Plastic to Euro Bumpers?

[stegosaurus]

So I've been trying to pick up an early model roller for a while, but with no real success. Everything has either been complete, or too ratty. So I thought about it, and the real appeal of the early model cars is the smaller euro bumpers, you could say MT1 even. I'm liking the older look.

So the question is... is it possible to do a reverse bumper swap, going from late model to early? Anyone have an idea how to go about it. I searched this and didn't find anything. For reference, I'm working with a 1991 318is.

[lennon]

i dunno. euro cabrio bumpers?

[JasonC]

i dunno. euro cabrio bumpers?

I think the only difference in them are the rubber end pieces on the rear bumper.

Heres a shot of a early car with a late valance. I think you'll have to modify the valance so there isn't a huge gap under it. I'm guessing thats what was done to this car.


For the rear, there would also be a gap due to the deeper rear valance. Haven't seen a picture of one yet. So someone else may have one and chime in.

[stegosaurus]

What is significant about the end pieces for the euro cabrios? I was planning on either going full MT1 or doing an early model valence as well, so the gaps shouldn't be a problem as long as there's a way to get them on there.

[ethree]

The front valence will not be an issue it's the back that will take some doing. When people swap plastic bumpers onto early cars they cut a piece of the bumper out to shorten the portion on the side of the car and I don't see a feasible way to lengthen the early bumpers to fit a late car. Anything is possible of course if you have the time/skill/money.

[lennon]

no, i believe Jason is right. he refreshed my memory. (i think) the euro bumpers just have different plastic endcaps to cover the difference between early and late-model rears. i think the physical bumpers are the same, you'd just need the cabrio/late-model endcaps. any front valence shouldnt be a problem, i dunno about the rear. dont chop up an m-tech 1!

edit- look in the thread "bumpers bumpers bumpers" or whatever. there is TONS of info and plenty of people have posted pics so you can see with your own eyes what works and what doesnt.

[stegosaurus]

edit- look in the thread "bumpers bumpers bumpers" or whatever. there is TONS of info and plenty of people have posted pics so you can see with your own eyes what works and what doesnt.

I'll take a look at that, thanks!

[ZM Blue Devil]

i dunno. euro cabrio bumpers?

^This, for the rear.

For the front, you would need to swap to an early or euro valance. (obviously, you could keep the late model, but would need to get hacked up)

For the rear, not 100% sure

If you go with mtech valances, you would need the corresponding trim and end caps as well.

For pics, search for that guy with the MT1 kitted Touring.