front bumper? 4 section 8
- Thread starter clhatcher
- Start date
I believe only the 4-doors can have that bumper piece swapped, and
they're available online, and at the dealer.
Coupes have the bracket screwed directly into the bunper (nasty!), which
is why I drove my dealer nuts to make sure they didn't install the bracket
on my coupe.
Try here:
You may want to verify this is in fact the correct part for your vehicle.
they're available online, and at the dealer.
Coupes have the bracket screwed directly into the bunper (nasty!), which
is why I drove my dealer nuts to make sure they didn't install the bracket
on my coupe.
Try here:
You may want to verify this is in fact the correct part for your vehicle.
It's a piece of cake btw, the trim just snaps/slides in and out. Flathead screwdriver to slip in and get leverage and you're set.
I believe the piece can be swapped on all cars (Coupes and Sedans), the piece might be different (longer) for the coupe(bumer size difference - trim size difference), so you might want to double-check that part for sure.
I got lucky, they did not drill my bumper to put the bumper tag strip on. When I took it off, I just had to clean the front from all the dirt that slipped under - no holes (Mercy!).
William is that for real that they only drill the Coupes to get that strip to stay on? I always thought I just got lucky and they didn't drill mine (Since I'm in a state that doesn't need a front tag, I thought maybe they didn't 'drill' it because nothing had ever been mounted in front).
I believe the piece can be swapped on all cars (Coupes and Sedans), the piece might be different (longer) for the coupe(bumer size difference - trim size difference), so you might want to double-check that part for sure.
I got lucky, they did not drill my bumper to put the bumper tag strip on. When I took it off, I just had to clean the front from all the dirt that slipped under - no holes (Mercy!).
William is that for real that they only drill the Coupes to get that strip to stay on? I always thought I just got lucky and they didn't drill mine (Since I'm in a state that doesn't need a front tag, I thought maybe they didn't 'drill' it because nothing had ever been mounted in front).
Exactly! be careful not to scratch up your existing trim on either side sliding that flathead under the trim to pop it off (I did a lil bit.. ![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")
), but that's essentially it! It's just plastic trim held in by a pinch-clip and sliding under/into the other 2 sides of trim (other 2 sides of the tag trim piece).
), but that's essentially it! It's just plastic trim held in by a pinch-clip and sliding under/into the other 2 sides of trim (other 2 sides of the tag trim piece).Yea, the e46 coupes don't have a piece that slides into a
bumper slot at all. Instead it's just a chunk of plastic that
screws right onto the face of the bumper!
Here's one, see those two screw holes at the top -- boom, boom -- two
big screws right through the paint and into the rubber bumber:
I reminded my dealer at least 6 times to make sure they
didn't install the plate bracket, as mounting it is part of
dealer prep. He probably thought I was nuts, as no one
had ever asked that before, but he came through -- no
bracket, and no screw holes in the bumper.
bumper slot at all. Instead it's just a chunk of plastic that
screws right onto the face of the bumper!
Here's one, see those two screw holes at the top -- boom, boom -- two
big screws right through the paint and into the rubber bumber:
I reminded my dealer at least 6 times to make sure they
didn't install the plate bracket, as mounting it is part of
dealer prep. He probably thought I was nuts, as no one
had ever asked that before, but he came through -- no
bracket, and no screw holes in the bumper.
The 2 door's bracket screws into the small groove that runs the length of the bumber ('99-'03 at least). If it is screwed in properly (lined up correctly), when removed there are only small holes present in the groove that are hardly noticable... at least that was my experience. Might help that I have a dark colored car.