I have the 2008 550i with the Sports package so it comes with the body kit preinstalled. I recently noticed a gap today between the fenders. My car has never been in an accident. I think somehow my wife pulled too far into the curb and hit the underside of the bumper which pushed the front bumper down a tad. How hard is it to re-align the front bumper?

 

that is a very good question and I need this answer too.
Same thing happened to my 740il.
i didn't do it, someone else who drove my car.

 

This probably is the result of snagging the bumper on a parking lot curb stop (or what ever they are called). When backing off, it grabs and jerks the bumper up, thus opening the gap in the photo.

EDIT! Opps! I looked at the photo and didn't read your text.

Have been there are done that. I don't remember how I did it but I was able to close the gap almost back to the original. It is hard to notice the gap at all. My ride is in for some tire repairs now. When it returns I will look at it and recall exactly what I did.

Someone else will probably chime in in the meantime.

Stay tuned

 

Time to take the keys away from the wife

I always offer my car for my wife to drive, but she never takes me up on it.

 

Haha! My wife's the same too! She's too scared to drive my car and put a dent!

 

the tabs on the inside of the bumper have probably been ripped, so they probably wont clip back in properly. If you turn the wheel, and look in the fenderwell, you can see a number of screws that hold the fender liner. Pull that back, and youll get a better look at the clip that the bumper snaps into. You should be able to fix it a bit, but im not sure 100%

 

You could try browsing thru the DIY section for M-tech install threads. Just so you kinda know what you are getting into or looking for...found this pdf file on it, not sure if it's different for LCI's....GL


http://forums.e60.net/index.php?act=attach...ost&id=7464


this thread has pics of the install also...

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=8626

 

You need to replace the bumper holder, also refered to as bumper support. The fender looks ok but you may also need to replace the 2 screws that hold it to the fender. Call Garry from Newport BMW, should run you no more than $30.

It's very simple to replace.
(1) Unhook the edge of the bumper from the holder
(2) Remove the 2 screws that hold the holder to the fender
(3) Remove the holder by pulling it down and pushing it toward the wheel at the same time
(4) Reverse the steps to install the new holder.

 

Any luck on resolving this?

 

not yet, i gotta get my flat tire fix first and i'll mess with it.