e36 to E46 frontend consersion

Lemunade00 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-31-2002, 05:13 PM

Ok.. well for starters i orginally just wanted to figure out a way to put the e46 headlights in my e36 m3.. but i have now planned on going with a full on front conversion.. i can get a complete e46 front clip for a reasonable price.. and i also have a body man thats great.. some ppl have said they have saw this done on a few cars that i have talked too.. but nobody really knows how they went about it.. ANY help at all would be great.. just PLEASE no flames.. thanks

Knightmare69 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-31-2002, 05:26 PM

Yeah, there was a grey E36 that had the E46 front end on e-bay. One person said that it was supposedly straight bolt on, I doubt it though, probably shouldn't be too hard though. Might just have to do minor cutting. Hope that helped, just bring the parts to your body shop and see how the parts match up.

///M3junkie · #3 (**permalink**) 04-01-2002, 05:43 AM

Just curious, but why did you abandon the plan to put the e46 headlights into your e36? I've always thought it would be interesting, but I never got to the point of seeing if it would actually work.

Keda · #4 (**permalink**) 04-01-2002, 06:56 AM

This is not a flame...but please don't do this. The E36 & 46 are very different cars. I like the E36 better...why? Cause I own one of course

Seriously, I love the subtle angles on the E36. The car is rounded and streamlined, but every curve is complemented by a crease. Its raw and edgy, and love it.

The E46 is a much more organic looking vehicle. It is elegant and refined, but I think it lacks some of the edge of the older one(but thats just me).

Anyways, mixing the two doesn't work, visually. Ive seen a 3 w/ a 5 front end, and its interesting. If your heel bent on doing this, why not buy a 318...not an M3.

Bimmer Bum · #5 (**permalink**) 04-01-2002, 11:16 AM

I have the E46 m3 replica front bumper on my E36 and it looks sick

What I also did was change the front mask (with cat-eye grilles) to the 97+ style. If you have rims to go with it the car changes dramatically. I think the E46 M3 bumper and 97+ grille is way more classy/aggressive than the older style. Don't get me wrong I like them both as I previously had the older style M3 bumper on my 325i. I'll post pics when rims are adorned this week.

Lemunade00 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-01-2002, 09:31 PM

i wish it was all just straight bolt on..

but of course its not that easy.. but i guess it wouldnt be nearly as fun though.. and believe me i do luv the the style of the E36.. i just wanna try something different.. but i do thank you for your response though.. i just personally like hearing ppl's thoughts on all this..just like you said though the e36 is more cut. while the e46 is more organic and smooth.. i guess that is just what i am trying for with this..

out of the ones you guys have saw.. how did it not match up though with the body? and could it some how be corrected if done right?

Keda · #7 (**permalink**) 04-02-2002, 03:33 AM

So, you are hell bent. I can appreciate that.

Here's what I think. The E46 has much larger flares (even in non-M form). Regardless of which bumper you use M or not, you will probably have to do some fender work. You might be better off getting a new 1/4 panel custom made.

Depending how far you are going to take it, you could do work to your rear fenders/panels too.

Whatever you do, think about how the whole car is going to look. Part of my job is doing 3D models of product concepts. I wish I had something as beautiful as a car to work with...but even on these more industrial things, I can be hard to get the lines right.

Good Luck.

vjlax18 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-02-2002, 05:50 AM

My sig says it all.

M3Cowboy · #9 (**permalink**) 04-02-2002, 06:58 AM

I thought someone posted pictures of that being done before. I remember it was awhile back, but most people didnt like it cuz the front end of the E46 was way to round compared to the edgy lines of the E36. It totally disrupted the whole cars overall appearance. It just doesnt go together... Can someone post it for him if you've got it? thanks!

Lemunade00 · #10 (**permalink**) 04-02-2002, 05:52 PM

hell bent

lol yeah i dont know i am just like that.. once i get something in my head i just go all out for it.. i am going to call my body man tomorrow and ask him about just making the fenders.. if not it looks as if he is just going to have to make some e46 ones work.. and oh yes.. the back fenders are going to be done for sure.. gotta complete the look.. the back bumper is going to be zeemax thats about all i know..

And if anyone has that pic i would love to see it.. would give me something to work off of a little.. so please post.. thanks