drives: Vorsteiner E60 M5 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: 1460 White Oaks Rd. Suite F. Campbell, CA 95008 iTrader: (10)	The GTS3 is a really good option for OEM styling with some added flare. I kinda wish they'd refined this existing bumper a bit more rather than what ended up coming out as the GTS5 but thats just my humble opinion.
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12-12-2012, 08:01 PM	#5
Nati Beastcat Party at the Moontower 135 Rep 1,287 Posts Drives: X5D Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (5)	Get the OEM euro bumper and install a new front lip. __________________ Eisenmann race \| Test Pipes \| BPM Stage 2 \| Vorsteiner \| Black lines \| AA filter \| iND cosmetics \| KW Sleeve over \| 20" BBS LM's \| Macht Schnell Tow Strap \| Euro modded front bumper \| Revinora lip \| iND mirror caps \| BMW spoiler \| BMW Steering wheel \| iND Interior Pkg \|You bet Jerez its black and i'll never go back! Instagram @NATIBEASTCAT
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12-12-2012, 08:14 PM	#6
Boone Racoon Private 5 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2008 e90 M3 - Jerez Black Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Maybe a stupid question - headlight washers... everyplace I can find the vorsteiner they dont have an option for it, but I see pictures (like provided) with the holes. Im not terribly comfortable having Hendrick Collision cut the wholes in CF, but maybe Im overly paranoid. Definitely going vorsteiner after you pointed out the differences! At a minimum, euro it is, depends on how much State Farm says OEM is.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-13-2012, 01:41 PM	#9
PsydFX Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Fremont iTrader: (0)	looking good looking good
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12-13-2012, 08:25 PM	#10
Boone Racoon Private 5 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2008 e90 M3 - Jerez Black Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Picked up the vorsteiner today from IND. Looking forward to finally getting it on - will likely be close to the new year before I get it back. Ill post pics once its done. Thanks for the help guys!!
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12-14-2012, 09:33 AM	#12
Chriskm3 Colonel 59 Rep 2,186 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (4)	Posts the finished pics.
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12-15-2012, 03:27 PM	#13
Boone Racoon Private 5 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2008 e90 M3 - Jerez Black Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	New question - how to paint!!?? My car is Jerez Black, all OEM. Matte splitter or Clear Coat? ANy other painting advice - it looks like this EAS one might have actually done a matte around the air intake entrances as well as splitter..?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-15-2012, 03:31 PM	#14
Blindside_137 Lieutenant General 6707 Rep 10,598 Posts Drives: 2011.75 SSII E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (2)	I think glossy clear! It depends on your grilles and side gills if they are aftermarket. Are they matte black or gloss black? try to keep the same theme However, having the matte duct flares and lip will make them show up better. Tough call Last edited by Blindside_137; 12-15-2012 at 04:15 PM..
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12-16-2012, 07:48 AM	#15
BLACK OPS Major 109 Rep 1,102 Posts Drives: E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: CO, USA iTrader: (1)	Yeah tough call. They both look great but if you're going for subtle OEM look then clear gloss will look good with any other mods. Personally I think with the bluish hue in Jerez that glossy would look better. __________________ 2011.75 Jet Black E92 ///M3: ZCP\|6MT\|FR\|EVOLVE 600 SUPERCHARGER\|DINAN\|BBS\|VORSTEINER\|BMW PERFORMANCE\|IND EDITION\|TMS\|LUX 5K\|
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