Alpina Cheeks - the search continues

mrnvgtr · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2005, 06:22 PM

Sorry, if you've read this on the Other board, but I'm really trying to reach all the '02 audiences out there.

Ok, this is unbelievable. No one, except for myself, probably understands how much web searching and calling I've done. I'm simply trying to figure out where some people are getting these very nice looking Alpina flares (pig cheeks). I'm posting again because there's gotta be someone in the "know" on this board - because you all are the greatest (no really)! Anyway, I've found four photos of the exact flares I'm looking for, but zero hits on a manufacturer or individual who makes them. Here they are. Any ideas? I've already checked Korman, Jaymic, Ireland, and a few smaller otufits I'm still waiting for replies from. The big names only make the kind I really don't like that don't make the full height of the arch in the rear and cut over the wheel a bit - kind of like an old '50s chevy. <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/mrnvgtr/m-office-8.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/mrnvgtr/alpina.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/mrnvgtr/alpina01.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/mrnvgtr/Alpina02.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> Michael

Villanuevas_BMW · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2005, 08:22 PM

What was wrong with the Korman Alpina style flares? they are pretty much on the money of what you are looking for. I even think the last blue 02 has them

If not they might be the Zender flares that were dicontinued a LONG time ago which I have on my car.

mrnvgtr · #3 (**permalink**) 03-11-2005, 04:14 PM

Negative, I found out that blue '02 is altogether a different beast. Those are a lot wider, like a modern rendition of the old Vasek Polak flares. They have a nice seemless transition to the front airdam as well. What I was actually talking about in my post was the curvature of the arch. I guess some people don't see it because you're not the first. See how the radius of the rear arch on the one you pictured shortens toward the top and cuts over the top side of the tire? The ones I posted above don't do that.

Michael

KevK911 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 05:17 AM

What about Schimmer in Germany?

Schimmer's GFK page

mrnvgtr · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 08:16 AM

Interesting. I can't quite tell, but it seems to be a cross between the ones I don't like and the ones I like (still talking rear arch here). If you can tell the slight difference, the arch doesn't quite go up as high as the one toward the top in my first post. At the same time it doesn't come quite as low as the Korman one. I'll keep that company in mind while I continue to look. Thanks.

Michael

blitzed310 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 11:11 AM

Why dont you just go custom? Might end up being the same price and that way you can get exactly what you want...

mrnvgtr · #7 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 11:51 AM

I definitely might have to do that. So far I've found two people that might have these and might be able to make copies for me. I'm just waiting on photos from them to see if they do have the right ones. I remember your sweet E21 from Bimmerfest last year. I was in a 1999 MZ3 Coupe.

Michael

Villanuevas_BMW · #8 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 12:38 PM

How is your 2002 as of right now? What year, color, condition,future plans?

mrnvgtr · #9 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Villanuevas_BMW

How is your 2002 as of right now? What year, color, condition,future plans?

I bought my car last October, got it smog certified and planned on driving just during the winter, which is exactly what I did. It is a '76 Jadegrun 2002. It ran strong once I got it started and the body was in ok condition except for the floor pans. I'm going to have to replace a large area of the floor when the time comes. Right now its laid up in my garage almost half stripped down. I'm pulling out the driveline next as soon as I get rid of this flu that's going around.

I'm stripping the car totally. Then I'm going to do the proper body modifications so I can fit my S50 (US) engine and getrag 260 in there. I might make my own roll cage and reinforce from the front to the rear towers. Then I'm getting the car media blasted, smooth up the body, and get it painted. I might either go with a Jadegrun lower and satin black upper (Alpina scheme) or do a newer Steel gray with a German flag stripe somewhere diagonally. Then I'm doing all the essential mods like seats, carpet, headliner, better lighting, etc. Its going to look nice, but my wallet is going to be empty while it takes me about 2 years to do this. I'm doing most everything myself except for the media blasting painting and maybe even the paint/body prep.

Michael

mrnvgtr · #10 (**permalink**) 04-21-2005, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blitzed310

Why dont you just go custom? Might end up being the same price and that way you can get exactly what you want...

I ended up doing just that. I found a guy who's making me exactly what I want using his metal working skills. Its going to be killer when he's done. For now, he's just doing the rear flares for me and the fronts will just be the run of the mill pig cheeks. If the rears look really hot, then I might just go ahead and have him do some matching fronts. They're going to be a little wider than the ones in the photos above, but similar style, just wider and meaner, and justified due to the amount of power I'm going to have.

Michael

bigmansm · #11 (**permalink**) 05-25-2005, 11:52 PM

I want some flares too? how much is this custom work costing everyone?
I dont mind fake or replica flares at all. prices would be nice though.

mrnvgtr · #12 (**permalink**) 05-26-2005, 09:53 AM

The cost depends on a few factors. What type of flare - size usually increases price (i.e. turbo flares will be cheaper than Schnitzer flares because turbo flares are just cut out fender lips with extensions over them whereas Schnitzer flares consist of an entirely new fender piece. Are they going to be composite or rolled metal? Composites like fiberglass and carbon fiber are typical. Rolled metal gets a little more expensive. Last, the "x" factor is the seller, vender, or fabricator. The most variance comes between the seller and vender. Venders across the board seem to be around the same price range of like $700 for all four corners. Sellers vary from a little less than this to a lot less. I can't really say the price I'm paying for my rear flares because it really just varies on a person to person basis for this guy. So anyway, expect something like $700 plus shipping for new ones and less than that for used. By the way, correct me if I'm wrong but I believe all the flare types are replicas. I don't think any of the originators are still making their own for our 2002 (Alpina, Schnitzer, BMW-turbo, etc).

Oh, I just re-read your question and you were asking about custom work like what I'm having done. Since I can't really state my specific price, I venture a guess that the range is between $600 and $1200 just for the four corner pieces. I'm welding/putting them on myself, so I haven't researched any installer fees involved. I'd guess at least a couple hundred more, but then you have to add in the body work involved to get it perfect and then the paint that goes on over it. Probably pretty pricey if you have to pay labor on everything.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmansm

I want some flares too? how much is this custom work costing everyone?
I dont mind fake or replica flares at all. prices would be nice though.