Bumper Conversions

Post in this forum for topics relating to the exterior. This includes body, windows, and accessories

Moderators: GRNSHRK, ron, bfons

Post Reply
arif
Posts: 101
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2015 9:43 am
Location: Essex

Bumper Conversions

Post by arif »

Hi all,
I have an 89 highline that has the plastic bumpers, my question is can I change both front and rear bumpers for the chrome ones without any cutting/fabricating? Is it just a case of taking off the ones I have on there and bolting the chrome ones straight on?

Thanks in advance!
Arif
1989 635csi Highline
Alpine White
Lotus White Interior

1989 m535i
ron
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 4569
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:35 am
Location: South Wales U.K.

Re: Bumper Conversions

Post by ron »

arif wrote:Hi all,
I have an 89 highline that has the plastic bumpers, my question is can I change both front and rear bumpers for the chrome ones without any cutting/fabricating? Is it just a case of taking off the ones I have on there and bolting the chrome ones straight on?
In a word NO. The fittings and mounting structure is totally different between the Highline and the chrome bumpered cars.
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
User avatar
JCS
Posts: 999
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:06 pm
Location: Santa Ana, California, USA

Re: Bumper Conversions

Post by JCS »

Arif,

If you want your (PLASTIC)? bumpers to look like chrome.
Try polishing the aluminum bumpers.
It is quite a job though, to strip off the clear coat, and then sand off the anodized plating, covering the aluminum bumpers.
Start with 300 grit sandpaper and go up to 3000 grit, then Mothers polish.
Every time you progress up to a finer grit, you must remove all traces of the previous deeper sanding marks.
P3070003.JPG
P3070003.JPG (254.11 KiB) Viewed 5810 times
P3070054.JPG
P3070054.JPG (264.59 KiB) Viewed 5810 times
Jay
'88 M6, Red/Tan
My NEW Website https://www.jaysbmwparts.com/
User avatar
dwcains
Posts: 1465
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Re: Bumper Conversions

Post by dwcains »

Do they stay shiny like that, or do you periodically have to polish them? I wonder if a clear powdercoat would be appropriate?
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
arif
Posts: 101
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2015 9:43 am
Location: Essex

Re: Bumper Conversions

Post by arif »

Thanks for the replies gents, but it's just the more I look at the plastic bumpers the more I think they look too chunky. I like the earlier chrome ones as they look more elegant in my opinion, but having said that at least polishing my existing ones gives me another option, so thank you JCS.

Ron, is there a lot of fabricating/cutting involved to make the chrome ones fit nicely?

thanks in advance,
Arif
1989 635csi Highline
Alpine White
Lotus White Interior

1989 m535i
User avatar
dwcains
Posts: 1465
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Re: Bumper Conversions

Post by dwcains »

arif wrote:
Ron, is there a lot of fabricating/cutting involved to make the chrome ones fit nicely?

thanks in advance,
Arif
There is, especially at the rear. Have a look at this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=7430
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
arif
Posts: 101
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2015 9:43 am
Location: Essex

Re: Bumper Conversions

Post by arif »

Thanks Dean,
that was very helpful. I know the UK cars are a little different to the US spec ones so I'm hoping it won't be as difficult. I think I'm going to go for it, and go for the M sport bumpers with the chrome. If anyone has some in the UK with no rust please let me know!

Also if what I want to do is an impossible, or down right stupid idea please someone let me know.

Thanks
Arif
1989 635csi Highline
Alpine White
Lotus White Interior

1989 m535i
ron
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 4569
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:35 am
Location: South Wales U.K.

Re: Bumper Conversions

Post by ron »

arif wrote: Ron, is there a lot of fabricating/cutting involved to make the chrome ones fit nicely?
arif wrote: Also if what I want to do is an impossible, or down right stupid idea please someone let me know.
See the differences! The mounting structure is totally different.

Chrome bumper rear
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=51_0685

Highline rear
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=51_0699
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=51_0701

Chrome bumper front
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=51_0518
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=51_0495

Highline front
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=51_0509
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=51_0505
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=51_0507
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
Post Reply