Buy BMW 325i Fender

BMW's 325i front fender-also called a wing, side panel, or wheel-arch guard-shields the tire, shapes airflow, and helps absorb light impacts. Across the E30, E36, E46, and E9x generations the panel changes in size, bolt pattern, and even material (steel, plastic composite, or aluminum). Correct fit, anticorrosion prep, and proper bolt torque make the difference between a quiet, rust-free ride and costly body work.

Function

A fender keeps road grit, water, and stones from hitting brake lines, sensors, and doors, and it guides air around the front wheels to cut drag. The E30 sedan's shape, for example, feeds a 0.35 drag-coefficient body that BMW published for that era .

Fitment

• Identify your chassis code first.
  • E30 (1984-1991)
  • E36 (1992-1998)
  • E46 (1999-2005)
  • E90/E91 sedan & wagon (2006-2011)
  • E92/E93 coupe & cabrio (2007-2013)
• Mounting points vary; E46 uses seven 8 mm bolts, while E90 adds two Torx screws hidden by the bumper cover .
• Coupes share no panels with sedans; buying by body style prevents gaps at the hood and door edges.

Materials

• Steel: Base 325i sedans keep stamped steel that can be repaired with standard MIG welding, but heat must stay below 600 °F per I-CAR steel repair guidelines .
• Plastic composite: 2-door E92/E93 models switched to a flexible thermoplastic outer skin, trimming weight and resisting door-dings .
• Aluminum: Some performance variants use aluminum skins for lighter steering effort .
• Carbon-fiber & GRP conversions can drop mass from 2.8 kg to about 1.2 kg per side on an E46 track build  (nam3forum.com).

Installation

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable (protects air-bag sensors).
2. Remove wheel-arch liner clips; liners block dirt but pop out with a trim tool .
3. Unclip the side marker lamp.
4. Support the bumper skin and loosen the bumper-to-fender screws.
5. Undo upper rail bolts (8 Nm + 90° on many E9x cars) .
6. Lift off the old panel and test-fit the new guard before final tightening.
7. Re-torque fasteners (E46 guide lists 10 Nm on the upper bolts) .
8. Reinstall the liner to keep splash damage away from ABS wires .

Paint & Finish

• Find your exact paint code on the left strut tower or inner door jamb; a quick video walk-through shows the label locations .
• BMW issues a 12-year unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty that covers the front side panel if rust bubbles from beneath the paint .
• Aftermarket panels need an epoxy primer, seam sealer on inner flanges, and urethane clear coat to match OEM gloss.

Protection

• Wheel-arch liners block salt and noise; driving without them can let grime reach electronics and speed rust .
• Clear protective film: BMW issued a service template for stick-on film that guards stone-chip zones ahead of the door .
• Rust touch-ups: Seal chips quickly; rear-wheel spray can eat through steel in a single winter .

Performance

• Rolling or pulling the metal lip makes room for wider wheels but opens a gap to the liner that should be sealed to curb corrosion .
• Aerodynamic tweaks-like the E30's smooth flare and under-tray-support the low 0.35 Cd and reduce lift at speed .
• Weight-saving carbon fenders shave roughly 3 kg off the nose, sharpening turn-in on track builds  (nam3forum.com).

Cost & Value

• Panel weight: steel ~2.8 kg, plastic ~2.0 kg, carbon < 1.5 kg .
• Labor time: DIY swap averages one hour; a body shop may book 2-3 hrs for alignment and paint.
• Insurance: Because the fender is bolt-on, many policies classify minor hits as sheet-metal repair, a cheaper tier than structural.

Eco Impact

Steel and aluminum panels are 100 % recyclable at local metal yards; plastic PP/EPDM fenders can be ground into filler for under-body shields. Using recycled metal saves up to 74 % of the energy needed to smelt new steel, according to industry life-cycle studies  (Automotive News & Videos).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the front fender actually do?
A: It blocks mud and rocks from the tire, shapes airflow, and provides a crush zone for minor bumps.

Q: Is a 325i sedan fender the same as a coupe fender?
A: No. Coupes, sedans, wagons, and cabrios all use panels with unique curves and bolt patterns .

Q: How can I tell if mine is steel or plastic?
A: Tap it-steel sounds solid and will grab a magnet; plastic feels hollow and the magnet won't stick .

Q: Will a plastic fender rust?
A: Plastic itself won't rust, but the metal brackets beneath it can if the liner is missing.

Q: Where do I find the paint code?
A: Look for a silver label on the left strut tower; it shows a three-digit code like "A52" .

Q: What torque should I use on the upper bolts?
A: Most E9x cars spec 8 Nm plus 90°; older E46 cars list about 10 Nm .

Q: Can I weld a crack in a steel fender?
A: Yes, but keep the heat low and follow I-CAR's no-heat-above-600 °F rule for high-strength steels .

Q: Does replacing the fender affect airbags?
A: The fender itself does not house sensors, but disconnect the battery so you don't trigger nearby air-bag wiring during removal.

Q: Why do some fenders look wider on sport models?
A: M and sport packages flare the wing outward to cover wider tires for better grip .

Q: Is driving without the wheel-arch liner safe?
A: Short term it may be okay, but long term it lets salt soak wiring and can start rust, so reinstall or replace it asap .

Q: Can I use carbon fiber fenders on the street?
A: Yes, but they chip easier than steel and must be clear-coated to block UV fade  (nam3forum.com).

Q: How often should I check for rust?
A: Inspect the lip and mounting tabs twice a year, especially if you drive on salted roads .

Q: Will rolling the fender hurt the paint?
A: If it's heated first and rolled slowly, paint usually survives, but rushing the job can crack the clear coat .

Q: Does the corrosion warranty cover chips from stones?
A: No. The 12-year warranty covers rust that begins from the inside out, not surface damage .

Q: Are aluminum fenders harder to fix?
A: They require special rivets and low-heat repairs because aluminum work-hardens quickly .