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GraemeH View Drop Down
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    Posted: 03-September-2006 at 11:59

 

So yesterday we're driving up the M6 Toll heading toward our new home in North West of UK when dearest wife decides to debate with herself whether she might (or might not) stop at the Toll booth . . . Unfortunately, I was much less in a quandary.

Result: one BMW E38 740i ending up in the back of newly refurbished BMW E24 635csi.

A weaker man might have shouted a tad at this point. Ah no, but having conquered 635 front wing rust, matched the front and rear interior with matching unripped seats, found a front strut brace that is finely shiny, looked after LSD and auto-to-manual conversion, and beaten non-functioning 635 speedo, I am now made of stronger stuff.

The toll attendant notices the event and points out that my rear bumper is now hanging off. 

"Oh dear," says I (calmly, of course).

"Did 'he' run into you?" asks the toll attendant ("he" meaning my wife, hidden in car behind - it being middle of the night).

It is not until my wife drives up to the toll window, following me, and explains that she's just run into the back of her husband's newly refurbished 635, that Toll attendant says "You best pull into our carpark. That looks worse than I thought."

No no, not a bit of it, Toll people. Tears? No, no, these are not tears. It's just the dust blowing around the motorway is getting in my eyes. Really. . .

Basically: has crushed the bumper only, it appears. So luck (and marriage) still holding up!

Do any forum members have any tips on replacing the wrap around 635 crhome bumpers from mid 80s (1985 model, to be exact)?? Now to find a bumper - if anyone has one, I believe I'm very much in the market!

all best wishes,

Graeme

 

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Horsetan View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Horsetan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-September-2006 at 16:53

Originally posted by GraemeH GraemeH wrote:

......Do any forum members have any tips on replacing the wrap around 635 chrome bumpers from mid 80s (1985 model, to be exact)??

I replaced mine when a Catholic churchgoer  who was late for Mass was a bit unhandy, turned too sharply behind me and ripped the bumper off ...

Replacement is actually quite straightforward, but it does take time and needs a bit of hand/eye co-ordination plus a bit of muscle (when replacing the rubber strip). Not fun if you're lying on a cold driveway in winter lining things up

I've got a succession of photos showing what's needed, and you can access the "removal stage" album HERE for the full-size photos

Repair and refit photo albums to follow.....

I'm happy to help you remove, repair and refit if you want, but you'll have to bring the car and bits down to North West London.....

Quote Now to find a bumper - if anyone has one, I believe I'm very much in the market!

If you want a used one in a hurry, people like Clayton Harrison (near Biggleswade) may have one. Call him on (07843) 960292.

He admits to having a container-load or two of E24 parts, so chances are he'll have what you need.

If it has to be a new one, I'd take the lazy option and speak to Andy Howlett at Motormec (01502) 500590. Rear centre section is just under £135 + VAT according to THIS list



Edited by Horsetan

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brucey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-September-2006 at 21:54

owwww.......

'never mind dear'........

-hope you get it fixed OK

cheers

 


~~~~~~~ Brucey   ~~~~~~
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mjf297 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-September-2006 at 22:08

Ouch!

Reminds me of the time I finally put my girlfriend on my car insurance... she crashed it TWICE in the first FIVE minutes of driving it. Mind you, that was a crappy Astra, not a beloved gorgeous restored 635.

Look on the positive side... if she was driving the six (into the back of you) it would have been a lot more damage... nosecone, airdam etc... thousands!!

Good luck in getting it sorted


1988 E24 635CSi HIGHLINE ZINNOBER RED - Whitesands Bay, Cornwall
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Horsetan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-September-2006 at 22:37

Originally posted by mjf297 mjf297 wrote:

.......Look on the positive side... if she was driving the six (into the back of you) it would have been a lot more damage... nosecone, airdam etc... thousands!!....

Yesyesyes....let's not go there

 

OK so, I've started the next chapter - how to actually start repairing things - using my photos HERE. More pics will be added, so don't think I've left it half-done!



Edited by Horsetan

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GraemeH View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GraemeH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-September-2006 at 18:22

Thanks. And thanks to Ivan for the diagram/s, which is/are great.

Prior to picking this information up, and probably in general anyway: I'd like to declare the side mounting pads on 635csi rear bumpers The Devil's work!

ie. it'd have to be Satan, or someone with a darn good sense of humour, that designed that thing. Either that, or scrapping off most of inside skin from wrist on the inside of the rear guard is a clever BMW way to remind a bloke that he shouldn't be so forgiving of wife with slow braking E38.

Getting mounting pad and bolt to line up was interesting enough, but negotiating through plastic sleeve to get any "traction" for bolt to screw into was a real gem! I should have picked up info. first, I reckon! But has been a useful learning exercise - if a "raw" one, and in coat lying in North Wales mud during rain.  

Ah, but I shouldn't complain! Damage is minimal. And old bumper is now re-attached; with "new" one on the way this week.

Thanks all, Graeme.   

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Horsetan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-September-2006 at 22:18
Originally posted by GraemeH GraemeH wrote:

Thanks. And thanks to Ivan for the diagram/s, which is/are great.

Prior to picking this information up, and probably in general anyway: I'd like to declare the side mounting pads on 635csi rear bumpers The Devil's work!

......Getting mounting pad and bolt to line up was interesting enough, but negotiating through plastic sleeve to get any "traction" for bolt to screw into was a real gem! ....

You need to slide the pad in first, like this:


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mjf297 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-September-2006 at 21:51

1988 E24 635CSi HIGHLINE ZINNOBER RED - Whitesands Bay, Cornwall
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GraemeH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-September-2006 at 08:19

Hi.

Yeh, I sure did watch this one! And contacted the owner. 

Figured, finally, it was located 4 hours away from me; but definitely thought about getting it picked up.

Ultimately it sold for £11.51, plus pick-up/arranging delivery. Nice price. Whereas I paid £50 for my replacement! Though that included delivery. 

Hmmm, I'll just have to tell myself that getting it picked up would have cost me a fair sum! Don't anyone let me know that this is not true: I'll maintain this fantasy in order to keep smiling. 

PS: in the meantime, I've told my wife, who knocked my rear bumper off in the first place, that putting it back on will also involve some "important additional work" on the rear of the 635csi. I can see in my future a strut brace coming into play in all this, and perhaps repair of a small rust spot around the rear window!  Naturally, it's these "adjustments" in the field of play that keep a marriage alive! Now if she'd just work out a way to run her E38 into my OBC I could get those little pixels fixed!

all best wishes, Graeme 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mjf297 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12-September-2006 at 14:13

£50 is pretty good I reckon, 8 hours driving in either the 635 or 740 is gonna cost more than £38.49 for sure!

good luck with the repairs


1988 E24 635CSi HIGHLINE ZINNOBER RED - Whitesands Bay, Cornwall
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peter Fenwick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12-September-2006 at 14:33
Originally posted by GraemeH GraemeH wrote:

Now if she'd just work out a way to run her E38 into my OBC I could get those little pixels fixed!

LOL

Trouble is that may also cause a little bit more damage to the surrounding area

Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Horsetan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-September-2006 at 14:57

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote twincamsham Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25-September-2006 at 01:55

The 2 securing bolts on the drivers side underneath  between the Fuel tank and rear panel are delightful fun arent they! Refitting is even worse- id recommend investing a little telscopic magnet thing.

When i removed the rubber strip from my bumper i also removed all the little spring clips from it and bent them back into original shape, it adds a bit of spring and made the rubber grip better they can go a bit lazy after 20 years and tleave the rubber sagging in places, Might be some help

Hard luck on the tip! sounds like you got away lucky mind

Rory

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