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e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
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pstl_pete
Posts: 112
Joined: Oct 11, 2011 4:54 PM
Location: Toronto / Windsor, ON

e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by pstl_pete »

Hey gents,

Just wanted to post this here incase some of you are looking for some detailed steps on the Euro bumper conversion. I spent quite a bit of time documenting it and this seems like one of the few forums that could potentially make use of it!

http://speed.academy/bmw-e28-euro-bumpe ... on-part-1/
http://speed.academy/bmw-e28-euro-bumpe ... on-part-2/
http://speed.academy/bmw-e28-euro-bumpe ... on-part-3/
http://speed.academy/bmw-e28-euro-headlight-conversion/

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demetk
Posts: 8431
Joined: Aug 09, 2007 8:58 AM
Location: CT, USA

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by demetk »

Nice work on documenting the conversion.
Drew in NYC
Posts: 1625
Joined: Mar 03, 2011 3:27 PM
Location: New York

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by Drew in NYC »

Nice work! You should try to get it into the Tech FAQ (most of the pictures in the existing bumper FAQ are long gone).

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17321
eyelykeknives
Posts: 237
Joined: Aug 04, 2011 12:17 AM
Location: Pasadena, CA

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by eyelykeknives »

Incredible documentation. Nice work! I know what I'll use as a guide when the time comes!
eyelykeknives
Posts: 237
Joined: Aug 04, 2011 12:17 AM
Location: Pasadena, CA

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by eyelykeknives »

Incredible documentation. Nice work! I know what I'll use as a guide when the time comes!
BuzzBomb
Posts: 1672
Joined: Aug 21, 2011 12:14 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by BuzzBomb »

Drew in NYC wrote:Nice work! You should try to get it into the Tech FAQ (most of the pictures in the existing bumper FAQ are long gone).

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17321
Hacking up US parts and using plastic plugs to fill the upper valance holes to be added to a tech FAQ? Please. :roll:
Devinder
Posts: 810
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Berkeley, CA

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by Devinder »

This posted method is very similar to how I did my M5 bumper conversion by hacking us parts. I'm happy with it.

We should have a discussion about the legitimate method to fake a euro car. I know that anything continental is better than what we colonial subjects can get, but fake euro is fake euro -- even if you weld in hidden euro parts that no one else will see rather than cut up us parts.


Didn't someone here make the best fake euro car even going so far as to have an authentic M535i VIN on it for a while?
BuzzBomb
Posts: 1672
Joined: Aug 21, 2011 12:14 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by BuzzBomb »

Devinder, did you fall and hurt your head? Go get some rest. You sound ridiculous right now.
OcCoupe
Posts: 3228
Joined: Aug 21, 2010 7:49 PM
Location: Costa Mesa, CA
Contact:

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by OcCoupe »

The last time I checked #5 which Realoem refers to as "Console" is no longer available. Without the console a "legitamate" euro bumper conversion can't be done. This seems like an interesting solution to what is now a parts problem.


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2 5's and a 7
Posts: 653
Joined: Jul 08, 2014 2:32 PM
Location: Fayetteville AR

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by 2 5's and a 7 »

Quick question if you didn't use fog lights, just the larger block off plates. Would you still have to butcher the US frame horns?
wkohler
Posts: 50930
Joined: Oct 05, 2006 11:04 PM
Location: Phönix, Arizona, USA
Contact:

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by wkohler »

NO! That's why I did my 533i that way. Worked out great. There's a triangular piece that goes between the lower part of the grille support and the frame horn. It's just tack welded on. You'll notice that the US valance is notched to go around this, so if you use a US valance, super. Euro valance isn't, so you have to decide if you want to trim the valance or remove that piece. Depends in my book on if you're looking for any semblance of reversibility.

Image

I miss that car too.
jmerenda
Posts: 18
Joined: Aug 04, 2014 1:54 PM
Location: Tulsa, OK

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by jmerenda »

Thats a beautiful car pictured above. ON the Headlights, if you go Euro, do you need to get Euro grill/headlight bezzels for the offset lights?
John in VA
Posts: 5323
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Leesburg, VA

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by John in VA »

jmerenda wrote:ON the Headlights, if you go Euro, do you need to get Euro grill/headlight bezzels for the offset lights?
Yes - Euro grills, headlight buckets and lamps with associated wiring.
2 5's and a 7
Posts: 653
Joined: Jul 08, 2014 2:32 PM
Location: Fayetteville AR

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by 2 5's and a 7 »

wkohler wrote:NO! That's why I did my 533i that way. Worked out great. There's a triangular piece that goes between the lower part of the grille support and the frame horn. It's just tack welded on. You'll notice that the US valance is notched to go around this, so if you use a US valance, super. Euro valance isn't, so you have to decide if you want to trim the valance or remove that piece. Depends in my book on if you're looking for any semblance of reversibility.

Image

I miss that car too.
Awesome thanks I may build plates weld fill and paint for a "clean" look we shall see. I am somewhat of a decent diy body for the last twenty years.
Owndapwn
Posts: 486
Joined: May 18, 2014 12:22 PM
Location: Kansas City, MO

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by Owndapwn »

Great guide. Maybe I'll be able to get turn signals that aren't side running lights stuck in the old bumper mounts (Which, when combined with some bright LED's, works perfectly fine).
I'm not sure if the previous owner was a complete moron that threw all his money at it or a broke genius sometimes.

By the way, I have a cable that hangs from all four corners of the car. These are the corner runnings light wires, yes? I'm thinking about using them to power some plug in work lights. I've got a bunch of extra LED light from the LED conversion I did.
I figure if they're leftover from the USDM bumpers, this would be the thread that would know. Can't find anything about it in the manual.
Asawad84
Posts: 4
Joined: Oct 15, 2024 6:38 AM
Location: Indianapolis

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by Asawad84 »

And how should one fill those holes in the front upper valance? And what about the side marker lights, what’s the best solution? 
gwb72tii
Posts: 821
Joined: Sep 21, 2021 4:58 PM
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by gwb72tii »

the best way, but will depend on what else you're doing to your car, is to have a body shop weld them closed and then paint to match the body.
4DSC
Posts: 186
Joined: Sep 21, 2012 1:53 PM
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by 4DSC »

One cheap/temporary way is to grab one of those generic plug/rivet sets from harbor freight, paint them your body color, and plug the holes with those. That was my solution not having access to a welder or the patience to use filler, but your tolerance for imperfection may be different.
Asawad84
Posts: 4
Joined: Oct 15, 2024 6:38 AM
Location: Indianapolis

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by Asawad84 »

Thanks. 

Now I’m stumped with the rear euro bumper. I purchased blunttech brackets but there is no information on the correct install/ orientation of the brackets. I would rather not just guess and then have to drill another hole(s)
 
gwb72tii
Posts: 821
Joined: Sep 21, 2021 4:58 PM
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by gwb72tii »

The stud on the bracket goes through the outermost hole in the rear facia. You can see the stud from inside the trunk so you can thread on a nut and washer to mount the bracket. 
The bracket is oriented with the "L" facing outwards and angled down, not up, which is a little counter intuitive.
stuartinmn
Posts: 9593
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Minneapolis

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by stuartinmn »

Asawad84 wrote: Jun 11, 2025 7:31 PM Thanks. 

Now I’m stumped with the rear euro bumper. I purchased blunttech brackets but there is no information on the correct install/ orientation of the brackets. I would rather not just guess and then have to drill another hole(s)

 
The guys at Blunttech are usually pretty helpful, I wouldn't hesitate to give them a call to ask about how to install the brackets.
4DSC
Posts: 186
Joined: Sep 21, 2012 1:53 PM
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: e28 Euro bumper conversion How-to

Post by 4DSC »

From memory -- Some versions of the bracket have 2 studs and some have 1. If you have the version with 2 you need to drill an extra hole. On a US car one of the sides is tricky to nut the bracket to the body because of where the hole is. I believe passenger side. Get creative with extensions and use the piece of paper trick to hold the nut in the socket while you thread it on blind.
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