You may need to remove it...but try first removing the few plastic rivets in the wheelwell liner and pulling it out a bit to see if you can see what's going on behind the scenes.

I suspect that the side clip has been cracked. Maybe you can jerry rig a fix. If not, you'll need to slide the bumper forward...maybe 'off.' to get a new bracket on.

There's a small chance it's only a little clip you'll see at the very end of the bumper, but I don't think it's just that.

See realoem.com and you'll see the parts I'm talking about...if not, ask...I'll help you find them.

 

As DMax said - diagnose by pulling the fender liner and looking up in...

If Pre Facelift , you'll see 12 and it will have either come off, or need replaced.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BW53-USA-03-2004-E46-BMW-330Ci&diagId=51_4310

If Post-Facelift, you'll see 7 and it will probably be cracked and need replaced.
If so, Get the rivets too...
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BW53-USA-03-2004-E46-BMW-330Ci&diagId=51_4902

 

As DMax said - diagnose by pulling the fender liner and looking up in...

If Pre Facelift , you'll see 12 and it will have either come off, or need replaced.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BW53-USA-03-2004-E46-BMW-330Ci&diagId=51_4310

If Post-Facelift, you'll see 7 and it will probably be cracked and need replaced.
If so, Get the rivets too...

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BW53-USA-03-2004-E46-BMW-330Ci&diagId=51_4902

I think this is the right link for post-facelift 325i, link above might be for ci?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=ET37-USA-07-2002-E46-BMW-325i&diagId=51_4522

 

Thank you both! For some reason the pre-facelift link on realoem does not load.

 

Yours is post facelift. Corner light goes up not down

 

Thank you!

 

The 2 slots on the bumper cover are for the factory plastic-welded guide's pins. It is possible that the guide inside the bumper has been separated since I don't see the pins there. If you plan on re-attaching the parts inside the bumper, make sure the glue is compatible with PP+EPDM which is the material of the bumper. Not all glues work!!!!

 

The 2 slots on the bumper cover are for the factory plastic-welded guide's pins. It is possible that the guide inside the bumper has been separated since I don't see the pins there. If you plan on re-attaching the parts inside the bumper, make sure the glue is compatible with PP+EPDM which is the material of the bumper. Not all glues work!!!!
View attachment 666193

I have to glue this? Man...

 

If the plastic support's ok, but the bumper's damaged,
I drill holes and use zip ties.

But then, I hold my pants up with zip ties, too.

heh
t

 

Heres how I saved mine.....

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1115321


Saved a MTech II Front Cover using Facelift Bracket/Guides

Sent from my BBB100-1 using E46Fanatics mobile app

 

Thank you - those are some great pictures!

 

Everytime I think my pictures are in this thread I am wrong and ave to go searching for this thread (which is better): https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?p=16521165#post16521165

 

Found this video which looks informative:

https://youtu.be/Z0zQHR0YHQQ

 

I don't think that is exactly what you have, but it is very close.

Good news is that your bumper cover does not seem to be damaged, sometimes the plastic bracket/clip breaks, sometimes the cover opening tears and sometimes both.

Likely your plastic clip bracket is broken, but can't tell from your picture. If it were me, I would take the bumper cover all the way off, inspect/ replace the broken parts ans reinstall - you will get the best final result this way, but it is pretty fiddly work. The hardest part is to release the same part on the other side that is likely still clipped in without tearing the bumper cover. I shove a butter knife inbetween the bracket and bumper cover on the bottom side of the bumper cover to release.

Replacing that plastic clip bracket can also be a hassle as it is wedged inbetween other parts that make it tricky, but I have done it many times now.

I just did this on my daughters car after she tapped something and it came lose. I bought the bracket for $8 on ebay and it took me maybe 2 hours or less at a very slow and deliberate pace.

Depending on your level of ability, you might find a fair body shop to do it for you with not too much labor cost involved.