Why a 2001 Bumper on a 2000 Car?
I didn't know that a 2001 bumper was any different from a 2000 when I ordered it from Pacific BMW, but as it turns out, I was glad I did. The trim moulding tabs are different between the years — why they did this I can only suspect is to force incompatibility so ignerts like me wouldn't have an older car that looks newer.
I did have to cut my 2000 front bumper to fit the 2001 mouldings. Nothing a Dremel can't fix.
Removing the Rear Bumper
We removed the rear trim and loosened the big bolts found underneath the big holes in the bumper. Off to the side of the car, we removed the fender liners and loosened those bolts too. We just couldn't figure out for the life of us how to get the thing off the car!
The Big Bolts
This is where the big bolts hold the entire bumper housing on to the rest of the car. The stuff to the side is really just to hold the sides flush to the bumper.
Fitting the Mouldings
I was sent the incorrect moulding from Pacific at first — I don't have Park Distance Control. It was one mistake out of zillions of orders and they sent me the right parts for free. Since I had done some work for a local body shop, repainting the replacements was no big deal.
The side moulding comes off easily. It's safer to use your fingers than a screwdriver. Open the door, pry your fingers under the edge of the moulding, and DON'T YANK it all off at once.
Before & After
Some say the older style is sportier and I've even read one person who said the new style makes the car look bloated. To each his own. I like the look of the new style. It looks cleaner — like the car is not divided. It's one of the reasons I also took off the pinstripe.
