Body shop bumper fitment

[Kdubski]

Had a body shop paint and install a brand new euro bumper + repaint existing rear bumper. The original bumpers were not in great shape (purchased that way) and did not fit great. I got the car back from a well regarded shop and at first it looked fine but the more angles I looked at it I noticed the body lines are not exactly lining up. I know it’s an old car and there are tolerances and expectations. Is it unreasonable to bring it back to request a better fit?

[Cubieman]

Read this:

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/144903-weird-genuine-euro-m3-front-bumper

I wonder if they left the tabs on, I put a euro bumper on a few years ago and had to dremel the tabs off otherwise it would have had similar fitment.

Whatever is going on, thats sitting too far foward to a significant degree.
May not be their fault if the tabs are the issue, but at least you can tell them and they can get it right if you do not want to mess with it yourself.

[9kracing]

This is pretty common, although yours does look extreme.

[davidf]

They simply do not fit great. There is really nothing to pull the sides of the front bumper back to match the wheel arch better other than the plastic rivet that also holds the wheel well liner in place. you can play with the plastic side mount to help, but never going to get it to stay exactly where you want it. The rear bumper should have a little clip that helps hold it tighter to the quarter panel.

[9kracing]

FWIW I run these, and my body shop seemed to like them.

https://trinitygraphicsnc.com/products/e46-upgraded-front-bumper-mounts

[hogger453]

horrible fit

[Cubieman]

Take those 4 tabs off and it will fit fine.