Imagine turning heads every time you drive by, commanding the road with a car that not only performs impeccably but also looks like a masterpiece. Enter the BMW G20, the 7th generation of the iconic BMW 3-series, a car that represents the BMW heritage so well. With a car so richly infused with automotive culture, it is also supported by a very mature aftermarket industry. One of the challenges of a mature industry, is the amount of options available to you, and choosing the perfect body kit can feel overwhelming.

At E3Tuning, we understand the challenge of navigating this saturated marketplace and are here to help you make the best choice. A proper BMW G20 body kit should not only elevate, but complement the design language of your BMW 3-Series and leave you with a bigger smile every time it grabs your attention.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of selecting the ideal BMW G20 body kit that meets your needs and preferences. We’ll provide a little bit of background as well as tips on identifying high-quality products, and highlight top brands and styles. Ready to take your BMW’s styling to the next level? Let’s dive in and discover how to make an informed decision that will transform your car into something truly special, which you will cherish even more.

Body kit and Conversion Kits

These two terms are pretty much used interchangeably in the aftermarket automotive industry with only a small handful of people who bicker over the semantics of potato po-tah-to.

Some classify body kits only as the aerodynamic upgrades that you can add on to a car on top of the bumper that is already there. Some argue that body kits should really be reserved for the super extreme wide body designs and aggressive stance. We're not here to discuss semantics.

For us, body kits and conversion kits are simply exterior restyling modifications you can do to your vehicle to either enhance it's look for that OEM equivalent or OEM+ outcome, or drastically change your vehicle's appearance to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Pick the definition that suites your fancy.

The G20 M340i conversion is what we would consider an OEM+ conversion if you are coming from a base model G20 330i, 330e or similar model depending on which country you're in.

Body Kit Components

A full body kit is a comprehensive package designed to overhaul the exterior of your vehicle. These kits often include multiple components that work together to create a cohesive and striking look. For BMW G20 and M340i models, a full body kit includes:

• Front Bumper (Front Fascia): The front bumper is often the centerpiece of a body kit, giving the car an aggressive, aerodynamic appearance. It can enhance the vehicle’s front-end aesthetics while potentially improving airflow depending on the design.
• Rear Bumper (Rear Fascia): The rear bumper complements the front bumper, providing a balanced look. It can also include features like diffuser inserts that aid in aerodynamics and add a sporty flair.
• Side Skirts (Rocker Panels): Side skirts run along the bottom edge of the car between the front and rear wheels. They not only enhance the car’s profile by lowering its visual stance but also help manage airflow and reduce drag.
• Additional Components: Full body kits might also include replacement fenders, fender flares / over fenders (found on wide body kits), spoilers, and full replacement hoods, all with the purpose to further customize or transform the vehicle’s appearance.

BMW G20 Body Kit Options

M340i Body Kit

The M340i body kit is one of the two mainstream G20 body kits available on the market currently. Each generation of the BMW 3-Series sedans has come with a package called the M Sport package. This is a highly desirable package that you can equip your BMW 3-Series with while car shopping, but it comes with a hefty price tag.

The G20 generation was no different, with a base/sport trim, an M Sport trim, and an M340i trim, which was essentially an M Sport bumper with a few differences. Can you see what those differences are?

If you were buying new, and you wanted this package, most likely that's how you would have driven off the lot. However, BMW's second hand market is also very strong, and many times you will find the base model G20's at an unbeatable deal! You can save thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars buying a used 330i or 330e and doing a M340i body kit upgrade after.

At E3Tuning, we're offering the comprehensive M340i body kit at a fraction of what it would cost if you were to buy these parts OEM the dealership, and without breaking the bank! Our kit components contain the front bumper, rear bumper, and side skirts which are all sold separately, but make sure you scroll down to the bundle builder to see how you can score discounts when you purchase multiple pieces of the body kit at once. Plus save on shipping!

G80 M3 Style Body Kit

The G80 M3 style body kit is the 2nd of the the two mainstream G20 body kits on the market. The goal of this kit is a little more extreme than the G20 M340i body kit. The goal of this kit is to  completely transform your G20 3-Series to the G80 BMW M3 look!

An important note about this conversion kit, and yes, it is a conversion kit meaning there was a certain level of engineering that went into making this kit fit. The OEM G80 bumper will not fit the G20 3-Series at all due to the fact that the G80 is wide than the G20. The alignment points will physically not line up at all even if you bought OEM G80 parts. This also means that aftermarket parts that fit the OEM G80 M3 will NOT fit this conversion kit since the overall dimensions are not the same.

So what do you do if you purchased a beautiful second hand G20 3-Series sedan or G21 wagon and you wanted to make it really look different? Well, E3Tuning has your answer with the G20 to G80 M3 style body kit.

The full G20 to G80 M3 style body kit contains the G80 style front bumper, G80 style rear bumper, and G80 style side skirts which are all sold separately, and they do not need to be purchased all at once to work. You can buy them one piece at a time, but make sure you scroll down to the bundle builder to see how you can score discounts when you purchase multiple pieces of the body kit at once. Again, this will also allow you to save on shipping costs!

Installation Process

Finding the Right Body Shop

No matter which G20 body kit you choose for your 3-series, choosing the right body shop is just as important for ensuring that your body kit is installed properly and looks fantastic. Here’s are some factors to consider:

• Reputation and Experience: Look for a body shop with a strong reputation and extensive experience, particularly with BMW models. Reading online reviews and seeking recommendations from other car enthusiasts can help you find a trustworthy shop.
• Certifications: Ensure the body shop has the necessary certifications and employs skilled technicians who are familiar with the latest installation techniques.
• Portfolio: Ask to see a portfolio of their previous work, especially projects involving aftermarket body kits. This will give you an idea of their craftsmanship and attention to detail.
• Talk to them: Sometimes your gut instinct can tell you quite a bit about a company after you speak to one of their representatives. If you get a negative vibe or something just doesn't sit right with you, you may want to consider trusting that instinct. We've seen more than a handful of occasions where the project turned due to a difficult body shop.
• Ask the community: Hopping on your local forums or attending a local car show may be a great opportunity to network with other automotive enthusiasts who have connections to great body shops in your area.

Is the Shop Aftermarket-Parts Friendly?

This is a pretty important point. Not all body shops are comfortable working with aftermarket parts. Sometimes shops are incentivized to use OEM parts through a kick-back compensation for their promotions. This can be bad news for you if you are looking to do a transformation using aftermarket parts.

These shops are not bad, nor are they full of evil people who want to make your life miserable. That is definitely not the case. Business is business, they are simply doing what is financially best for the business. However, that does mean you should be responsible for watching out for your own best interest as well.

You can discover this by talking to the shop directly or getting feedback from your local community members who have had positive experiences:

• Experience with Aftermarket Parts: Confirm that the shop has significant experience installing aftermarket body kits. Shops that frequently work with custom parts are more likely to handle your installation with precision and confidence. Here at E3Tuning, since we are not a physical shop, we network with the local community and try to recommend shops in the local area with great reputation and experience. Even though we may not be affiliated with these other companies, we know how important it is for our products to be in capable hands in order to produce optimal results.
• Workflow and Approach: Ask about the shop's approach to fitting aftermarket parts. Proper test fitting is crucial for both aesthetics and safety. A big signal to watch out and be mindful of are shops who do NOT test fit. Test fitting takes extra time, and many times the shop would rather just start painting right away and ask questions later. If they are a high volume shop, this may be normal for them, and it shouldn't be that much of a concern especially if they are familiar with aftermarket parts. If a shop doesn't seem confident, you can always request them to test fit first before they paint so they can see the quality and fitment prior to committing to the job.
• Warranties and Guarantees: A reputable shop will offer warranties or guarantees on their work, providing peace of mind that they stand behind their installation services. If they are confident in their experience, they will not be afraid to offer guarantees especially if you are using E3Tuning kits since we are confident in our fitment.

Pricing

Pricing for body kit paint & installation can vary widely based on several factors:

• Complexity of Installation: Full body kits require more labor and time compared to individual parts. Complex kits with additional features may also cost more to install.
• Labor Rates: Labor rates can vary depending on the shop’s location and reputation. It's wise to get multiple quotes to ensure you’re getting a fair price.
• Paint Cost Can Vary: Depending on the color of your paint, the cost of paint can vary. Generally speaking the typical non metallic black and white colors are the most economical, and the metallic style paint or custom colors are going to cost more.

Proper Painting Procedure

Proper painting is essential for achieving a seamless, factory-like finish on your BMW G20 body kit. Here’s what to look for:

• Color Matching: Ensure the shop has the capability to match your car’s original paint color precisely. This is crucial for a cohesive look.
• Preparation: Proper surface preparation is key to a flawless finish. The shop should clean, sand, and prime the body kit parts before painting. E3Tuning body kits can come primed or unprimed, but even on primed kits, a skilled body shop will always inspect the quality of the primer (can degrade with time, temperature, and handling) prior to painting.
• Painting Environment: A controlled environment, such as a dust-free spray booth, is essential for high-quality painting results. Ask the shop about their painting facilities.
• 
• Clear Coat and Finishing: The application of a clear coat protects the paint and provides a glossy finish. Ensure the shop follows up with proper curing and finishing techniques to enhance durability and appearance.

Additional Considerations

• Timeline: Discuss the expected timeline for the installation and painting process. High-quality work can take time, so plan accordingly.
• Communication: Choose a shop that maintains good communication, keeping you updated on the progress and addressing any concerns promptly.
• Post-Installation Care: Ask the shop for recommendations on caring for your new body kit post-installation. Proper maintenance will ensure it looks great and lasts longer.

Conclusion

We hope we were able to add some value to you when it comes to making a educated purchasing decision. We hope we communicated clearly that buying a premium, comprehensive product is extremely important, but it is not the entire picture. Finding and working with an experienced professional body shop that is aftermarket friendly is just as important and often times can make or break your project (and your bank). We highly encourage you do your own research when it comes to finding the right shop for your needs, but with respect to products, we got you covered. Thank you for choosing E3Tuning and we look forward to serving you.