Will a front end of a 1999 BMW M3 (or other 3 series) fit on a 1993 BMW 318i 4 door?
I have heard that the frame of the cars were the same even though the body style was changed in 1999. Is it possible to directly bolt on the newer bumper, lights, fenders and hood to give my 93 a newer look?
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Dude, the information you give is not clear. The 3 series released in 1998 is the E46 Saloon/Sedan (4 door). In 1999 the E46 Coupe was released. In 2000 the E36 soft-top was replaced with the E46 soft-top,
In 2001, the E46 M3 was released but was never available as a 4 door.
The previous 3 series model was an E36, all saloon parts you list fit all other E36 saloons. All E36 Coupe parts fit all E36 Coupe’s.
The only cosmetic difference between early and latter E36 models are:
1) Kidney Grill
2) Indicators – orange on early Euro models, white on later models
3)The "fenders" (wings) changed slightly to accomodate a slightly different indicators that sit in the middle of the front wings.
The only other cosmetic difference was the front and rear bumpers that were "sportier" on the M3 and "Sport" models. These can be taken off one E36 and put on another of the same style (i.e. saloon to saloon or coyoe to coupe).
The E36 M3 that was available as a Saloon or a Coupe, so parts from an M3 saloon, will fit any other E36 saloon and parts from an E36 M3 Coupe will fit another E36 coupe.
Coupe parts will not fit a saloon. Saloon parts do not fit Coupe’s.
If you had a 1999 M3 it would be one of the last E36 M3 coupe’s. The parts from this would not fit on any 4 door model.
Between 1999 and 2000, the old car was replaced with a brand new, totally different car….
If anyone told you the parts from the newer car bolted onto the older car, they’d be so wrong!!
The E46 model was a totally different car to the previous one. It was wider and longer and did not share any body parts or chassis with the old model.
You can’t bolt on any of the parts from the E46 onto the E36, you’d have more chance of:
1) Platting Fog
2) Nailing Jelly to the wall
3) Walking from New York to London
However, there are a few E46 body-kits available that will make your E36 look like an E46, one of which even includes E46 headlights (Auto Tint Design used to do one but I don’t know if they still stock it).
I’ve owned an E36, an E46 and an E90 – they’re all totally different to each other and parts from one will not fit on another.
I hope this helps,
Andy
Depends on several things actually. In the 1993 model BMW used what is called a "dynamic open wheel molding" that actually modified the chassis based on which trim-line you selected at the dealership, or more accurately, the buy here pay here lot that you visited.
What needs to happen is you need to measure the angle from the side-cleat of the front end back to the top of the running board. If it’s longer than the distance from your tire to your wheel opening, you’re golden, you should be able to bolt-on the door and bumper with no issues. You’re also likely to get 5-8 more HP out of the new front end.