Chromie rear bumpers...

[RetroAde]

One for the E30 gurus on here. I'm getting the parts together for a winter refurb of my '88 325i chromie cab. Whilst digging around with my paint man it's obvious the car has had a light tap on the back, nothing major and most people wouldn't even notice but I'm OCD on these things and whilst we're sorting the rear valance I want my bumper nice and true.

I have found a new centre section, are the rear bumpers standard across the range or are the cab parts unique to the cab? Alternatively if anyone has a suitable bumper they want rid of I may take it off your hands.

[pacerpete]

Convertible and saloon bumpers are the same.

[RetroAde]

See what I mean about the bumper not quite sitting right. The centre section has a slight kink in it.

[pacerpete]

That may come back if you remove it and put a block of wood on the top edge and gently stand on it
If the bumper shows any sign of action and does not quite sit right, I always replace the mounting brackets . You can try tweaking them and bending them until the cows come home but its much easier to start with two new brackets.

[RetroAde]

The brackets are being done, but there's also a kink in the chrome itself. If you lay right under the back of the car it's really obvious. We're taking the valence back to bare metal, there's a lump of pudding on the OSR corner that needs sorting, type of thing I'd have done back in the day for a quick fix. Older and wiser and want it done properly these days. Anyhoo, the new brackets will help but without changing that centre section it will be better but it won't be right.

[hennared323i]

That may come back if you remove it and put a block of wood on the top edge and gently stand on it
If the bumper shows any sign of action and does not quite sit right, I always replace the mounting brackets . You can try tweaking them and bending them until the cows come home but its much easier to start with two new brackets.

Thus spoke Zarathustra

[pacerpete]

The brackets are being done, but there's also a kink in the chrome itself. If you lay right under the back of the car it's really obvious. We're taking the valence back to bare metal, there's a lump of pudding on the OSR corner that needs sorting, type of thing I'd have done back in the day for a quick fix. Older and wiser and want it done properly these days. Anyhoo, the new brackets will help but without changing that centre section it will be better but it won't be right.

I see the 'kink' in the centre, peaking under the alarm light. As said above , with the bumper removed and a block of wood and some weight, you may get lucky

[RetroAde]

Trouble is underneath it's pushed in. I'll have a crack at straightening it and might hopefully get lucky, but would be happier having a plan B in case lady luck gives me the finger.

[DanThe]

Heat it up big time before you try to bend it, it will move a lot easier and is less likely to kink again/even more