Really got a good comparison between the rear quarters on pre vs. post facelift Z3

[Mark Bielick]

I always knew there was a difference between the rear quarters on the pre-facelift versus post facelift Z3's. This weekend, I took the time to compare photographs to see just how different they are. When viewed from these angles, there is a big difference:

P1070587.jpg -- P1070588.jpg
Post Facelift ------------Pre Facelift


P1070590b.jpg -- P1070591b.jpg
Post Facelift ------------------- Pre Facelift

It's almost as if they added a raised rib along the line through the antenna mast. The pre facelift does not have the ridge, and feathers off smoothly.

I'll keep my pre facelift any day...

[deni2s]

Wonder if there is anyone here on this forum, who didn't know that yet

[Watch Carefully]

Thanks for the well-composed image angles. I bought a '97 not knowing the nature of the difference between the two versions. I am pleased to have the early rear quarters--the 'hips' do not appeal to me. IMO, a pre-facelift 6-cyl body with an M motor is the best of both worlds. For now, though, I'll enjoy my M52...it has adequate power for my purposes.
Cheers,
Brad

[rf900rkw]

The M's never got the facelift fenders. All M's have the early wide flared fenderline.

[TheDrip]

Since the M cars kept the pre-facelift fenders and the pre-facelift tail lights to end of production, does anyone know if the pre-facelift fenders will fit on a post-facelift car with the post face-lift lights?

I need new rear fenders and bumper anyway, and it looks like the M fenders will give me a little more room inside the lip for tires.

[BimmerBreaker]

No. The lights must fit to the quarter panels, the quarter panels must fit to the sideskirts, trunk and bumper which are all different pre vs. post-facelift. The underlying metal is the same, so you can unbolt all the facelift parts to install all the pre-facelift parts, but you can not mix and match post-facelift tails with pre-facelift fenders

If it was easy, everyone would take off the ugly post-facelift fenders

[rf900rkw]

But doing all that won't gain you any tire space. They are the same.

[TheDrip]

Well you ruined my day, but hopefully this is good information in a thread that can be searched in the future.

[328 Power 04]

I rather like the facelift taillights and how they work with the fenders...

[deni2s]

The underlying metal is the same, so you can unbolt all the facelift parts to install all the pre-facelift parts, but you can not mix and match post-facelift tails with pre-facelift fenders.

No, the underlying metal is not the same. Rear part of chassis, which has openings for bulbs, needs to be changed too (cutting/welding included).

[Watch Carefully]

The M's never got the facelift fenders. All M's have the early wide flared fenderline.

Ah, another thing BMW did right with this model line.
Cheers!

[Mark Bielick]

I've seen this image a hundred times. I simply wanted to show the difference from different angles. No need for snide remarks.

[Randy Forbes]

I've seen this image a hundred times. I simply wanted to show the difference from different angles. No need for snide remarks.

Darn it Mark, and I was just getting revved up