Plastic Bumper Conversion

[Guest]

...Does anyone have an idea on exactly what is involved in putting plastic bumpers onto a chrome bumper E30..?

I'd like to update the look of my car with the later style bumpers and front valance. I've seen it done on American / overseas cars and it looks pretty good.

I was even thinking if it was possible to fit the plastic bumper covers over the top of the chrome bumpers (as the chrome ones are smaller) and securing them on underneath the rubber strip.

I'm unsure. Just thinking out loud I guess. I'd have to get them and play around I suppose. What are your thoughts..?

[JimmyC]

front valance is a straight bolt for bolt swap did this at the weekend, not sure about the bumpers as I haven't got them yet but i'm hoping the just bolt straight on again????

[smithy318i]

this will help

http://www.r3vlimited.com/Tech/tuck.htm

http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5001

[smithy318i]

And this too.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/Tech/bumper1.htm

[Gwynleym10]

Don't do it! It will never look right.

The rear arches on an early car are cut higher than later ones, so fitting plastic bumpers to the rear especially will look strange. It also takes are fair amount of cutting and bodging to get it right. Its not a bolt on job.

Smithy318i the first tech article is about "tucking" US spec dive boards, which is a different procedure to the swap.

Best bet it to get a m-tech 1 kit, will look loads better and fit perfectly.

[JimmyC]

So are the mounts from the car in a different place? or is more a case of aesthetics?

I've already bought some not realising they would not go straight on, they are from an 'e' reg and mines and 'e' reg but I guess i'm just before the change over, and he's just after.

[Gwynleym10]

I think the mounts are in the same place (not sure if they are the same mounts though?) but where the bumper curves with the wheel arch it will not fit, without adjustment. Are thtey standard plastic or m-tech?

[JimmyC]

they are standard bumpers, i'll have a look when they get here but I guess that i'll have to source some early ones

[Gwynleym10]

standard plastic look worse than chrome in my opinon

You may also need some kind of valance with standard ones as well,

[JimmyC]

not bothered how they look, just need to get my car in standard e30 spec for the race series i'm building the car up for.

cant believe the hastle bumpers are causing me!

[orangecurry]

fitment is quite different; I've had both rears off

chrome are ordinary bolts, and on each side 2 more smaller bolts

plastic are 'hex' or stardrive (can't remember the proper name) at the back but in a different mounting, and plastic sliding-in things one on each side

I think the front is just as different

sorry

[Jhonno]

early model with late bumpers looks hot imo

[scottybeemer]

fitment is quite different; I've had both rears off

chrome are ordinary bolts, and on each side 2 more smaller bolts

plastic are 'hex' or stardrive (can't remember the proper name) at the back but in a different mounting, and plastic sliding-in things one on each side

I think the front is just as different

sorry

torx