How sensible are Fibreglass bumpers? I've only ever lived with urethane or metal. Urethane has its obvious advantages, being virtually indestructible, however it's drawback is cost and availability. The reason I'm asking is I'm sorely tempted to fit a replica FG 99 spec. I know someone's going to say buy an OE one but the cost is not something I can justify, remember it's not just bumper it's the indicators, shipping, tax etc etc. Quite a chunk for something 100% cosmetic. Where as I can sort myself out with a fibreglass version for about half. Finding a used 99 is the obvious answer but when the average post for little everyday parts in the wanted section goes unresolved or even unanswered it's a greased unicorn.

So thoughts and experiences. Will I regret it as I smash it to pieces in a months time rolling down the driveway as it shatters like sugar glass or is it just a case of if I have a bump the damage will be worse (however easily repaired).

From my experience, it depends on quality of the fibreglass stuff. Often once the fibreglass thing comes out of the mould they slightly differ bumper to bumper and sometimes require cutting/trimming.

 

That said my impul ones are perfect fits and I have no complaints with them, and they also have the advantage of being easily repairable. In my experience it doesn't smash, it just cracks and breaks off.

What's wrong with the one you have on now? It looks the part and has OEM fit and finish.

Stephen, I built up a good reputation with my local Nissan dealer, all I do now is give them a part no. and a deposit, they order the part which can take a while depending on what I'm after, I just chip away at the cost and collect it when it's paid for. Better to go original on a well minded Z:thumbup1:. They are also responsible for the shipping etc. so no worries about damaged goods:yes:

What's wrong with the one you have on now? It looks the part and has OEM fit and finish.

 

Nothing Andrew, that part of the issue. The change is purely cosmetic. I'd like it to sit lower to match the side skirts and that's easier/better end product with the 99. The other option, which I like is a Stillen lip, at that point me and a local member would be twins...

The other option, which I like is a Stillen lip, at that point me and a local member would be twins...

 

Would that be Pete (icewhitebear)? I sold him mine.

No, at least his cars blue. This cars even red. It's Gaz.

Fibreglass bumpers - like chocolate fire guards are oxymoronic. Besides, I don't think I've ever seen a nice looking fibreglass bumper for the Z32 other than the Escort Racing 99-look one....and the replica one....I'd just wait for a genuine to turn up second hand. Personally I think the original looks nicer.

 

Fibreglass products also fit like ass.

 

Stick with what you have and don't waste your time with skirts. The less rust-promoting stuff on the Z32, the better IMO.

Edited March 26, 20178 yr by Funkysi

I don't think I've ever seen a nice looking fibreglass bumper for the Z32

...

The Impul kit was one of the few that looked really good. It's quite understated and compliments the car well.

...

 

True, however, it's not something that you can't buy anymore.....it's more a thought of the grim looking Greddy Gracer, Stillen GTZ-R, Veilside Catfish and Wings West horrors.....actually, some of those originals are actually made of urethene, however most replicas aren't.

 

Fibreglass is horrible.

Edited March 26, 20178 yr by Funkysi

True, however, it's not something that you can't buy anymore.....it's more a thought of the grim looking Greddy Gracer, Stillen GTZ, Veilside Catfish and Wings West horrors.

Are true true, Those sharkmouth ebay ones etc.

Yeah, most/all of what you see in the aftermarket world are hideous things.

Anyone fitted one of CarMads 99 copies?

Fibreglass bumpers - like chocolate fire guards are oxymoronic. Besides, I don't think I've ever seen a nice looking fibreglass bumper for the Z32 other than the Escort Racing 99-look one....and the replica one....I'd just wait for a genuine to turn up second hand. Personally I think the original looks nicer.

 

Fibreglass products also fit like ass.

 

Stick with what you have and don't waste your time with skirts. The less rust-promoting stuff on the Z32, the better IMO.

 

I think the skirts really add to the car tbf, exposed rocker sills like that are very old fashioned. Even similar aged cars have a better profile here. I've already cut and repaired that area on one side, the others pretty good, I'm not so worried about it. It's more something to watch than fear out right.

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one, I personally think they add visual 'weight' to the car and take away the slipperiness. I don't dislike them, some are quite nice, some however are foul. Veilside skirts, Wings west skirts, basically anything with a silly little vent, cut-out or awkward shape on them.

 

Kaminari, Stillen and Impul skirts are all quite nice, but I personally wouldn't fit them.

Edited March 26, 20178 yr by Funkysi

Yeah, most/all of what you see in the aftermarket world are hideous things.

 

Agreed, the mouse hole ones and vikside look crap. Although the ones on Daves car somehow work. Stillen, or rather copies of are what I intend to fit. The twinz ones are nice but I'm not paying for them.

 

I don't like the way the vast majority have no swageline, it's like the designers never looked at the Z32 properly before making them. The Gracer (I think) looks good, except the swage line absence which ruins it. The similar one the petticoat (I always mix these two up) is not nice.

I'd consider a Gracer in urethane if it fell in my lap so to speak but it's the 99 I want and they don't come up second hand much at all these days.

Edited March 26, 20178 yr by Stephen

The Wings West is the petticoat. I don't like either, they both look like giant rabbit hutches - they're 'gopping' as James May would say. The drop sides are the wrong contour and then the lack of swage line. I've never worked out why they were ever popular (thankfully far less now). The Gracer cheapens the look of the Z. Some really poor copies I've seen, the wheel arch curve is completely different to that of the car, looks hilarious....hell, even originals fit like crap. The front end of this Z looks terrible. Apart from the fact that this early Stillen GTZ-R bumper looks like the mask from 'Scary Movie', the shape is dreadful. Seen this on almost ALL aftermarket bumpers.

 

Edited March 26, 20178 yr by Funkysi

Agree do not like the west wings above^^

 

I think side skirts are all about the style of car you are going for. I love my Impul skirts, which fit with the swage line and side profile of the car, just adding a wedge instead of a curved underbelly. I think the door fillers definitely help the design of them not trying to squash in flat.

I'd seriously buy an OEM '99 spec, even if it was £25 a week for 6 months, you'd still have it for summer 2018:thumbup1:

I have the stillen front lip as you've probably seen and this fits extremely well and am very happy with it.

 

I did also purchase the stillen skirts and door fillers from mjp which have been painted and fitted but I'm still not 110% sure I'm going to keep these on the car.

 

My car will be having a total strip down and full re spray soon and I have to be totally happy with how it looks before I commit.

 

It's all about the angle from which you are looking at the car, some angles make certain mods look great but from another angle it can look very awkward......

I'd seriously buy an OEM '99 spec, even if it was £25 a week for 6 months, you'd still have it for summer 2018:thumbup1:

 

I'm fairly sure your Nissan dealer is one of the only ones in the world that would allow weekly payments for parts!

I'm fairly sure your Nissan dealer is one of the only ones in the world that would allow weekly payments for parts!

 

The guys in the Parts Dept are sound, I wouldn't be giving them as little as £25 but I'd throw in maybe £50 any time I was passing by, depending on how soon I needed the part, as far as they were concerned, it's a sale, whether it was a week or 3 months:thumbup: Maybe I'm just a people person:innocent:. that and the fact that we are going to have a stroked out 4.1 litre, 1200hp R35 GTR in the family:whistling::biggrin:

I've test fitted a stillen to my own car that belonged to someone else and yeah fitnebt is indeed amazing.

I'm fairly sure your Nissan dealer is one of the only ones in the world that would allow weekly payments for parts!

 

My local Nissan dealer (is in Toyota) have made it quite clear that they aren't aware or particularly interested in my non skyline classic Nissan. :lol:

My local Nissan dealer (is in Toyota) have made it quite clear that they aren't aware or particularly interested in my non skyline classic Nissan. :lol:

 

Ah man, my dealership guys are all about the Z32, the mechanics have told me they've never had the chance to work on one but would love to give it a go, (not at my expense, they won't). They have a 240z in the showroom. They've asked me if I can bring the car down to them (when it's finally done) for open days and such:yes:

Back to the matter in hand... I'd still pay the extra for an original OEM '99 spec, do it in stages if your dealer is not as accommodating as mine, buy the indicators one month and save a few quid towards the bumper over another few months, as you've already stated, the car looks fine with its original bumper, so you're under no pressure to get it:thumbup1: plan it for next year, which gives you a full 13 months to get it.

I don't think the 99 bumper works that well without side skirts, the side profile's don't match. The 99 is much straighter than the curved sills

 

 

 

I love the 99 bumper, but I'd be worried about side skirts encouraging rust