Bumper Talk

[Markos]

In my virtual quest to learn about these cars, let's talk bumpers. In all fairness, I searched (a little). There aren't a lot of all inclusive threads on this forum. Rather, I find nuggets of great info hidden in build threads and tech questions. Contribute if interested!

So... What are all of the bumper options?

Pre-5mph requirements, is there a difference between the "euro" bumper and the US bumpers?

There is only one set of diving board bumpers correct?

Then there is the CSL rear bumper. It has no rubber strip, and is made of fiberglass. According to this site, the last known NOS version sold not long ago. One can procure a repro, but it has no mounts.

the CS2000 bumper looks a lot like the CSL bumper in chrome. Some members here run this bumper.

Hoe about rubber strips. Can they be had new?

Add any noteworthy subjects!

 

[rsporsche]

front bumper

all of the euro / pre '73 usa front bumper chrome + rubber is available.

lets start with rubber bumper strips - they are the same for the '69 thru '73 USA ... thru '75 in euro 51 11 1 811 819

the front overrider rubber is the same for '69 thru '72 USA, the '73 usa is different (the reverse dagmars) ... euro rubber is the same for all years.
left pre '73 - 51 11 1 810 523
right pre '73 - 51 11 1 810 524
left usa '73 - 51 11 1 823 145
right usa '73 - 51 11 1 823 146
'74 uaa - 51 11 1 829 929 (rubber part of bridge bumper - only USA '74)

front overrider trim strips - same both sides all years of the chrome bumper
51 11 1 808 420

front rubber end strips / trims -
pre ' 73 - 51 11 1 811 180 (same both sides)
left '73 - 51 11 1 823 147
right '73 - 51 11 1 823 148

front chrome - the outer sections and mounts of the '73 usa (2.5 mph bumper are USA only). all other chrome bumpers + mounts are the same - euro and USA.
front left - pre'73 - 51 11 1 811 191
front right - pre '73 - 51 11 1 811 192
front left - USA 73 - 51 11 1 823 129
front right - USA '73 - 51 11 1 823 130
front USA '74 - 51 11 1 825 985

center - all chrome bumpers - 51 11 1 810 516

 

[rsporsche]

rear bumper

all of the euro / pre '73 rear bumper chrome + rubber is available - EXCEPT the center chrome trim (where the 2 pieces join). last year the underrider rubber was NLA ... it shows up on penskeparts, but is listed as NLA on tomkinson.

in general - all chrome + rubber parts are the same for all models except the USA '73 (2.5 mph) and the USA '74 (bridge bumper - 5 mph) ... and of course the CSL that had fiberglass. the mounts are different for the various USA '73 + '74 models

rubber strip (all years) - 51 12 1 810 825 (i piece except 2.5cs)
rubber strip - USA '74 - 51 12 1 827 823

rubber underrider left - 51 12 1 810 973
rubber underrider right - 51 12 1 810 974

rubber end trims - pre '73 - 51 12 1 811 179
rubber end trim - USA '73 - 51 12 1 823 115

left chrome pre '73 - 51 12 1 811 189
right chrome pre '73 - 51 12 1 811 190
center trim (all years) - 51 12 5 770 161
left chrome USA '73 - 51 12 1 819 743
right chrome USA '73 - 51 12 1 819 744
chrome underrider left (all years) - 51 12 1 810 971
chrome underrider right (all years) - 51 12 1 810 972

 

[EJ333]

Have very many US coupes been converted to Euro bumpers for a sleeker look ? If so, did it require drilling additional holes for different mounting points ? How many "pieces" are required for front and rear ?

 

[bert35csi]

There was no such thing as a "Euro" chromed bumpers as the USA coupes utilized the same bumper parts up until 1973. For the 1973 model year, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) mandated a longer crush zone, hence the lengthened mounted front and rear bumpers. This added an extra 2-3" to both front and rear end.

To achieve this, BMW had to use longer front mounting bars for the front bumper and 2 elongated spacer hoops for the rear bumper. Also implemented was the unique "1973 downward pointed bumperrette rubber". In addition to all this, a new fender rubber spacer block was also introduced for the front bumper end pieces.

The mounting bracket holes on both left and right bumper ends are slightly different than the pre-73 units, but their dimensions and contours remain the same as the earlier units. The mounting brackets are welded onto the inside of the bumpers slightly further out than the earlier versions. There is also a thick plastic spacer that are used on both side of fenders on the 73 cars. On the pre-73 coupes, a thin U-shaped strip of rubber is used between the fenders and bumper ends. With the tapering front end of the coupe and with the bumpers being pushed forward about 3 inches via the 2 longer mounting bars, the spacers are there to fill in the extra gap between the fenders and bumper ends due to the "pulled out" front bumper. The center bumper center section remained the same, as the bumper horns, but now fitted with the newly designed rubber pieces.

73 spacer

73 end piece fitted with the earlier cushion strip

 

[02m2]

I was looking at the 2000cs rear bumper mods. The end that wraps around the rear quarters look too long. Anyone shortened the the returns? Pics appreciated.

 

[Markos]

I was looking at the 2000cs rear bumper mods. The end that wraps around the rear quarters look too long. Anyone shortened the the returns? Pics appreciated.

Hard to tell from the pic, but here you go:

I found a ratty 2000cs bumper for $100 and did exactly what you describe. It turned out well.

Here you go....the center trim piece is smaller on the 2000CS bumper so not quite correct.

I sanded the chrome aggressively then used an etching primer and some bondo on the dents. The inside was rusty and that's been coated with POR15.

 

[Markos]

CSL-Look Fiberglass Bumper

http://www.zaprace.com/csltext.htm
http://www.coupeguy.com/cscslrepropartsavailable.htm
http://www.mrglasscars.com/section1-4.html