My bumpers...

BMR BOY · 06-03-2003, 10:08 PM

I've got a very nice looking '84 325e, and I am wondering about the bumpers. I like the big, aluminum colored bumpers, but I have seen other e30's that put the newer style ('89-'91?) bumpers that are painted, on their cars. Is it possible that these bumpers just "bolt right on"? I mean, a few mods are a duh, but for the most part, do they fit? I like the look of the newer bumpers a lot!
BMR BOY

Jared at Pelican Parts · 06-04-2003, 07:38 AM

They will not fit the earlier cars due to the differences in the rear taillights.

BMR BOY · 06-04-2003, 03:20 PM

Jared~ What about the front then? How do people do this then?
BMR BOY

Jared at Pelican Parts · 06-04-2003, 03:59 PM

The front bumpers will not work as well due to differences in the mounting brackets for the bumper shocks. The only cars this will work on to my knowledge is the 1988 models.

Zoomy · Zoomy's Garage

The bumper shock from the '88 will bolt right on and pull the
bumpers in about 1".

Or (not recommended)
you can drill holes in your bumper shocks and push them all the way in.

Later,
Bill

BMR BOY · 06-09-2003, 12:34 AM

Bill, do I have to have '88 bumper shocks for this to work? And there's no way to modify the back?
BMR BOY

Jared at Pelican Parts · 06-09-2003, 08:06 AM

BMR BOY, from what i understand it wont work. This is based on ym oen personal experience on my own cars.

Zoomy · Zoomy's Garage

BMR Boy;

If you want to retain the effectiveness and protection of the shocks,
you have to us the '88 shocks bolted up as is.

Drilling out your old shocks to relieve the fluid(which is under pressure by the way), kills any protection.

I have put '88 bumper shocks on my '84.
They bolted right up without any problem.

Eventhough I like the look of the drilled/"tucked" bumpers,
the thought of being in a wreck made me think otherwise.

The '88 shocks are a good compromise.

You can get a complete Euro Conversion from www.************
The conversion looks fantastic.
But expect to pay about $900

Later,
Bill

Dub-Dub · 06-12-2003, 10:34 AM

Zoomy I'm with you on this one... plus if your insurance co ever found out, or if an inspection caught it, you'd be screwed... 5mph bumpers are fed law.

So just to clarify, could I use the '88 shocks to pull my stock steel divingboards in a bit?

(btw, I love this message board... I am sick of posting a question on other boards and getting a "kid's" OPINION as to what it would take... info, real info, that's valuable. The rest is just garbage.)

Jared at Pelican Parts · 06-12-2003, 10:37 AM

Well im only 24, does that classify me as a kid? lol

You can compress the diving boards, however it will compromise the safety of the bumpers, (not like those shocks are really going to help you in a crash anyway)

All you need to do is drill holes in the shocks, then compress them. There is liek a mineral oil tyoe substance inside the shocks, so be preasred for a mess. as you compress the shocks, it will pump out all the fluid..

Zoomy · Zoomy's Garage

Hey Dub;

The '88 shocks are 3mph shocks and 'will' bolt right up & 'will'
pull the bumpers back 1".

I had an Insurance inspector look at my car after a 20lb dog tore off my spoiler.

He never noticed the bumpers or the shorter springs.
Wrote me a $500 check for the spoiler damage.

I really don't want to find out how effective the bumpers will be in a real wreck. Most other cars bumpers are above mine anyway.

I'm dead if an SUV hit me.
I pulled up the front of my friends Ford Explored.
His bumper was at my shoulder.

Jared, I was a College Senior when you were born.
What's that make me.

Dub-Dub · 06-16-2003, 10:38 AM

That's why I put kid in quotes Jared... I've got a few years on you, but only a few... I was meaning more the mindless responces one gets on other BBSs.

Jared at Pelican Parts · 06-16-2003, 10:41 AM

I'm quite aware, Dub Dub.

topics such as...

Puttin Dubs on my E36......

What is the biggest coffee can exhaust i can run on my 318i?....

Check out the killer Neuspeed decals on my ride!...

Dub-Dub · 06-16-2003, 12:08 PM

LOL... exactly.

Check out my new wing(s)

carolinus · 06-16-2003, 04:08 PM

If you don't like the diving boards, consider having them painted to match your car. That makes a difference, and I plan on doing it to mine.

I understand what you mean about some of the other boards...it gets strange...really strange. BTW, all of those asian stickers you see on ricers? Many of them really say, "I stupid American and I suck." It's funny.

Zoomy · Zoomy's Garage

Hey;

It's a Love/Hate relationship with my 'divingboards'...

I was thinking about having mine 'Power Coated'
More durable.

I've always wondered what all that Chinese writting meant.
On the converse, I saw a show on the Japanese doing the same thing with English words.

Later,
Bill

Jared at Pelican Parts · 06-18-2003, 02:40 PM

zoomy, check this out

www.engrish.com

quite funny.