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Thread: Replacing or repairing panels?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    San Francisco
    Posts
    48
    My Cars
    1987 BMW 325is ///MSport

    Replacing or repairing panels?

    I have a 1987 325is coupe in black with some damage on the the front of both fenders around the headlights as well as damage to the hood.

    Is it better to keep the originals and have them repaired and re-painted (they have the original VIN stickers on them) or completely replace? The cost of the panels to buy isn't significant at all. You can get a new hood for about $150 and new front quarter panels for about $250 each which doesn't seem unreasonable at all.

    Is there real value from keeping original parts?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
    492
    My Cars
    e30s
    well if you know someone in the body shop biz they can order you new panels and they "may" be able to order you new vin numbers to place on the new panels to keep it original.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Washington, DC
    Posts
    6,481
    My Cars
    E30 E36 E46 E90
    Better to repair. Also, new parts these days aren't very good. Even the genuine BMW is a lot crappier than you'd expect.

    Edit: I'm assuming that the parts are otherwise good and rust free since you're in CA.
    2011 M3 Sedan
    2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD LBZ
    1999 323i GTS2
    1995 M3 - S50B32/S6S420G/3.91
    1990 325is
    1989 M3 - S54B32/GS6-37BZ

    Hers: 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo
    Hers: 1989 325iX


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    canada
    Posts
    193
    My Cars
    2001 740i
    IMO find a set of used, rust free originals.
    1991 318is
    2001 740i

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