You right ,no need to remove bumper.I just remove the wheel well and put a old rag on top of the rear disc and you got an armrest and ready to go hehhee.Its a bit of pain to do the bumper inserts.Bmw supply you with these paper molds ,I then drilled the bumper but on the inside I had to perform surgery on the bumper and melted away with the iron,which I found to be easiest due to lack of space inside the bumper.
My thoughts on this mod are that it looks way better in real life than in photos.I am pleased with it

Btw,I took the mother in law away on holiday once ...but she found the way back