m3 front bumper on a 2000 323i

3346 Views 19 Replies 7 Participants Last post by WillyBimmin, Jul 8, 2004

dankbmw

Discussion Starter · May 30, 2004

hey everyone...i am in the beginning stages of putting an m3 bumper on my 2000 323i, and i got a quick question. My 323 bumper has a steel reinforcement bar in it, while my m3 has a foam reinforcement bar...do i rip out the foam and replace it with the steel one from my 323? or do i just install the it with the foam? Do i drill those huge steel bolts into the foam? any help would be greatly appreciated. Also i am melting the sides of the bumper where it meets the fender...I will post pics as i go, also anyome who has done this let me know how it turned out!!!!

kenny

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

richbmw323

· #2 · May 30, 2004

dankbmw said:
hey everyone...i am in the beginning stages of putting an m3 bumper on my 2000 323i, and i got a quick question. My 323 bumper has a steel reinforcement bar in it, while my m3 has a foam reinforcement bar...do i rip out the foam and replace it with the steel one from my 323? or do i just install the it with the foam? Do i drill those huge steel bolts into the foam? any help would be greatly appreciated. Also i am melting the sides of the bumper where it meets the fender...I will post pics as i go, also anyome who has done this let me know how it turned out!!!!

kenny

Post some pics when done and good luck

gmhl10

· #3 · Jun 1, 2004

If someone knows, I would like to know to.
:bump:

gmhl10

· #4 · Jun 9, 2004

:bump:
I'm still curious.

dankbmw

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 9, 2004

hey everyone...i am in the process still of finishing this mod up...so far i removed the foam backing out of the original m3 bumper by pulling it out. then i used 2 part epoxy to hold the steel bumper reinforcement from my 323 sedan. the bumper is on right now, yet it is alpine white, so this friday am am getting it painted. i will be getting the sides to match up with where it meets the fender molded by using a sophisticated heating lamp. we will ultimately turn the sides into an almost liquid form...i am afraid i will lose the lines that match up at the fender on the new bumper. so this friday i will be getting it all done (as well as a new front control arm).

kenny

p.s. someone please email me how to post pics on this page so i can show you what has been done thus far.

xiaonjohn

· #6 · Jun 9, 2004 (Edited)

i am righting you up an email right now. i would really like to see this. :thumbup:

manuki

· #7 · Jun 9, 2004

dankbmw said:
hey everyone...i am in the beginning stages of putting an m3 bumper on my 2000 323i, and i got a quick question. My 323 bumper has a steel reinforcement bar in it, while my m3 has a foam reinforcement bar...do i rip out the foam and replace it with the steel one from my 323? or do i just install the it with the foam? Do i drill those huge steel bolts into the foam? any help would be greatly appreciated. Also i am melting the sides of the bumper where it meets the fender...I will post pics as i go, also anyome who has done this let me know how it turned out!!!!

kenny

look at this linkL: http://www.e46fanatics.com/features/feature.php?news_id=44

gmhl10

· #8 · Jun 9, 2004

manuki said:
look at this linkL: http://www.e46fanatics.com/features/feature.php?news_id=44

The write up does not say anything about the foam.
From the pictures, I'm not even sure if it's there or not since the bar looks a bit pushed out.

dankbmw

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 10, 2004

i dont know what purpose the foam serves, it is the same specs as the 323i bumper reinforcement...as for that link to the DIY for an m3 retrofit, to chop up my bumper and put fiberglass anywhere on my car is out of the question. I have used a heat lamp to mold before on Honda Accords and Civics, and it comes out better ten fold.

kenny

PS PLEASE someone tell me how to post pics on here :dunno: ...i want to take you guys step by step on this much better modification then cutting up your bumper and using fiberglass :thumbup: ...this is the future of m3 bumper retrofitting!!!

xiaonjohn

· #10 · Jun 10, 2004

i sent you an email yesterday on how to post pics
:dunno:

dankbmw

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 10, 2004

xiaonjohn said:
i sent you an email yesterday on how to post pics
:dunno:

im sorry john, i never recieved it...send to [email protected]...thanks again!!!

xiaonjohn

· #12 · Jun 10, 2004

k i sent you a new one :thumbup:

dankbmw

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 10, 2004

here are some pictures as i get started with this ( and sorry for any screw ups that i make, as i am new to this image posting thing)...

Picture 1 is where the bumper and fender meet...notice the gap, it will be mended to the fender using a heat lamp:

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/503/17345MVC-004S-thumb.JPG

Picture 2 is a picture of my car tonight with the bumper on...it will be painted as well as the reflectors...anyone with OEM m3 foglights they want to get rid of, pm me!!!

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/503/17345MVC-002S-thumb.JPG

Picture 3 is the foam bumper reinforcement that i ripped out of the OEM m3 front bumper...i am giving it away, whoever wants it pm me, you only have to pay actual shipping costs.

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/503/17345MVC-001S-thumb.JPG

hope it all works

...alright, look for a complete DIY this weekend, the project is projected to be finished in 3 hours on friday (heat lamped, scuffed, and painted) will have step by step instructions...peace!!!

kenny

impin:

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dankbmw

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 10, 2004

shaft....the pictures are tiny, i will take more right now with a higher res on my camera...hold on a sec :banghead: :ben:

xiaonjohn

· #15 · Jun 10, 2004

dankbmw said:
shaft....the pictures are tiny, i will take more right now with a higher res on my camera...hold on a sec :banghead: :ben:

are you shure it is the res that is too small, because if you do not click on the pic first and then link it you will only link to the smaller thumbnail of the pic

Alan L.

· #16 · Jun 10, 2004

FYI guys....Regular E46's with the steel reinforcement beam needs to have a 2001 M3 bumper. 02 and up M3 bumpers wouldn't work with the steel beam.

gmhl10

· #17 · Jun 10, 2004

xiaonjohn said:
are you shure it is the res that is too small, because if you do not click on the pic first and then link it you will only link to the smaller thumbnail of the pic

Try this you guys:
<img src="http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/503/17345MVC-004S.JPG">
<img src="http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/503/17345MVC-002S.JPG">
<img src="http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/503/17345MVC-001S.JPG">

It's the best I can do :dunno:

dankbmw

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jun 11, 2004

Alan L. said:
FYI guys....Regular E46's with the steel reinforcement beam needs to have a 2001 M3 bumper. 02 and up M3 bumpers wouldn't work with the steel beam.

this is an 03 m3 OEM bumper, and the steel reinforcement bar fit in with no problems and it lines up and all the clips are in...john you rule dude, the pics look great...wish me luck tomorrow everyone!!!

xiaonjohn

· #19 · Jul 3, 2004

dankbmw said:
this is an 03 m3 OEM bumper, and the steel reinforcement bar fit in with no problems and it lines up and all the clips are in...john you rule dude, the pics look great...wish me luck tomorrow everyone!!!

how did your turn out, i am in the process of putting mine on right now

WillyBimmin

· #20 · Jul 8, 2004

Retro Fit

I am going through the same thing right now. I just bought a Rieger M3 front bumper for my car and it's too big. I had it painted and everything. I was thinking about just selling it, but I would like to see how yours turns out. I didn't know what the hell to do with the foam crap on the inside. I still have the oem front bumper. How did you take out the steel reinforcement? Also what did you use to make it stay on the new bumper, and if you heat up the plastic now that it's painted will it screw up the paint?

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