I’m back at it again — and yes, with another spoiler.
This time, it’s not for the Mini Clubman (we all remember how that ended… if you don’t, you can relive the chaos here). No, this time I’ve been eyeing up something for the futuristic, spaceship-like BMW i8.
Before I get into what I bought, how much it cost, and the whole fitting process, let me explain why I’ve even bothered looking at a spoiler for a car that, let’s face it, already looks like it’s arrived from 2030.
A Bit of Background
The BMW i8 is, without doubt, a striking bit of kit. It’s sleek, it’s sporty, and while some might argue it’s not a “real” supercar, it certainly has the visual drama to hold its own — those scissor doors alone make a statement. And I’ve always said it has the performance to back up the looks… mostly.
But then I said it didn’t quite have the sound — which is why I went ahead and fitted a Quicksilver exhaust. If you missed that, you can check it out here.
So now, here I am, contradicting myself again — talking about the looks. But let me clarify: the i8 does look the part… from the front and side. It’s all sharp lines, low slung curves, and eye-catching detailing. But from the rear? It kind of fizzles out.
Honestly, it just doesn’t have the same road presence from behind. For a car this futuristic, the rear end is a bit too… safe. It lacks that aggressive flair. And that’s where my spoiler obsession began.
Exploring the Options
I spent far too many evenings scrolling through body kit options and spoiler designs. The ever-popular Maxton Design extenders? Not bad, but a bit tame for my liking. AC Schnitzer offer a really smart spoiler, but at a few grand, it’s a hefty price to pay just to spice up the back end.
So where does one turn when OEM and premium aftermarket options are a bit out of reach?
You guessed it — Aliexpress.
Now, before you laugh, I do have some history here… and a lesson learned from the Clubman saga. But Aliexpress is also a treasure trove of bold, budget-friendly mods — if you know where to look. And if you’re after aggressive, they’ve got that in spades.
I saw everything from subtle ducktail lips to full GT wings that practically come with a boarding pass. One in particular caught my eye — a massive fixed-wing spoiler, complete with integrated boot lid. From the side, colour-matched, it looked mega. From other angles? A bit… questionable.
But I wanted something in the middle. Not too tame, not too OTT. That’s when I landed on a carbon fibre spoiler that ticked all the boxes — sleek, aggressive, and not a complete bank-breaker.
The Spoiler I Chose
After some digging, I found a carbon fibre spoiler that looked the part and didn’t require remortgaging the house.
Cost (excluding fitting):
- Spoiler: £243.59
- Shipping: £121.09
- Total: £364.68 (plus a small import fee)
Before hitting buy, I did my research. There was a YouTube video showing the exact spoiler being fitted. The install looked decent, though the creator did mention struggling with two of the four screws — calling them near impossible to reach.
I ordered it in January, not realising the holiday delays would mean it didn’t arrive until late February, rolling into March. But fair play — it was incredibly well packaged. It came as a solid, one-piece unit, protected inside a wooden crate. Yes, a crate. Proper effort. The carbon looked solid too — none of that fake weave business.
The Fitting Journey
Now came the tricky part — fitting it.
I contacted a few local garages around South Wales. Some flat-out refused to touch it and advised taking it to a body shop. So I rang the guys who fitted the expensive JDM spoiler on the Clubman. They did a cracking job last time, but this time? Radio silence. Either too busy or vague about booking it in
Eventually, I came across
Up to Scratch in Caerphilly. After checking out their reviews, website, and chatting to Will, it was a no-brainer. They clearly knew their stuff and had a passion for cars (and bikes).
I dropped the i8 off at 8am. They estimated three hours — and even managed to squeeze in an extra little job while it was there. Right on schedule, I got the call. It was ready to collect.
Their reception is proper cool too — like a mini car enthusiast’s lounge. The kind of place where you just know they care about the work they’re doing.
The Result
So, was it worth it?
Absolutely. From the rear, the car now looks complete. The spoiler adds the aggression and presence the i8 was missing. The side profile? Even sharper. Front? Still as dramatic as ever. And yes — I can still get in the boot. Just. It’s snug, but not impossible.
Also, remember those screws the YouTuber moaned about? Not an issue for the team at Up to Scratch. They handled the install like pros.
I’ve since added a few more carbon fibre touches from AC, including inserts for the door handle recesses — and honestly, it all ties together beautifully.
Want One?
Here’s the exact spoiler I bought: Aliexpress – Carbon Spoiler for BMW i8
What do you think? Did the i8 need a spoiler? Has it finally earned its supercar stripes from the back? Let me know in the comments — and if you’ve done any mods to your own i8 (or any car), I’d love to see them.
Until next time — keep it Cornered.
