To turbo flare or not?

[uxoman]

Just wanted to get some opinions on this. I am considering cutting up my clean M2 and putting turbo flares on it. I have already purchased the factory turbo kit and was planning on having this done over the winter. My car is a rust free car originally from Arizona and some of the local '02 guys around here think I'm crazy for cutting up a perfectly good body. Opinions welcomed.

If I knew how to set up a “poll” on this subject I would have.

Thanks Phil

[Cyclone101]

Go for it! It would work well with an M2. I wouldnt cut an origional rust free tii though...

[Tommy]

Noooo'o, don't do it! Original good bodies are getting rarer every day while there's plenty of flared and other ways ruined ones.

Tommy

[Rick74]

NO, PLEASE DON'T!

[thaddeussmith]

If you're not sentimentally attached to keeping it original (doubt you are, since you've made it a M2), I say do it.

[MarkDavis]

Go for the look you want that is why it is your car

[AndyS]

Your car, your call.

[ClayW]

Noooo'o, don't do it! Original good bodies are getting rarer every day while there's plenty of flared and other ways ruined ones.

Tommy

+1

In my humble opinion, Turbo flares look like an afterthought, which is actually pretty accurate. Aesthetically, they just don't look good to me. That being said, it's your car; do what you want. If you think that you'll see that much improvement in handling by adding and inch or two of offset and you don't mind chopping up your fenders to get it, go for it. It's really a choice of preserved aesthetics vs. added performance. For me, I'd leave the lines the way that the BMW designed them; the car handles really well already.

[bueller]

+1 on leaving it alone.

[FB73tii]

+1 for the "its your car, do what you want camp." BMW put the turbo flares on their cars from the factory, so it is a period correct mod. BMW 2002's were raced back in the day with major bodywork changes. Check out a Gruppe 5 car. Given the M2 conversion, you are way into mod territory anyway. My question would be is it for looks or functionality? I run 205/50-15's on my car with no flares. That said, it is a lowered track car with 3° of negative camber in front, which helps clearance. I cut off the lips of the back fenders, but did not bow then out. I am now looking at running wider tires, so will have to flare. The body is in excellent shape, and I have no qualms about cutting into it. I did my own bare metal resto, and will do whatever I want with this car.

Best,

Fred '74tii

[s99]

Honestly, just do what you want with YOUR car. All the people that say oh don't do it blah blah, they can choose to do that with THEIR car, not yours.

[Burleigh]

Are there replacement panels still available to replace whatever you cut??? If not, you could easily save what you remove and offer them to any buyer of your car in the future. Any good body man could easily put that body back stock with the correct metal... Imagine what a restorer would do if those areas were rusted through???

That said, I've got a good cut-off wheel you can borrow!!!

[ibjettin]

Just wanted to get some opinions on this. I am considering cutting up my clean M2 and putting turbo flares on it. I have already purchased the factory turbo kit and was planning on having this done over the winter. My car is a rust free car originally from Arizona and some of the local '02 guys around here think I'm crazy for cutting up a perfectly good body. Opinions welcomed.

If I knew how to set up a “poll” on this subject I would have.

Thanks Phil

Seems like you are stating all the reasons not to do it... I flared my tii and got the lovers and the haters.. Didn't matter, it was my build and i wanted to do what i really liked. In the end i have to be honest... As much as i loved the look, I hated driving it with the fatter tires. No power assist so turning that thing at a dead stop or slow roll was a work-out! Personally I like the M2's that look stock, a nice sleeper. Flare it and it will say "I'm fast"

[prosado]

+1 for NO flares and having a sleeper.

[1453aalapapa]

if you dont have the csk screws for mounting the flares, good luck. they are nla