E21 320iS Front Spoiler Retrofit
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Test Fit
Test install with a few of the screws. Liking it already! But look at the uneven-ness of the front metal valence!
Side Mounting Stud
It seems like this stud and base should be more flush with the metal valence but this "block" of plastic makes it stick out too far. The valence is the same for all 1979+ 320i/323i so it's not likely that the 320iS had a different one. Yet all of the iS front spoiler photos show a flush mount. Advice from online says it will go more flush when tightened down.
Test Fit 2
I followed the online advice and tightened the nut. This angled the top inward and it did get a lot better. But still too much of a gap for me.
Side Mounting Stud
I ground down the plastic mount so it will fit more flush. I’m lucky I didn’t cut the stud out.
Side Mounting Stud
The other side was missing the stud altogether. I cut the mount down like on the other side and then ground it out to make it smoother. There’s a nice recess here to fit a screw and some JB Weld.
Side Mounting Stud
This is the new mounting stud that fits perfectly in the mount. There’s good room inside and on the outside for JB Weld. But I’ll get a shorter screw now that I know it doesn’t have to be so long.
Side Mounting Stud
New stud epoxied in place with JB Weld. It’s a 2-part epoxy that needs to be mixed. This is easy in a small cup but then I’d have no way to load it into the hole. I squeezed the epoxy into the hole, mixed it with a zip tie, then added the screw. I spun the screw so the head would mix it as well. Then let it sit. I left it to cure and did some other projects.
The final product. I didn't even realize it was crooked. It doesn't look this bad in person or even in other photos. Might have to readjust with new holes (:cringe).
The final product. And yes - those are Hella Big/Smalls installed at the same time. Even though this now looks like a lowered 320is I am still over the moon with how awesome it looks. Two colleagues in the BMW business were also blown away. So nasty!
E21 320is Front Spoiler
E21 320is Front Spoiler
E21 320is Front Spoiler
E21 320is Front Spoiler
E21 320is Front Spoiler
I have always loved the look of this car and it's iS front spoiler with the black lower half.
Side Mounting Stud
Base drilled and cleaned out. I gave it some extra depth so the head of the screw will have a better anchor.
Side Mounting Stud
New screw sitting in epoxy. I mixed it better than the first time so maybe that was a factor in the failure. TBD.
Side Mounting Stud
Well that first screw lasted less than a year. I removed the spoiler when the car was towed (electric issue). So I’m sure it didnt fail on the car. It was in storage in my garage and it must have been pried, or broken, off. In any case it wasnt very strong.
