newbie with a possible old topic question about body panel gaps

fourfourtwo · 03-20-2010, 09:33 PM

Hi all - had my 2010 328I sedan 2 weeks and for some reason, just noticed today that the body panel gaps between the lower front bumper and the front side panels appear quite wide...I've noticed a few references to large body panel gaps in some of the threads.

Questions - are the apparently larger body panel gaps a 'documented' feature (problem) with these cars and is there any dealer "fix" to reduce the gaps?

Car drives great - quality rock solid feel and plenty of power on tap. Did drive the 335i but it would have been a surefire ticket magnet.

Cheers - D

Kylekuu · 03-20-2010, 09:34 PM

pic will help, there is a gap. But depends on what you call wide or not

rolling18 · 03-21-2010, 02:43 AM

completely agree!!
the body gaps on this car are "large" compared to others of cheaper cost.
espically the hood to the fenders!! wow i can get my finger tip in that fault

the very worst i have seen have been on my old 92 mustang Gt where the trunk lid meets the top on the rear bumper.. easily an inch or so uhh that was the worst..

it seems most mid/ high end cars have very tight gaps but not these.

HRC · 03-21-2010, 03:18 AM

That is the E9x. Larger gaps, but not lower tolerances in terms of structural integrity. These frames are strong/stiff.

Look around the car, between the door and fenders, a-pillar to hood then to front fenders, really all over.

Danny

VTECaddict · 03-21-2010, 03:20 AM

Where does your lower front bumper meet your front side panels?

HRC · 03-21-2010, 03:27 AM

Maybe he's talking about the gap where the bumper cover ends and the front fender begins by the headlights. I dunno, I have zero prob with it, gaps are by and large even and I can feel this cars stiffness not to be concerned that it turn into a camero in a year or two.

Danny

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Where does your lower front bumper meet your front side panels?

VTECaddict · 03-21-2010, 03:46 AM

The C-class has a pretty unsightly gap.

fourfourtwo · 03-21-2010, 04:57 PM

Hi all - finally got some pictures of the "gaps". I guess I should not be obsessing about this.....just enjoy the car etc.

Thanks,

FF2

TheRox · 03-21-2010, 05:00 PM

Thats german car's for you! Your first pic seems kinda wide, rest are normal!

Lexus has nice small panel gaps.

TheRox · 03-21-2010, 05:01 PM

If you stare at the LCI e90 form the front...it loooks kinda disjointed with all those gaps and lines.

cfabluenose · 03-21-2010, 06:10 PM

The gaps may not be supertight. But the consistency of the gaps is 100%. There is no evidence whatsever of misaligned panels. It doesn't bother me, it's just a characteristic of the car.

03-20-2010, 09:33 PM	#1
fourfourtwo Soccer Guy 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: space gray 2010 328i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Cary, North Carolina, USA iTrader: (0)	newbie with a possible old topic question about body panel gaps Hi all - had my 2010 328I sedan 2 weeks and for some reason, just noticed today that the body panel gaps between the lower front bumper and the front side panels appear quite wide...I've noticed a few references to large body panel gaps in some of the threads. Questions - are the apparently larger body panel gaps a 'documented' feature (problem) with these cars and is there any dealer "fix" to reduce the gaps? Car drives great - quality rock solid feel and plenty of power on tap. Did drive the 335i but it would have been a surefire ticket magnet. Cheers - D
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03-20-2010, 09:34 PM	#2
Kylekuu Captain 30 Rep 679 Posts Drives: 08 328xi, 84 318i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kenosha, WI iTrader: (0)	pic will help, there is a gap. But depends on what you call wide or not
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03-21-2010, 02:43 AM	#3
rolling18 I AM the 12th. Emom 48 Rep 1,007 Posts Drives: 07 335i SG Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: portland, OR iTrader: (1)	completely agree!! the body gaps on this car are "large" compared to others of cheaper cost. espically the hood to the fenders!! wow i can get my finger tip in that fault the very worst i have seen have been on my old 92 mustang Gt where the trunk lid meets the top on the rear bumper.. easily an inch or so uhh that was the worst.. it seems most mid/ high end cars have very tight gaps but not these. __________________ *e92, 335i SG/ Coral. 6m, LSD,*
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03-21-2010, 03:18 AM	#4
HRC MAUI BUILT 485 Rep 7,781 Posts Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2002 E46 325i [0.00] 2012 E70 35i [0.00]	That is the E9x. Larger gaps, but not lower tolerances in terms of structural integrity. These frames are strong/stiff. Look around the car, between the door and fenders, a-pillar to hood then to front fenders, really all over. Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box
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03-21-2010, 03:20 AM	#5
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	Where does your lower front bumper meet your front side panels? __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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03-21-2010, 03:46 AM	#7
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	The C-class has a pretty unsightly gap. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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03-21-2010, 04:57 PM	#8
fourfourtwo Soccer Guy 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: space gray 2010 328i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Cary, North Carolina, USA iTrader: (0)	body panel gaps - pictures Hi all - finally got some pictures of the "gaps". I guess I should not be obsessing about this.....just enjoy the car etc. Thanks, FF2 Attached Images
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03-21-2010, 05:00 PM	#9
TheRox Colonel 119 Rep 2,312 Posts Drives: 6mt Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Here and there iTrader: (2)	Thats german car's for you! Your first pic seems kinda wide, rest are normal! Lexus has nice small panel gaps.
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03-21-2010, 05:01 PM	#10
TheRox Colonel 119 Rep 2,312 Posts Drives: 6mt Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Here and there iTrader: (2)	If you stare at the LCI e90 form the front...it loooks kinda disjointed with all those gaps and lines.
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03-21-2010, 06:10 PM	#11
cfabluenose Lieutenant 38 Rep 430 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wolfville iTrader: (0)	The gaps may not be supertight. But the consistency of the gaps is 100%. There is no evidence whatsever of misaligned panels. It doesn't bother me, it's just a characteristic of the car. __________________ 2009 328i
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