Correct euro bumper P/N?

[Cubieman]

I removed my factory bumper and it would appear it did have the 4 tabs causing fitment issues but they were cut off.

I am the 4th owner of the car so maybe it has been replaced before but it is a genuine US bumper.

[9kracing]

So are you going to cut the tabs off the euro one?

[Cubieman]

So are you going to cut the tabs off the euro one?

I had to cut the tabs for it to fit, the bumper fits OK, fender gaps aren't perfect, but it'll be fine, my last bumper wasn't 100% either.

I got the Trinity mounts but they really can't do much to pull the bumper in further, you would have to cut foam from the bumper cover for that.

I'll need to find some foam to stuff under the bumper to make the gaps under the headlights a bit better, the foam on the passenger side was still there but had come unglued, the foam on the driver's side was missing completely.

[Casa de Mesa]

Hey Cubieman. My factory bumper cover had the tabs cut off as well. It's a 2003 but 9/2022 build. My thought is that rather than changing the bumper cover mold when BMW switched from Kevlar to aluminum, they just cut the tabs off.

[heinzboehmer]

I'll need to find some foam to stuff under the bumper to make the gaps under the headlights a bit better, the foam on the passenger side was still there but had come unglued, the foam on the driver's side was missing completely.

Just FYI, there's also supposed to be a strip of foam in the middle. To close up the gap between bumper and hood

[Cubieman]

Just FYI, there's also supposed to be a strip of foam in the middle. To close up the gap between bumper and hood

There is a piece that is still attached in the center right under the kidney grills, so that's good, but the D.S foam has left the building. The P.S foam I have but it came unglued.

I see MpartsWW had these strips for $50 a piece but I'm thinking of just using some stuff around the house and stuffing it in from behind the bumper after removing the lower headlight trims to gain some access.

Hard to see the center foam unelss you zoom in, also one of my 4 studs came out with the bumper and sits rather loosely in the carrier when re-installed, likely going to epoxy that on.

[Singh]

I need a euro bumper in my life, but to be honest seeing the fitment I am disappointed. You're putting some great work here Op thank you for sharing the progress.

[Cubieman]

I need a euro bumper in my life, but to be honest seeing the fitment I am disappointed. You're putting some great work here Op thank you for sharing the progress.

The shop is having a bit of trouble getting the paint just right but maybe by the end of next week I'll have the bumper back on and can add some final thoughts as I'll try my best to get perfect fitment. I have added some foam to the crash bar as others have had do as it falls off over time.

I will say my US bumper wasn't perfect by any means though it wasn't brand new either and the under-headlight foam was missing on the D.S.

[Casa de Mesa]

I need a euro bumper in my life, but to be honest seeing the fitment I am disappointed. You're putting some great work here Op thank you for sharing the progress.

The Euro bumper is identical to the US bumper, except the Euro bumper does not have reflectors. That's it. They are otherwise physically identical to one another.

Barring the tabs people are talking about (which must be removed for Kevlar bumpers), there is no fitment issues beyond what you deal with on the US bumpers.

[Cubieman]

This was already posted into the "What did you do your M3 Today?" thread but thought an update might be appropriate here as well.

With the missing D.S kevlar carrier foam put back using a portion of foam RC airplane wing and slightly tightening up the 10mm plastic screws that hold the 4 "suction cups" to the bumper cover the fitment was better than with my factory bumper even. Still not 100%, but I'm leaving it alone.

[Casa de Mesa]

The fit and finish was really good on mine too. Nice hack on the model airplane foam.