Hey Guys. This is my first ever post! Been on the forum a long time and many of you have unknowingly answered a lot of my questions and helped me out a lot; so for that you have my gratitude. This time I'm asking for help, and hope this is in the right forum. I am considering purchasing a new front bumper for my 07 coupe. I have always loved the look of the nismo front bumper. V3 or something like that. I've done a lot of research and and had some questions of fitment and which would be the best avenue of purchasing one. My questions are as follows

Replica vs oem nismo bumper?
Some websites have a cheaper replica for around $350 but its fiberglass
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-2008-Nissan-350Z-Duraflex-N-3-Front-Bumper-Body-Kit-/251302236002?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3A350Z%7CSubmodel%3ANismo&hash=item3a82c7cf62&vxp=mtrAnyone have experience of fiberglass versus plastic that the oem is and am I running the risk of getting what i pay for with a cheaper replica? Fitment is also an issue. I have a good body shop but if anyone has gone with the replica and hasn't had issues I would appreciate your input.

If I buy the nismo front bumper do I need to purchase the diffuser as well? Is it necessary or just highly recommended? I am more concerned with the bumper flexing if I skip the diffuser since I've read there will be a gap between the bottom of the bumper and the frame?

Anyone know if the nismo front bumper and diffuser and all the stuff bought in the gismo front bumper kit make an oil change a B*tch covering the oil filter and such?

I apologize for this being long, there are just a number of questions i have about the bumper and have debated for a while if it is even worth it if it creates more problems lol. If i could get away with a cheaper alternative i'd be thrilled, but If i need to fork over the cash to do it right I rather go that route.

Any advice and input from people who have been in a similar situation or people with a nismo from bumper would be greatly appreciated.

[IMG]<a href="http://imgur.com/fVxrwZ7"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/fVxrwZ7.png" title="Hosted by imgur.com"/></a>[/IMG]
Pic of my Z

Thanks Again.

 

get oem with ZSPEED diffuser. the fiberglass is one piece, so you either have to cut a big hole in it or remove the bumper for oil changes.

with the nose being longer and lower you will hit it on driveways/inclines. the fiberglass will break.

 

I made a theead about this last fall when I got into an accident. After all the research I did, to me it wasn't worth it, so I went with the oem bumper with no front plate. It is just alot of money to put on the part of your car where you are most likely to get hit. Plus looking at your car, it is alot like mine where it is not aggresive. This bumper needs at least sides and possibly a rear to look right.

 

https://my350z.com/forum/exterior-an...2008-base.html

 

I would go with the oem nismo front bumper I got it and it is waiting for paint along with the rest of my nismo v3 body kit. Fitment is spot on. Can take pics if u want

 

Any posted pictures with your V3 front bumper Would help. I am in agreement that it might look weird without the sides or rear. Currently I have front and rear mud flaps but maybe it would tempt me to go the full mile and purchase sides with the gismo front bumper.

 

Running a NISMO V3 front bumper without the bottom tray would affect cooling and durability. It directs air though the radiator and out the engine bay, but without it, more air will be spilling through the bottom of that massive hole. As for durability, the tray stiffens up the V3 bumper considerably and connects into the standard OEM engine tray that all 350Zs have. Draining oil and changing the filter will still entail either dropping the engine tray or spilling some oil on it as you change the oil/filter.

IMHO- the OEM V3 urethane bumper is just too expensive and the aftermarket versions too fragile. Consider a lower cost option in urethane.

 

Get wheels first.

 

Get OEM NISMO V3. It's worth the extra and it's flexible material and won't crack easily.