[Powner10451]

The "BMW OE" bumper and all accompanying duct work is 1050 USD.. However there are several reproduction bumper covers available at a fraction of this cost, these reproduction bumpers do not come with Oil Cooler duct and brake duct pieces. Is this duct work really necessary??? Understanding that the absence of these parts may not pose an immediate threat of mechanical failure, are there possible long term negative affects??

People with direct knowledge please comment.... it may allow some fellow forum members to save some money or prevent us from making a purchase that will damage the reliability of our N54's....

[Ghost170]

mtech airducts are made to fit the bigger opening of the bumper, to get air to the brake duct. stock duct don't quite reach around all the way.

[Powner10451]

bump

[Brey335i]

I've seen a guy force it to fit and it doesn't look good (with the bumper off) but you can't tell when it's on.

FWIW, I just bought an M Sport front bumper and I went ahead and ordered the factory ducts too. Even if you buy a replica bumper, I would get the M Sport ducting.

Also check how much you really save just buying the rep bumper, the M Sport bumper itself doesn't cost all that much.

The illustaration on realoem.com is a nice starting point because it can show you all the parts necessary and the part number.

Good luck.

[Ghost170]

I would suggest if you do decide on mtech bumper to go OEM than reps. Because OEM will fit with no problem, and no painting issues. If you don't want to pay that much, look into the m3 rep bumpers, heard they fit well and made of polyurethane. FYI, try not to buy things made of fiberglass, if you go copy, that is just my suggestion.