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  #1  
Old 02-01-2005, 08:32 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 495
Big Ugly Bumpers

I am a W115 owner, and generally love the look of these cars. But those huge bumpers on the later N.A. models! They protrude so far out from the body, the only good thing I can say about them is that I can actually set my toolbox on the front one while working under the hood. I would dearly love to replace my bumpers with those of the earlier European versions. Has anyone tried this? I thought I'd seen a thread about how someone tried but it was far from a direct bolt on. Tried searching but I couldn't find it again. If anyone knows off-hand how easy or difficult this would be, please let me know.

Dave

1976 White 300D W115 "Pearl"

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  #2  
Old 02-01-2005, 10:06 AM
fahrgewehr2's Avatar
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Wilmington, NC
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Boneheaddoc swapped US for euro on his 116 car. Bet it wouldn't be too different on your car. He might be the one to ask.
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'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E
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  #3  
Old 02-01-2005, 10:59 AM
four50sel's Avatar
'78 450SEL
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 55
I would be interested in hearing from BoneheadDoc regarding the switch from US to Euro bumpers on the 116. I have a 78 450SEL and the more I look at those bumpers, the more I want the Euro bumpers. I don't necessarily find the US bumpers ugly, it's just that I think the EURO bumpers look much better.
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  #4  
Old 02-01-2005, 11:01 AM
fahrgewehr2's Avatar
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Location: Wilmington, NC
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He hangs out on the diesel forum.
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'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E
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  #5  
Old 02-01-2005, 09:11 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 501
Hey I did the swap, I found both bumpers for 25 each in a yard in good condition so they are mine now. I took off the rear one and also the little bumper things on top on mine. I then had to drill the hole that was pre-drilled but the sheetmetal wasnt punched through yet. Takes about 25 min to pop on once you figure out what to do. Then you crawl around under the car to find the inside. 4 easy screws.

The fronts, you have to remove the metal bracket that has been welded on. Now this is more time taking and only realized this about 2 months ago how to do and the bumper is in colorado and im stuck in toronto so that part of the project will be completed in june. Shouldnt be hard once you figure out how the brackets go and why there is an extra bracket that wasnt in the original design for euro cars.

Save yourself about 500 pounds, and reduce 2 feet from the lenght of your car. Do it only if you can live without the benches.

Peter
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  #6  
Old 02-02-2005, 12:23 AM
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Location: Alexandria, Virginia
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Of course, if you frequently drive or park your car in areas where it will be threatened by careless and incompetent drivers, you may want to reconsider swapping bumpers!

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #7  
Old 02-03-2005, 10:36 AM
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Location: Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ptoro01
Hey I did the swap...

Peter
Thanks Peter- I just filed your info. Sounds not too bad- now all I gotta do is find the bumpers at a reasonable price. BTW- a "warm' welcome to Canada!

Dave
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  #8  
Old 02-03-2005, 10:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro
Of course, if you frequently drive or park your car in areas where it will be threatened by careless and incompetent drivers, you may want to reconsider swapping bumpers!

Happy Motoring, Mark
He He- my problem is kind of the opposite realy- on at least three occasions I've bumped the car behind me while trying to parallel park with that big baby-buggy-bumper on the back of my car. The worst one - I thought I left a black smudge on a nice new Passat, so I stuck a note on his windshield with my contact me info. He did call, and said he could not find a mark no matter how hard he looked. He sure apprecated getting the note though. We Canucks are all such incredibly NICE people!

Dave
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  #9  
Old 02-03-2005, 03:56 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: roslyn, LI,NY
Posts: 445
beauty and the beast re: bumpers on my 450sl 1977

I cant tell you how many times my "ugly" bumpers saved damage to the benz! Original requirement of 5 mph (ignored by most makers today) Look at some of the new plastic bumpers on m/bs and others. Cracked, scraped paint, damaged fenders etc. I wish they brought back the chrome bumpers made of steel that stuck out about 18 Inches. The difference of small damage to thousands! Also those hydraulic cylnders arent there for looks! Smacked in reverse into concrete, slight rubber damage, that went away in a few hours. Oh well todays word is progress? regards, AbeG
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  #10  
Old 02-03-2005, 11:54 PM
wbain5280's Avatar
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: Northern Va.
Posts: 3,386
The plastic bumper surround for my Volvo 960 wagon is about $400, which includes painting btw.
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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.
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  #11  
Old 02-04-2005, 12:45 AM
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Quote:
BTW- a "warm' welcome to Canada!
Coldwar, its pretty decent this week. As long as the car starts right up I dont mind. Oh and the gloves, hats, and 14 layers of warm clothes later I dont mind.

Why do people live in this cold? Some even enjoy it? whats up with that?

Peter

Thanks by the way!!
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  #12  
Old 02-04-2005, 08:13 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ptoro01
Coldwar, its pretty decent this week. As long as the car starts right up I dont mind. Oh and the gloves, hats, and 14 layers of warm clothes later I dont mind.

Why do people live in this cold? Some even enjoy it? whats up with that?

Peter

Thanks by the way!!
Hey- the cold eventually goes away. Have you experienced one of our summers yet? Believe me, you'll appreciate your air conditioning. Anyway, we put up with the few months of cold because we have lot's of SPACE! (which makes me wonder- why do I keep backing into things???)

Dave

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