To front lip or not to front lip, that is the question...

M4thewin · 09-28-2016, 07:45 AM

I keep looking at the front end of my 550i and can't decide if I want to add a front lip. All the mods I am doing are kind of an OEM + look. After looking at all the options for front lips on the M-tech bumper, these are the two that I have narrowed it down to. You have the molded in 3D Design that you can paint body color or the Hamann style lip that just bolts on underneath. The 3D Design looks more OEM, the Hamann, more I'm into sport, get over it look. Any feedback out there from anyone that has had either? Also, any issue with going with the
polycarbon options on Ebay if I am just planning on priming and painting?

lsturbointeg · 10-04-2016, 08:26 AM

if you're looking for pure aesthetics than yes, adding the lip will definitely give you car some charm and character. but also, if you're are not lowered in my opinion than no. also, adding a lip is not going to make you're car look OEM whatsoever or if you're looking something close to OEM as there's no such thing.

Quicksilv3r · 10-05-2016, 09:25 AM

^ Yea if the car's not lowered and/or you're going for the OEM+ look, a lip is not for you.

Sylverlee · 10-05-2016, 08:23 PM

The 3D design could pass for OEM. Would be curious in which ebay seller you go with.

thebmwjunkiee · 10-09-2016, 04:08 PM

I went for the Vorsteiner front lip as it essentially retains the same shape as the msport bumper, and am very happy with it. But out of the two you are considering I like the first photo better. Very clean and could pass as OEM (ish). Be careful on ebay, fitment can vary greatly from vendor to vendor. Let us know what you go with!

PJinCA · 10-09-2016, 09:50 PM

I tend not to look for "oem like", but also I am carefully looking at front lips. I want one that adds a good look, but doesn't lower the front bumper too much. I don't want to spend my life scraping. that and I am trying to decide if cf is worth it, they are basically disposable, they will get scraped and damaged, guaranteed

TTG · 10-18-2016, 08:07 PM

Why not go with the OEM M-Performance Lip?

But if you are lowered, make sure that you don't spend more than $200 on the lip. It will be a waste of $$$$

M4thewin · 10-26-2016, 08:57 PM

After the Dinan springs have settled a little more, the ride height is perfect for winter weather and with the front coming down that extra little bit, I have decided not to add anything additional to the m-sport bumper. The whole point was to have a winter car and the addition of a front lip would just turn my car into more of a snow plow. I have the last of the work on the exhaust getting done next week and will post the changes and before and after shots.

I really appreciate all the feedback and opinions backed up with experience.

thebmwjunkiee · 10-27-2016, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M4thewin

After the Dinan springs have settled a little more, the ride height is perfect for winter weather and with the front coming down that extra little bit, I have decided not to add anything additional to the m-sport bumper. The whole point was to have a winter car and the addition of a front lip would just turn my car into more of a snow plow. I have the last of the work on the exhaust getting done next week and will post the changes and before and after shots.

I really appreciate all the feedback and opinions backed up with experience.

Probably a smart idea, I'm about to face my first northeast winter with a front lip so we'll see how that goes. Maybe I should have stuck with an ebay lip, wouldn't be as hard to stomach any damage!

NV GUNS · 10-27-2016, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

if you're looking for pure aesthetics than yes, adding the lip will definitely give you car some charm and character. but also, if you're are not lowered in my opinion than no. also, adding a lip is not going to make you're car look OEM whatsoever or if you're looking something close to OEM as there's no such thing.

OEM look? you can have the front lip factory installed.

E30toF30 · 11-03-2016, 03:03 AM

M performance lip is my favorite. That's straight up oem!

lsturbointeg · 11-03-2016, 09:19 AM

so what have you decided?

Merciless58 · 11-09-2016, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E30toF30

M performance lip is my favorite. That's straight up oem!

BOOM!!!

E30toF30 · 11-11-2016, 01:58 AM

Just got my front lip (and rear diffuser) painted and installed today.
Pretty happy with it!

This is a replica PU M performance style front lip.
I picked it up off the vendor Selma on ebay for $185 USD shipped.

The fit is very very good to excellent for a rep part. The parts that wrap over the stock bumper appear to fit about 98%. When looking at the lip installed on the car, it looks almost perfect. However, if you look underneath the car, you will see that the bottom diffuser part of the lip is a little wavy (a bit too long?) at the back side. However, you can only see this when you get under the car to look at it. Looking at it from the front, the front looks flat and even.

I would not hesitate to buy this lip again.

I ended up painting the part that wraps over the OEM bumper in body colour (carbon black) and then had the diffuser portion painted gloss black to match the shadow line. For the most part, this two tone is very subtle, but in good lighting/sunlight, it provides a pretty cool/different look (I did something similar with my m perf rear diff, painted the fins gloss black and the rest of the diff carbon black).

lsturbointeg · 11-11-2016, 05:25 PM

looks really good!

TTG · 11-11-2016, 05:51 PM

Looks awesome! How much did they charge you for painting the front lip?

I would be too worried about chipping and scratching the painted lip.

07e92 · 11-11-2016, 07:21 PM

TTG, didn't you have the same lip but unpainted? I would think they are the same lips as what E30toF30 has except they are sold by different seller/vendor

TTG · 11-14-2016, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07e92

TTG, didn't you have the same lip but unpainted? I would think they are the same lips as what E30toF30 has except they are sold by different seller/vendor

Yes, I had the same lip. It is best bang for the buck on ebay.

E30toF30 · 11-17-2016, 02:49 AM

Thanks guys.
I'm really liking the two tone as well. Unfortunately I already scraped the underside of the front diff in a small section coming out of a stupidly steep driveway.

Can't see the scrape unless you are under the car though. So oh well. Was bound to happen. Especially as I plan on lowering slightly (acs springs) .

Cost for the paint job was $550 Cad (about $410 usd?) for painting both the front lip and the rear diffuser. With installation of course. But install ws easy as the fitment on both were very good for reps.

09-28-2016, 07:45 AM	#1
M4thewin Private 9 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 550i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Chicago IL iTrader: (0)	To front lip or not to front lip, that is the question... I keep looking at the front end of my 550i and can't decide if I want to add a front lip. All the mods I am doing are kind of an OEM + look. After looking at all the options for front lips on the M-tech bumper, these are the two that I have narrowed it down to. You have the molded in 3D Design that you can paint body color or the Hamann style lip that just bolts on underneath. The 3D Design looks more OEM, the Hamann, more I'm into sport, get over it look. Any feedback out there from anyone that has had either? Also, any issue with going with the polycarbon options on Ebay if I am just planning on priming and painting? Attached Images
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10-04-2016, 08:26 AM	#2
lsturbointeg Lieutenant General 9153 Rep 14,522 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Jet Black Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Asian lost in OH iTrader: (0)	if you're looking for pure aesthetics than yes, adding the lip will definitely give you car some charm and character. but also, if you're are not lowered in my opinion than no. also, adding a lip is not going to make you're car look OEM whatsoever or if you're looking something close to OEM as there's no such thing. __________________ ~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg
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10-05-2016, 09:25 AM	#3
Quicksilv3r Captain 234 Rep 878 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 535i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Augusta, Georgia iTrader: (1)	^ Yea if the car's not lowered and/or you're going for the OEM+ look, a lip is not for you. __________________ -WJV
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10-05-2016, 08:23 PM	#4
Sylverlee Captain 150 Rep 965 Posts Drives: White 535i M-Sport, 911 GTS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irvine iTrader: (2)	The 3D design could pass for OEM. Would be curious in which ebay seller you go with.
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10-09-2016, 04:08 PM	#5
thebmwjunkiee Lieutenant 240 Rep 472 Posts Drives: 2016 535d M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Cape Cod, MA iTrader: (3)	I went for the Vorsteiner front lip as it essentially retains the same shape as the msport bumper, and am very happy with it. But out of the two you are considering I like the first photo better. Very clean and could pass as OEM (ish). Be careful on ebay, fitment can vary greatly from vendor to vendor. Let us know what you go with! __________________ 2016 535d M Sport, Space Gray/Mocha Past: '14 328, '08 335, '04 525, '91 M5, '95 525
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10-09-2016, 09:50 PM	#6
PJinCA USAF Pararescue Veteran 332 Rep 770 Posts Drives: F10 535 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I tend not to look for "oem like", but also I am carefully looking at front lips. I want one that adds a good look, but doesn't lower the front bumper too much. I don't want to spend my life scraping. that and I am trying to decide if cf is worth it, they are basically disposable, they will get scraped and damaged, guaranteed
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-18-2016, 08:07 PM	#7
TTG ... 935 Rep 4,326 Posts Drives: M340 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [7.84] 2007 335 Coupe (ret ... [9.00]	Why not go with the OEM M-Performance Lip? But if you are lowered, make sure that you don't spend more than $200 on the lip. It will be a waste of $$$$ __________________ 2020 G20 M340 xDrive - Portimao Blue - ZDA\|ZPP\|ZPX\|1CR\|1PE\|6NW\|6WD 2016 F10 535i xDrive - AW - Retired 2011 E92 M3 - AW……………....ED April 29th, 2010 - Retired 2007 E92 335i -Space Gray.....ED Oct 19th, 2006 - Retired
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10-26-2016, 08:57 PM	#8
M4thewin Private 9 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 550i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Chicago IL iTrader: (0)	After the Dinan springs have settled a little more, the ride height is perfect for winter weather and with the front coming down that extra little bit, I have decided not to add anything additional to the m-sport bumper. The whole point was to have a winter car and the addition of a front lip would just turn my car into more of a snow plow. I have the last of the work on the exhaust getting done next week and will post the changes and before and after shots. I really appreciate all the feedback and opinions backed up with experience.
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11-03-2016, 03:03 AM	#11
E30toF30 Captain 121 Rep 749 Posts Drives: 2016 528i Executive Edition Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1) Garage List 2002 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 BMW X5 35d [0.00] 2016 BMW 528i xDrive [0.00]	M performance lip is my favorite. That's straight up oem!
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11-03-2016, 09:19 AM	#12
lsturbointeg Lieutenant General 9153 Rep 14,522 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Jet Black Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Asian lost in OH iTrader: (0)	so what have you decided? __________________ ~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg
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11-11-2016, 01:58 AM	#14
E30toF30 Captain 121 Rep 749 Posts Drives: 2016 528i Executive Edition Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1) Garage List 2002 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 BMW X5 35d [0.00] 2016 BMW 528i xDrive [0.00]	Just got my front lip (and rear diffuser) painted and installed today. Pretty happy with it! This is a replica PU M performance style front lip. I picked it up off the vendor Selma on ebay for $185 USD shipped. The fit is very very good to excellent for a rep part. The parts that wrap over the stock bumper appear to fit about 98%. When looking at the lip installed on the car, it looks almost perfect. However, if you look underneath the car, you will see that the bottom diffuser part of the lip is a little wavy (a bit too long?) at the back side. However, you can only see this when you get under the car to look at it. Looking at it from the front, the front looks flat and even. I would not hesitate to buy this lip again. I ended up painting the part that wraps over the OEM bumper in body colour (carbon black) and then had the diffuser portion painted gloss black to match the shadow line. For the most part, this two tone is very subtle, but in good lighting/sunlight, it provides a pretty cool/different look (I did something similar with my m perf rear diff, painted the fins gloss black and the rest of the diff carbon black). Attached Images
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11-11-2016, 05:25 PM	#15
lsturbointeg Lieutenant General 9153 Rep 14,522 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Jet Black Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Asian lost in OH iTrader: (0)	looks really good! __________________ ~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg
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11-11-2016, 05:51 PM	#16
TTG ... 935 Rep 4,326 Posts Drives: M340 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [7.84] 2007 335 Coupe (ret ... [9.00]	Looks awesome! How much did they charge you for painting the front lip? I would be too worried about chipping and scratching the painted lip. __________________ 2020 G20 M340 xDrive - Portimao Blue - ZDA\|ZPP\|ZPX\|1CR\|1PE\|6NW\|6WD 2016 F10 535i xDrive - AW - Retired 2011 E92 M3 - AW……………....ED April 29th, 2010 - Retired 2007 E92 335i -Space Gray.....ED Oct 19th, 2006 - Retired
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11-11-2016, 07:21 PM	#17
07e92 First Lieutenant 121 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 07 335i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: N CAL iTrader: (3)	TTG, didn't you have the same lip but unpainted? I would think they are the same lips as what E30toF30 has except they are sold by different seller/vendor
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11-17-2016, 02:49 AM	#19
E30toF30 Captain 121 Rep 749 Posts Drives: 2016 528i Executive Edition Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1) Garage List 2002 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 BMW X5 35d [0.00] 2016 BMW 528i xDrive [0.00]	Thanks guys. I'm really liking the two tone as well. Unfortunately I already scraped the underside of the front diff in a small section coming out of a stupidly steep driveway. Can't see the scrape unless you are under the car though. So oh well. Was bound to happen. Especially as I plan on lowering slightly (acs springs) . Cost for the paint job was $550 Cad (about $410 usd?) for painting both the front lip and the rear diffuser. With installation of course. But install ws easy as the fitment on both were very good for reps.
	Appreciate 0 Quote