When it comes time to alter the exterior styling of your European car, the choices can be overwhelming - you’ll see the same front splitters and side skirts offered in multiple different materials. You'll soon be asking: Is polyurethane too heavy? Is fiberglass too fragile? Is carbon fiber worth the extra money?
Everyone has a different goal for their build. A dedicated track rat building a gutted VW Golf GTI has very different needs than someone building a show-stopping Audi S5. Understanding the pros and cons of body kit materials is the key to making the right purchase for your project.
Fiberglass (FRP) Body Kits
FRP parts are a custom canvas. Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) is very common in the aftermarket. It is lightweight, rigid, and receptive to custom paint jobs. If you are building a custom widebody and need components that can be sanded, molded, and color-matched seamlessly to your body panels, FRP is the way to go. However, FRP has little-to-no flexibility. If you hit a parking block or a harsh dip in the road, fiberglass will crack, splinter, or shatter, requiring professional bodywork to repair. Explore some fiberglass aero options from OSIR here.
ABS Body and Aero Parts
If you're looking for OEM-level fit, finish, and durability without breaking the bank, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) parts (like those offered by Apex here) are your go-to material. Automakers use ABS extensively for factory bumpers, grilles, and trim because it strikes a perfect balance between strength and flexibility. Unlike fiberglass, it won't easily shatter upon impact, but it's more rigid than polyurethane, allowing it to hold precise body lines without sagging over time. It is also highly receptive to paint right out of the box and stands up incredibly well to heat and road chemicals. ABS is the ultimate middle-ground material for a flawless, factory-matched aesthetic.
Polyurethane (PUR) Aero and Body Parts
Polyurethane is essentially a high-grade, flexible plastic. Its greatest strength is its durability. If you accidentally scrape a polyurethane front lip on a steep driveway, it will typically flex, bend, and scrape - but often will not shatter. The downside? Polyurethane is heavier than other materials, and it is difficult for paint to adhere to without highly specialized primers and flex agents. Often, enthusiasts leave poly lips in their raw matte black finish.
Carbon Fiber Body Parts and Aero Components
Perfect for Performance. Carbon fiber is made by weaving carbon filaments and baking them in a resin and has an unmatched strength-to-weight ratio. It is significantly lighter than polyurethane and much stronger than fiberglass. Plus, the exposed weave provides that premium look that is synonymous with high-end European tuning. The only drawback to carbon fiber is the cost, as the manufacturing process is highly labor-intensive. Browse some of our most popular carbon fiber parts from Oneway here.
What Material is Best for Your Build?
Ultimately, the best material depends on your budget, your driving habits, and your aesthetic goals. Whether you want the indestructible nature of polyurethane for the streets or the lightweight brilliance of carbon fiber for the track, we stock the premium brands you need to complete your build.
Whatever material you choose, if you decide to install your kit yourself, be certain you know how to do it right the first time. There's nothing more frustrating than panel gaps, sagging parts, or body lines that just don't match up. There's almost no fix for poor fitment.
The first line of defense against poor fitment is to order high-quality body styling parts from trusted manufacturers. We refuse to sell parts that we wouldn't put on our own vehicles, which is why we partner with brands that prioritize 3D-scanning and precision engineering. However, even the most precisely manufactured aftermarket parts require patience and knowledge to achieve a flawless, OEM-level fit.
The Golden Rule: Always Test Fit
Professional installation is always a good idea - if you're not highly knowledgeable about body work, we recommend you employ a pro. However, if you decide to do the job yourself, the golden rule of body modification is to test fit everything before paint or final installation. Never rip the red backing off your 3M tape or send a raw fiberglass bumper to the paint shop without first mocking it up on your car.
Every car is slightly different. Even off the factory assembly line, cars have micro-variances. Furthermore, if your vehicle has ever been in a minor fender bender, or simply bumped a parking block, your bumper might be sitting a few millimeters out of factory spec. Use painter's tape to hold the new part in place. Stand back and check the gaps.
Troubleshooting Body Part Fitment Issues
If the part isn't sitting completely flush, don't panic - and definitely don't try to force it by driving screws into it right away.
- If your part seems slightly warped, remember that many of these materials are sensitive to temperature. During shipping, they may flex. Let the part sit in the sun for a few hours. Once the material has relaxed, it may be easier to match up.
- Sometimes, the factory mounting locations are slightly enlarged from years of use. If a push-pin isn't holding tight, consider using a stainless steel nut, bolt, and washer combo. Using wider washers can spread out the clamping force, pulling the body part tighter against the bumper and eliminating gaps.
Achieving a perfect fit is a matter of patience, preparation, and choosing quality parts from the start. Cheap parts will fight you every step of the way, but premium parts are made to integrate with your vehicle's factory lines.
We offer a huge selection of body and aero kits for European models - check out our full catalog here. Shop EuroSport Tuning for
- Expert Support: We have specialized knowledge of Euro platforms.
- Curated Brands: Only high-quality parts that last - all from the best brands.
- Fast Shipping: Get your parts fast, and back on the road quickly.
Put our decades of experience to work for you - contact us if you have any questions, and order your aero kit online today!
