[ZPD]

Originally Posted by ttaidapos

Yeah my brain just can't wrap around why it's not plastic and half the price lol Seems a bit of an overengineering.

TBH I was a little disappointed that it was aluminum and not steel. This is a skidplate after all. A plastic one would be absolutely useless as it would just flex and likely not offer much protection to the oil cooler.

[baron95]

Originally Posted by DSTR

Other than looks what performance gains are you seeking with respect to lowering the car.

Hopefully a lower center of gravity, less body roll, less brake dive, slight improvement in static negative camber. All of which should provide benefits on a track day (of which I plan to do a bunch).

I say hopefully because I ordered the port installed BMW HAS but have not had a chance to drive one so equipped. I have no idea how well BMW M (seller) and KW (developer) engineered this HAS.

[Rx-7ames]

Originally Posted by DSTR

Other than looks what performance gains are you seeking with respect to lowering the car.

None. I added the MP HAS just for looks.

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by ttaidapos

Got mine today, no car yet though lol any reason why this couldn't be hard plastic? It's very heavy for what it is.

6.8lbs is what I got.

Installs super easy. The two plastic grommets next to the jack point needing replacing once or twice. That part of the skip pan just didn't sit that flush.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWVTBMF5...roduct_details

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

6.8lbs is what I got.

Installs super easy. The two plastic grommets next to the jack point needing replacing once or twice. That part of the skip pan just didn't sit that flush.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWVTBMF5...roduct_details

Were the grommets stripped? What do you mean "once or twice?"

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Were the grommets stripped? What do you mean "once or twice?"

Idk what the torque spec is for these? 5ft/lbs? It is not much. Using a 1/4" drive - you can snug all the mounting points okay - except the two on either side of the central jack point. My Mishimoto plate did not lay flush against those two grommets. 1/8" gap or whatever. With snugging, they stripped the grommet very easily. Hence me ordering more. Prolly me. Just FYI.

[M4Lou]

So yes, I did strip those two grommets "once or twice". Lol.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

Idk what the torque spec is for these? 5ft/lbs? It is not much. Using a 1/4" drive - you can snug all the mounting points okay - except the two on either side of the central jack point. My Mishimoto plate did not lay flush against those two grommets. 1/8" gap or whatever. With snugging, they stripped the grommet very easily. Hence me ordering more. Prolly me. Just FYI.

Not just you. I stripped one of those when installing today, even though I had my driver torque set really low. Does the old grommet just pry out easily?

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Not just you. I stripped one of those when installing today, even though I had my driver torque set really low. Does the old grommet just pry out easily?

It does. Inspect the grommets well - before you start anew, make sure all the other grommets that you tightened look good. I kinda think these grommets are meant to be tightened once - not tightened and retightened twice/or a few times.

[GregW / Oregon]

Installed the Mishimoto skid plate/oil cooler protection today Was not too difficult, but do need to still replace one of the nylon inserts that stripped out. A side benefit is it provides much more secure mountinbg for my Sto n Sho plate bracket, replacing the screws with 6mm bolts into the threads in the piece.

Edit: The plastic grommets are really delicate. I stripped three. I ended up with my 12V driver torque set at 3 out 18.

[Fastfwd]

I've been considering this option, but now I wonder if the Zunsport grille isn't going to do the job for my needs.

https://www.zunsport.com/en/bmw-g87-...arch=BMW%20G87

Curious if you guys believe it's worth the extra $200-$250? It does look nice. I'm sure it provides exceptional protection for tracking the car and maybe better protection from running up on a curb.

This may be one upgrade that I see if I can get by with a lower cost option initially to get some protection in place and then upgrade further at a later date. Not sure yet.

[Ravenseal]

Mine arrived in the mail yesterday but I don't have a lift to install it. Will have to wait a little to take it to a friend's shop.

[Rx-7ames]

Originally Posted by Fastfwd

I've been considering this option, but now I wonder if the Zunsport grille isn't going to do the job for my needs.

https://www.zunsport.com/en/bmw-g87-...arch=BMW%20G87

Curious if you guys believe it's worth the extra $200-$250? It does look nice. I'm sure it provides exceptional protection for tracking the car and maybe better protection from running up on a curb.

This may be one upgrade that I see if I can get by with a lower cost option initially to get some protection in place and then upgrade further at a later date. Not sure yet.

I think the forum could benefit from someone trying out the zunsport grill and reporting back. It looks like zunsport has a tighter grill which would provide better rock protection. It also looks lighter. It's also cheaper. That's 3 benefits over Mishimoto.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

Mine arrived in the mail yesterday but I don't have a lift to install it. Will have to wait a little to take it to a friend's shop.

I just jacked the front up. Would certainly be a lot easier with a lift.
Edit: Second time I put the jack stands in the proper location.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Rx-7ames

I think the forum could benefit from someone trying out the zunsport grill and reporting back. It looks like zunsport has a tighter grill which would provide better rock protection. It also looks lighter. It's also cheaper. That's 3 benefits over Mishimoto.

$165 + shipping for a piece of stainless woven wire mesh seems rather excessive. At least the Mishimoto appears worth its price.

[Rx-7ames]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

$165 + shipping for a piece of stainless woven wire mesh seems rather excessive. At least the Mishimoto appears worth its price.

All of their stuff seems expensive for what it is, but it's at least better quality than the RGS plastic alternative.

[CadolinaRipr]

Originally Posted by Rx-7ames

All of their stuff seems expensive for what it is, but it's at least better quality than the RGS plastic alternative.

That and no zip ties!

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I just jacked the front up. Would certainly be a lot easier with a lift.

I would be carefully putting jackstands under the middle of the alloy lower control arms or using them as jacking points, they have been bent in the past just by being used as tie-down points on flat bed tow trucks.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by aerobod

I would be carefully putting jackstands under the middle of the alloy lower control arms or using them as jacking points, they have been bent in the past just by being used as tie-down points on flat bed tow trucks.

True, I should have put them near the outside ends or better, under the side jack points.

[Ravenseal]

Got my plate installed yesterday by the dealership. They gave me a good rate for it since it was a simple job. Tech said it went on and fit perfectly. No parts, clips, or screws broke. They were really impressed with the overall quality and shocked how drastically protected the underside was with it compared to how BMW ships the car from the factory. My service advisor said he was going to recommend it to other people if they ever had concerns about the exposed underside. As for the exposed radiators in the front, they shared the same concern as most folks here but there's not a lot they can do about it other than forward my complaint to corporate.

[Cj1]

Ordered my Mishimoto skid plate from Amazon Prime. Recieved it in 5 days, but it came broken. Called and they will not do an exchange for another one. Instead they want me to take it to UPS for drop off, wait 5 days for it to get to Amazon, then up to 30 days after receiving it for them to process return and credit the account so I can order another one. $450....this sucks. Now, I called Mishimoto, and if I would have ordered through them, they only require pictures and they would have immediately sent me out another with no need to send other one back. Their customer service was excellent, but since I didn't order direct there's nothing they can do. That's completely understandable. Can't warranty product due to another party fulfilling the order. So if anyone is considering ordering one, or anything for that matter... becareful about ordering through Amazon.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Cj1

Ordered my Mishimoto skid plate from Amazon Prime. Recieved it in 5 days, but it came broken. Called and they will not do an exchange for another one. Instead they want me to take it to UPS for drop off, wait 5 days for it to get to Amazon, then up to 30 days after receiving it for them to process return and credit the account so I can order another one. $450....this sucks. Now, I called Mishimoto, and if I would have ordered through them, they only require pictures and they would have immediately sent me out another with no need to send other one back. Their customer service was excellent, but since I didn't order direct there's nothing they can do. That's completely understandable. Can't warranty product due to another party fulfilling the order. So if anyone is considering ordering one, or anything for that matter... becareful about ordering through Amazon.

Amazon typically has local return sites where you can get instant credit. Mine came from Mishimoto with a bent tab which I was able to bend back. They need better packaging.