[GoneIn4Secs]

So i gotta take off the front winglets on my LCI, they came with the car port installed probably, and they are prob glued on with betalink

Ive heard this stuff is a nightmare, do yall have any advice on best way to take this off? Is paint/finish damage guaranteed?

Is it worth trying to do this myself or better to just pay the shop to do this?

[inTgr8r]

You heard correctly.
Everyone that I knew with this problem ended up with a repaint.

I did however hear recently that there are two versions of betalink; with one easier than the other to remove.
I have not seen this confirmed anywhere though, and have no idea how you would determine which one you have.

[M Fifty]

Can we review 'why' you need to take these off?

As removal is likely to destroy the winglets and damage the bumper skin, any suitable kerb will do, but I'm guessing that's not it?

Possibly easier to buy a used front bumper skin off eBay in the right colour, and sell your existing one with winglets in place - that way you actually realise some value.

[GoneIn4Secs]

I got to put on a new splitter , what do you mean by 'kerb'? And not sure what your referring to with the ebay skin?

Shouldn't the damage only be on the underside so people wont even be able to see the dmg?

[GoneIn4Secs]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

You heard correctly.
Everyone that I knew with this problem ended up with a repaint.

I did however hear recently that there are two versions of betalink; with one easier than the other to remove.
I have not seen this confirmed anywhere though, and have no idea how you would determine which one you have.

Is the damage noticeable??

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by GoneIn4Secs

Is the damage noticeable??

I haven't seen it myself, but from what I've been told, yes, it's nasty.
It's hard bonded to the paint.

[M Fifty]

Originally Posted by GoneIn4Secs

I got to put on a new splitter , what do you mean by 'kerb'? And not sure what your referring to with the ebay skin?

Shouldn't the damage only be on the underside so people wont even be able to see the dmg?

The bit that the winglets (and your new splitter) attach to is just a plastic trim (or skin) over the underlying crash structure.

So, do a search on eBay for M2 front bumper in the colour you need and you'll be looking at a moulded plastic part that fits over the actual bumper structure.

Basically, removing the winglets is going to result in their destruction - and damage to the area where you want to fit the splitter that will need repairing (or replacing). If they're genuine BMW winglets, buying a used bumper in the right colour will allow you to sell the old one for quite a bit more than the replacement will cost.

As to the first question: Wikipedia defines a curb (or kerb) as the edge where a raised sidewalk or road median/central reservation meets a street or other roadway. Given the level of damage what you're proposing is likely to cause if betalink was used, the cheaper option is just to just smack the winglets off on same while driving?

You may get lucky though and find that they just used double sided tape along with the screws/captive nuts that attach the bumper trim to the under tray, as that would be a lot quicker for Port Installation.

HTH

[Wolfman’s Brother]

3M eraser wheel is generally the ticket. May be more viable than driving into a hard object as advised.

[GoneIn4Secs]

Would heat gun or a blowdryer help soften the stuff up?

[Wolfman’s Brother]

Originally Posted by GoneIn4Secs

Would heat gun or a blowdryer help soften the stuff up?

Typically, but I can’t speak from personal experience. Wouldn’t stress any scratches etc too hard because as has been mentioned here your replacement lip is going to cover the area where the previous units were.

If DIY, time to start your formal YouTube certification process. Otherwise, find a skilled body shop you trust and challenge them with it. My local BMW certified body shop only charged $200ish to install an OEM M2CS trunk spoiler and a front lip. You may be surprised how cheap farming it out to professionals actually is.

[GoneIn4Secs]

Originally Posted by Wolfman’s Brother

Typically, but I can’t speak from personal experience. Wouldn’t stress any scratches etc too hard because as has been mentioned here your replacement lip is going to cover the area where the previous units were.

If DIY, time to start your formal YouTube certification process. Otherwise, find a skilled body shop you trust and challenge them with it. My local BMW certified body shop only charged $200ish to install an OEM M2CS trunk spoiler and a front lip. You may be surprised how cheap farming it out to professionals actually is.

Ok thanks, i think that may be the route i need to take, find a shop that specializes in bmw or has done this in the past, if i didnt have to do this removing part, i would just do it all myself

[M Fifty]

Originally Posted by Wolfman’s Brother

3M eraser wheel is generally the ticket. May be more viable than driving into a hard object as advised.

It's one - of several - approaches. Leaving ti to the professionals is still favourite.

[Wolfman’s Brother]

Originally Posted by GoneIn4Secs

Ok thanks, i think that may be the route i need to take, find a shop that specializes in bmw or has done this in the past, if i didnt have to do this removing part, i would just do it all myself

If you can, find the shop your dealer uses.

[happyjack]

maybe post a WTT and try a bumper swap with someone who wants the winglets?