Weird genuine euro M3 front bumper?

[Casa de Mesa]

So counter syncing the little plate that has the female ball socket won't really do much on its own because you still have the actual foam piece that sits in the recess of the Kevlar support. And in my case, my bumper is fully recessed into the Kevlar support.

Got it that makes sense and as usual, I was over complicating things in my grey matter. Didn't even think the actual foam would be in the way for some reason... because logic.

For the top foam pieces that you asked about on the killer support bar, I actually used JB 5 minute quick weld to adhere it and then I used some plastic clamps to gently apply pressure for about 20 minutes and then I also took 4 hour JB weld epoxy and went around all of the edges to kind of anchor it a little bit better.

Beautiful - thanks for that.

Here is my bumper's final fitment.. I'm happy with the gaps under the headlights and the hood, but I'm still annoyed by the alignment of the bumper to the fenders, especially on the passenger side. It's a little bit worse than the driver side and it's going to bother me. I know it is. But for now it's about the best I can do with at this moment.

It looks a lot better than it did.

Lastly... did you grease those ball and sockets? Hard to tell in one of the pics.

[Casa de Mesa]

For what it's worth and given this is a problem I will have to solve, here are pics I took of my US Spec bumper (Front bumper part #: 51117894990). The bumper is original to the car.

The tabs appear to have been shaved off from the factory. I'm not sure how much of the tabs you removed, but these were shaved off completely. All 4 of them look like this.

[Cronenberged]

@mods can we get that bumper break down post stickied? This gold info looking at doing the same thing soon.

[terra]

Looks like the Euro bumper also isn't supposed to have the tabs based on ECS' pics. I guess whoever manufactures these for BMW forgot to shave themoff.

[pawa_k2001]

I just checked my 2002+ euro front bumper that I received from ECS a few weeks ago, it also have those tabs.

[old///MFanatic]

My “euro” bumper was direct from BMW this month and it had the tabs. My shop just installed last week and I mentioned the “tabs” and how it was said to cause fitment issues. He said they left the tabs. The tabs didn’t interfere on my kevlar bumper, the tabs just slide under the Kevlar bumper carrier not impeding fitment.

I examined it and it has no fitment issues.

[Exclusivs]

My “euro” bumper was direct from BMW this month and it had the tabs. My shop just installed last week and I mentioned the “tabs” and how it was said to cause fitment issues. He said they left the tabs. The tabs didn’t interfere on my kevlar bumper, the tabs just slide under the Kevlar bumper carrier not impeding fitment.

I examined it and it has no fitment issues.

Glad I stumbled upon this thread, getting ready to install my Euro bumper now. It also has the Tabs. For 06/kevlar bumper carrier.

Checked photos of my original U.S. spec bumper - it does not have tabs.

Consensus is just to leave them, yes?

[dutchhome]

I had to cut them off in order to get the bumper to sit properly. I suggest trying it as is and if it doesn’t fit right then consider cutting them off.

[Exclusivs]

^Okay, got it thank you. Will report back

[old///MFanatic]

Yeah mine fit with them intact. But you don’t need them for the Kevlar carrier afaik. So if you’re going to cut them, it would be best before you paint. If you’re able to test fit before painting that would be my suggestion to be safe.

[DJAM3]

A little late but I'll add this for future reference. I just replaced my bumper with a Euro. Those tabs are for push pins that go into the aluminum carrier. You can cut them off for the Kevlar carrier since they're not used. I didn't realize they were there when I removed my original bumper and tore through the holes.

[nextelbuddy]

A little late but I'll add this for future reference. I just replaced my bumper with a Euro. Those tabs are for push pins that go into the aluminum carrier. You can cut them off for the Kevlar carrier since they're not used. I didn't realize they were there when I removed my original bumper and tore through the holes.

i'm wondering then if they updated the Kevlar euro bumper cover to be both compatible with the aluminum carrier AND the Kevlar carrier then? because before you had to order the euro bumper cover specifically for the aluminum carrier which was more expensive and usually on back order.

if you have an aluminum carrier car then does this mean you can buy the Kevlar cover and use it on the aluminum carrier then? would be pretty sweet

[9kracing]

Mine had the tabs, I left them, and it fits ok. I mean, it's not perfect, but the shop that did it builds the Turner race cars, and they say that all E46 front bumpers fit weird and have that small gap on the passenger side. They showed me 3 other US cars with similar misfitment, so I think it's one of those things you don't notice unless you're really looking for it.

Either way, I had them remove it and put it back and it was the same. Over time it has become more flush.

[WestBankM4]

A little late but I'll add this for future reference. I just replaced my bumper with a Euro. Those tabs are for push pins that go into the aluminum carrier. You can cut them off for the Kevlar carrier since they're not used. I didn't realize they were there when I removed my original bumper and tore through the holes.

Just to clarify, you tore through the holes on your OEM front bumper upon removal because the tabs were actually secured against your 2001 aluminum carrier correct? I've decided to move towards the Euro front bumper instead of the Alsatek CSL front bumper, so with that being said, this thread has become extremely relevant.

[Casa de Mesa]

Let me save anyone reading this some time: If you bought a new Euro bumper cover, cut the tabs off if you have a carbon bumper/carrier. I can't confirm what you should do if you have a aluminum carrier, but suspect you do not cut the tabs off.

I tried to keep the tabs in place like the OP just to see if maybe I could make it fit, despite others saying they couldn't fit the bumper until cutting the tabs. No dice. I cut a little bit off the tabs. Better, but still no dice. Finally cut the same amount (the whole tabs!) as pictured above in my factory bumper cover and it fit perfectly.