M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Exterior => Topic started by: Colo318IS on March 19, 2010, 04:35:41 PM

Title: Any advice on locating body panels?
Post by: Colo318IS on March 19, 2010, 04:35:41 PM

I stumbled across this site/company that specializes in old bmws (they have lots of E30's) and resells parts...

http://www.vinesauto.com/

Just curious to see if anyone knows of other companys out there like Vines?

I desperately need a new trunk lid and driver's side front quarterpanel...I'm eventually gonna need to repaint down the road, but for now am just trying to find ones in d-schwartz so they'll match till I get around to repainting...

Thanks for any insight anyone can provide...

Title: Any advice on locating body panels?
Post by: DesktopDave on March 19, 2010, 09:05:09 PM

You could just look in my driveway.  :D  Lots of spares.

Seriously, I haven't seen many places that'll sell new metal.  Vines is a decent vendor but their prices can be high.

Title: Any advice on locating body panels?
Post by: BlueBMW on March 20, 2010, 06:40:35 AM

You can still get most body panels from the dealer lol.  I quoted all the body parts I'd need to fix my front end where it got tweaked.  It was about $800 for a fender, the sub mounts for the fender, the front valence and the front cross brace.  And that also included a fender liner if that matters.  A bit high, but then again its all brand new parts.

Title: Any advice on locating body panels?
Post by: DesktopDave on March 20, 2010, 07:19:15 AM

Pelican sells them for $250 (http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/catalog/shopcart/BE30/POR_BE30_BDYchs_pg1.htm), but they won't ship...local pickup only.  Dealer prices don't seem that bad, especially after a BMWCCA discount.  $800 for BlueBMW's parts is a pretty good deal.

Maybe talk to a body shop, they might cut you a break from dealer prices.

Title: Any advice on locating body panels?
Post by: Colo318IS on March 20, 2010, 11:16:34 AM

awesome.  Thanks for the insight and input on Vines...I don't know anything about them so good to know.  I did shoot them an email with a request on a trunk lid so we'll see what response I get.  I do have a body shop up the street that specializes in foreign cars work so I may inquire there as a starting point....occassionally I've been looking through craigslist around here as well as salvage yards in the odd event I find a diamond in the rough.

thanks again!

Title: Any advice on locating body panels?
Post by: jgraves on March 20, 2010, 06:43:52 PM

Don't forget about Bavarian Auto.  They still carry many parts for E30's the dealers have either discontinued or will charge you three times now for the part.  Here is their link.    


http://www.bavauto.com

Title: Any advice on locating body panels?
Post by: Colo318IS on April 02, 2010, 04:46:20 PM

...in continuing on with my search, I stumbled across these folks outside of Philly...just wanted to add for future references to this thread...

http://prussianmotors.com/

Title: Any advice on locating body panels?
Post by: longtallsally on May 13, 2010, 11:33:55 AM

Something I would highly keep in mind is to ONLY get OEM panels.  I tried an "aftermarket" fender from bavauto a number of years ago and it fit like total crap.  I mean beyond usable.  I sent it back and paid the extra for an OEM fender.

I have heard the same for fuel tanks.