Soooooo I work in a collision shop I’m a BMW master body technician, I was looking at the instructions for the front bumper and unfortunately I think this video is a little more complicated than it needs to be, currently fixing a 2002 M3, it was rear ended and pushing into the car in front so, new bumpers new deck lid, new rear body panel, and fix both quarters. From what I understand from the instructions and after I got the front bumper off the only thing to get it off are the screws like stated on the bottom, both front wheel liners (just the small ones) then disconnect temp sensor, fog lights and alarm sensor, the right fog lamp plug will not be accessible until you get the bumper partially off for it is covered by the windshield washer bottle. I hope this helped I’m not trying to dog on the video but I think it would be super helpful for other DYIers to see the simplistic approach.
Thanks for this video. I have an 04/2003 SMG and the hood latches have micro switches in them that tell my car that the hood is closed, and well, I'm pretty sure they failed. Sucks I have to pull the front end off to get to them!
I don't understand why the headlights need to be removed completely? I am only trying to remove the bumper cover and am honestly so confused about how the headlights and the bumper cover are connected as long as you take off the little headlight trim piece under the headlights, shouldn't it just come off?
If all you want off is the bumper cover, it doesn't matter. Taking off the headlights isn't even necessary as a whole, but I do find it easier to remove the front end with the lights already taken out.
Haha, I removed my bumper few days ago. It was easier than I thought. 2005 car with kevlar bar. Just to get bumper off, didnt need to remove side markers or headlights or the under headlight cover.
@@WannabeRacer I'm not removing the entire front end, just the bumper, yes. I also (permanently) removed that washer fluid tank (mine was a bit of a pain because my car has headlight washers too). Depending on how much fluid you have in there, that's 5-10lbs off the front.
@@WannabeRacer the way I look at it - I live in norcal, I dont drive in terrible weather, I have maybe used the windshield washer feature once in last few years. Gas stations have these brushes/squeegees if I need to use them. If I am on a drive, either I, or someone else brings windex and paper towels, so it's staying out :).
Weird question, but, how long is your tow hook(the point after the circle / so the lenght that is inside the bumper not seen) and is it the original bmw one(it looks similar to it at least)?
Its the original BMW one, its just over of 2 /14 inch (about 6 cm) to the thread, and counting the thread its just over 3 3/4 inch (about 10 cm) for the shaft.
Its a 2003.5 so its a 2003 but after the face lift they did that year which changed the sub frame reinforcements, and changed the trunk trim and tail lights.
Facelift is considered April 2003, it included many things such as Rear LED's and bootlid handle being changed, it was extended beyond the indent for the license plate. My car is a June 2003 production making it post face lift as well as having all post face lift aspects. There's a very comprehensive list of all the changes to the E46 M3 throughout it's production, at no point was any corner light changes made, so unsure what exactly you're referring to, but the 04/2003 update was heavily visual as well as the largest update during it's production and is considered the "facelift" update, so any car made after that change is facelifted.
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Soooooo I work in a collision shop I’m a BMW master body technician, I was looking at the instructions for the front bumper and unfortunately I think this video is a little more complicated than it needs to be, currently fixing a 2002 M3, it was rear ended and pushing into the car in front so, new bumpers new deck lid, new rear body panel, and fix both quarters. From what I understand from the instructions and after I got the front bumper off the only thing to get it off are the screws like stated on the bottom, both front wheel liners (just the small ones) then disconnect temp sensor, fog lights and alarm sensor, the right fog lamp plug will not be accessible until you get the bumper partially off for it is covered by the windshield washer bottle. I hope this helped I’m not trying to dog on the video but I think it would be super helpful for other DYIers to see the simplistic approach.
Excellent video thanks
Nice. I had no idea it was so different from a typical e46,
Ya, I was surprised about it too. Luckily not too hard.
really needed this video, thanks mate!
Glad it could help
This helped a ton. Thank you!
Sincerely, thank you!
Glad it could be of use!
Great video
Thanks!
Thank you bro! 🙌🏼
Wow, you weren't joking. The bumper structure for the non-M is totally different.
Ya, haven't seen really anyone doing the M's and it's just not the same thing, so I figured I'd make it into a video.
awesome 👍
Thanks for this video. I have an 04/2003 SMG and the hood latches have micro switches in them that tell my car that the hood is closed, and well, I'm pretty sure they failed. Sucks I have to pull the front end off to get to them!
Never fun when simple seeming things require a lot of work. Good luck!
Good job bro 👌👍
Thanks!
Super thank u :)
I don't understand why the headlights need to be removed completely?
I am only trying to remove the bumper cover and am honestly so confused about how the headlights and the bumper cover are connected as long as you take off the little headlight trim piece under the headlights, shouldn't it just come off?
If all you want off is the bumper cover, it doesn't matter. Taking off the headlights isn't even necessary as a whole, but I do find it easier to remove the front end with the lights already taken out.
@@WannabeRacer Oh ok. thx
Haha, I removed my bumper few days ago. It was easier than I thought. 2005 car with kevlar bar. Just to get bumper off, didnt need to remove side markers or headlights or the under headlight cover.
Thats just for the bumper cover I presume?
@@WannabeRacer I'm not removing the entire front end, just the bumper, yes. I also (permanently) removed that washer fluid tank (mine was a bit of a pain because my car has headlight washers too). Depending on how much fluid you have in there, that's 5-10lbs off the front.
@@mrgizmo7975 dang! Ya I'm pretty convinced I'm not going to put mine back. Not sure yet though.
@@WannabeRacer the way I look at it - I live in norcal, I dont drive in terrible weather, I have maybe used the windshield washer feature once in last few years. Gas stations have these brushes/squeegees if I need to use them. If I am on a drive, either I, or someone else brings windex and paper towels, so it's staying out :).
@@mrgizmo7975 there are some ways I've seen racers re utilize them, so I may keep them for that reason.
Weird question, but, how long is your tow hook(the point after the circle / so the lenght that is inside the bumper not seen) and is it the original bmw one(it looks similar to it at least)?
Its the original BMW one, its just over of 2 /14 inch (about 6 cm) to the thread, and counting the thread its just over 3 3/4 inch (about 10 cm) for the shaft.
@@WannabeRacer Ty for the help/info
what year is your E46 M3 ?
Its a 2003.5 so its a 2003 but after the face lift they did that year which changed the sub frame reinforcements, and changed the trunk trim and tail lights.
Yours is non facelift. Facelift came with one piece headlights. The 2 piece corner lights Are PRE Facelift
Facelift is considered April 2003, it included many things such as Rear LED's and bootlid handle being changed, it was extended beyond the indent for the license plate. My car is a June 2003 production making it post face lift as well as having all post face lift aspects. There's a very comprehensive list of all the changes to the E46 M3 throughout it's production, at no point was any corner light changes made, so unsure what exactly you're referring to, but the 04/2003 update was heavily visual as well as the largest update during it's production and is considered the "facelift" update, so any car made after that change is facelifted.