Before & After Bumper Tuck Pics?

[87bimmerguy]

Anyone have any pics of a red (Zinnoberrot) e30 with diving boards with the chrome bumpers painted black? I'm trying to decide whether it will look good or not. I am planning on painting the trim and doing the tuck, but I'm not sure yet if black bumpers will look good.

[e30pwr]

yeah the ones that are first outlined to be removed in the tech article by Josh on the Homepage. If I could get answers now so I can paint it tomorrow with dry time during the superbowl that would be ideal. Must I take my lower valence off then find those bolts?

[Mr.sexymorningvoice]

you mean the ones that hold the front on?

[e30pwr]

Alright. I am at the point of kicking the bumper. Pics of these 2 magical 19mm bolts or the approx. location? I feel like an idiot that I cant find them.

[e30esque]

Hi all this is my first post here. Been on the 'Tech for a while, thought I'd drop by here. I have been wanting to tuck the bumpers on my 327i for a long time now, but I was wondering if you could trim the actual metal bumpers so they would fit flush up against the body (and then you could get rid of the ugly bumper surrounds)? If what I am thinking about is correct, wouldn't the diving boards look like home-made euro bumpers? Anyone attempted this?

[e30pwr]

So off to Strictly German for a early model valence(Mine seems to have some crinkles here and there.

And sorry about that confusion, I notice that it isn't exactly coherent. But I think I'm just going to drop the Fogs all-together for a cleaner look. I'll post up the pics when I get it done this sunday or saturday.

And as for the surrounds, anything to fill them in with? Or am I just missing something obvious?

[StereoInstaller1]

Is there a safe way to take off the black thing surround the metal bumper? I don't want to damage and/or bend it.

I am not quite clear which black "thing", but I am assuming that you are talking about the "bump strip" (the black rubber strip actually attached to the bumper) and not the "bumper surround", right? The bumper surround just bolts on, but that bumper strip is held on by clips from hell.

They can be removed, hell I bet they could be re-used...but not mine, no way. I popped that bastard off and all of the clips broke AND the rubber deformed just exactly where I needed them to be nice and flat.

I ended up using new clips (from the stealer) and using a metal pick to pull them through to re-attach.

I just rammed the one side of my bumper on an old computer rack in the garage so now I'm going to have to do the tuck, but I need a new bottom valence. Any ideas on how much to drop? And can I remount the old fogs in the later style valence?

Wait, what? You are going to put a late model valence on your early car? Why? You certainly can, but no, your fogs won't swap over.

Well, by that I mean no direct bolt on. I have a gallon of Kitty Hair, a gallon of Bondo and an airsaw, I promise I can make it "fit", but I wouldn't recommend it.

Fuck it, tuck it, paint it black. If you can find an "iS/eS" early valence, that is the best look for diving boards...in most peoples opinions, anyway.

I personally think tucked looks best if not tucked all the way in, mine is held securely with lag bolts up front. Soon, I am gonna pull all of that crap and do something different, but I have no clue exactly what.

Luke

[soviet1942]

Is there a safe way to take off the black thing surround the metal bumper? I don't want to damage and/or bend it.

[e30pwr]

I just rammed the one side of my bumper on an old computer rack in the garage so now I'm going to have to do the tuck, but I need a new bottom valence. Any ideas on how much to drop? And can I remount the old fogs in the later style valence?

[sharksforthecup]

Heres a few pics and yes it could use a bath.

[sharksforthecup]

thanks for the replys

I was able to extend the bumper enough to be able to get some sockets in there. I'm exteremly pleased with the result, especially because I painted them. Maybe a couple weeks ago I got sick of my broken shitty looking foglights and forked it over to bavauto for new glass ones. With all of these adjustments combined, I have to say it turned out even better than I expected.

I'll post some pics in a little bit.

[StereoInstaller1]

Basically, I jacked the bastard up and got busy. Took like an hour, maybe.

There are 2 botton head cap screws on each side, as well. Had to trim a bit off of the lip to contour to the bumper...no biggie though.

Luke

[Mr.sexymorningvoice]

how hard was it to fit it? and did you just screw it to everything?

[StereoInstaller1]

cool beans...wanna show it of a little, sounds like it looks pretty good

Sure...

That is the only pic I have on my home PC to show here...sorry.

Luke

[Mr.sexymorningvoice]

2 reasons: One, the rear bumper scoots around while I am driving. Not much, but I wanted no movement at all.
Second, with the early "is" lip, I did not want 100% tuck on the front. I am in most of the way, but not all, so my lip lines up 1" behind the bumper. I liked the look better.

I also bolted the lip to the bumper so sag is not possible, no matter how much I scrape the fucker.

Luke

cool beans...wanna show it of a little, sounds like it looks pretty good