List of aftermarket bumpers

[Mick]

I'm planning on painting my car and have to figure out what to do with my front bumper.
It has a few small cracks but is repairable, my EVO II splitter is trashed though.

I figure if I'm going to spend $200 on a new splitter plus spend time repairing the bumper
I may as well buy a whole new unit. Plus it's an opportunity to save some weight.

In an attempt to compare my options I put together this comparison chart, but it has a lot
of holes in it. Can anyone help me fill it in?

http://www.mydig.com/auto/articles/bumpers/

I'm trying to compare 3 factors, cost, weight savings and looks. Right now it looks like there
aren't many good options. As Jimmy P has pointed out a number of times. If you want a light,
high quality, OE replica you have to spend top dollar. The cheaper options are still relatively
light but for whatever reason every manufacturer feels the need to change the design.

It looks like Moseley Motorsport makes a nice unit. It's too bad that the shipping will make
it cost twice as much as the (fugly) US bumpers.

[OnrailsM3]

Mick, I seen mixed reviews on the quality of mosley stuff. Dr.Car has one. I got his C/F E3 wing and it is pretty good stuff for the price.
http://www.drcar.com/jpff.asp

[UNHCLL]

I *think* JEDM3 sells a replica stock bumper in FG/CF. Similar to the one from Flossman.

The Fiberartz bumper is more rounded on the e2 section. See Fast Freddy's car, or the henna D-mod you've seen at the shop.

Decalsking - Very light, somewhat flimsy. There's one or 2 at the shop, ask M to see it next time you drop by.

Vladen is indeed Poly. Requires some work to make it fit correctly. EH's red street car was running one. Perhaps he'll sell it when he parts the car.

Let me know if you're going to ditch/sell your e2 lip too....

[JEDM3]

The model I handle is the comp. concepts unit.

Nice compilation btw!
JD

[erik bernstein]

The Mvision one does require a core support. Quality is pretty good in most aspects.

[jimmy p.]

Nice comparo Mick.

Comp Concepts is by far the most accurate and nicest available in the US, but also the most expensive (big surprise haha).

Actually I think Fiberartz does have a stock mold that he rarely uses (because everyone wants the one with E2 molded in).
That one he says is much closer to stock, but I have never actually seen one popped out of it.

Don at Fiberartz has three different E30 M3 bumper molds.
The "Race Bumper" which is what I have (no light openings, molded in brake ducts, bumper smoothed, E2 style splitter made deeper and lower)

The E2 Bumper, Basically stock except integrated E2 spolier, no cross bar in the oil cooler hole, no trim indent in the bumper bar.
Cant remember if it has depressions to add side markers and park lights.

Stock, I have never seen it but he says its exactly off a stock M3 bumper, but he has not had call for one in ages so I didnt see the product myself.

His bumpers are not poorly made, I have no issues with the workmanship at all.
They are quite light and made to be mounted on their own without the heavy factory core, thats a definite up side.
Price wise they are also a pretty good value, and failrly readily available, you can go there and pick it up if you live in the northeast. Thats a huge advantage. My Motronix one from Canada cost me almost the cost of the bumper for shipping. Huge mistake there on my part.

Downside the Fiberartz ones in design are not very "attractive", too many design liberties have been taken.

Hope this adds to the data base.
Cheers
jimmy p. *hoping Comp Concepts makes a cheaper "racer" version out of S glass or fiberglass someday...

[UNHCLL]

Originally posted by jimmy p.
Don at Fiberartz has three different E30 M3 bumper molds.
The "Race Bumper" which is what I have (no light openings, molded in brake ducts, bumper smoothed, E2 style splitter made deeper and lower)

Just to help out and tag along with Jimmy's info...

This is the above mentioned bumper. Jimmy correct me if I'm wrong!

[jimmy p.]

100% Correct.
That is the race bumper!
jp

Originally posted by UNHCLL
Just to help out and tag along with Jimmy's info...

This is the above mentioned bumper. Jimmy correct me if I'm wrong!

[petro]

http://www.e30shop.de/
the flossman style is very nice... built in brake ducts, lightweight, extra molded in vertical lip on the bottom. Stays close to stock but bumps it up a notch and gives you a clean race look.

For me it is tops looks-wise and backs it up with functionality.
Would love to see a group buy on that piece.

[Mick]

Thanks for the help guys, this is good feedback. I've updated the list with the info here.

It's especially helpful to hear which ones require the OE core support.

Chris,
Does the DecalsKing bumper require the core support. What about the Vladen? I assume it does if it's Poly, but just want to be sure. You can have my splitter once I get a bumper, it's cracked but repairable.

Does anyone know the weight of the Fiberartz bumpers?

Anyone have any more info on the DASport?

Thanks

[UNHCLL]

Going from memory here....

DecalsKing does indeed require the support. Its a very light and flexible unit, and I don't recall seeing any sort of re-bar/re-inforcement on the backside like the Fiberartz Race bumper.

The Vladen poly one needs a stock bumper support to be mounted. It is even setup to mount with the little plastic pop-rivets I think. I know it required some custom fab work to get the side mounts sorted. Eric H will definitely be able to answer this question for sure.... perhaps shoot him a PM?

I made an error too, its DAS Sport/ CDOC.
I also sent you a PM with some info, Hopefully it will help.

[Mick]

Thanks,
I updated the page. If anyone has more to add let me know, there are still a lot of holes in the info. It'd be really nice to have the weights.

It'd also be nice get some detail photos. It seems like most of the manufacturers are happy to show pics of the front but relucant to show pics of the back and mounting points.

[e30ryan///m3]

Mick,
I just bought one from Don at fiberartz. It has the support in it already and if made extremely well!! It does have the evo 2 lip molded in already and has the indents for the side marker lights but it is smooth where the bumper tape would go. I can weigh it tomorrow and get you the info. I bought it for my e30 m3 cabrio project and actually decided to go with a stock bumper instead, so if you want to look at it let me know and I can e-mail you some pics. I would like $250 for it because it is taking up some valuable space in my garage! let me know what you think and if you want the photos for reference.

Thanks,
Ryan

[aaronmjr]

looks wise i dont prefer the versions where the front (where the bumper tape would be) is filled in. i think its too round for the M3's boxy lines.

functionally though, if you dont care about that aspect youll have a lot more choices.... hmmm

[project86]

Im interested in the Alex Mchenry bumper. I looked on CDOC's site and couldn't find it, so if anybody has any more information on this bumper that would be nice. I have bought some fiberglass stuff from decalsking and I would strongly recommend that you stay as far away rom these guys as possible. They make stuff and they only have good feedback because they wait until you have given them feedback and if you say anything bad they say bad stuff about you. Tit for tat sort of deal and not real opinions. They sell a lot of stuff and their glass work is simply awful. I considered throwing the grill piece I got in the trash right when I got it. I am now trying to get my money back by selling it on ebay.