Aftermarket painted E46 front wings- recommendations needed
Discussion
I’ve noticed a very tiny amount of bubbling on the front passenger wing of my recently acquired E46 330ci (2002 pre facelift) Didn’t notice it when I purchased, but thought it may be prudent to replace both the front wings anyway. Noticed a couple of mentions in older threads of being able to get them new for around £120 each, painted for decent quality aftermarket wings. Not sure of the source though. I wondered if anyone has any pointers?
sparks_E46 said:
I’ve noticed a very tiny amount of bubbling on the front passenger wing of my recently acquired E46 330ci (2002 pre facelift) Didn’t notice it when I purchased, but thought it may be prudent to replace both the front wings anyway. Noticed a couple of mentions in older threads of being able to get them new for around £120 each, painted for decent quality aftermarket wings. Not sure of the source though. I wondered if anyone has any pointers?
Watching this thread. Mine are both bubbling on my cab and potentially would get some depending on the price. I used crabblaneparts on eBay for mine. Pre-painted to match the colour code, undersealed all over the inside and a pretty decent fit. Not 100% perfect fit naturally, but I've not been bothered enough to adjust mine since fitting (only done the passenger wing so far, but bought both). Colour match is pretty good, but my car is black so likely not to stand out as much as a lighter colour.
Here's the link to the ad for the wings in my colour:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-FRONT-WING-driver-s...
ETA: Although that ad is for wings for a black saloon/touring they say they can supply wings for coupe/cab in any colour.
Here's the link to the ad for the wings in my colour:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-FRONT-WING-driver-s...
ETA: Although that ad is for wings for a black saloon/touring they say they can supply wings for coupe/cab in any colour.
Edited by Gtamaddog on Saturday 5th May 22:54
Edited by Gtamaddog on Saturday 5th May 22:55
Gtamaddog said:
I used crabblaneparts on eBay for mine. Pre-painted to match the colour code, undersealed all over the inside and a pretty decent fit. Not 100% perfect fit naturally, but I've not been bothered enough to adjust mine since fitting (only done the passenger wing so far, but bought both). Colour match is pretty good, but my car is black so likely not to stand out as much as a lighter colour.
Here's the link to the ad for the wings in my colour:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-FRONT-WING-driver-s...
ETA: Although that ad is for wings for a black saloon/touring they say they can supply wings for coupe/cab in any colour.
I’ll pick up a couple of those I think, good reviews anyway.. will have to wait a few weeks as I’m getting married and car tinkering is off the agenda for a couple of weeks! Cheers!Here's the link to the ad for the wings in my colour:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-FRONT-WING-driver-s...
ETA: Although that ad is for wings for a black saloon/touring they say they can supply wings for coupe/cab in any colour.
Edited by Gtamaddog on Saturday 5th May 22:54
Edited by Gtamaddog on Saturday 5th May 22:55
Pretty sure this is my colour, will check in the AM
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253587370996
Edited by sparks_E46 on Sunday 6th May 00:40
helix402 said:
I’ve used their wings too on two E46s. Not a perfect fit but still a whole lot better panel panel gaps than a brand new F30! Paint finish is good too.
Cheers. I’d take a not 100% perfect fit over rotting metal any day! Plus I’m a bit worried about buying genuine ones on eBay as who knows if they have had a bodged repair and will just start rusting themselves, and new from BMW is a tad prohibitively expensive when painting is taken into consideration. sparks_E46 said:
helix402 said:
I’ve used their wings too on two E46s. Not a perfect fit but still a whole lot better panel panel gaps than a brand new F30! Paint finish is good too.
Cheers. I’d take a not 100% perfect fit over rotting metal any day! Plus I’m a bit worried about buying genuine ones on eBay as who knows if they have had a bodged repair and will just start rusting themselves, and new from BMW is a tad prohibitively expensive when painting is taken into consideration. If you're fitting them yourself, then it shouldn't be too hard to give then a bit more protection on the inside, to help prevent them from corroding again, and the fit should be much better than with pattern wings.
4rephill said:
Have you tried Quarry motors for second hand genuine wings?: http://www.quarrymotors.co.uk/
If you're fitting them yourself, then it shouldn't be too hard to give then a bit more protection on the inside, to help prevent them from corroding again, and the fit should be much better than with pattern wings.
The problem is I’d be worried about corrosion anyway, at least with aftermarket wings that were new, I would know they are new and would definitely last the 3/4 years I’m likely to keep the car. I would like to experiment in doing my own repairs so I’ll be keeping hold of the existing ones to see what I can do with them. If you're fitting them yourself, then it shouldn't be too hard to give then a bit more protection on the inside, to help prevent them from corroding again, and the fit should be much better than with pattern wings.
I used to have surface rust both on my E38 and E39 front wings (I believe E46 is in the same boat). I filed/sanded off (until bare metal), brushed on bit of phosphoric acid to react with anything I missed, primed with epoxy primer, two coats to be on a safe side, then brushed on paint and finally the clear coat. Barely noticeable as clear coat somehow blends in on its own. No problems since - this was three years ago.
On a side note I would, as a prevention, spray-wax both doors and accessible cavities, including jacking points openings (once the rubber jacking point is pulled down) - this is where rust usually starts at the rear of the rocker panel.
On a side note I would, as a prevention, spray-wax both doors and accessible cavities, including jacking points openings (once the rubber jacking point is pulled down) - this is where rust usually starts at the rear of the rocker panel.
I bought a new BMW and had it painted off the car and took a chance on the colour match with a local body shop. It came out pretty good and I think there are 3 different shades under the BMW colour code , so not sure how anyone would have matched the paint correctly without the car being there and the body shop comparing the colour cards.
The wing was bubbling up on the outside, but when I removed it you can see the extent on the reverse.
Unless you get very clear pics of the reverse of a used wing, don't even bother as chances are it will be something like this. Fitting a new wing on my compact was an easy job. Just get some paint and do the inside of a new wing a some anti rust wax type stuff to spray around the lip.
20180504_154515 by e30 m3, on Flickr
20180504_154503 by e30 m3, on Flickr
The wing was bubbling up on the outside, but when I removed it you can see the extent on the reverse.
Unless you get very clear pics of the reverse of a used wing, don't even bother as chances are it will be something like this. Fitting a new wing on my compact was an easy job. Just get some paint and do the inside of a new wing a some anti rust wax type stuff to spray around the lip.
20180504_154515 by e30 m3, on Flickr20180504_154503 by e30 m3, on FlickrGassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff