Review of Flow Design's Front Splitter/Lip

[usinjin]

This is a review of a lip I recently installed on my ZHP sedan myself. This is my own unbiased review and I am not being compensated in any way by it. It just seemed like a fairly obscure product that didn't have a lot of reviews, so I decided to add mine.

I'd been toying with the idea of getting something to set the front end of my 330i apart just a little bit more for a while. Looked at various AM splitters, didn't really like how they looked or fit that much. Decided a lip might be a better-looking choice. Seems like there's not a whole lot of options for an e46 non-M sedan, and even fewer that fit the Aero/Performance package with the M-Tech II bumper.

However, I liked this one: https://flowdesignsaustralia.com/collections/bmw/products/bmw-e46-m-tech-front-splitter. I read one review online that was somewhat unfavorable, but the price was very reasonable even with shipping, so I decided to try it out.

I ordered it directly from Flow Designs on a Friday. The following Monday, they had it shipped. The other review warned about extra customs charges, but I believe it actually was factored into the shipping. At no point did I need to pay anything more than what I paid at checkout. Rather astoundingly, 4 days later it was on my doorstep. I'm still somewhat baffled (but very happy) that it came so quickly.

The instructions were quite simple. They recommend removing your front bumper, and as it's held on with 2 T50 bolts, it's easy to do so. My bumper was actually the perfect candidate, as it was painted very poorly after incurring some damage and warped at the top, so it's on the list to be replaced. The lip is a single piece that bolts directly to the bottom of the bumper cover (with pre-drilled holes that line up for doing so).

Results:

36960

36961

36962

I really like the look of this lip. It gives the car a more aggressive appearance from the front without going overboard. It also stiffens up the bottom of the bumper cover considerably.

A few observations. Firstly, I'm not a big fan of the printed logo on the front (which is quite visible), but for now it's okay. The lip is made from a plastic called high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This material is very strong and it very unlikely to suffer much (or any) damage from tapping a curb. However, an interesting thing to note is that it's rather easy to mar the surface, due to the way they've treated it (seems to be buffed/polished for a satin-y feel). Even with a fingernail, you can leave a fairly easily visible slightly darker like from where the finish is scratched away slightly. It does gouge as well with firmer pressure.

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This was also mentioned in the previous review as being one of the bigger negatives. The first thought that came to mind was wrapping it for protection. However, HDPE can be very hard to wrap because conventional vinyl will not adhere to the surface due to the material being very "low energy". My plan is to wrap it with a special high-tack vinyl made exactly for this purpose. Hopefully a clear laminate will further protect it against road debris. As soon as I have the materials, I plan on following up in a subsequent post.

[usinjin]

Reserved for part 2.

[JETSET303]

Interested in how this holds up long term. I have been eyeing this for a minute.


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[BADCLOWN]

Wish they offered this in carbon 1x1 or 2x2 weave over their poly material

[BMWCurves]

Thanks for the review! I'd love a front splitter of some sort, even though it just means I'd scrape even more often.

I've always had eyes for the Hartge front splitter (https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1209-hartge-carbon-front-splitter-for-e46-m-tech-bumper/), by they were NLA by the time I learned about them.

[usinjin]

Thanks for the review! I'd love a front splitter of some sort, even though it just means I'd scrape even more often.

I've always had eyes for the Hartge front splitter (https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1209-hartge-carbon-front-splitter-for-e46-m-tech-bumper/), by they were NLA by the time I learned about them.

I considered that one too, but wasn't really a fan of the way it curves upward at the end of the bumper.

[704sw]

I considered that one too, but wasn't really a fan of the way it curves upward at the end of the bumper.

+1, the curved ends don't really flow with the E46's body lines IMO.

[johnrando]

Great review, thanks! I wld consider this.

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[BMWCurves]

I considered that one too, but wasn't really a fan of the way it curves upward at the end of the bumper.


+1, the curved ends don't really flow with the E46's body lines IMO.

Y'all smoking crazy pills, I like that look as long as it is close to the edge of the front bumper.

[usinjin]

Y'all smoking crazy pills, I like that look as long as it is close to the edge of the front bumper.

Haha, to each his own!

[Galapolis]

For those who don't like the curved ends, the Rieger splitter is flat: https://www.rieger-tuning.biz/article/00322351

[usinjin]

For those who don't like the curved ends, the Rieger splitter is flat: https://www.rieger-tuning.biz/article/00322351

THIS was the one I was really after, but I was having a hard time finding it anywhere. The carbon fiber looks so nice.

[BMWCurves]

For those who don't like the curved ends, the Rieger splitter is flat: https://www.rieger-tuning.biz/article/00322351

That's pretty nice looking! What would that end up being to get to the States? I tried checking out to see what shipping would be like, but I couldn't find "USA" or any variant as an option.

[Galapolis]

That's pretty nice looking! What would that end up being to get to the States? I tried checking out to see what shipping would be like, but I couldn't find "USA" or any variant as an option.

I bought a Rieger lip from ESE Tuning last year. Took about 2 months to arrive but shipping was only $20 or something. Sadly they went bust recently. I would suggest contacting Rieger directly. Most European tuning companies are willing to work with people on shipping and send stuff all over the world.

[BMWCurves]

I bought a Rieger lip from ESE Tuning last year. Took about 2 months to arrive but shipping was only $20 or something. Sadly they went bust recently. I would suggest contacting Rieger directly. Most European tuning companies are willing to work with people on shipping and send stuff all over the world.

Good thought. I'm definitely tempted.

[BADCLOWN]

I really like that lip, almost as much as the arqray

[FungShui]

Do I sense a group buy coming? :biggrin

[BADCLOWN]

If enough are on board and rieger is game I am 1000% on board

[bandwagn]

In for the group buy on the Reiger

[BMWCurves]

Haha this has sort of derailed usinjin's thread. Any updates on use? Hitting curbs? Thoughts on that matte look?

[BADCLOWN]

I emailed rieger to see if they would be able to do a group buy

[BMWCurves]

I emailed rieger to see if they would be able to do a group buy

Love the initiative.

[JETSET303]

I’m in


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[BADCLOWN]

I got an automated reply that they are out of the office on holiday from 8/3-8/16

[BMWCurves]

I got an automated reply that they are out of the office on holiday from 8/3-8/16

Are they German? Classic Germans, well known slackers.

[t.er]

Are they German? Classic Germans, well known slackers.

Not sure @galapolis would appreciate that :rofl

[Galapolis]

We take our holidays as seriously as our work days.

[johnrando]

Not sure @galapolis would appreciate that :rofl:like

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[Dunkmastaflex]

@badclown Very much in for the Reiger group buy!
Considering pairing that w/ this:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-turner-motorsport-parts/turner-e46-m3-non-m-coupes-carbon-fiber-rear-lip-spoiler/024707tms01~a/

Btw, sorry @johnrando for bogarting your post. The flow design lip pairs well w/ those matte kidneys you’ve got going there. Let us know if the wrap takes!


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[johnrando]

@badclown Very much in for the Reiger group buy!
Considering pairing that w/ this:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-turner-motorsport-parts/turner-e46-m3-non-m-coupes-carbon-fiber-rear-lip-spoiler/024707tms01~a/

Btw, sorry @johnrando for bogarting your post. The flow design lip pairs well w/ those matte kidneys you’ve got going there. Let us know if the wrap takes!


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkActually not my thread, but the message still applies to OP so thanks.

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[Dunkmastaflex]

Oops, meant to mention @usinjin. My bad!


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[usinjin]

Whoops, email died and I forgot about the thread ha!


That's pretty nice looking! What would that end up being to get to the States? I tried checking out to see what shipping would be like, but I couldn't find "USA" or any variant as an option.

When I bought, 1 USD was 1.344 AUD, so with shipping it came out to a total of $345. A steal if you ask me.


Oops, meant to mention @usinjin. My bad!


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No worries at all :)

[usinjin]

Haha this has sort of derailed usinjin's thread. Any updates on use? Hitting curbs? Thoughts on that matte look?

I've been pretty careful, no curb nudges yet! I like the matte look..not the orange logo though..it does show dirt VERY easily, and unfortunately the same for scratches, though I think the top isn't likely to be marred unless you actually hit something. Still waiting on my wrap material...thinking I'll go for a carbon fiber print to match the Rieger's appearance (more or less).

[Johnd]

Count me in for the Rieger - the ones I ordered from bavarian_motorwerks came in today and they are complete garbage - the drivers side looks like someone took a belt sander to it

[FungShui]

I got an automated reply that they are out of the office on holiday from 8/3-8/16

Any updates? Let me know if you need help organizing the group buy.

[BADCLOWN]

Any updates? Let me know if you need help organizing the group buy.


I just resent the same email, I’ll update with a reply

[FungShui]

I just resent the same email, I’ll update with a replySounds good. Thanks for taking the initiative.

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[BADCLOWN]

I actually just checked my junk mail and they replied to me a few days ago. They said they can’t offer a lower price because the lip is not a rieger lip but made by another manufacturer. I shot them another email back verifying that they can’t offer any sort of discount if our group bought 5-10 of them.

[ZHP_Brandon]

Thanks for the review! I'd love a front splitter of some sort, even though it just means I'd scrape even more often.

I've always had eyes for the Hartge front splitter (https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1209-hartge-carbon-front-splitter-for-e46-m-tech-bumper/), by they were NLA by the time I learned about them.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200818/6bf207597d1109a19d29be2a48a68532.jpg
Once upon a time I had that lip in a 2x2 Carbon...... I loved it, just wish I had carbon skirt extensions to match. I was a young college student during this era, Suffice to say.... I was broke-er than i am now lmao


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[BADCLOWN]

I like that lip too, there Are reps on eBay in carbon overlay

[ZHP_Brandon]

I like that lip too, there Are reps on eBay in carbon overlay

I’ve seen a few listings, never pulled the trigger again myself. This lip was great and really took a beating but it was from Khoalty. Not sure if quality control was a thing for them, but it held up well until I struck a puddle one night lol


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[ZHPizza]

I like that lip too, there Are reps on eBay in carbon overlayYou could add your own carbon vinyl to one of these

https://www.ebay.com/itm/391541497700

https://www.ebay.com/itm/323778688366

[BADCLOWN]

I would actually want either full carbon or carbon overlay.

[BADCLOWN]

Rieger wanted me to contact two of their US based distributors. I have emailed both of them this morning

One of the vendors said minimum 20 lips. Their current US price is 670 bucks, outrageous

[Galapolis]

Triple the price seems to be standard, just look at Eibach Pro-Kit springs for our cars. Same mark-up.

[BADCLOWN]

Ole dad ain’t paying that lol

[BADCLOWN]

The other vendor said $495 + shipping per. Amazing there’s such a difference in price

[ZHP_Brandon]

The other vendor said $495 + shipping per. Amazing there’s such a difference in price

Covid 19 has really made ordering stuff from overseas for cheap..... that much harder :\


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[Johnd]

Wow that's still kind of high - I found a site for black one for $359 shipped https://www.urotuning.com/products/bmw-e46-m-tech-front-splitter-e46msptf?variant=13564837560375

And this one is 272 Euro - not sure what shipping would be https://www.rieger-tuning.biz/article/00322351

[usinjin]

Wow that's still kind of high - I found a site for black one for $359 shipped https://www.urotuning.com/products/bmw-e46-m-tech-front-splitter-e46msptf?variant=13564837560375

And this one is 272 Euro - not sure what shipping would be https://www.rieger-tuning.biz/article/00322351

That's the lip I reviewed in the first post in this thread :grin:

[Johnd]

Are you still happy with the lip - my only concern with this one in scratching

[Johnd]

Just ordered the same one as the original poster reviewed. Looking forward to seeing in on the car

[Johnd]

Not the easiest spoiler to put on and 6 bolts were too short.. Nothing a trip to the hardware store didn't fix. For those with a coupe or convertible - I highly recommend pulling the duct work out by the foglights to get out the bolts

[johnrando]

Nice work!

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