Pre LCI MSPORT front bumper review

[matreyia]

Hello everyone,
This is a review of the pre LCI Msport front bumper from Ikonmotorsports.

1. Fit -good, acceptable
2. Install - self , easy
3. Adjustments- none
4. Painted at local shop
Recommended ? - YES.

 

[Jeffman]

Thanks for the review. I’m planning to do either MSport or M3 Replica front bumper for my Pre-LCI E90. Any thoughts on why you chose the MSport over the M3 Replica? Also I see that you did not install fog lights - is this to help improve airflow to the oil cooler?

 

[R.G.]

Thanks for the review. I’m planning to do either MSport or M3 Replica front bumper for my Pre-LCI E90. Any thoughts on why you chose the MSport over the M3 Replica? Also I see that you did not install fog lights - is this to help improve airflow to the oil cooler?

M3 reps don’t fit right, air flow is wonky due to oversized valence, belly panel is off, air ducts are off and the lips are overpriced / underwhelming
My favorite combo on my e92 was stock bumper with vorsteiner lip. Looked amazing although difficult to maintain due to low profile attracting rocks
I’d say Msport all the way


OP, adjust your hood a bit. Those knobs on top of headlights

 

[matreyia]

Thanks for the review. I’m planning to do either MSport or M3 Replica front bumper for my Pre-LCI E90. Any thoughts on why you chose the MSport over the M3 Replica? Also I see that you did not install fog lights - is this to help improve airflow to the oil cooler?

Not a fan of m3 bumper look. Not an m3 so kept it m sport. For me...if you install m3 then you should go all the way and replace hood and fenders so it looks right.

Fog lights deleted to allow for o up l cooler and trans cooler.

 

[matreyia]

M3 reps don’t fit right, air flow is wonky due to oversized valence, belly panel is off, air ducts are off and the lips are overpriced / underwhelming
My favorite combo on my e92 was stock bumper with vorsteiner lip. Looked amazing although difficult to maintain due to low profile attracting rocks
I’d say Msport all the way


OP, adjust your hood a bit. Those knobs on top of headlights

You're talking about the hood having too big a gap from the bumper? Cannot adjust hood anymore because it would not be aligned with fender. If anything I may have to adjust front bumper with shims to close gap more. The situation was same as when I had stock bumper. Over time things just started to sag a little.

 

[Torgus]

@matreyia Looking good man. You going to put a lip on it?

M3 reps don’t fit right, air flow is wonky due to oversized valence, belly panel is off, air ducts are off and the lips are overpriced / underwhelming

For all of those reason and the car is not an m3. If you want m3 styling buy an m3 they are cheap enough now that anyone can afford them basically. Making an N54 look like an M3 makes no sense to me. Same with making an N52 look like an m3.

Mtech + CF arkym front lip FTW. But I am biased:

Clean and simple. Does not scream look at my modified bumper but is more aggressive than stock.

My experience with Ikonmotorsports was the same. Good fitment, no issues, easy shipping and delivery etc.

 

[matreyia]

Here's the thing... my car has Eibach springs with Koni Yellows...so it's super low and already rubbing on driveways in many places. If I put a lip on...well, it would be shredded in less than 2 months.

 

[Torgus]

I have the same springs on 19s as well. It is very low. Somehow I manage fwiw. But if it already rubs than the lip will be a no go!

FWIW it is only about a 1/2 of an inch lower in front with the akrym lip as it mainly fills in the gap in the middle. They make knock offs now as I don't think Akrym makes their massively over priced CF $950 lip any more.

Love the rims btw on the color vert.

 

[Jeffman]

M3 reps don’t fit right, air flow is wonky due to oversized valence, belly panel is off, air ducts are off and the lips are overpriced / underwhelming
My favorite combo on my e92 was stock bumper with vorsteiner lip. Looked amazing although difficult to maintain due to low profile attracting rocks
I’d say Msport all the way


OP, adjust your hood a bit. Those knobs on top of headlights

Thanks for your your very useful feedback! I suspected that the M3 replica did not functionally fit as you indicated.

 

[Jeffman]

@matreyia Looking good man. You going to put a lip on it?



For all of those reason and the car is not an m3. If you want m3 styling buy an m3 they are cheap enough now that anyone can afford them basically. Making an N54 look like an M3 makes no sense to me. Same with making an N52 look like an m3.

Mtech + CF arkym front lip FTW. But I am biased:

View attachment 29188


View attachment 29189


View attachment 29190

Clean and simple. Does not scream look at my modified bumper but is more aggressive than stock.

My experience with Ikonmotorsports was the same. Good fitment, no issues, easy shipping and delivery etc.

I see you kept the fog lights. Do the vents in your MSport bumper direct air to the oil cooler?

 

[Torgus]

I see you kept the fog lights. Do the vents in your MSport bumper direct air to the oil cooler?

Good question.

My oil cooler is aftermarket as my car did not come with an oil cooler from the factory. It is the https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-11796-e9x-335-oil-cooler-upgrade-kit/ kit that sits behind the factory grill. So I have all the air flow and space for oil cooling I will need up there.

I think the vent points to where the stock oil cooler is but obviously the fog light would block 1/2 of it. Probably why he did not install them.

 

[matreyia]

Good question.

My oil cooler is aftermarket as my car did not come with an oil cooler from the factory. It is the https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-11796-e9x-335-oil-cooler-upgrade-kit/ kit that sits behind the factory grill. So I have all the air flow and space for oil cooling I will need up there.

I think the vent points to where the stock oil cooler is but obviously the fog light would block 1/2 of it. Probably why he did not install them.

Correct. I have the Dinan oil cooler on the right side and setrab ATF cooler on left side.

 

[R.G.]

You're talking about the hood having too big a gap from the bumper? Cannot adjust hood anymore because it would not be aligned with fender. If anything I may have to adjust front bumper with shims to close gap more. The situation was same as when I had stock bumper. Over time things just started to sag a little.

Not sure I understand but this might help you or anyone later on reading this

There's 6 different areas when adjusting. It was a nightmare when I sent mine off to paint.The hinges closest to the door allow you to move it left/ right / up / down forward/back

Edit: Sometimes it is the bumper and the top star bolts need loosening, bring it up as high as you can and snug the bolts before letting it rest

Careful using the hood latches too low, it might make popping the hood difficult. If it does get stuck you can stick something thin wrapped in a microfiber to put pressure between hood / bumper to allow it to "pop" open when you pull lever

 

[R.G.]

@matreyia

Mtech + CF arkym front lip FTW. But I am biased:

I agree, best msport combo.

Still partial to my old stock + vorsteiner set up in above pic

 

[Torgus]

I agree, best msport combo.

Still partial to my old stock + vorsteiner set up in above pic

Got more pics of that hood?