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Subject: Final recap: A pictorial guide to removing your rear bumper and chrome trim. Author: davidc (moderator) : member since December, 2003 : 10448 posts Posted on: 2007-01-16 00:29:32

Thanks to everyone for their contributions in enabling this project documentation!

(FYI, see Front bumper removal, too)


Start by pressing down on the tabs (4 of them) holding the center chrome trim piece to the bumper. A gentle touch is all that's need -- no brute force.


Here's another view of the tabs that you're releasing.


After all four tabs have been released, the entire chrome trim piece can be removed by pulling it straight back away from the car.



Use a Torx T55 bit to remove the two bolts (one on the left, one on the right of the bumper). Some models may use hex bolts instead of Torx.


The entire bumper can now be pulled straight back and off of the car. There are no other bolts or attachments to the car (the sides have brackets into which the bumper slides, so no bolts there). It just slides back. You may have to pull *very* hard to get it off, though. It helps to have two people for the job, as it's very easy to twist and jam (remember, pull *straight* back).


Before sliding the bumper completely off, disconnect the side marker light wiring on the left and right sides. Also, take care to retain the rubber isolation gasket. Evidently, the previous owner of mine didn't bother to put it into place properly as it was just hanging in there.


The body without the rear bumper.


A view of the bumper after removal.


To remove the chrome trim from the sides of the bumper, slip your fingers under the rear edge to grab it, then pull back hard. The photos below show the J clips that hold the trim in place.







David Cecil

'97 740iL, 155k miles
'92 750iL, 90k miles
'86 735i, 101k miles

Visit e38.org for everything technical about your BMW

• How does one remove the rear bumper? - davidc 2007-01-14 23:50:09 (345 views)
  • Final recap: A pictorial guide to removing your rear bumper and chrome trim. (pic) (url) - davidc 2007-01-16 00:29:32 (3596 views)
  • dave,there are 2 clips on the blk top cover .They pop off - JoeC 90 750il 89 735il 98 740il 2007-01-15 22:29:05 (191 views)
  • Bentley 510-7 (although I think it is harder than they make out) (nt) - Nick (Australia) 2007-01-14 23:55:06 (195 views)
    • Can't find my Bently manual tonight. Been missing since we moved. (nt) - davidc 2007-01-14 23:56:23 (170 views)
      • easy (rear bumper removal) - shogun 2007-01-15 00:03:58 (326 views)
        • OK, I've removed the chrome trim, but the bumper won't budge. (pic) - davidc 2007-01-15 19:23:16 (319 views)
          • you must pull strongly and evenly - shogun 2007-01-15 19:45:30 (190 views)
            • Got it. Had to put some serious force into it, but it's off. (pic) - davidc 2007-01-15 20:44:14 (267 views)
              • Pull straight back - Shayne 2007-01-15 21:12:44 (175 views)
                • Thanks. That did the trick. Here are some photos. (pic) - davidc 2007-01-15 22:14:14 (313 views)
                • This is turning into a very detailed thread. Good for the archives! (nt) - davidc 2007-01-15 21:29:01 (183 views)
              • never removed the chrome trim on side - shogun 2007-01-15 21:06:15 (167 views)
        • not always easy (rear bumper removal) - steinway 2007-01-15 06:07:39 (220 views)
          • here a pick inside bumper (url) - shogun 2007-01-15 07:17:09 (281 views)
            • Shogun - Johan750 2007-01-15 12:37:09 (175 views)
              • that was on a no-oil contact day, easy stuff (nt) - shogun 2007-01-15 21:11:01 (125 views)
        • BTW, does anyone have photos of the factory PDC setup in the rear bumper? - davidc 2007-01-15 00:11:05 (211 views)
          • Yes I have PDC, AND IT DOESN'T WORK!!!! (pic) - Nick (Australia) 2007-01-15 00:15:32 (352 views)
            • you can check the sensors with your finger (url) - shogun 2007-01-15 00:39:46 (229 views)
              • My main problem is the starting fault tone - Nick (Australia) 2007-01-15 01:22:16 (233 views)
                • Did I read correctly on this german link? - Nick (Australia) 2007-01-15 08:36:57 (182 views)
                  • yes, he said so - shogun 2007-01-15 18:04:12 (172 views)
                    • Re: yes, he said so - Johan750 2007-01-16 14:02:20 (223 views)
        • Thanks. I'll take some pics as I work on it. (nt) - davidc 2007-01-15 00:09:57 (190 views)