M-Sport Bumpers & Wood interior trim

[Chagrin]

Originally Posted by elmo

I'm still not sure what to do ; rather than change the trunk lid finisher to the curved end type (which I need to do to fit the Aero Package bumper I have) which seem to be difficult to find, I think I will procure an M-Sport bumper (like yours) and retain (but paint to suit) my existing plain-end finisher. I think I will still need to change the bumper reinforcer.

If I was in your situation, I'd procure an M-Sport bumper, since you can retain the existing trunk lid finisher. You do not need to change the reinforcer for the M-Sport bumper since the part is the same one used on the base 04-05 bumpers. You only need to change the reinforcer bar for the Aero kit since it is structurally different. You will still need to order some parts to install the M-Sport bumper but the list is short:

51123414406 Loading sill cover
51123416948 Towing eye finisher including fixing clamp
51123414404 Mount, bumper, rear center
51123418499 Support, bumper, rear (Qty 2)
51123414407 Mount, rear bumper left corner
51123414408 Mount, rear bumper right corner

That's it - install was pretty easy - it took less than two hours. The only thing to note is that if your M-Sport bumper does not have the lateral bumper inserts attached, you will need to transfer them from your existing bumper. If you look at the parts diagrams online, you will see what they are. They are not sold separately for the M-Sport bumper so hopefully they will not have been removed by the salvage company when you purchase it.

[Benedict007]

Hi Chagrin,

Where did you buy the X3 M Sport bumpers, they are really nice!

[Chagrin]

Originally Posted by Benedict007

Hi Chagrin,

Where did you buy the X3 M Sport bumpers, they are really nice!

Thanks! I purchased the bumper on eBay. The rear bumpers seem to be the cheapest and easiest to find. They can be purchased for $300-500USD depending on condition and whether you have them repainted. I purchased this particular one for $300 and it had already been freshly repainted to factory specs. I spent an additional $100 in parts at a BMW dealership for the OEM parts needed to mount it (see list above). So, IMHO, its a fairly inexpensive upgrade that dramatically enhances the look of the 2004-2005 X3's black bumper.

[Benedict007]

Thanks I will look around Ebay where to look for one.

[Chagrin]

Our X3 has had the finisher and tow hook cover painted since I last posted. Here's another series of comparison shots. The left most image is before the retrofit, the middle is after the retrofit but before the paint was matched on the trunk lid, and last one on the right is after the final parts were painted and installed. Additionally, the lower red diffusor reflectors found on the 2007+ M-package have been installed. The newly painted parts have not yet been polished or waxed, so they are not yet as shiny as the rest of the X3.

[Chagrin]

Originally Posted by elmo

Good. Can't wait to see photos. I'm still not sure what to do ; rather than change the trunk lid finisher to the curved end type (which I need to do to fit the Aero Package bumper I have) which seem to be difficult to find, I think I will procure an M-Sport bumper (like yours) and retain (but paint to suit) my existing plain-end finisher.

So, any update? It's been a couple of months and curious to see what you've done...

[elmo]

Yes, sorry - I should have posted something earlier. Yours looks really good.
I have made some progress, albeit not as rapidly as you have. I have decided to keep and use the rear Aero bumper which I obtained. I have managed to get the finisher (with curved ends) for the bottom of the tailgate from a BMW dealer in the UK who was reducing stock ( about £40! - c$60, in primer) and the correct bumper reinforcement panel needed for this instal ( same sort of price for a new one from an eBayer in Germany) - as you say, you don't need that for the M-Sport instal. All I need to do now is to get the bumper and tailgate finisher painted in Mystic Blue. I have been a little slow in sorting that, but I will do something about it soon.
I will post an update when I have done that - keep hassling me if you don't see anything from me during the next few weeks! Regards, Alan

[C ///M]

Looks great. Some of the pre-facelift X3s really benefit from some aero changes. The early non painted bits are great for off-roaders, but these cars tend to stay on the road.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by C ///M

Looks great. Some of the pre-facelift X3s really benefit from some aero changes. The early non painted bits are great for off-roaders, but these cars tend to stay on the road.

Mine doesn't

I like the black bumpers and the easy-to-clean interior. Last week, a few friends and I shuttled a bike trail in Western NC and after the very fun bike ride, I didn't mind "using" the X3 on the 20min off-road drive back up the mountain, including a point where I floored it up a hill to 90km/h. Deliberately drifting the X3 around is also good fun with DSC off.....really it's the only way to drive the X3 off-road. Mud from our shoes and clothing wipes off easy from the seats and door sills.

Always proud to show that the earlier X3s can be treated like a Jeep (within common sense reason) but then hold its own on the paved roads descending the mountain. No paint chips or messed up alignment. Plus, I've always felt my X3 looked best with mud on it and some spray from the headlamp washers

[C ///M]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Mine doesn't

I like the black bumpers and the easy-to-clean interior. Last week, a few friends and I shuttled a bike trail in Western NC and after the very fun bike ride, I didn't mind "using" the X3 on the 20min off-road drive back up the mountain, including a point where I floored it up a hill to 90km/h. Deliberately drifting the X3 around is also good fun with DSC off.....really it's the only way to drive the X3 off-road. Mud from our shoes and clothing wipes off easy from the seats and door sills.

Always proud to show that the earlier X3s can be treated like a Jeep (within common sense reason) but then hold its own on the paved roads descending the mountain. No paint chips or messed up alignment. Plus, I've always felt my X3 looked best with mud on it and some spray from the headlamp washers

Awesome! I've been dying to see an X3 totally done up for off-roading.