bumper swap - BMW Forum

lilboi · 12-13-2003, 08:39 AM

can the new plastic bumpers for the e30 fit on the older bumpers (metal ones)?
or it even possible to get it painted to match?

OreoGaborio · 12-13-2003, 04:00 PM

swapping to the late plastic bumpers is a super pain in the ass... requires trimming & a serious cosmetic touch... unless you have an '88, which you don't from the looks of that sweet airdam

personally, on your car i think just pushing the bumpers would be your best bet... but that reduces the bumper effectivness... if it had much in the first place :wink

MrM3 · 12-13-2003, 04:04 PM

the front lines up ok and you could make it work without modification. the rear bumper, however, doesnt line up and you will need some custom body work done. there's also the euro bumper alternative, but you will lose the 5mph bump protection, and it could be costly replacing them after a very minor accident

bddog · 12-13-2003, 11:58 PM

Exactly how do you push the bumpers in?

OreoGaborio · 12-14-2003, 07:56 AM

remove the bumpers or just get to the bumper shocks... get a drill... punch a hole in the bumper shocks (oil goes everywhere, be prepared) and push them in a couple inches

pretty much nullifies the usefulness of the bumper shocks, but from what i hear, it's still pretty tough to do damage in a 10 mph or so bump

bddog · 12-14-2003, 09:17 AM

There isn't anything you have to do to keep them pushed in? They stay on their own?

MrM3 · 12-14-2003, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bddog@Dec 14 2003, 09:57 AM
There isn't anything you have to do to keep them pushed in? They stay on their own?

they will probably stay in place on their own, but i know people who drill an extra hole and put a screw in just to hold it. you probably wont have to take the bumper off on the rear, but for the front you need to remove the bumper trim to unscrew it. also make sure to watch out for the oil when you drill the shocks, wearing goggles wouldnt be a bad idea

pogiboy9 · 12-16-2003, 08:42 AM

yes just compress the bumper in the front and maybe a small, additional lip or spoiler, for the rear if u can get small kit and side skirts to match, but a lil bit of a lowering job and bigger rims and low pro tires or semi - low pros will do the nice dynamic look of the newer ones, but you know that metal bumper does a lot of help

trust me i know, i launched a civic 20 feet going 40mph and my dmg compared to theres ...wasn't even hahahaha u get the point

babzenuda · 01-05-2004, 03:32 AM

I'm considering pushing the bumpers in on my '79 320i... does anybody know of any pictures of the mod before & after? I's like to see how much of a difference it makes before I sacrifice the bumper shocks.

thanks,
Robert.

e36_m3_Turbo · 01-05-2004, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by babzenuda@Jan 5 2004, 03:12 AM
I'm considering pushing the bumpers in on my '79 320i... does anybody know of any pictures of the mod before & after? I's like to see how much of a difference it makes before I sacrifice the bumper shocks.

thanks,
Robert.

i have some pics of them pushed in on a e28 535is..still the same concept

babzenuda · 01-05-2004, 09:17 PM

cool, can you post them?

robert.

e36_m3_Turbo · 01-05-2004, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by babzenuda@Jan 5 2004, 08:57 PM
cool, can you post them?

robert.

yup

e36_m3_Turbo · 01-05-2004, 09:25 PM

i cant find any pics of the before but here is the after..its fastfivers 5..very pimp

babzenuda · 01-06-2004, 05:57 AM

hey cool, thanks e36_332i_s52. does anyone else have any pics showing this mod?

robert.

benjaminaco · 01-14-2004, 01:00 PM

you can also take the shocks behinde the bumper off and wind the clockwise (I think) and they will compress cause you are winding down the piston rod I believe. you have to untighten the lock nut to the desired final "height" then wind the back end of the shock until it shrinks down, tighten it back up and put it back on, this way you can always un-do the process if you want, and you can be sure they'll stay put.

-Ben