Thanks! One of the best things I ever did, really made the car feel like MINE too
I just take them off completely, clean all the tar, polish it up a bit, then mount directly. Since I installed them I have had zero issues, and since winter hit here it's been as low as 18* F where I live, still no problems. Same thing with our e30, which also has aluminum panels. I think the vapor barriers only matter if your weather stripping is destroyed, and they protect that shitty cardboard the stock door cards are made out of.
Last edited by Spyke; 12-06-2013 at 02:55 PM.
I see.
What are you using to mount the door panels to the car and where can I find them? I'm assuming you aren't using the BMW door clips.
No way, we all know how well plastic door clips hold up
I use threaded rivets on all my installs, and highly recommend them if you can install them. The use matching Torx socket cap screws. I leave the stock mounting holes untouched, in case someone ever wants to go back to OEM door cards.
Not my best picture, but here's the hardware, installed:
IMG_6065 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr
Last edited by Spyke; 01-04-2014 at 08:26 PM.
Thanks for all the prompt replies!
I know I could easily get this stuff if I went to my car to measure it, but I'm in college here without my car.
I'm guessing all the rivets you have in are still in the original mounting locations? Or did you drill new mounting holes around the perimeter of the door? And what diameter rivet did you use?
I've looked at some Miata guys doing the same to their door panels. They use something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Amico-Expandin.../dp/B00AKX9VPM
My 318ti's door panel is destroyed. I want to do something like this, but instead of using alubond, I plan to use corrugated plastic. It is said to be stronger than ABS, dirt cheap and easy to cut.
Took a trip up to CAtuned to do some panels for their 2002, it's early BMW heaven up there... thinking about trading my e30 for a 2002 now after seeing some in more depth. Anyways, here's a few pics:
CAtuned e30 M3 Heaven by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr
CAtuned S2000 swapped 2002 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr
Finally changed my pedal hardware from silver to black, to blend in with the grippies... looks a lot cleaner:
IMG_8375 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr
Last edited by Spyke; 01-04-2014 at 08:27 PM.
That's pretty sick, they're up in Sac right?
Yes they are!
Modified my driver side ZKW cutoff (passenger side will still keep the uptick)
Modified driver side ZKW cutoff by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr
Here's the final e10 2002 front aluminum door panels (besides pre-drilling) Rears in a day or two then going back up for final install
e10 front door panels_CAtuned by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr
Last edited by Spyke; 05-15-2014 at 10:55 AM.
I love the door panel work! How thick are the panels themselves? I thought I saw something mentioned that they have 2 layers with something in between them.
I'm guessing you have access to a water key cutter somewhere? Where do you get your sheet metal?
1/8" and yes, it's a nifty aluminum hybrid panel that goes by many names... Dibond officially. It tends to be unique to the large format/signage trade, but it has all the required properties for doing aftermarket door panels.
All done by hand still, to keep cost down. I do have access to waterjet, CNC and laser tables but the cost of producing would triple or worse. Nobody wants that. These just take a lot of patience and manual labor. If I had a big group buy I would no doubt use a CNC router though.
Got my custom shift boots in from Fuzz Fabrics. As always, Josh does not disappoint. He made me a nice set with perforated Black vinyl to match my steering wheel, and Red/Yellow double stitching to tie in with my door panels.
Got the fairly fresh ZHP knob off this morning, with NO black eyes or concussions so I am very proud. Pics soon as I get them mounted and back in
IMG_8492 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr
IMG_8496 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr
Re-covered my B-pillars in carbon fiber vinyl.. goes well with the seats
B-pillars covered in carbon fiber vinyl by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr
Getting some fresh Sharpie on for the Berkeley Marina meet. I forgot how AMAZING it looks when it's fresh.
Also found one of the coolest little LEDs I've ever seen to replace my aging/cheap dome light LED:
V-Leds adjustable length festoon/dome light LED bulb by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr
It's also adjustable length, which you can see on the right side there. Such an awesome feature for a festoon-style bulb to have.
where'd you get those?
If the mind can conceive it, & you believe it, you will achieve it. - Napolean Hill
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1998 Alpine White & 1998 Arctic Silver ///m3/4/5
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Sharpie paint-job, the ultimate weight reduction strategy?
Did these e36 sedan aluminum door panels with M stripes for a fellow sedan owner in SoCal. Sooo clean
e36 sedan panels for Mike01M3 by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr
Last edited by Spyke; 05-15-2014 at 10:58 AM.
I like that design. That guys has good taste!
On a side note, you include hardware now?
I'm making it a rule that no two sets can be the same lol. (At least for as long as I can.) And yes, I offer two different hardware kits now too, to make it easy for people.
Just finished these e30 coupe aluminum door panels with custom printed graphics for the CAtuned drift car too, installing them this weekend along with the e10 panels that have been done for a while:
CAtuned e30 coupe drift car panels by Spyke e36/e30, on Flickr
Last edited by Spyke; 05-15-2014 at 10:59 AM.
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