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328 Front spoiler:

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Gatorrari, Jan 30, 2006.

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  1. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    Feb 27, 2004
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    Jim Pernikoff
    #1 Gatorrari, Jan 30, 2006
    Due to a bit of indiscretion on my part a few weeks ago, I hit a curb and cracked the front black fiberglass spoiler below the nose of the car. Repair or replace? I got opinions both ways. On the one hand I was more inclined to replace it, since it had been somewhat warped already even before the incident. But the estimates for repair were rather less expensive.

    Unfortunately, my decision seems to have been made for me. This past weekend the crack became a break, and before I could stop the car, about 5 inches had disappeared, making repair a very dubious proposition now.

    There seem to be two choices for a replacement, a used OEM spoiler, or a new reproduction. I've heard numbers around $1100, but Lyle Tanner advertises it for $656. Is this legit? Any other suggestions for sources? What would you do?
     
  2. PT 328

    PT 328 F1 Rookie
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    May 1, 2005
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    #2 PT 328, Jan 30, 2006
    I had the same problem, bought one from Lyle Tanner and put it on. Looks like new. It is very involved to put the new one on and it would be helpful to have 2 people doing it. Hope that helps. Rule #1 NEVER let someone borrow your car, NEVER. Good luck

    Dan
     
  3. J.P.Sarti

    J.P.Sarti Guest

    May 23, 2005
    2,426
    #3 J.P.Sarti, Jan 30, 2006
    You would be suprised what they can fix with fibre glass, that missing 5" they can reshape it with cardboard add glass and make it look factory, then add some black crinkle finish you'll never know it was hit, all for probably less than $300.

    Why buy a new one for so much when more than likely you'll break it again?
     
  4. flyingboa

    flyingboa Formula 3

    Nov 27, 2003
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    Eugenio Dalla Rosa
    #4 flyingboa, Jan 31, 2006
    Before spending money, bring the broken part to an expert. I agree with J.P. You can fix almost everything that is fiber glass made, provided that attachment points are not affected.
    Ciao
    Eugenio
     
  5. ScuderiaChicTech

    ScuderiaChicTech Karting

    Sep 18, 2005
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    Planet Boulder
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    Niki
    #5 ScuderiaChicTech, Jan 31, 2006
    You would be amazed how easy it is to fix a spoiler! I've fixed TR fiberglass spoilers to IMSA race car cavlar belly pans with 9 inch chunks missing! It is more of an artistic job and takes a bit of time, but it way cheaper than a new spoiler. Is it a painted spoiler, or is it the usual black undercoated fiberglass? With a painted spoiler consider the paint job after the fiber fix....then this job becomes a bit more pricey. Good luck to you and your spoiler!
     
  6. dfratini

    dfratini Karting
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    Daniel Fratini
    #6 dfratini, Jan 31, 2006
    Here in Spokane between the holes in the road and hills fixing the front spoiler on my 328 is regular affair. FOr a 5" gap I would recommend the patch kit with the expanded steel mesh and several good thin coats of body filler letting it dry and sanding inbetween. Then when you are finished a coat of RustOleum Satin [not flat] black will match the color almost perfectly.
     
  7. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    Jim Pernikoff
    #7 Gatorrari, Jan 31, 2006
    Well, the two attachment points on the far left end are both broken.......
     
  8. Valence

    Valence Formula Junior

    Jan 20, 2004
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    Chris& Brian Coffing
    #8 Valence, Jan 31, 2006
    We've done the exact same repair on two 348 spoilers - large chunks missing and all. We used epoxy, carbon fiber and plenty of Kevlar. While we were at it, we reinforced the undamaged portions with Kevlar. The resulting structure is better than new. We got the surface very close to perfect, then a body shop filled and faired the surface before painting.
     
  9. wilkie

    wilkie Karting

    Apr 15, 2005
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    Wilkie Cheong
    #9 wilkie, Feb 1, 2006
    I drive my 328, so I ding and crack the front spoiler all the time. The first time, I was naive, and had it replaced at over $1,000. After that lesson, I would simply have it repaired when it got too bad, at much less $$$. I agree with the others who suggest you take the car down to someone with experience in fiberglass repairs-- what have you got to lose
     

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