Need help removing front bumper

[Hermes]

So I've seen a few things online about how to remove the bumper and it seems like they are what I need so I started on mine but I'm at a point that I'm stuck and need help. I removed the four bolts underneath the bumper and the ones in the wheel wells but I'm having a ridiculous time with the 2 torx bolts and those are the last two things holding it on. I've managed to pretty much loosen them but I can't get them to come out completely and fall... any help on what I need to do would be appreciated.

[static667]

Will they just not turn or do you get to a spot where the spin freely? There may be a nut on the other side that you can't see. I've never removed the bumper on my car so I'm not too sure what you are dealing with.

[danewilson77]

I don't remember there being a nut there. Maybe there is.

[billschusteriv]

Hmmm... there are a few guys on here that have changed out a bumper...

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Terry has a thread about this. Let me find it.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1554-M-Tech-II-BMW-E46-front-bumper-removal-%28sedan%29-tips-DIY-instructions

[ZSP-Mafia]

There's no nut. They're going into threaded slots in the "crash bar". So, something is not right, if they're not coming out. Are the bolts just spinning and won't fall, or will they not turn anymore?

[Smilez]

i made these DIY few years back. hope it helps

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=954644

[Hermes]

they're spinning freely and won't fall. I'm just damned confused as to why...

[Smilez]

those two big bolts?

just pull them down hard. i had the same problem.

[trancenation]

what helped for me was to remove the plastic underbody panel and reach with my hands upwards and wiggle/pull the bolts down.

[ZSP-Mafia]

those two big bolts?

just pull them down hard. i had the same problem.

+1 just yank on it.

[Hermes]

ok well that makes sense but what did you use to grab them? they're like 3-4 inches up there and a needle nose won't reach

[ZSP-Mafia]

Hmmm I remember getting em back in being a bit of a PITA. But i thought there was more than enough to grab onto when pulling em out. You've definitely completely unthreaded them? Those bolts are very long IIRC.

[Hermes]

ok so this has taken me a while but I finally figured it out... i had to remove the splash guards in the wheel wells (3 more 8mm screws each) and loosen up the plastic guard underneath the engine (6 phillips head screws but i only undid 4 and let it hang from the back 2). At this point I was able to sneak my hand around the air duct for the brakes and reach the long bolt and pull it out. was real easy after that, had it back on in no time.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/bumper/IMG_1130.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/bumper/IMG_1135.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/bumper/IMG_1132.jpg

[danewilson77]

Sonofabeotchenheimer! Very well done. Excellent sticktoitness!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Hermes, now that's what I call pampering the car. Nice rug and everything for it to sit on.

[Hermes]

its actually a pretty worn out old costco rug but i didnt want to scratch the paint when i finally got it off...

[DeM3n]

Nicely done. We had to remove my brother's front bumper on his E46 when he picked up a CSL bumper. It was quite a pain at first. I remember thinking how much I appreciated my E30 and the simpleness of it all. :)

Tapatalk...It's what the doctor ordered.

[Hermes]

So I did all of this to fix a fitment issue I was having around the passenger side wheel well. When I was putting the bumper back on I ended up cracking one of the amber reflectors so I just ordered some clear ones. While waiting for them to arrive I decided to use my BMW CCA discount at the dealer to pick up a set of BMW Performance black kidney grills [part numbers 51132158537 (left) & 51132158538 (right)].

When I got home and finally put them on the fading plastic lower mesh became real apparent and started to annoy me. I then decided it was gonna be time to take the bumper off again and clean them up, and not just with some black plastic shine stuff that you can get at the auto parts store - I was gonna do it right.

Before:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1157.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1158.jpg

The next day the reflectors came in the mail so I took off my bumper (again) and took apart the plastic mesh grill so I could get it ready. The part is held in by a bunch of clips and they are kind of a pain to get off but eventually I got it to come apart.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1159.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1160.jpg

I then sanded down the plastic and painted it with about 7 real thin coats of Rustoleum gloss enamel. I let it dry completely overnight before reassembling it, then put it all back along with the new clear reflectors. I think the gloss was a perfect match for the color of the Shadowline trim and I made sure to paint it thin enough where you cant tell what I did unless you really look close and hard at it.

After:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1164.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1165.jpg

[kayger12]

Looks awesome.

Great job.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Looks great, Hermes. You going to the big monthly meet tomorrow night (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3671-San-Diego-Monthly-Car-Gathering-July-2011)?

[Hermes]

thanks... not sure if I can make it but I'll try. You dont say the address on that other post, are you talking about the one in Clairemont?

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Yeah. Lolitas. Clairemont.

7305 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Ste A
San Diego, CA 92111

If you go, look for your twin car there. That'll be me.

[Dave1027]

I'm gearing up to do a cooling system refresh/conversion soon. Got all my parts ordered and on the way.

Part of the job was removing the front bumper. My car is mostly stock including the grey lower front grill. I was thinking about painting it satin black.

Still deciding whether it should be black. What's the general consensus? Grey or black on a red car?

[wsmeyer]

I vote black with black kidney grills

[Dave1027]

I'm going to stay with the chrome kidneys. I'm thinking satin black lower grill would match better with the satin black fog lamps.

[NoVAphotog]

My car is mostly stock including the grey lower front grill. I was thinking about painting it satin black.


Uhhh...they are supposed to be black. It fades to grey over time. Paint it black for sure. Big improvement overall.

[Vas]

Paint it black.

[ClimRox]

Do most of you fellas paint it black, or remove and replace? I have a spare grill, but it may be easier to paint the existing one black if the finished product looks good. Not sure I really want to remove the bumper.

[Dave1027]

I'm removing the bumper any way but also I want to paint the stuff behind the lower grill too.

[ClimRox]

I'm removing the bumper any way but also I want to paint the stuff behind the lower grill too.

Sounds good. Would be interested to hear back how the removal procedure goes for you.

[Dave1027]

Uhhh...they are supposed to be black. It fades to grey over time. Paint it black for sure. Big improvement overall.
Ha. All this time I thought it came grey! I actually kinda liked it that way. Thought it gave it character. :facepalm

[johnrando]

You don't hv to remove the bumper to paint the lower grill.

Sent from mobile

[Hermes]

Damn... I remember when I did this

[wsmeyer]

Pretty sure it takes less time to take the bumper off than tape off the grill.

[stephenkirsh]

Got stuck on those stupid bolts today. Googled "E46 bumper bolts" and this thread was on the first page lol.

I ended up removing the splash guard and reaching my hand up in front of the radiator area to get the bolts.

What a completely idiotic design. What advantage is there to making bolts like that!?