Another US to Euro Bumper and Light Conversion Project

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Dec 26, 2014 4:03 PM

Those things are so hard to remove, I can only imagine that it wasn't fully secured. I guess if you remove them often, something will happen but there's no reason they should fall out. In the 60k Miles I've put on cars with those spoilers or on the M535i which uses the same kind, I never lost one. The spoiler that came on my 528i had metal straps that went onto the bottom accross the width of the covers and we're screwed into the spoiler. You do need to make sure the pins are aligned properly and make sure everything is flush when they're in.

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Dec 27, 2014 1:58 AM

So it turns out I ordered the wrong covers! I thought the covers for the valance were the same ones used on the lower lip spoiler. Can someone please tell me the part numbers for the correct ones on the spoiler. Left and right side please. Thank you!

Yet another setback.....

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Dec 27, 2014 2:09 AM

51 71 1 919 943 and 944

They will come primered, so you will have to paint them to match the spoiler.

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Dec 27, 2014 2:13 AM

Thank you! All the spoilers i've been seeing are unpainted. So should i be painting the lip spoiler body color as well?

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Dec 27, 2014 2:37 AM

On M5s, the spoilers aren't painted. Problem is that they used these quite a bit on 528is (that is why the oil cooler openings weren't cut out on your spoiler - they should be for an M5) and they were painted body-color on those cars. For a few years, we were told that the M5 covers had a different part number and that the part number listed in the ETK was incorrect, but we were never told what the correct part number was, nor could anyone find anything different. Using one of the two other part numbers for that part (51 71 1 935 117/8 or 51 71 1 932 417/8) simply points to 943 and 944 which superseded those numbers.

So, what's the solution? I painted my entire spoiler on my old 535is and the one on my 528i is painted a satin black. I felt it was the only way to get the correct sheen and texture across all pieces though several folks have had good success using a product like SEM 39143 Trim black and simply painting the covers. It's close enough to where 99% of people that see it would never know but if you have a very discerning eye, you can spot the difference. Frankly, if I were to do it again, it's probably the route I'd take. Sure, there are better paints and even better values in the trim black world, but people have had great success with the SEM.

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Dec 27, 2014 4:10 AM

wkohler wrote:On M5s, the spoilers aren't painted. Problem is that they used these quite a bit on 528is (that is why the oil cooler openings weren't cut out on your spoiler - they should be for an M5) and they were painted body-color on those cars. For a few years, we were told that the M5 covers had a different part number and that the part number listed in the ETK was incorrect, but we were never told what the correct part number was, nor could anyone find anything different. Using one of the two other part numbers for that part (51 71 1 935 117/8 or 51 71 1 932 417/8) simply points to 943 and 944 which superseded those numbers.

So, what's the solution? I painted my entire spoiler on my old 535is and the one on my 528i is painted a satin black. I felt it was the only way to get the correct sheen and texture across all pieces though several folks have had good success using a product like SEM 39143 Trim black and simply painting the covers. It's close enough to where 99% of people that see it would never know but if you have a very discerning eye, you can spot the difference. Frankly, if I were to do it again, it's probably the route I'd take. Sure, there are better paints and even better values in the trim black world, but people have had great success with the SEM.

Wow. Thanks for the info! Now to see if i can find SEM. Gotta order those covers now

stuartinmn · Post by **stuartinmn** » Dec 27, 2014 1:02 PM

BonitaBeast wrote:
Pavel wrote:Make sure to secure the tow hook covers on the spoiler. Lost one as soon the car left the shop... I was furious. Gladly a fellow texan owner from austin sent me one just on time for TexFest.
Any ideas on a more secure way to fasten them on there?

If they're like the tow hook covers on my M535i, there's a little eye on the back side; the factory used a nylon tether line to connect it to the spoiler so even if it came loose it wouldn't be lost. They should be still available from BMW and don't cost very much, look at #17 on this diagram: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=51&fg=15 If you can't get them, you should be able to accomplish the same thing with a long skinny cable tie / ty-wrap, like is used for securing electrical wires.

Karl Grau · Post by **Karl Grau** » Dec 27, 2014 4:05 PM

wkohler wrote:several folks have had good success using a product like SEM 39143 Trim black and simply painting the covers.

That's what I did and 9 out of 10 discerning eyes couldn't see any difference. I used SEM 15243 though.

stuartinmn wrote:If they're like the tow hook covers on my M535i

Unfortunately they're not.

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=89263

Tow hook covers painted with SEM 15243 on an unpainted spoiler.

Pavel · Post by **Pavel** » Dec 27, 2014 9:15 PM

wkohler wrote:Those things are so hard to remove, I can only imagine that it wasn't fully secured.

I think that was exactly the case with mine... long story but I think that driver side was not all the way snapped in. Mine were used since the whole valace, and spoiler came from Ivo. It was pretty nerve racking to find a replacement in a short period of time, so as an extra precaution mine have been sheet metal screwed in. I am not wasting another $45. The whole situation was topped off by the fact that only the passenger side was available state-side, the driver one was only in Germany.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Dec 28, 2014 11:50 AM

Yeah, there's no tether on these which is a shame. The ones on the M535i are secured though a hole next to the fog lamp and I'm surprised they couldn't have molded something into the spoiler, but the covers do start out pretty securely. I do imagine that if the covers are used often, then maybe they wouldn't secure as well. I've got a friend that I bought one of the spoilers for a few years back when I converted his car and he has lost multiple covers and broken the spoiler in more than one spot on the track. Unfortunately, he's in a position to keep losing them because everything is kinda screwed up.

And you should use the stuff Karl Grau used. If I didn't know he painted his covers, I wouldn't have been able to tell.

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Dec 29, 2014 10:55 PM

So I ordered one can each of SEM 15243 and 39143. Let's see what matches best. Problem is part number xxxxx944 is back ordered until Jan 20. For now I get to use it without the covers

Here's a teaser. Better pics to come. ALMOST there!! Happy New Year everyone!!

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Dec 29, 2014 10:59 PM

Looks great. Nice work!

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Dec 29, 2014 11:01 PM

wkohler wrote:Looks great. Nice work!

Thank you! And thank you for all your input! It was a big help!

Ricky535 · Post by **Ricky535** » Dec 30, 2014 12:26 AM

Your M5 looks good. I would be afraid to drive it on EDSA or Greenhills

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Dec 30, 2014 9:32 AM

Ricky535 wrote:Your M5 looks good. I would be afraid to drive it on EDSA or Greenhills

Thanks. Cant let them stop you from driving though.... haha

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Dec 30, 2014 10:02 AM

Here are some comparison shots. Before/After/Others

The only thing I'm missing are the covers on the bottom of the spoiler. Also, now I'm getting a check light for low beam failure. I need to sort this out.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Dec 30, 2014 10:07 AM

Very, very nice.

Mark 88/M5 Houston · Post by **Mark 88/M5 Houston** » Dec 30, 2014 12:15 PM

Beautiful, a VERY nice conversion!

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Jan 09, 2015 5:58 PM

Double post

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Jan 09, 2015 5:59 PM

1st 5er wrote:Very, very nice.

Mark 88/M5 Houston wrote:Beautiful, a VERY nice conversion!

Many thanks! I'm Still waiting on the tow hook covers so i'm not quite complete yet.

Meanwhile, I sorted the wiring for the lighting to get full european spec functionality.

I sourced my info from this link and followed the wiring to achieve the following functions:
http://www.m535i.org/officers/ra/article.html

Flashing brights with the lights off

Park lights on (city lights 4w)

Low beams on with fogs

High beams on (Note the fog lights remain on)

Left and right turn signals

The main modification involved cutting one of the wires in the fuse box which triggers the fogs to turn off when the high beams are selected and grounding the wire to the body. Voila!

Owndapwn · Post by **Owndapwn** » Jan 17, 2015 11:43 PM

Hey, just curious how much the Euro fogs and indicators cost you? Mine win plenty of points for creativity, but aren't exactly pretty, and they only work because of some bright ass LED's I put in them.
Previous owner used his front side running lights in the old bumper mounts.

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Jan 18, 2015 2:08 AM

Owndapwn wrote:Hey, just curious how much the Euro fogs and indicators cost you? Mine win plenty of points for creativity, but aren't exactly pretty, and they only work because of some bright ass LED's I put in them.
Previous owner used his front side running lights in the old bumper mounts.

Fogs cost a little less than $100 each from ECS Tuning.

The indicators I got free from a donor e28.

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Jan 18, 2015 4:45 AM

wkohler wrote:On M5s, the spoilers aren't painted. Problem is that they used these quite a bit on 528is (that is why the oil cooler openings weren't cut out on your spoiler - they should be for an M5) and they were painted body-color on those cars. For a few years, we were told that the M5 covers had a different part number and that the part number listed in the ETK was incorrect, but we were never told what the correct part number was, nor could anyone find anything different. Using one of the two other part numbers for that part (51 71 1 935 117/8 or 51 71 1 932 417/8) simply points to 943 and 944 which superseded those numbers.

So, what's the solution? I painted my entire spoiler on my old 535is and the one on my 528i is painted a satin black. I felt it was the only way to get the correct sheen and texture across all pieces though several folks have had good success using a product like SEM 39143 Trim black and simply painting the covers. It's close enough to where 99% of people that see it would never know but if you have a very discerning eye, you can spot the difference. Frankly, if I were to do it again, it's probably the route I'd take. Sure, there are better paints and even better values in the trim black world, but people have had great success with the SEM.

Now I understand what you mean about the vents for the oil cooler on the M5. My spoiler had no vents so the air wasnt coming in to cool the oil cooler. The heat started melting the spoiler. Luckily I spotted it fairly quickly.

So I cut out the vents as they would be cut on the M5 spec'd spoiler. Luckily the rear of the spoiler had markings/provisions indicating exactly where the vents would be, which made it easy to cut the holes precisely.

MicahO · Post by **MicahO** » Jan 18, 2015 9:01 PM

Looks outstanding! It's been great to see your process come together and will provide a good roadmap for folks who come after.

One additional thing I did on the front turn signals was to cut out the euro bulb housing and JB Weld in the US bulb socket. This allowed me to use the US dual filament bulb so that there is some extra front-sidemarker illumination to go with the headlights. It's not strictly the Euro method of lighting, but I wanted any extra lighting available. (That's why I added the Mr. Fixit extra bulb kit out back too).

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Feb 01, 2015 3:41 AM

And finally the last two pieces of the puzzle arrived. I sprayed them with SEM paint, waited for it to dry and clicked them into place

cddallara · Post by **cddallara** » Feb 01, 2015 10:03 AM

Looks great!

You forgot to blank out the ZHR 190 in a few pics

Chimi-Changa · Post by **Chimi-Changa** » Feb 01, 2015 10:15 AM

Wallah!

Great job on this thread and congrats on a beautiful car. Pictures outside make a big difference- looking forward to seeing a few more.

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Feb 01, 2015 12:16 PM

cddallara wrote:Looks great!

You forgot to blank out the ZHR 190 in a few pics

Haha yes I noticed that a little too late

BonitaBeast · Post by **BonitaBeast** » Feb 01, 2015 12:43 PM

Chimi-Changa wrote:Wallah!

Great job on this thread and congrats on a beautiful car. Pictures outside make a big difference- looking forward to seeing a few more.

Thanks. Here you go.

WilNJ · Post by **WilNJ** » Feb 01, 2015 6:18 PM

Snarky comment deleted.

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