Z4 M Skid Plates

Gyrian · 06-20-2009, 09:15 AM

Bumped back from the dead, just curious if you managed to try any different bolts on this one, Kurgan.

thekurgan · 06-20-2009, 10:27 AM

Yes, I got some recessed screws at home depot so they are flat on the bottom, hard to get a picture from below, but take one of the screws in and get a few of the recessed type screws, fits like a glove, although, I found I have to torque them occasionally so I may try some loctite.

Gyrian · 06-20-2009, 12:59 PM

Thanks for the update.

I'll likely be trying something similar soon.

Leonardo629 · 06-20-2009, 02:54 PM

Just still be careful even with the plates on.

If you scrap the bottom really hard, the plates will wrap around toward the fangs, and create dings/scratches.

Gyrian · 06-20-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonardo629

Just still be careful even with the plates on.

If you scrap the bottom really hard, the plates will wrap around toward the fangs, and create dings/scratches.

I always try to be. My fangs came scratched from the dealer; live and learn, I checked every inch of that car except under there. The new plates should hopefully improve the looks of that.

If anything worse happens, I don't know I'd feel all that bad about starting over with a fresh bumper, while taking the opportunity to protect it from the start with a clear bra.

bobbydole · 06-22-2009, 05:46 PM

I've learned to accept occasional scraping of the fangs. I have the skid plates on though so at least it makes it a little better. Sometime you just can't avoid it. Just don't run the fangs too hard into the ground or the skid plates will do more damage to the fangs than the ground.

AtoB · 06-22-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbydole

I've learned to accept occasional scraping of the fangs. I have the skid plates on though so at least it makes it a little better. Sometime you just can't avoid it. Just don't run the fangs too hard into the ground or the skid plates will do more damage to the fangs than the ground.

exactly!

STIHLBOLTS · 04-09-2011, 06:59 AM

Bump

-c- · 04-09-2011, 10:40 AM

BMW had a new bumper that superseded the old one, same part but either a design change internally or a supplier change that's all. Both are identical.

RADRACR · 08-29-2011, 01:10 PM

The problem I see with the plate is that it's harder material and therefore will "catch" on objects (especially concrete), whereas the plastic is malleable and will deform over the object (hence the reason for a plate). The plate is probably better for shallow angle scrapes, but if it catches, you're in for some serious damage. I was considering the plates but I think I'll take my chances without them...

Kgolf31 · 08-29-2011, 02:20 PM

Been running them for 5 months. Took a serious hit and the plates handed the impact perfectly. No deformation or anything. Well worth the money

STIHLBOLTS · 08-29-2011, 11:07 PM

I have the plates and I used truss head screws to minimize any catching. I caught a bad curb and the plates to the hit. I repainted the outter edge of the plates last night where they got hit and now you can't tell. Had the fang it, I would had to take it to a body shop.

Happy Motoring.

KevinM · 08-29-2011, 11:39 PM

I'll have to look into the Truss screws...are the the heads big enough for the plate holes or did you use a washer as well?

My last Z4M coupe had curb rash on the fangs that I couldn't keep up with. I actually manufactured some plates out of aluminum but I just glued them on with a strong apoxy...they lasted one scrape. When I bought this one, the plates were the first thing I thought of (I wasn't aware of them a few years ago). Of course, now my wife and I are both pros at driving this car and so are MUCH less likely to have an incident than with our first one.

STIHLBOLTS · 08-29-2011, 11:56 PM

Correct, and Yes I used a fender washer as well. Stainless steel.

DanFromTucson · 08-30-2011, 12:01 PM

Has anyone tried the guards from Strong Strut:
http://www.strong-strut.com/bumper_guards_.htm

I like that they have a separate bracket that prevents the front/tip of the fangs as well.

STIHLBOLTS · 08-30-2011, 12:29 PM

If you keep going lets go ahead and put a brush guard on the front of our cars.

blender · 08-31-2011, 12:38 AM

I use the plates also. Yes the same plates fit M-coupé and M-roadster.

The front edge does take some occasional scratching that the fangs would otherwise absorb - mostly from steep driveways I can't get out of crabwise. So after painting the plates 3 times, I got some black door-edge molding from autozone, stuck it on and cut it to fit. It disappears on a BSM car, looks factory, and takes the abuse before the plate or fang does. It's cheap too, maybe five or six bucks a pack.

[ATTACH]573522[/ATTACH]

STIHLBOLTS · 08-31-2011, 07:29 AM

Would you put up some pictures of the install? I certainly don't see the application in this picture so it certainly does blend in well. I just repainted mine and I can't tell they are there now. But have Zfest and 1200 miles of fun who knows what kind of TLC they will need.

Also where did you get the M badge in your grill? How did you make it stay in place?

Happy Motoring.

gcochard · 08-31-2011, 06:25 PM

Anyone from australia have roo bars on their z?

blender · 08-31-2011, 10:36 PM

edge trim: [1] peel back adhesive tape, [2] stick to bottom front edge of skid plate [3] trim to length

Attachment 573895

M-logo sourced from ebay:

Attachment 573894

the front logo is the only one I really care about, because it convinces certain people to get out of the way

06-20-2009, 09:15 AM	#23
Gyrian 3.2 liter grin 6 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2008 M Coupe Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TX iTrader: (0)	Bumped back from the dead, just curious if you managed to try any different bolts on this one, Kurgan.
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06-20-2009, 10:27 AM	#24
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 233 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Yes, I got some recessed screws at home depot so they are flat on the bottom, hard to get a picture from below, but take one of the screws in and get a few of the recessed type screws, fits like a glove, although, I found I have to torque them occasionally so I may try some loctite. __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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06-20-2009, 12:59 PM	#25
Gyrian 3.2 liter grin 6 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2008 M Coupe Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TX iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the update. I'll likely be trying something similar soon.
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06-20-2009, 02:54 PM	#26
Leonardo629 Lieutenant Colonel 168 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 Coupe Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Taiwan iTrader: (10)	Just still be careful even with the plates on. If you scrap the bottom really hard, the plates will wrap around toward the fangs, and create dings/scratches.
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06-22-2009, 05:46 PM	#28
bobbydole Private 0 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (0)	I've learned to accept occasional scraping of the fangs. I have the skid plates on though so at least it makes it a little better. Sometime you just can't avoid it. Just don't run the fangs too hard into the ground or the skid plates will do more damage to the fangs than the ground.
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04-09-2011, 06:59 AM	#30
STIHLBOLTS Lieutenant 25 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 2013 335is Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: South Georgia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Z4 M4.0i [5.00]	Bump __________________ 2013 335is E93 2018 X5 35d BMWCCA / ZSCCA Member
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04-09-2011, 10:40 AM	#31
-c- Colonel 891 Rep 2,737 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (5)	BMW had a new bumper that superseded the old one, same part but either a design change internally or a supplier change that's all. Both are identical.
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08-29-2011, 01:10 PM	#32
RADRACR Captain 84 Rep 924 Posts Drives: '08 Z4 M Coupé // '09 X5 d Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota iTrader: (2)	The problem I see with the plate is that it's harder material and therefore will "catch" on objects (especially concrete), whereas the plastic is malleable and will deform over the object (hence the reason for a plate). The plate is probably better for shallow angle scrapes, but if it catches, you're in for some serious damage. I was considering the plates but I think I'll take my chances without them... __________________ '08 Z4 ///M Coupé (#1765/1815) — 1 of 68 Sepang Bronze / Black Nappa / Madeira Wood / 1 of 1 this combo 19" Advan RS / AP Racing / Bridgestone RE-11 / Autosolutions SSK / R.E. Diablo / R.E. trans mounts '09 X5 35d — Space Grey / Saddle Brown 20" Forgestar F14 / SCR Delete
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08-29-2011, 02:20 PM	#33
Kgolf31 Brigadier General 461 Rep 4,531 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (4)	Been running them for 5 months. Took a serious hit and the plates handed the impact perfectly. No deformation or anything. Well worth the money
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08-29-2011, 11:07 PM	#34
STIHLBOLTS Lieutenant 25 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 2013 335is Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: South Georgia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Z4 M4.0i [5.00]	I have the plates and I used truss head screws to minimize any catching. I caught a bad curb and the plates to the hit. I repainted the outter edge of the plates last night where they got hit and now you can't tell. Had the fang it, I would had to take it to a body shop. Happy Motoring. __________________ 2013 335is E93 2018 X5 35d BMWCCA / ZSCCA Member
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08-29-2011, 11:39 PM	#35
KevinM Brigadier General 2937 Rep 3,286 Posts Drives: 2002 M5;2007 M Coupe;2020 M2C Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tucson iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 M2 Competition [10.00] 2007 E86 M coupe [8.38] 2002 E39 M5 [9.00]	I'll have to look into the Truss screws...are the the heads big enough for the plate holes or did you use a washer as well? My last Z4M coupe had curb rash on the fangs that I couldn't keep up with. I actually manufactured some plates out of aluminum but I just glued them on with a strong apoxy...they lasted one scrape. When I bought this one, the plates were the first thing I thought of (I wasn't aware of them a few years ago). Of course, now my wife and I are both pros at driving this car and so are MUCH less likely to have an incident than with our first one. __________________ 2020 F87 M2C Hockenheim Silver/MT 2002 E39 M5 Sterling Gray/Caramel 2007 E86 Z4M Coupe Silver Gray/Black 2021 Kia Telluride (hauler)
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08-29-2011, 11:56 PM	#36
STIHLBOLTS Lieutenant 25 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 2013 335is Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: South Georgia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Z4 M4.0i [5.00]	Correct, and Yes I used a fender washer as well. Stainless steel. __________________ 2013 335is E93 2018 X5 35d BMWCCA / ZSCCA Member
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08-30-2011, 12:01 PM	#37
DanFromTucson Private First Class 11 Rep 195 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Has anyone tried the guards from Strong Strut: http://www.strong-strut.com/bumper_guards_.htm I like that they have a separate bracket that prevents the front/tip of the fangs as well.
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08-30-2011, 12:29 PM	#38
STIHLBOLTS Lieutenant 25 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 2013 335is Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: South Georgia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Z4 M4.0i [5.00]	If you keep going lets go ahead and put a brush guard on the front of our cars. __________________ 2013 335is E93 2018 X5 35d BMWCCA / ZSCCA Member
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08-31-2011, 12:38 AM	#39
blender Custom User Title 149 Rep 661 Posts Drives: black Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: n iTrader: (0)	plates & trim I use the plates also. Yes the same plates fit M-coupé and M-roadster. The front edge does take some occasional scratching that the fangs would otherwise absorb - mostly from steep driveways I can't get out of crabwise. So after painting the plates 3 times, I got some black door-edge molding from autozone, stuck it on and cut it to fit. It disappears on a BSM car, looks factory, and takes the abuse before the plate or fang does. It's cheap too, maybe five or six bucks a pack. [ATTACH]573522[/ATTACH] Last edited by blender; 11-21-2012 at 10:31 PM..
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08-31-2011, 07:29 AM	#40
STIHLBOLTS Lieutenant 25 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 2013 335is Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: South Georgia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Z4 M4.0i [5.00]	Would you put up some pictures of the install? I certainly don't see the application in this picture so it certainly does blend in well. I just repainted mine and I can't tell they are there now. But have Zfest and 1200 miles of fun who knows what kind of TLC they will need. Also where did you get the M badge in your grill? How did you make it stay in place? Happy Motoring. __________________ 2013 335is E93 2018 X5 35d BMWCCA / ZSCCA Member
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08-31-2011, 06:25 PM	#41
gcochard Captain 24 Rep 784 Posts Drives: 2011.5 E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South OC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Anyone from australia have roo bars on their z?
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08-31-2011, 10:36 PM	#42
blender Custom User Title 149 Rep 661 Posts Drives: black Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: n iTrader: (0)	Answers in brief edge trim: [1] peel back adhesive tape, [2] stick to bottom front edge of skid plate [3] trim to length Attachment 573895 M-logo sourced from ebay: Attachment 573894 the front logo is the only one I really care about, because it convinces certain people to get out of the way Last edited by blender; 11-21-2012 at 10:30 PM..
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