Front Bumper Removal - I searched - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

vabchbmw · 13th April 2006, 00:51

There are plastic primed front bumpers for sale on ebay for a 2001 M5 for about $250 plus shipping. Questions (assume average skill and tools):

1. How hard is it to pop off the bumper and put another one on?
2. How much time to switch bumpers?
3. Roughly how much does it cost to paint a bumper (ti silver)?
4. That price seems cheap. Realoem has them for $622.08.

I have several rock chips on the bumper and I don't want the front license plate permanently mounted on the car. I may try what an Audi owner did with magents to mount the license plate that is removeable.

Thoughts or ideas.

mottati · 13th April 2006, 02:00

I had my front bumper refinished. They sanded it down to remove rock chips etc, and repainted it, also ti silver. Cost about $650. Removing and reinstalling the bumper is quite easy, but i'd imagine you'd need to take all the 'stuff' off your bumper. Such as the grills, fog lamps, impact beam (metal support behind the bumper) etc.
To remove the bumper, unbolt two #50 torx screws, which go upward, in front of the grill. Remove 3 8mm bolts from the wheel well side. Slide the bumper forward. I also remove the fog lamps before hand to avoid the wires being an issue. You need to unclip the headlamp washer hose too, there is a c clip that holds the hoses together. Slide the bumper off, it's not heavy, but a bit cumbersome. I've had mine off many times for different projects. It's good to have some carpet or a blanket down in front of the car so there is a soft surface there just in case. I think that is it, but someone will chime in if i left anything out.
Mike

SANguru · 13th April 2006, 03:21

also, don't forget to unplug the temp sensor up front and the 2 "screws" on the side that bolts the side of the bumper to plastic pieces on each side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mottati

I had my front bumper refinished. They sanded it down to remove rock chips etc, and repainted it, also ti silver. Cost about $650. Removing and reinstalling the bumper is quite easy, but i'd imagine you'd need to take all the 'stuff' off your bumper. Such as the grills, fog lamps, impact beam (metal support behind the bumper) etc.
To remove the bumper, unbolt two #50 torx screws, which go upward, in front of the grill. Remove 3 8mm bolts from the wheel well side. Slide the bumper forward. I also remove the fog lamps before hand to avoid the wires being an issue. You need to unclip the headlamp washer hose too, there is a c clip that holds the hoses together. Slide the bumper off, it's not heavy, but a bit cumbersome. I've had mine off many times for different projects. It's good to have some carpet or a blanket down in front of the car so there is a soft surface there just in case. I think that is it, but someone will chime in if i left anything out.
Mike

aaronmiles · 13th April 2006, 06:29

I concur with SANguru.. its not that hard a job.. and if you have headlight cleaning make sure you disconnect that from the LHS before removing the bar completely. Grease your bumper mounts also (the two things that bolt to the chassis) as they can get stiff and seize, bit of preventative maintenance now goes a long way later on.

vabchbmw · 13th April 2006, 17:13

Thank you for your responses. I will give it a shot this weekend when I get home.

louv · 13th April 2006, 17:23

My Brake Duct Install page has some info for removing the front bumper. It''s not very hard. (even I can do it. and I'm just a desk-jockey, software engineer.)

http://www.louv.tv/cars/m5/ducts/

Good luck.

koister2001 · 15th April 2006, 21:17

Here's more info that you might find helpful.

http://www.540isport.com/DIY/M5front...umperparts.htm