E34: Joined the Dark Side. Wide Grille conversion

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As you can clearly see, the E34 is going through an ugly phase. For the better. Which is a pretty shocking fact, since the 10 years i have had the car, it had always been the narrow grill. So about time a new look. Plus the wide grille ages the car pretty well, celebrating its 10th years of service. Plus the recent heart transplant and interior renovation deserves a more mature body.

What’s to be done: The AC Schnitzer badge will go, and the car will be sent for paint soon. Also, the bumpers needs to go. For many years the bumper had been damaged and repaired that it just isn’t practical repairing anymore. A single nudge will send cracks of previously damaged area. As for design, it’s either the same Schnitzer replicas or a custom job. Just not fixed on ideas yet.

13 Responses to “E34: Joined the Dark Side. Wide Grille conversion”


  1. 1 sugi

    Tom, more picture with the wide grille please

  2. 2 sugi

    by the way, don’t do custom design on the bumper, it’ll make the look no good anymore . just my opinion ;p

  3. 3 Tom Goh

    hi sugi, there is nothing much to see, since it’s not even painted yet. there are also lotsa scratches on the bonnet. i painted the grille with a spray can temporarily. it was silver orginally

    as for the custom bumper, why won’t it look good? I haven’t even decided on the design yet

  4. 4 sugi

    I don’t know , Tom, only in my mind euro cars should style with something euro, usually custom bumper only make the look not streamline with the body design. in my country , if euro cars fit with custom design, it’ll make the pride down.
    only in my mind ;p

  5. 5 Tom Goh

    hi sugi

    totally understand your concern, while i think the schnitzer design is pretty much the most acceptable yet aggressive, i’m kind of thinking about changing it. custom bumpers don’t have to look like many of the Thai E34s we’ve seen. i might just do some changes on the existing schnitzer style bumper. Even AC Schnitzer started from zero when it first appeared :)

  6. 6 sugi

    Glad to hear that, Tom. cause first thing cross in my mind that you would fit M5 E39 bumper or something like that , something from euro magazine usually fit m3 bumper or something worst than that. so far your modification is at the top score from my opinion, and also a lot of my friend.

  7. 7 prime5

    hey there Tom, wonder how much does the AC Schnitzer badge cost?look and fits nicely on e34..thx

  8. 8 andrewk

    Finally made the move! Car looks more updated IMHO! Sticking with the same color?

    On the bumper, I’m on the same page with sugi on this. I kinda like the ACS look on the E34…

  9. 9 Tom Goh

    hi sugi,
    hmm, i still don’t have a fixed idea until now. all i want to do now is update the look. something classy yet intimidating is something i want to achieve. I will try not spoil the lines with something drastic. :)
    I may just build a new and smoother schnitzer bumper. something worthy of a gloss paintjob rather than the wavvy replicas that we have :(
    hi prime5,
    i really have no idea about the price of the AC Schnitzer front grille badge. i got it as a present some years ago. But it’s quite a neat badge with tightening brackets, virtually un-stealable.
    where are you based?

    hi andrewk,
    I should be sticking to black for now. But i am ever tempted to get another shade of a dark colour.

    as for the ACS bumper. i have had the same style for too long. just need a small change that’s all

  10. 10 andrewk

    A gunmetal grey with a bronze hue may look good IMHO… Will look almost black in the shade, but will show its bronze hue in the sun :)

  11. 11 prime5

    my base is at shah alam, wonder where can get on..acs setup surely looks good on e34..been reading and looking at ur e34..nicee!

  12. 12 Tom Goh

    hi andrew:
    i’m thinking more towards lamborghini’s peral greenish grey. but not so soon. i’m keeping the black for now :)

    hi prime:
    okay. I will let you know if i really decide to give away the Schnitzer Badge or will keep it as a souvenir. it’s been on the car for years :) thanks!

  13. 13 prime5

    orite..thank bro=D

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