850i- 2 different front OEM lower valances

[Bsangerman]

New to the 850i car and community. Sorry if this has been covered before, but I have noticed two different lower black plastic valences or spoilers on 850s, of the same year and non-CSI.

Why the difference, and how do I know which part # to order to replace my broken one?

This is the one I have
lower lip type 2.jpg

Here it is with the extra lip:
lower lip type 2-2.jpg

And this is the other
lower lip type 1.jpg

[TedBobo]

Welcome to the family......join SoCalEights.

[Bsangerman]

The part number is,
51718152310

you will probably need some of the fasteners that may be missing. There are also some small pieces at the sides underneath that end up missing too.

Here is the diagram from RealOEM:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_1991

In diagram, item 29 left and 29 right usually are missing when item 3 has issues.

Also sometimes what the spoiler fastens to may have a piece snapped off so the fastening point is gone.

Thanks for the info. It's not listed there, but what about #4, that's missing on mine too? 29 R & L are present but I think they are ripped.

Why did BMW have two different styles on the same year?

[Bsangerman]

Welcome to the family......join SoCalEights.

Thank you! I'll check it out

[Bsangerman]

The part number is,
51718152310

you will probably need some of the fasteners that may be missing. There are also some small pieces at the sides underneath that end up missing too.

Here is the diagram from RealOEM:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_1991

In diagram, item 29 left and 29 right usually are missing when item 3 has issues.

Also sometimes what the spoiler fastens to may have a piece snapped off so the fastening point is gone.

Posted this, but not sure why it didn't come up... I'll try again:

Thanks for the info. It doesn't seem available there, but what about #4? it's pictured above and missing on my car. What fasteners do I need?

29 R & L are present but are ripped, so i'll be replacing those as well.

Why did BMW make two different styles on the same years?

[TxGR8White]

Welcome!!
The BMW Car Club of America, E31 Chapter (the only organization in the US officially recognized by BMW), is always looking for new members.
F675607E-CB59-4305-B714-2EB2159F8E7A.jpg

[toomanyparts]

Is this going to be in every thread?

[TxGR8White]

Is this going to be in every thread?

only if you put that comment out there in every thread... LOL

[Bsangerman]

#4 is 51711970245

It appears that there was a change in the part during production.

Fasteners, see diagram.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_1991

Thanks for the info! So the other version doesn't even seem to be available anymore.

[rogbmw]

Essentially, there is a non-CSi lower spoiler, and a CSi lower spoiler.

You should seriously consider joining both SoCalEights and the E31 Chapter. SoCalEights has a great bunch of guys, and is the local group in your area. The BMW CCA E31 Chapter is the national chapter for 8 series E31 Cars associated with BMW Car Clubs of America. If you are already a BMW CCA member, you can simply add the E31 Chapter as a second chapter too.

Ask away with any questions you may have. You will find that everyone here is pretty helpful and willing to lend a comment. You will find out all-in-all 8ers are a pretty good bunch of people.

Welcome to the gang!

[Bsangerman]

hey guys- bringing this back out of curiosity about the 2 lower valance options. Was it a different year thing, part replacement?

[mbarrett635]

hey guys- bringing this back out of curiosity about the 2 lower valance options. Was it a different year thing, part replacement?

Roger said it above -- there is CSi version, and a non-CSi version. Each version is the same regardless of model year. You can see the two different ones in my sig pic. However, lots of people put the CSi version on a non-CSi car. While it's probably sacrilege, I personally think the non-CSi version looks better, but I don't know anyone who would put a non-CSi front valence/spoiler on a CSi (including me).

[Bsangerman]

Roger said it above -- there is CSi version, and a non-CSi version. Each version is the same regardless of model year. You can see the two different ones in my sig pic. However, lots of people put the CSi version on a non-CSi car. While it's probably sacrilege, I personally think the non-CSi version looks better, but I don't know anyone who would put a non-CSi front valence/spoiler on a CSi (including me).

I'm not referring to the CSi version. Take a look at the pictures I posted in my first post. There are two different non-csi lower valences, a 1 piece version, and a 2 piece version.

Am I the only one who has noticed this?

[mbarrett635]

I'm not referring to the CSi version. Take a look at the pictures I posted in my first post. There are two different non-csi lower valences, a 1 piece version, and a 2 piece version.

Am I the only one who has noticed this?

Sorry, you are correct -- I responded without going back to the very first post. However, if you look at the parts catalog, you'll see there are two different parts numbers (and parts) for the lower valance. The one (51-71-1-940-910) was superseded by a later version (51-71-8-152-310) after 9/1/1993. The later version is a one piece unit, while the earlier one is two pieces. They are interchangable on any non-CSi car.

[Bsangerman]

ahhh... 9/1/93 is the cut off... so anything i come across that doesn't follow that has later been replaced.