U.S. Bumper Tuck - Good or bad?

[corbitt]

On a Facebook SL group, I came across a YouTube video showing how to tuck in U.S. protruding bumpers by drilling a hole in the bumper shocks, allowing the contents of the shock to escape, and just pushing in the bumpers. Then, inserting a bolt or screw to hold the bumper in its tucked-in spot.

Without discussing whether the U.S. extended bumpers are are aesthetically pleasing, I am wondering if this is a good idea. Certainly for purists, this might be an abomination. On the other hand, tucking in the bumpers 2+ inches in about 15 minutes seems tantalizing. I presume European bumpers are on a rigid mount, but I don't know. Balancing safety and aesthetics, is this a reasonable idea?

[t walgamuth]

Euros are solid mount but also are pitifully small and dentable. The europeans apparently don't park by braille as much as we do.

Solid mounting your bumpers will make it easier to damage your structure and or visible parts such as fender or trunk lid. Recessed us spec bumpers will still offer much superior protection compared to the euro bumpers.

It will look better for sure.

[Tony H]

I plan on being in the market for a R107 in the future and have given the bumpers some thought. I think the extended bumpers look heinous and ruin the lines of the car(kind of like the rubber bumper MGB's and many other big bumper evolutions). If it was a DD bumper damage might be more of a consideration but for a weekend/pleasure car I would go with the Euro bumpers or retrofits.
Edit: Did not mean to be so drastic on the extended bumpers-I just really like the way the Euro bumpers look

[280EZRider]

I did this very thing on a Volvo 240 wagon some years ago, except rather than a bolt through the halves, I welded them together. The improvement in appearance was remarkable.

I wouldn't be concerned about being a purist. If you were, you would eliminate the USDOT battering rams altogether and install the original bumpers MB designed for the car (also called "Euro" bumpers in the US). The worst USDOT mandated bumpers however are on the W116 cars. These hideous things protrude almost 2 feet! The second worse are probably the USDOT's bumper bastardization of the W107 cars. In any case, your idea would probably help your car's appearance and still allow the same protection above 5 mph.