400i S2 Front Bumper removal

My bumper was reinforced for US regs, but the original brackets are still there. There are two brackets with two or four nuts on each. A ratcheting box wrench will make it easier as there is limited space. (I sold the car so cannot check if it is 2 or 4 nuts.)
Ken

 

I would like to have the original, Euro bumpers on my car - not the extended ones the importers installed. Does anyone know how they did that and if there are sources for the originals?

 

Good day Daren,

I am unsure if there was an "extended" bumper part made by the factory and/or if a third party firm created them for North American bumper requirements. However, in cars I have seen (including my 365), they used the original bumpers and extending their fitment outward using original mount extensions and/or used a longer stroke compressible bumper shock.

As for original replacement bumpers (front 257-36-002-00 which is now the part number used for all models) looks like they may be available, but are around $4K in price. I have seen some use their original as a mold and then recreated them out of fibreglass. This will maintain the "look, assuming the original is unblemished, but will do little to absorb any impacts.

Cheers,

Sam

 

On my car they used the original Euro bumper and mounting brackets. They made an incredibly heavy steel plate about 90% of the width and 75% of the height of the bumper and it was 1/2" thick! I once backed into a road sign pole; it didn't stand a chance! Bumper unharmed and road sign flattened. Extra set of bolts were used to mount steel to bumper and then to brackets.

I don't know what is on your car but both bumper and brackets on my car were as per the parts manual.
Ken