twobeemers

Greetings.

I have a new-to-me 2010 535xi (I suppose I should update my profile, huh) with the Mtech aero package. I have two questions about the front bumper cover that are related. There are two bolts that go through #33 in the picture below and into the bottom of the actual bumper. They are missing on my car.

RealOEM.com BMW E60N 535xi M Trim panel, bumper, front(SA715)

So, what I need to know is....

1. How do I remove the grill lowers without destroying them and
2. what size bolts are needed to connect the bumper cover back to the bumper?

Trinity Autosport

Can't really tell what #33 is but to take off the lower grills we take off the bumper and there are tabs in the back of it to take off.

twobeemers

Part 33 on that diagram is called an adapter. It appears that the adapters are simply brackets specific to the Mtech bumper. I can see on the bumper where the brackets are bolted to the bumper, but the brackets are not bolted to the car. And from what you're saying - that you have to remove the bumper in order to remove the grills - it makes more sense why the brackets aren't attached to the car. Whoever put the bumper on probably put the brackets on the bumper and then realized he should have put them on the car first and just left it that way. Which makes for a much larger project for me now, doesn't it.

Thanks for the info.

Trinity Autosport

Oh ok...I hope you get it done

balbs

Here's a link that should give you an idea how that bracket #33 is installed. You may notice that it comes with a foam piece. You cut the foam piece about a 1 inch square from the existing front bumper foam and install the bracket with its own foam at the same spot.

https://5series.net/forums/diy-do-yo...-bumper-12675/

Wouldn't the M5 Tech replica front bumper also benefit from this bracket? It seems like it would make a more solid mount.

twobeemers

Looks like I'm taking the bumper off. <sigh>

Thanks for the instructions - they will come in handy. Ironically, one of the reasons I started looking closely at the bumper and the brackets is because of the gap between the hood and bumper. And I'm sure you'll find this funny, but I already added a couple of washers to the upper bumper bolts to try to close that gap down.

Thanks!