Originally Posted by the chang' post='484865

I saw the reply you received addressing the gap issue, and it seemed to be right on the money, the accompanying photos show what appears to be an excellent install, HOWEVER, (and maybe I am just being naive) BUT, I believe that if I purchase a FACTORY MANUFACTURED bumper (or any other part for that matter) it should fit exactly like the part that it is replacing without the use of extra washers, spacers, cutting, trimming, or prayers to MAKE it fit properly. I am contemplating purchasing the MTech for my car as well, and I am hoping that I will not have to go through this. I am something of a perfectionist, and a self described car nut, and I believe that if you have to experiment with something like this, then there is always the possibility that it might not look the way it was intended. It SHOULD be plug-n-play, but that's just my opinion.

Originally Posted by rodybmw' post='485264' date='Oct 23 2007, 08:52 PM

It seems like JetBlack5OC has already posted a link to my instructions/methods of fixing the gap. You can start with just trimming the foam to get the brackets to sit flush and then re-install the bumper. If that does not fix the problem completely then install the washers (you don't have to remove the bumper again to install the washers, just look at the pics and follow the directions).







I think that BMW's approach to putting this kit together was to include with the kit whatever parts could not be modified and have the installer modify the pieces that can be modified (cut off). For example in the installation instructions they tell you to trim the OEM fender liners and show you in pictures where and how much to trim. The M-Tech bumpers have a different contour and if installed at the factory they come with different fender liners than E60's with the standard bumpers. Also, the foam pieces that I trimmed to make the brackets fit flush are different (with different part numbers) for cars that come with the M-Tech bumpers from the factory. So instead of including 4 new fender liners and 2 new shock absorber foams they just have you cut the originals to make it work. I have to say that I agree with this approach because there are WAY too many parts that are included in the GIANT M-Kit boxes, I wouldn't want any more parts added to it. Besides, if they added those parts that would make the kit a couple of hundred dollars more expensive.

So for me the problem isn't that BMW expects some trimming of different parts to make the bumpers fit correctly, the problem is that while in the installation instructions they did include pictures and instructions on how to cut the fender liners, there wasn't anything mentioned about the cutting the foam to let the brackets sit flush. It is common sense and I should have just cut the foam to begin with, but I didn't want to do it without trying the bumper on first (since it wasn't in the instructions).

The issue with adding more washers at the top to reduce the gap even more was more an issue with my car. For everyone else (as far as I know) cutting the foam alone has been sufficient to reduce the gap and they had no need to install washers/spacers.

Originally Posted by the chang' post='485620' date='Oct 24 2007, 12:59 PM

Are the foam pieces necessary? I believe EuroRev just removed them completely.

Thanks

Originally Posted by bimmerluuvr' post='485653' date='Oct 24 2007, 01:45 PM

NOW I UNDERSTAND what's going on here! You see, in my mind, I was thinking this mod was simply about SWAPPING one oem bumper for another, but it's not that simple. Due to the fact that the Mtech bumper was designed to mate to fenders that have SLIGHTLY different dimensions than those of the standard e60 fenders, there will be some slight tweaking necessary to make the Mtech bumpers mate with the standard e60 fenders, thereby eliminating any misalignment issues between fenders, bumpers, hood, trunk, and quarters (no gaps). Thanks for clearing that up. I wonder if most bodyshop techs will readilly know how to address this issue when they are confronted with it?

Originally Posted by rodybmw' post='485733' date='Oct 24 2007, 08:13 PM

Actually it's the plastic fender liners that are different on cars with M-Tech bumpers, NOT the fenders themselves. The fenders are only different on the M5's. So in a way it is sort of like swapping one oem bumper for another, however, the new oem bumper has slightly different parts that are fit under/around it. For this reason they include all the pieces that can NOT be modified and have the installer modify the pieces that can be modified (cut).

Originally Posted by bimmerluuvr' post='486121' date='Oct 25 2007, 02:48 PM

are detailed instructions included with the kit on exactly where to cut and how much, or do they assume that the installer will be knowledgeable and experienced enough to know how to make the parts fit properly? so that the car looks like it just came from the factory?