[jamesbilluk]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a 320D SE convertible. Really loving everything about it so far apart from the OEM spolier the previous owner specced with the car. I thought I would get used to it after purchase, but I'm not sure I can, I love the smooth boot line of this car, dont think this adds to it
Here are some images, roof up it doesn't look to bad on, with the roof down it looks too much.

Roof up


Roof down


Here is the spoiler from the side


My main question is, how easy would this be to remove? is it an adhesive keeping it in place?

Many thanks

James.

[G82Dude]

Understand it is just tape. Sure someone mentioned dental floss might cut through it without damaging underlying paintwork?

[HeavyRightFoot]

If it is 3M tape, heat with a hair dryer, get some dental floss and overlap it 4 or 5 times and in a sawing motion cut away from below.

If it is the bonded glue it may be a bit more difficult.

[mistryn]

definatly heat up with a hair dryer to help soften the glue/tape makes it easier and take your time

[Red Ice BMW]

I have this spoiler as well and really not sure on it either. Its one of these ones I'm scared to remove it just incase it looks to bare or I want it back on again.

Should a bodyshop be able to remove this? Knowing my luck I'd strip the paint off with it.

[creepy coupe]

Strimmer cord

[Jon D]

I found a similar looking spoiler on ebay and it's sold with double sided tape, so it appears that it would be easy to remove with a hair drier and floss; you can do the same with the badge while you're at it .
Quite alarming to think there's nothing more than that holding it on - the aerodynamic forces on the spoiler at speed will be considerable and it would definitely be a sense-of-humour fail to have that through your windscreen at 80mph .

[jamesbilluk]

Many thanks for the replies guys. Good to know its double tape and not bolts.
Red Ice BMW, I feel the same about it too and a bit reluctant to attempt it..

Jon D, Thats my plan to get rid of the badges too I did it with my previous BMW and looked much neater at the back.

Many thanks

James

[Phil325i]

Hmmm. While the M3-style boot lid spoiler is held on by 3M adhesive only, I'm not so sure about this one. As there is a lot less of the spoiler in contact with the boot lid and as it's heavier than the M3 one, I wouldn't be surprised if there are fixings securing it to the lid.

Why don't you ring the supplying dealer? It looks like it may be a dealer-fit accessory...

[jamesbilluk]

Thanks, I may give my local dealer a ring then, see what they say.

It does seem its a dealer fit option too, think this is the one from the BMW accessories page.

[greatbm]

When I was looking into front and rear spoilers I am sure that type was glued on using Betalink same as recommend for the front and that can only be removed by mechanical means which would damage the boot surface.

[phil3103]

I got my CF rear spoiler fitted by bluebell and they used the bonding kit which I understand to be a glue rather than just tape. There's no chance that's going anywhere at high speed. Rock solid an I doubt a hair dryer would work.

Ask the dealer I would before I started with other means. Personally I think it looks nice for what it's worth. Nice car.

[Subzero2003]

I've actually seen one of these spoilers up close as i bought one then changed my mind.

There were two versions of this spoiler. I bought the early version which came in two parts, one part was on the inside of the boot lid and was there to allow you to screw screws into the actual spoiler on the outside, through holes in the boot metal.

There was a later version which superseded this two part setup and just consisted of the spoiler. This was stuck down with cement stuff IIRC.

So if you do ever manage to get it off, you'll either be left with 2 holes in your boot lid, or two massive patches where the cement was and you've subsequently ripped off the paint, because that cement is mental strong.

Honestly, i'd probably by a new boot lid and fit it, as i'm sure they never tried to hold down a spoiler that heavy with 3M tape. If you have the earlier 2 piece spoiler, you will have 2 holes in your bootlid anyway.

[Subzero2003]

EDIT: found a photo of it.



Note the screw holes on either side of the big spoiler.

[Subzero2003]

EDIT 2: I've just seen yours is a 60 plate, so it is going to have the superseded part where they stuck it down, rather than bolted it down.

The million pound question is now did they stick it down with 3M tape (unlikely IMO) or that horrible cement stuff (likely)?

[jamesbilluk]

phil3103, many thanks I am starting to warm to it more in a way.

Subzero2003

Many thanks for the replies!

Looking at the later post it is great to know that has the later part that is stuck down instead of being bolted. Im hoping its 3M tape if I do remove it!

[Mikesding]

Bit of thread revival here... but did you ever find out how it was stuck on? Having the same thoughts as you, car had this spoiler fitted when I bought it, but not the biggest fan!

[CustomColours]

Most are stuck with poly urethane bond. It ultimately leaves it bonded to your paint rrquiring cutting it off then sanding wrecking the boot painy. Been there done that and had it repaired and repainted at a bmw body shop.