NEW MEMBER - Very simple question about bumpers

Post Mon Jun 02, 2014 9:54 am

Hi everyone!

I'm brand new to the forum and thought I would be best to join as I'm currently searching for my first E30. (I've had E28s, E39s, an E38 and a E21, but now I have seen the light.)

I really prefer the classic chrome bumper look, however I viewed a 1990 320i Convertible yesterday with a bodykit on it and wondered whether it's easy just to swap the bumpers over for the more subtle chrome versions?

Is it just a bolt-off-bolt-on operation, and are the chrome bumpers fairly easy to find?

Thanks!

Post Mon Jun 02, 2014 9:59 am

It's not bolt on/off at all - the bumpers match both valances and mounts, so to fit chrome bumpers to a facelift (post '87) car requires lots of bodging and welding, and ultimately looks shit.

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... rk#Bumpers

That's not to say it's impossible, but it's certainly not a weekend job.

The one exception is the convertibles, which seemed to keep the chrome bumpers for some time past the '87 changeover. If you want to know whether it's a pre-facelift underneath the body kit, check out the rear lights:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ights#Rear

Post Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:11 am

Thank you very much that is VERY useful!

This car is a convertible, and despite being a 1990 car it has the pre-facelift rear lights.

So, are you saying that I'm lucky and this is a simple swap to chrome bumpers then?

Post Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:21 am

Very lucky. For confirmation, post up a pic of the car in question so that others can confirm. And before you dive in, check out the For Sale and Wanted sections - good chrome bumpers aren't easy to come by.

Post Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:28 am

Thanks again!

Pic of rear is here:

What do you think I need to budget for a set of good chrome bumpers?

Also, I assume that there is some value in the current bumpers?

Post Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:36 am

About £3-400 for ones in very good condition.

Post Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:38 am

capnmchl wrote:About £3-400 for ones in very good condition.

OK, that's about what I would have expected.

Hhmmm... this all makes this car a very tempting proposition!