Bumper Cracks...cosmetic or not??

[BudFox]

Anyone's E28 bumpers have cracks in them? Both my front and rear bumpers each have one hairline crack in them. I'm looking for replacements but the ones I'm found so far all look pretty crappy. Anyone think these cracks can be more than superficial if I'm ever hit?

[Ety]

Anyone's E28 bumpers have cracks in them? Both my front and rear bumpers each have one hairline crack in them. I'm looking for replacements but the ones I'm found so far all look pretty crappy. Anyone think these cracks can be more than superficial if I'm ever hit?

My rear bumper is cracked, I believe it is a pretty common problem. I would think it could make a difference in an accident, if it cracks instead of putting the energy into the bumper shocks.

[Shawn D.]

Yes, they're probably more than superficial. "Hairline" is the significant portion of it -- how long are the cracks?

[BudFox]

Each bumper has a crack - each crack spans the width of the bumper. They're pretty narrow, but still a concern. The problem is that I imagine I'll never find new bumpers.

[BMWgiant]

I understood when purchasing my first E28 that it was a common problem to see hairline cracks in the rear bumper due to poor support.

Both my E28's were purchased with hairline cracks and both have been rear ended. The bumpers pretty much broke in the exact places that the hair line cracks were in both cases.

I also had two E30's which do not have the common problem of cracked bumpers, but one had a minor rear accident that I didnt report which left a hairline crack. I later was rear ended harder in that car and the bumper once more seperated in the exact spot of that hairline..

I am not saying that the tiny crack takes away the credibility of the bumpers, because I am sure that the bumpers would've been destroyed in each accident anyway. It is just the location that the break in each accident grew from..

Yes... I do realize that I get rear ended alot.. Florida drivers suck!!!

[option00002]

Yes, One hair-line crack in the rear bumper.


No, I am not terribly concerned.

[Patrick McHugh]

If you're concerned about them spreading, drill a small hole at the end of the crack. This reduces the stress around crack.

[wkohler]

Wow. I don't have cracks. I guess I am fortunate?

Look at the rear bumper on this (ignore the fact it was dipped in Crisco before being offered for sale):

[M635CSi]

It would seem the bumper work hardens as the car goes over bumps and when an area hardens enough, it begins to crack. This would mean all E28 bumpers are in the process of cracking – as all E28 dashboards are. The cracks may not be evident yet but they are there.

[wkohler]

Why are these bumpers so much crappier than the e21 bumpers? Both of my parents cars look perfect.

[Patrick McHugh]

It would seem the bumper work hardens as the car goes over bumps and when an area hardens enough, it begins to crack. This would mean all E28 bumpers are in the process of cracking – as all E28 dashboards are. The cracks may not be evident yet but they are there.

I'm doubtful bumps would cause enough shock to work harden it, I bet the heat from the exhaust over time has more influence. Exhaust tips will help this.

[wkohler]

It would seem the bumper work hardens as the car goes over bumps and when an area hardens enough, it begins to crack. This would mean all E28 bumpers are in the process of cracking – as all E28 dashboards are. The cracks may not be evident yet but they are there.

I'm doubtful bumps would cause enough shock to work harden it, I bet the heat from the exhaust over time has more influence. Exhaust tips will help this.

And this explains cracks in the front bumper, um, how?

[jgoodwill]

It would seem the bumper work hardens as the car goes over bumps and when an area hardens enough, it begins to crack. This would mean all E28 bumpers are in the process of cracking – as all E28 dashboards are. The cracks may not be evident yet but they are there.

I'm doubtful bumps would cause enough shock to work harden it, I bet the heat from the exhaust over time has more influence. Exhaust tips will help this.

And this explains cracks in the front bumper, um, how?

Maybe he's been following behind another e28 too closely.

[wkohler]

It would seem the bumper work hardens as the car goes over bumps and when an area hardens enough, it begins to crack. This would mean all E28 bumpers are in the process of cracking – as all E28 dashboards are. The cracks may not be evident yet but they are there.

I'm doubtful bumps would cause enough shock to work harden it, I bet the heat from the exhaust over time has more influence. Exhaust tips will help this.

And this explains cracks in the front bumper, um, how?

Maybe he's been following behind another e28 too closely.

That e28 probably has ehaust tips too.

[Patrick McHugh]

hahaha, I've never seen a cracked front bumper.

[wkohler]

hahaha, I've never seen a cracked front bumper.

Well, BudFox has.

[BudFox]

I'm out of town until Friday, but when I return I'll post pics of the front and rear bumpers so everyone can see what I'm referring to.......

I'm sure EVERYONE is dying to see my cracked bumpers

[Mike W.]

hahaha, I've never seen a cracked front bumper.

I have. Unfortunately it was just after I ran into the back of a Honda trucklet. The bumper had a nice side to side crack, not front to back. Still, it fared better than my hood...

[rlomba8204]

Fwiw, the only time I've seen a crack in an e28 bumper is when the bumper was hit, or when I backed into something. Maybe the folks who are finding these cracks park in urban settings where it is common for their cars to be tapped at angles other than straight bumper to straight bumper (corner of another bumper in the middle of your rear or towards the middle of your bumper). For example, you back into, at low speeds, a telephone pole (ask me how I know . . . . )

The reason you may not realize you've been tapped, other than the crack, is that one of the advantages of these bumpers, to offset their ungainliness, is that they actually function as bumpers and protect the car's bodywork, so you may not realize you've been bumped, unlike today's cars which will have a scratch on the painted bumper cover as a reminder.

And those cracks aren't cosmetic. I had one in the rear of my old former 535 that when I was, a few weeks later, involved in a severe rear impact, caused the rear bumper to tear in two between the bumper shocks. Pick up a used or new bumper as your budget permits if you see cracks. They're not cosmetic. But they don't just appear either from heat or whatever. They happen from impacts that are pretty common when you live in a crowded area.