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      04-07-2013, 10:13 PM   #1
Gnip Gnop
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DIY- Performance Rear Diffuser

I thought I would post this here too (already posted in the diffuser thread) in case someone missed it on the other thread. And this is a DIY post so...here goes.

SO.... I installed my diffuser from Mod Bargains. .......

When I got the diffuser, the first thing I did was inspect the weave and hold it up to a light. The weave is far from perfect, but like I said, you cant expect perfection with these diffusers, thats why the OEM BMWP one is so expensive.
There are a few spots where the light shows through, but that is not such a big deal, since it is on the bottom of the car.

This diffuser has metal tabs on it, not the plastic ones on the Scopione and the OEM. These led to my first major issue.....



So I began by taking the stock diffuser off.



I quickly realized this job would be much more involved than I had planned. Those metal tabs need to be bent down once you mount it on the bumper cover to hold the diffuser in place. The problem with that is the tabs are so long that they hit the metal bumper of the car, and it was impossible for me to bend the metal tabs down from underneath the car. This is hard to explain and I was not able to take any pictures.

So my only option was to install the diffuser onto the bumper cover...off of the car. Great. Started by removing the tail lights and un screwing everthing underneath and in the wheel wells.



Removal of the bumper took me hours. I had no idea how the plastic tabs worked at first, and I did not want to pull to hard and break anything. The sides on the bumper cover have 4 clips. The only way to undo them is to slide the bumper cover backwards and pull it out. Once I figured this step out, it was easier and eventually came off...I did break one tab but it did not affect the fitment when I re installed it.



So now was the time to install the diffuser. It did not fit well...at all. I ended up having to Dremel the edges on the drivers side. Also, there were not any holes pre drilled so I did that as well. I didnt take any pictures of these steps, its pretty straight forward. Just keep grinding away and bend it until it fits in there. I ended up making it work, but it is still not perfect. The passenger side has a small gap. This photo also shows off the quality of the weave around the corner.



And a picture of a couple of the holes I had to drill, while under the car.



And 5 hours later...THE DIFFUSER IS ON THE CAR!



Now all that was left was to just screw everything back together under the car. The diffuser is solid as a rock. When I try to move it, it moves the entire car. Here are the final pictures, also showing off my newly installed LCI blacklines. Im still thinking about de-badging her.





I love how the Active Autowerk exhaust fits perfectly with this diffuser. It stuck out too far with the OEM one.



So the question is; was my trouble, the bad weave, the not perfect fitment worth the money saved off of the OEM BMWP diffuser? Im not so sure I can say yes. This was a major pain in the ass that took 6 hours of my day. By the sounds of it, the Scopione is the way to go, even with the tabs that you might have to sand down. At least you dont have to remove the bumper cover... I do love the way it looks, and I'm very happy the direction of the weave matches that of the BMWP spoiler. Well I hope this post helps some of you out if your on the fence of what diffuser to buy.

ALSO, if anyone reading this will have to remove the rear bumper cover in the future and you have any questions, PM me. I learned how to do it the right way, the hard way.
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      04-08-2013, 06:18 AM   #2
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Great DIY, I'm sure you'll get more questions about the tabs being too long. I would ask but I have found a different diffuser to go with. Looks great and nobody will notice/care about the imperfect weave other than you.

My vote is that you debadge, I had mine off for a day and it looks great! Consequently I spent too much on a special badge to leave the one I bought off the car.
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      04-08-2013, 08:22 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gnip Gnop View Post
I thought I would post this here too (already posted in the diffuser thread) in case someone missed it on the other thread. And this is a DIY post so...here goes.

SO.... I installed my diffuser from Mod Bargains. .......

When I got the diffuser, the first thing I did was inspect the weave and hold it up to a light. The weave is far from perfect, but like I said, you cant expect perfection with these diffusers, thats why the OEM BMWP one is so expensive.
There are a few spots where the light shows through, but that is not such a big deal, since it is on the bottom of the car.

This diffuser has metal tabs on it, not the plastic ones on the Scopione and the OEM. These led to my first major issue.....



So I began by taking the stock diffuser off.



I quickly realized this job would be much more involved than I had planned. Those metal tabs need to be bent down once you mount it on the bumper cover to hold the diffuser in place. The problem with that is the tabs are so long that they hit the metal bumper of the car, and it was impossible for me to bend the metal tabs down from underneath the car. This is hard to explain and I was not able to take any pictures.

So my only option was to install the diffuser onto the bumper cover...off of the car. Great. Started by removing the tail lights and un screwing everthing underneath and in the wheel wells.



Removal of the bumper took me hours. I had no idea how the plastic tabs worked at first, and I did not want to pull to hard and break anything. The sides on the bumper cover have 4 clips. The only way to undo them is to slide the bumper cover backwards and pull it out. Once I figured this step out, it was easier and eventually came off...I did break one tab but it did not affect the fitment when I re installed it.



So now was the time to install the diffuser. It did not fit well...at all. I ended up having to Dremel the edges on the drivers side. Also, there were not any holes pre drilled so I did that as well. I didnt take any pictures of these steps, its pretty straight forward. Just keep grinding away and bend it until it fits in there. I ended up making it work, but it is still not perfect. The passenger side has a small gap. This photo also shows off the quality of the weave around the corner.



And a picture of a couple of the holes I had to drill, while under the car.



And 5 hours later...THE DIFFUSER IS ON THE CAR!



Now all that was left was to just screw everything back together under the car. The diffuser is solid as a rock. When I try to move it, it moves the entire car. Here are the final pictures, also showing off my newly installed LCI blacklines. Im still thinking about de-badging her.





I love how the Active Autowerk exhaust fits perfectly with this diffuser. It stuck out too far with the OEM one.



So the question is; was my trouble, the bad weave, the not perfect fitment worth the money saved off of the OEM BMWP diffuser? Im not so sure I can say yes. This was a major pain in the ass that took 6 hours of my day. By the sounds of it, the Scopione is the way to go, even with the tabs that you might have to sand down. At least you dont have to remove the bumper cover... I do love the way it looks, and I'm very happy the direction of the weave matches that of the BMWP spoiler. Well I hope this post helps some of you out if your on the fence of what diffuser to buy.

ALSO, if anyone reading this will have to remove the rear bumper cover in the future and you have any questions, PM me. I learned how to do it the right way, the hard way.
Damn seems like alot of work for what it is
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      04-09-2013, 12:31 PM   #4
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Holy crap that’s a lot of work for a diffusor OP…I know Icarbon was a bit hit or miss with fitment, but I got lucky and mine was on the car within 5 minutes of taking the OE one off. The tabs just slid into place, and the bolt holes lined up pretty much perfectly. But at least it’s on the car now, enjoy! Totally changes the rear of the car, the OE plastic diffusor is gross.
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      04-09-2013, 12:37 PM   #5
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I think you went to far with the installation. I have installed two different diffusers before (iCarbon + Scopione). Scopione one required me to grind the tabs to get it to fit but neither of them required rear bumper removal or taillight removal.

It's much easier if you have a person helping and then you can both to align it a bit better.
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      04-09-2013, 01:55 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cooler2442 View Post
I think you went to far with the installation. I have installed two different diffusers before (iCarbon + Scopione). Scopione one required me to grind the tabs to get it to fit but neither of them required rear bumper removal or taillight removal.

It's much easier if you have a person helping and then you can both to align it a bit better.
I had 3 people. And the difference between this diffuser and icarbon/scopione, is that this one does not have plastic tabs. It doesn't just "pop in". The metal tabs need to fit through the holes on the bumper cover, and be bent down to hold it in place. There was no possible way to reach these tabs and bend them down while on the car. It is hard to explain and I wish I took more pictures, but this was the only way it could be done.
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      04-09-2013, 01:58 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gnip Gnop View Post
I had 3 people. And the difference between this diffuser and icarbon/scopione, is that this one does not have plastic tabs. It doesn't just "pop in". The metal tabs need to fit through the holes on the bumper cover, and be bent down to hold it in place. There was no possible way to reach these tabs and bend them down while on the car. It is hard to explain and I wish I took more pictures, but this was the only way it could be done.
So to remove it you have to unbend the tabs, it won't pop right off?
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      04-09-2013, 01:59 PM   #8
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my icarbon was a 10 minute install that fit perfectly.

It did not have plastic tabs. It had metal tabs, which I did not bend. I just let them fit into slits in the bumper. The piece is very light and doesnt hold up any weight. The screws on the bottom of the diffuser and the unbent tabs was more than enough to keep it secured in place.
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      04-09-2013, 02:20 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes View Post
my icarbon was a 10 minute install that fit perfectly.

It did not have plastic tabs. It had metal tabs, which I did not bend. I just let them fit into slits in the bumper. The piece is very light and doesnt hold up any weight. The screws on the bottom of the diffuser and the unbent tabs was more than enough to keep it secured in place.
How did you fit the tabs in? There was about half inch between my bumper cover and the metal bumper. The metal tabs hit the metal bumper of the car and would not allow the diffuser to go in any further. I tried everything before removing the bumper cover. Once I took the bumper cover off, it was a easy job
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      04-09-2013, 03:18 PM   #10
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if there was one that actually did what it was designed to do?
Redirect air up!
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      04-09-2013, 03:46 PM   #11
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if there was one that actually did what it was designed to do?
Redirect air up!
I only got this for the looks
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      04-09-2013, 05:39 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gnip Gnop View Post
How did you fit the tabs in? There was about half inch between my bumper cover and the metal bumper. The metal tabs hit the metal bumper of the car and would not allow the diffuser to go in any further. I tried everything before removing the bumper cover. Once I took the bumper cover off, it was a easy job
that is strange. My tabes fit in the same holes that the stock diffuser tabs used. It all slid right into place.

I was under the impression the bmw performance diffuser fit on the same way. I had never heard of anyone having to bend tabs.
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      04-09-2013, 05:53 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes View Post
that is strange. My tabes fit in the same holes that the stock diffuser tabs used. It all slid right into place.

I was under the impression the bmw performance diffuser fit on the same way. I had never heard of anyone having to bend tabs.
Yeah mine was not like that...at all. I actually watched this video a few times. The metal tabs on mine fit into the same holes as well, they just are so long they actually hit the metal bumper, preventing it to go any further unless you bend them
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      04-09-2013, 06:27 PM   #14
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I see what you are saying. Ur tabs were so long that when the bumper was mounted they hit your rear bumper support bar. I think you did the smart thing to remove the bumper
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      04-09-2013, 06:37 PM   #15
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So what we've learned is do not buy the Mod Bargains diffuser and instead get one from Scopione / Ebay? lol. Never seen tabs so long that they had to be bent to fit.
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      04-09-2013, 06:41 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cooler2442 View Post
So what we've learned is do not buy the Mod Bargains diffuser and instead get one from Scopione / Ebay? lol. Never seen tabs so long that they had to be bent to fit.
The Scopione one isn't without faults either. The tabs are too thick from the resin to fit into the bumper, so you'll have to shave them down a bit. I'm still working on mine whenever I find the time.
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      04-09-2013, 08:18 PM   #17
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Wow, that's crazy. My ebay llouiellp was a 15 minute job (1 person) in 30 degree weather: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...&postcount=200

No issues with the tabs. Thrilled with the look and weathered the winter pretty well. Looks the same as the day I installed it.

Kudos for removing the bumper cover, I probably would have returned it and went with another brand.
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      04-10-2013, 01:44 AM   #18
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Wow, that's crazy. My ebay llouiellp was a 15 minute job (1 person) in 30 degree weather: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...&postcount=200

No issues with the tabs. Thrilled with the look and weathered the winter pretty well. Looks the same as the day I installed it.

Kudos for removing the bumper cover, I probably would have returned it and went with another brand.
I was so close to just saying screw it and returning it. I said to myself, I will try one more time. Good thing I did.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cooler2442 View Post
So what we've learned is do not buy the Mod Bargains diffuser and instead get one from Scopione / Ebay? lol. Never seen tabs so long that they had to be bent to fit.
Exactly. It looks great once installed...but what a pain in the ass.

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Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes View Post
I see what you are saying. Ur tabs were so long that when the bumper was mounted they hit your rear bumper support bar. I think you did the smart thing to remove the bumper
Yeah it was my only choice really.
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      05-07-2013, 03:54 PM   #19
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very nice!
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      05-15-2013, 07:45 AM   #20
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Nice, thanks for the info. Noticed you're local as well. Nice to see people around here own 135i's
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      05-15-2013, 10:08 AM   #21
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Nice, thanks for the info. Noticed you're local as well. Nice to see people around here own 135i's
Not too many around!
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