Bumpers, bumpers, bumpers!

[dinanm3atl]

I cant remember. Sorry :(

It is no big deal. Someone will chime in :)

[scabzzzz]

I cant remember. Sorry :(

[dinanm3atl]

So I just got my rear plastic for 88. Came with the side supports for the body. Are the holes already there for the side supports? Will I need to measure and drill them?

What about the fronts? I know the shocks and bumper bolt on after that front and rear.

Anyone?

I know the shocks will bolt on but I need to install the side supports and since I have a 1988 I assume the body already has the plastic bumper support holes for mounting said supports...

Anyone who actually did the swap on a 88 comment? Alternatively have a friend with a 1990 325i coupe so definitely could make a template if need be.

[jeffw]

did a bumper tuck and the donkey dicks bumpers look WAY better.

[dinanm3atl]

So I just got my rear plastic for 88. Came with the side supports for the body. Are the holes already there for the side supports? Will I need to measure and drill them?

What about the fronts? I know the shocks and bumper bolt on after that front and rear.

[Mike30e]

Yeah, going to do that... Thanx much.

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

Maybe an inch, inch and a quarter. I took before and after pics front and back but I don't know which memory card they ended up on, or where half my mem cards went so I'm assuming they are lost. It's a worth while visual upgrade in my book.

[Mike30e]

Just what I'm looking to do. How much did it tuck the bumper from the original shock??

[dinanm3atl]

Thanks for the additional info. I would need some plastic bumper shocks :)

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

The shocks are different. Rundown on bumper shocks:

Plastics go to plastics.
Diving Boards go to diving boards.

Now, the shocks on diving board convertibles are a little shorter than on the other diving board cars, so if you want a tuck without drilling and losing the safety factor you can swap for convertible diving board shocks. I did, and it made my coupe look better, no more buck tooth look.

[dinanm3atl]

Are the shocks the same? Or should I go with plastic bumper shocks? I assume plastic bumper shocks.

[e30nub]

Just a quick question. I can see from photos the 88 325i/S has the small/plastic bumper front valence. So you unbolt big bumper and bolt on a small bumper? That is correct? Obviously hook up your turn signals which may or may not need wiring.

Now for the rear. Same bolt on proposition? Does the 88 have the rear lower valence already or was that actually added in 89?

You're correct about the front bumper, and the rear is bolt on as well. It does have the newer plastic bumper rear valence as well. Everything just bolts up.

[dinanm3atl]

Just a quick question. I can see from photos the 88 325i/S has the small/plastic bumper front valence. So you unbolt big bumper and bolt on a small bumper? That is correct? Obviously hook up your turn signals which may or may not need wiring.

Now for the rear. Same bolt on proposition? Does the 88 have the rear lower valence already or was that actually added in 89?

[Mike30e]

Dosen't seem like a big job to do to get the bumpers somewhat tucked without having to loose the compression in the shocks. I'm sure I can find some cheap cab shocks to do this, just want to know how shorter they are and how much closer the bumper will actually be to the body. I don't really mind the db's, I don't think they are that bad when tucked a little. Would much prefer euro bumpers, but they are pretty much the holy grail for e30's, and priced accordingly...

[scabzzzz]

Whats the point in doing all that when you can obtain used shocks if you ever needed to go back for FREE? No one uses diving board stuff and its basically at penny a dozen prices
Just sayin.