Front panel conversion (late --> to early version)

[Mich]

Hi guys.

My front panel on the roundie version is not good and i have a good offer for NOS genuine BMW front panel for the late version for a very good price. But is it possible the conversion, so i can use that late panel and to put my early grills, so i'll keep the roundie look?

Has anybody did this before and if yes do you have some pictures of the modifying and the final result?

[Paul7002]

I think you'd have to use the late grills

[esty]

you'll have to use the black grills and wider center kidney grill for a late nose

[02Les]

As others have said, only the "late" grills will fit the "late" nose panel.

However, you can cut the centre part of your early grill out and swap/weld it into the late grill. Which is (afaik) the only difference.

[Mich]

Thank you, guys. So i'll do it that way - will change the centre area where the kidney is with mine.

[zippy500]

Is this true, can any one confirm this

"cut the centre part of your early grill out and swap/weld it into the late grill"

This is excellent if this works!!!!

[bcthomas122279]

I've not done it but have held the early grills in place on a late nose and taken measurements etc... don't see why it wouldn't work.

[02Les]

Is this true, can any one confirm this

"cut the centre part of your early grill out and swap/weld it into the late grill"

This is excellent if this works!!!!

The only thing I'm not sure of is the position of the 4 tabs per side in the nose panel that hold the side grills in. If you cut the centre section like shown in the pic I posted earlier, then you have at least two tabs per side in the right place.

Bear in mind, the orig poster was from Europe, so the slots in the nose panel are the same for all years. Obviously in the US a late nose panel will have huge square holes in it (not slots) for the "big" bumpers.