Modify US bumpers to Euro style
 

Has anyone ever tried to or heard of anyone modifying the US bumpers on a 107. This would be to get a closer look to the body.
I have been looking at mine and believe that it can be done. It would not be as close as Euro models but I think t would give it a better look. The biggest problem I forsee is that the rubber bumper ends would be to long at the wheel wells.

Any ideas or suggestions.

Rayson, I've seen this done before. There was a "How To" article on this a year or so ago on another forum. I can't remember which one though!!! It involved taking the bumpers off and drilling a hole into the 2 small bumper "shock absorbers". It look very good. If you find it please post it here!
Mike

RiggerMike,

Thanks for the reply. I actually remember reading that same article some months ago and have searched every possible way that I can think of to find it but to no avail. I remember the drilling of the holes in shock part and releasing the gas and then compressing the bumper and drilling again to put in permanent bolt to hold in place. There was also a way to shorten the rubber bumper parts but that part I have no clue.

If anyone can find the "How To" please post for us.

Thanks

Rayson, ...Shortening the little schock absobers would be fairly easy. You could probably even make a small replacement bracket for them if you didn't want to drill into them. The interesting part would be cutting off the ends of the rubber bumpers and making them look nice! Let me know if you come up with something!
Mike

Non-MB info
 

Clues:
- http://www.bmws.freeservers.com/bumpers.htm
- http://www.kormanfastbmw.com/e21faqbu.htm
- http://members.tripod.com/~Jetta_GLi/bumpers.html
- http://www.eastcoastdubs.com/usbumpmod.html

Doc

Thanks for the links and they are interesting but there is one link out there somewhere that has to do particularly with the 107 and I remember there were instructions on the mod needed for the rubber bumper ends. The rest is a piece of cake. Hope someone finds the 107 mod site for me. I have searched every way that I know how with no luck.

Just a thought--Do the rubber ends need to be replaced with the Euro parts?

Euro bumper envious
 

Would you maybe better off getting euro bumper's off of e-bay? I see them from time to time they do get snatched up quick. You will probably have to get a rear apron that goes under the rear bumper as well. There is actually three apron pieces, they bolt to the bumper one center and two end's. The front and rear bumper attach with four bolt's. I have had my euro's on and off they are relitively easy to attach or remove. Make sure you use plenty of penetrant when removing bumper bolt's on rear bumper's (close to fuel tank) I broke a nutsert in a rear bumper and had a heck of a time cutting off the bolt!
Good Luck Rayson
Here is what mine looks like with euro bumper's

Rear View
 

Rear view

Thanks a lot Lowmile for those nice pictures to make me even more envious. I am always checking places for used euro bumpers but only a couple of times have seen them and they are gone before I can get to them. Adsit actually sells them for around $1500 each and need I say that my wife would have a real hard time understanding why I wanted to spend $3000 to replace a couple of perfectly good bumpers. Love your car it really looks great.

off the subject
 

Lowmile -- do my eyes decieve me or are those Illinois plates with "av" -- which must be "antique vehicle" that I see on your car? If so, aren't there very restrictive laws on the use of those plates -- like you can only drive on the road to and from shows (which could explain the low miles:) )? Any problems with not having a front plate?

Fellow Illinoisan.

EURO-HEADLIGHTS
 

While you're at it, consider replacing headlights with Euro type!

Headlights are already on the list!

License Plates
 

DanileG to answer your question yes they are Antique plates and yes you use them to go show's and as luck would have it I took a first place (I will post a picture of the trophy/plaque soon) at the 55th AACA Show (longest running and oldest car show in America i am told) in Lake Forest Il.
I have not been stopped yet...for not displaying front plate. But I know someday I will. (did I mention I took first place?)
A friend of mine told me that in Illinois there is a law that say's you can display a plate that is from your model year. For instance my buddy run's a 1934 Illinois license plate that he found in good condition at a swap meet on his Bonnie and Clyde 34 Ford. He did say that he often get's pulled over by Barney Fife and has to show the AV plate's along with the paper work that he got from the IDOT folks that states that you can run Illinois plates of your model year as long as...You have legal AV plates registered and have the slip of paper that states you can run said plates...and you are on the way to a show or running to or from a mechanic. I happen to have a mechanic friend in almost every town that I drive in and keep their phone numbers with me ...if you catch my drift.
This same pal of mine just found a nice set of 1972 Illinois plates for 25 dollars that I will buy for my 350 SL. I am in Lake Bluff Dan where are you? :p

Deerfield
 

Had I read your post completely I would have seen that you hail from Deerfield
My father live's at 1013 Brookside Deerfield a very very small world indeed! If you ever want to see my car up close I would be pleased to show it to you. I see by your post that you have a 560 you can email me at surffing@comcast.net :D