Mtechnic II body kit

[normboudreault]

Anyone here have an Mtechnic II bodykit?

Im planning on putting a full kit on but would like to know what is out there and what is good and what kits to avoid. High quality and perfect fit are of utmost importance.

Thanks!

[Slowered318]

Installed mine about 10 years ago so it's possible things have changed? www.dtmfiberwerkz.com seems to carry the most variety of e30 kits but I have no personal experience with their products.

Sorry to say but none of these kit's are going to be a simple spray and bolt on procedure. If you're a perfectionist like me there is always modifications needed. Like around the wheel well, turn and fog light, door cards if you chose to instal them, running boards need a mounting point, just to name a few, and then you have sanding and filling any waves or imperfections in the gel coat. It's going to cost you time or money to have good results. Personally I love the look of the Mtech II but I don't think I would ever fit one again, after about 7 years signs of panel rust and some of the seams have come apart. By the way I spent over $5000 at the body shop! I'm currently the process of re-fitting the entire kit starting with the front bumper and valance... considering replacing the fenders and doors depending on how they look under the fiberglass. Did some of the repair work myself and still finding itchy fiberglass bits in my clothes, it's an absolute nightmare to work with this material!

There are a few things you can do like euro bumper strips, front lip spoiler and side skirts that tidy up the e30 body nicely. That's just my advise based on my bitter sweet experiences. 

[normboudreault]

Thanks Slowered.. You kinda bummed me out though - now I really have to think about whether its worth it... 

[Slowered318]

Seeing as you wrote "High quality and perfect fit are of utmost importance" I wanted to point out my long term experience with a replica kit so you (and others) can better prepare.

On the bright side I just installed my freshly painted bumper and sunroof, It made a huge aesthetic difference! I had to repair some damage, build brackets and profile around the turn lights (they never fit right), sand and fill all the stone chips and spider webs, reinforce some areas and rebond the rebar , replace the hardware useing SS bolts/screws where possible. I did most of the prep work myself, it took a long time and made a mess of the basement. Next stop is the back bumper after a short break

I don't want to deter you from your goals and this kit really does significantly update the look of these cars.

[normboudreault]

Thanks so much for your input slowered - I really appreciate it. I think I will go the MtechII route as it makes the car look just that much better. That is still a year away atleast so I will have some time to look into what kits are available.. Right now Im still getting things squared away after my big move 10 days ago.. The car looks great in the big double garage but I haven't had time to work on her...  ;-(

[Slowered318]

With that kind of space you shouldn't have any problem working on the fiberglass. Are you going to try and fit it yourself?

[normboudreault]

Well, if I keep to the same motto Ive been following on my rebuild (ignorance is no obstacle) I guess I will. 

Is it that technically difficult?

[Slowered318]

Sure, if you have the right tools and experience with fiberglass, body prep, and knowledge of adhesives?

As stated before, it's a very messy job and most likely hazardous to your heath.

[deansweet]

Is it that technically difficult?

I don't know if anybody who works with this stuff would even use the term technical? If it was as simple as playdoh we'd all being doing it?
Fiberglass is a very fickle effort. Not only do you have to deal with a breather, gloves, full body suit to apply/create it but also when you 'work it down to smooth surface. It's caustic in all ways and if you don't have the perfect environment(steady ambient temp and humidity) to mix/apply/set it then it simply doesn't work. Too soft and you can;t sand it smooth, too hard and it cracks as soon as it's put under any type of stress... It's definitely not something you pick up in a couple minutes. In the late 80's early 90's I was doing speaker enclosures and pieces for car stereo installs and I did not enjoy as much. Very frustrating at times but when they came out nice you wanted to gloat about it for weeks.

[normboudreault]

Why do these kits require so much work? Lazy design?

I was expecting a bit of sanding and not much else to make one of these kits fit - sounds way more involved... 

Was the original MtechII kit such a PITA too?