[Fly'n DuthhMan]

I took some pictures of my front bumper removal. It really isn't that hard to do. You'll need a jack and some basic hand tool and six point deep sockets.

The bumper is held on by two main bolts that need to be accessed from under the front lip. Then there are 4 smaller bolts on each side of the bumper that hold the bumper cover to the front fender liner. Additionally the bumper is support by two white plastic brackets on either side, they don't need to be unbolted, they just slide off when the cover comes off forwards away from the car.

I thought you guys might be interested, I had to remove it to mount my inlet ducts for my bimmerworld brake duct kit.

[Fly'n DuthhMan]

Here are some pics of the main bolt locations, and the access whole.
Note The white cone shaped plastic things are to help guide your socket and bolt during assembly/disassembly

[Fly'n DuthhMan]

Picture of hte inside of the bumper and mounting location

[Fly'n DuthhMan]

Just some misc picture of the complete project.

[Dooly]

Originally Posted by Fly'n DuthhMan

Picture of hte inside of the bumper and mounting location

Great Writeup!

I've only seen non M e46 diy's, thanks

[M3Pipes]

Thanks for taking the in depth photos! I was always skeptical about removing the front bumper because of airbag reasons but I guess the sensors are behind the front structured beam.

On another note, your bumper looked a bit beaten up. What happened there? I'm not knocking your work but the install looks like it's hanging a little low on the passenger side. Am I seeing things? :nixweiss:

[Fly'n DuthhMan]

Originally Posted by M3Pipes

Thanks for taking the in depth photos! I was always skeptical about removing the front bumper because of airbag reasons but I guess the sensors are behind the front structured beam.

On another note, your bumper looked a bit beaten up. What happened there? I'm not knocking your work but the install looks like it's hanging a little low on the passenger side. Am I seeing things? :nixweiss:

No your right, that side caught on a parking block a couple times. The part of the bumper cover that attaches to that white support is a little tweaked and doesn't fit up as tight anymore. Also I hadn't reinstalled the fender liner on that side when I took the pick, which would support that a little more.

There is nothing in the bumper cover other than alum bumber, fog lights, horns, and two air temp sensors. Just lots of plastic. 22 pounds worht total btw.

[bvnmspt]

Great write up.
Is your car an 01 because your bumper assembly looks different from mine.
I'm not sure about the 02s, but the 03s+ comes with carbon fiber bumper reinforcement. On the 03s, you don't have the bolt that goes through the bottom. They use 4 balls and sockets and all you have to do is to pop the bumper reinforcement on to the chassis.

[m3griff]

Originally Posted by Fly'n DuthhMan

No your right, that side caught on a parking block a couple times. The part of the bumper cover that attaches to that white support is a little tweaked and doesn't fit up as tight anymore. Also I hadn't reinstalled the fender liner on that side when I took the pick, which would support that a little more.

There is nothing in the bumper cover other than alum bumber, fog lights, horns, and two air temp sensors. Just lots of plastic. 22 pounds worht total btw.

Fly'n man (or anyone that has knowledge of this)

This a late post, but I have an 02 with the same bumper attachment that you show (BTW - thanks for the DIY). Can you elaborate on what you had to do to remove the bumper - other than the bolts? I have gotten everything loose and removed the two big Torx bolts, but the bumper is still semi-attached on the passenger side. It appears that the windshield washer reservoir is attached to the bumper. It would not come loose (I didn't pull real hard..). Any insights?

Thanks.

Jeff

[Grimm333]

awesome write up man!!!

22lbs of plastic

thats some weight savings there