Garagistic E30 Body Kits Guide

Overview

BMW styled special body kits known as the MTechnik or MTech for short, on a limited number of cars for the European market. MTech kits are unique and stylish and almost make the E30 look like it came straight off the racetrack. Since the kit is no longer in production, the team at Garagistic thought it would be a good idea to give E30 owners a chance to have an MTech kit of their dreams. 

Early Model E30 (83-88)

• Known as the "Diving Board" Bumper
• Vertical Reverse Light Tail Lights
• Available Kits (With conversion to euro bumpers)
  • Garagistic MTech 1

Bumper Conversions

• Conversion basics w/ OEM part no.s

Late Model E30 (89-94)

• Plastic Bumpers
• Horizontal Reverse Light Tail Lights
• Available Kits
  • Garagistic Mtech 2

Timeless Design

 Here at Garagistic, we love our E30's. We just can't stop looking at them! The E30 is a legendary car, with style and design queues that have tricked down BMWs entire design catalog throughout the generations. Whether you know it as the "eighty's box car" or the original Ultimate Driving machine, you can't deny that the E30 has a classic style.

Early Model E30

Early model E30s can be identified as the chassis' with chrome bumpers. The vehicles were produced between 1982-87 and came as a sedan or coupes. In the USA, chrome bumpers are BIG and extend far off from the body, hence why they are referred to as "diving boards".

E30s can also be classified by their tail lights. Early models have smaller tail lights. You can also see that the reverse light is vertical. This is a dead giveaway when you're looking at an early model with a bumper conversion.   We'll get to conversions in just a bit.

Some popular body kits for the E30 are:

• Garagistic MTech 1 Kit (with Euro bumpers only): click here

Below is a list of OEM part No. For installation hardware for the MTech 1 Kit

• Front Bumper
  • MTech Front Bumper Bolt 6x-51111919151
  • Mtech Front Bumper Nuts 6x-07147134319
  • MTech Front Bumper Clips x2- 51111838076
• Rear Bumper
  • MTech Rear Bumper Bolt x15-51121932230
  • MTech Rear Bumper Nut x15-07147134319
• IS Kit:
  • Side Skirts: click here
  • Lip: click here
  • Trunk Spoiler: click here

Thanks to the help of some whacky customers, with a bit of modification, you can also fit the MTech 2 Side Skirts with Door Pods!

• MTech 2 Side Skirts w/ Door Pods
  • click here

Shown is an early model with a flusher, tucked Euro chrome bumpers, and a BBS front spoiler.

Other popular but rare kits include:

• Zender
• BBS
• Kamei
• Hartge 
• Alpina
• Racing Dynamics

These kits are legendary but much harder to find. If you have the chance to snag an authentic one for a good price, do it. Chances are, what you've come across is a once-in-a-lifetime chance at a legendary kit.

Bumper Conversions

If you have an early model E30 and want to run plastic bumpers you can do a bumper conversion. For the front bumper, you'll have to convert the front valance, front bumper, and use the OEM hardware (mounting clips, bumper shocks, etc.) You'll also have to remove the front tow hooks. The parts for the front are a direct fit. The rear is a little more work. You'll need the rear bumper, rear bumper shocks, and if you really want brownie points the rear valance. The rear of the WHOLE CAR has to be cut off and the new valance welded in place. The rear bumper and trim panels will need to be trimmed for proper fitment. Saying it's a bit of work is definitely an understatement. Here's a list of some OEM part no. for the conversion:  

Front

• Front Valance- BMW PN# 41331961225
• Front Bumper Carrier- BMW PN# 51118100572
• Front Bumper Shocks
  • Left- BMW PN# 51111959115
  • Right- BMW PN# 51111959116
• Front Bumper Brackets
  • Left - BWM PN# 51111953097
  • Right- BMW PN# 51111953098

Rear

• Rear Bumper Carrier - BMW PN# 51121972230 
• Rear Bumper Shocks - BMW PN# 51121959128
• Rear Valance - BMW PN# 41348121771

Late Model E30

Late Model E30s can be identified as the chassis' with paint matched plastic bumpers. The late model has a more streamlined look. These vehicles were produced between 1988-93. Late model cars have a variety of options of lips, spoilers, air dams, and side skirts that make the car even more distinct. 

Late Models have distinct rear tail lights. The tail lights themselves are larger filling the gap between the trunk lid and body. Late model tail lights also have horizontal reverse lights. These are key indicators for those looking for a late model E30.

Here's a list of body kit options available for your late model or early model with a bumper conversion.

• Garagistic MTech 2 Kit: click here
• Garagistic IS Kit:
  • Side Skirts: click here
  • Lip: click here
  • Aluminum Lip Splitter: click here
  • Trunk Spoiler: click here
• Garagistic RG Style lip: click here
• Garagistic Flat Lip: click here 

No matter which way you go, there is something for everyone. Whether you love the sleek late model or just can't get enough of the early model diving boards, Garagistic has something for everyone's style.