Anyone try this eBay find? $190 Painted MPerformance style diffuser

TypeOne · 06-23-2017, 01:26 PM

Mine just showed up and while the paint finish is pretty nice, I didn't realize it was made of fiberglass. :-/ It also doesn't have any tabs in the center. All in all, not really what I was expecting but then again I can't really complain. It was $200.

jmciver · 07-03-2017, 04:19 PM

Just got mine in today, straight from Taiwan. Paint color and finish was an exact match as far as I am concerned when I put it up next to the car (but I am no auto paint expert). They also had no issues (or charged an extra fee) doing a BMW Individual color, which in this case was Smoked Topaz Metallic. I had my M-Performance lip painted body color by a local shop so there is nothing really special about this paint - as expected.

There were no center tabs either, on the side closest to the muffler. However, I took a quick look at the OEM piece on the car and the lack of tabs should not be an issue as others have mentioned. When I have the OEM piece off of the car I could possibly fabricate/glue some simple tabs to the new diffuser if I really think it is necessary.

Only time will tell regarding the durability of this piece, specifically the paint and finish. However, I am optimistic based on what I have seen personally of the piece and what others have said. This is the look I wanted and the price can't be beat for what it is. We all know that eBay can be a hit or miss - I think this one is quite possibly a hit. I may try the painted side skirts (if they have them for the F8X) as that is the next body mod I want - they have them painted for $159 for the F3X. The paint job alone may make it worth a try at that price point.

A few unboxing pics below...

gatorfast · 07-03-2017, 07:56 PM

Looks great let's see some installed pics! Don't think I have seen one of these body colored.

jmciver · 07-08-2017, 09:56 PM

So I finally got around to installing the diffuser. While I still stand by my earlier statement that this is still a "hit" by eBay standards.... It is still eBay, which is not OEM - especially when it comes to a perfect fit. I say this since I had to do some minor trimming with an exacto knife in order for it to fit nice and tight. But I don't consider this a big deal at this price point. Especially since this piece is not at "eye level" like a hood for example. I still think the fit is very good.

I can see how the lack of tabs in the middle may cause some vibration when driving at speed, especially since the "fins" on the new diffuser can scoop/trap some air while at speed. Unfortunately, there is no way to know unless I have someone behind me while I am driving. That said, I am not too worried about it for now as the piece seems rigid enough.

So would I still recommend this as a reasonable cost alternative for this particular cosmetic mod? Yes, but remember what you are getting is not perfect OEM, but it still looks good and the price is great when taking into account the paint job that is included.

Now a few pics...

This one is a comparison between to stock piece and the eBay one. Top (stock), bottom (eBay)..

A few installed pics. The first two are with stock exhaust tips, the last two with BMS tips as I was installing them at the same time...

G35POPPEDMYCHERRY · 07-09-2017, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinGelbM4

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281865999244...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Quality and fitment was good. (I AM VERY PICKY). Transaction was smooth.
Tried for the CF spoiler from a different seller and that was not good enough. Had to return and order from E C S Tuning (one word). eBay can be hit or miss sometimes. Good luck.

just bought this crossing my fingers that it fits perfectly

Brasko · 07-11-2017, 02:46 PM

Picked up my rear diffuser from CarKing. Had them paint it to match the LSB colorway. Great fitment, fast shipment and good quality. Would definitely recommend.

Vincz · 08-20-2017, 02:44 PM

Any updates on these? Is it stable despite missing those tabs?
Did anyone ever try the Akropovich version?

jmciver · 08-20-2017, 03:56 PM

Mine appears to be holding up fine and I am still happy with the look that I wanted. Although, if it is flopping around a bit at speed due to a lack of center tabs, there is no way I would know from inside the car. The next time I get the car up in the air I will try to remember to take a look to see if there are any stress marks in the paint from the diffuser potentially bending.

I still stand by my basic recommendation above in this thread.

gatorfast · 08-21-2017, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincz

Any updates on these? Is it stable despite missing those tabs?
Did anyone ever try the Akropovich version?

Mine still looks perfect and hasn't moved an inch despite the missing tabs.

ratedlemon · 08-24-2017, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Mine still looks perfect and hasn't moved an inch despite the missing tabs.

You have Installed pics sir by chance?

gatorfast · 08-24-2017, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro_M3

You have Installed pics sir by chance?

Here you go

TypeOne · 08-24-2017, 01:33 PM

Mine.

iatacs19 · 08-27-2017, 07:45 PM

Is there a way to secure it since it missing the tabs? I also notice that mine is kind of loose. I tried to add some double sided 3M tape, but that didn't work at all.

damageprone · 08-28-2017, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iatacs19

Is there a way to secure it since it missing the tabs? I also notice that mine is kind of loose. I tried to add some double sided 3M tape, but that didn't work at all.

Did you use VHB tape? If so, did you properly prep the surface?

BoxKing · 08-30-2017, 07:48 AM

They all look great for the price, but I can't see myself overlooking that my rear OEM Spoiler is CF, and wouldn't match the diffuser.

gatorfast · 08-30-2017, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoxKing

They all look great for the price, but I can't see myself overlooking that my rear OEM Spoiler is CF, and wouldn't match the diffuser.

I have the oem CF spoiler as well, does it look so mismatched in the pic above

BoxKing · 08-30-2017, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoxKing

They all look great for the price, but I can't see myself overlooking that my rear OEM Spoiler is CF, and wouldn't match the diffuser.

I have the oem CF spoiler as well, does it look so mismatched in the pic above

Guess it depends when you see it in person, similar to how ppl say exhausts sound better in person. I'm not knocking it, I'm just playing devils advocate to why this diffuser might not be for everyone based on their current mods.

Most ppl have the front lip and splitter combo that vary but it looks solid, others are diehard on everything being the same.

Once you go carbon you can't go back vs once you go black!

starbai · 12-18-2017, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinGelbM4

The stock diffuser doesn't use those 2 middle bolts either but has 2 tabs. I slotted the aftermarket tabs into the slots under the car and the fit is as tight as a drum. I'll try to see if I can take some pics of under there.

To be clear, you do remove the stock painted diffuser to put this on right? It doesn't go on over the top of the old one? Did you use any 3m double sided tape? Mine came with it and I'm not sure I really want to/need to use it.

iatacs19 · 12-18-2017, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starbai

To be clear, you do remove the stock painted diffuser to put this on right? It doesn't go on over the top of the old one? Did you use any 3m double sided tape? Mine came with it and I'm not sure I really want to/need to use it.

Yes, remove the painted OEM diffuser and replace it with the new one. It's very easy to do, just 2 screws if I remember correctly.

ZoomZoomZEmmy · 12-19-2017, 04:09 PM

Why did you guys buy a new one on eBay instead of just taking your original to a paint shop and have them paint it
Have any of your looked in to having the original painted, if so how much were you quoted?

All the photos do look like a perfect match and look great. I think blacking out the diffuser with the Alpine White body looks good.
Thanks for the photos.
Zoom_Zoom

smithf80 · 12-19-2017, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoomZoomZEmmy

Why did you guys buy a new one on eBay instead of just taking your original to a paint shop and have them paint it
Have any of your looked in to having the original painted, if so how much were you quoted?

All the photos do look like a perfect match and look great. I think blacking out the diffuser with the Alpine White body looks good.
Thanks for the photos.
Zoom_Zoom

Why? Because its a completely different style...

Finned looks about 100000x better than the boring stock diffuser.

starbai · 12-19-2017, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithf80

Why? Because its a completely different style...

Finned looks about 100000x better than the boring stock diffuser.

This.

06-23-2017, 01:26 PM	#45
TypeOne Enthuisiast 93 Rep 423 Posts Drives: G05 X5 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Baton Rouge iTrader: (0)	Mine just showed up and while the paint finish is pretty nice, I didn't realize it was made of fiberglass. :-/ It also doesn't have any tabs in the center. All in all, not really what I was expecting but then again I can't really complain. It was $200. __________________ AW F80 M3 / RAYS / TOYO TIRES / BMS IG: @hybrid_david
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-03-2017, 04:19 PM	#46
jmciver ///M SubDriver 1836 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: 2017 M3, 2020 X7 40i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: DMV iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M3 [10.00] 2020 BMW X7 [0.00] 2019 BMW X3 [0.00] 2009 BMW 128i [0.00]	Just got mine in today, straight from Taiwan. Paint color and finish was an exact match as far as I am concerned when I put it up next to the car (but I am no auto paint expert). They also had no issues (or charged an extra fee) doing a BMW Individual color, which in this case was Smoked Topaz Metallic. I had my M-Performance lip painted body color by a local shop so there is nothing really special about this paint - as expected. There were no center tabs either, on the side closest to the muffler. However, I took a quick look at the OEM piece on the car and the lack of tabs should not be an issue as others have mentioned. When I have the OEM piece off of the car I could possibly fabricate/glue some simple tabs to the new diffuser if I really think it is necessary. Only time will tell regarding the durability of this piece, specifically the paint and finish. However, I am optimistic based on what I have seen personally of the piece and what others have said. This is the look I wanted and the price can't be beat for what it is. We all know that eBay can be a hit or miss - I think this one is quite possibly a hit. I may try the painted side skirts (if they have them for the F8X) as that is the next body mod I want - they have them painted for $159 for the F3X. The paint job alone may make it worth a try at that price point. A few unboxing pics below... __________________ ///M3 *COMPETITION 6MT* - 2017 F80 Smoked Topaz Metallic BM3 / MP-HAS / GC Camber Plates / Carbonstructure Interior X7 XDrive 40i ///M-SPORT - 2020 G07 Arctic Grey Metallic X3 XDrive 30i - 2019 G01 Mineral White (wife's) / 128i 6MT - 2009 E82 Jet Black (son's)
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07-03-2017, 07:56 PM	#47
gatorfast Major General 4995 Rep 6,862 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	Looks great let's see some installed pics! Don't think I have seen one of these body colored.
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07-08-2017, 09:56 PM	#48
jmciver ///M SubDriver 1836 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: 2017 M3, 2020 X7 40i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: DMV iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M3 [10.00] 2020 BMW X7 [0.00] 2019 BMW X3 [0.00] 2009 BMW 128i [0.00]	So I finally got around to installing the diffuser. While I still stand by my earlier statement that this is still a "hit" by eBay standards.... It is still eBay, which is not OEM - especially when it comes to a perfect fit. I say this since I had to do some minor trimming with an exacto knife in order for it to fit nice and tight. But I don't consider this a big deal at this price point. Especially since this piece is not at "eye level" like a hood for example. I still think the fit is very good. I can see how the lack of tabs in the middle may cause some vibration when driving at speed, especially since the "fins" on the new diffuser can scoop/trap some air while at speed. Unfortunately, there is no way to know unless I have someone behind me while I am driving. That said, I am not too worried about it for now as the piece seems rigid enough. So would I still recommend this as a reasonable cost alternative for this particular cosmetic mod? Yes, but remember what you are getting is not perfect OEM, but it still looks good and the price is great when taking into account the paint job that is included. Now a few pics... This one is a comparison between to stock piece and the eBay one. Top (stock), bottom (eBay).. A few installed pics. The first two are with stock exhaust tips, the last two with BMS tips as I was installing them at the same time... __________________ ///M3 *COMPETITION 6MT* - 2017 F80 Smoked Topaz Metallic BM3 / MP-HAS / GC Camber Plates / Carbonstructure Interior X7 XDrive 40i ///M-SPORT - 2020 G07 Arctic Grey Metallic X3 XDrive 30i - 2019 G01 Mineral White (wife's) / 128i 6MT - 2009 E82 Jet Black (son's) Last edited by jmciver; 07-09-2017 at 06:40 AM..
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07-11-2017, 02:46 PM	#50
Brasko #LSBM3 1420 Rep 1,973 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Oregon / Florida iTrader: (4) Garage List 1984 BMW R65 [0.00] 2020 Ford F-150 XLT ... [0.00] 2003 Mitsubishi Evo ... [0.00] 2016 M3 Competition ... [10.00]	Picked up my rear diffuser from CarKing. Had them paint it to match the LSB colorway. Great fitment, fast shipment and good quality. Would definitely recommend. __________________ /// M3
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08-20-2017, 02:44 PM	#51
Vincz Private First Class 69 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 2017 GT350 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ponte Vedra, FL iTrader: (0)	Any updates on these? Is it stable despite missing those tabs? Did anyone ever try the Akropovich version?
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08-20-2017, 03:56 PM	#52
jmciver ///M SubDriver 1836 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: 2017 M3, 2020 X7 40i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: DMV iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M3 [10.00] 2020 BMW X7 [0.00] 2019 BMW X3 [0.00] 2009 BMW 128i [0.00]	Mine appears to be holding up fine and I am still happy with the look that I wanted. Although, if it is flopping around a bit at speed due to a lack of center tabs, there is no way I would know from inside the car. The next time I get the car up in the air I will try to remember to take a look to see if there are any stress marks in the paint from the diffuser potentially bending. I still stand by my basic recommendation above in this thread. __________________ ///M3 *COMPETITION 6MT* - 2017 F80 Smoked Topaz Metallic BM3 / MP-HAS / GC Camber Plates / Carbonstructure Interior X7 XDrive 40i ///M-SPORT - 2020 G07 Arctic Grey Metallic X3 XDrive 30i - 2019 G01 Mineral White (wife's) / 128i 6MT - 2009 E82 Jet Black (son's)
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08-24-2017, 01:33 PM	#56
TypeOne Enthuisiast 93 Rep 423 Posts Drives: G05 X5 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Baton Rouge iTrader: (0)	Mine. Attached Images __________________ AW F80 M3 / RAYS / TOYO TIRES / BMS IG: @hybrid_david
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08-27-2017, 07:45 PM	#57
iatacs19 Major General 459 Rep 5,319 Posts Drives: 2016 SO M4 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (8)	Is there a way to secure it since it missing the tabs? I also notice that mine is kind of loose. I tried to add some double sided 3M tape, but that didn't work at all. __________________ If only BMWCCA Referral: 385628
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08-30-2017, 07:48 AM	#59
BoxKing I Rock Your Girls Box 293 Rep 662 Posts Drives: M4 F82 ZCP AW Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (1)	They all look great for the price, but I can't see myself overlooking that my rear OEM Spoiler is CF, and wouldn't match the diffuser.
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12-19-2017, 04:09 PM	#64
ZoomZoomZEmmy Private 35 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Coupe Stripper 6M Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Manhattan Beach iTrader: (0)	Why did you guys buy a new one on eBay instead of just taking your original to a paint shop and have them paint it Have any of your looked in to having the original painted, if so how much were you quoted? All the photos do look like a perfect match and look great. I think blacking out the diffuser with the Alpine White body looks good. Thanks for the photos. Zoom_Zoom
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