W124 (260E) Bumper Removal/Refinish Question and Tips
 

Today I removed my front bumper and repainted it. I am planning to do the rear next. In reading the forums, I am seeing that the rear bumper for the W124 has 6 bolts, accessible through the trunk. When eyeballing mine, however, I see only 4, and the mounting bracket does not seem able to accommodate any more.

Are there two more that are not visible?

FYI for 1989 260E owners: The consensus in the forums is that the W124 front bumper has 6 bolts. It actually has 7. There are two 10MM bolts in brackets on the left and right side, where the bumper wraps around the fender. There are two approx half-inch bolts in front of each wheel; and one 10MM in front of the radiator (you must raise the hood for this one). If you remove it last, the one in front of the radiator will prevent the bumper from dropping off and breaking the temperature sensor, which you can remove easily after unscrewing the license plate and then the filler strip behind it.

Also FYI for every W124 owner: removing the front bumper is very simple, and probably one of the few jobs that can be done entirely by feel, and without looking. In fact, you really have no choice unless you have the car on a lift.

If you are planning to refinish your bumpers, this is much smarter then leaving them on the car.

I have an open post asking for instructions on how to remove the rear bumper cover. Any ideas?

Hi, I drive an '89 260e and also just painted the bumpers myself. To remove the rear bumper, there are actually 10 screws as far as I can recall. There are two along the back edge of the trunk (straight below the license plate region). There are another two below each tail-light assembly. Then there are another two on each side of the trunk (if you look at the bumper from outside, where the bumper comes near the rear wheel wells, this is the general region where they connect). To access these you will have to remove the two trunk-linings that covers each side of the trunk. The trunk really needs to be empty for this as you have to sorta tug (but be careful not to ruin anything) in order to remove them. I will post a picture later when I am home. I hope this helps

RMauser,

Thanks. I counted four along the back, and none below the tailights. My car seems to be a mechanical abberation (i.e. 7 bolts on front bumper instead of six; 3 bolts on the radiator fan instead of 4; six bolts on the PS steering pump instead of 4; no exhaust manifold obstruction over the idler arm bushing, etc.)

I'll wait and see your photos since I am sure I missed something. Unless there is some sort of inner track the ends of the bumper ride on, I am doubtful that the 4 bolts I see are all there is. I pulled back the liner under the tail lights partially, but not entirely, so I probably missed what was there. I did notice, however, that the bumper mounting bracket did not extend to the tail lights, so any bolts that are there must be attached to a secondary bracket -- much like the front bumper edges.

OK,

I found bolts 5 and 6 -- under the tail lights, respectively. Looks like another easy removal. :)

Updated tech article on removing front & rear bumper on the W124 platform:

Mercedes-Benz W124 Front Bumper Removal | 1986-1995 E-Class | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

Mercedes-Benz W124 Rear Bumper Removal | 1986-1995 E-Class | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article