Custom M3 Bumper molded to e85 Z4 with photos

[marc3lo19]

Couldn't find a good price on a m bumper so I was inspired by a a few photos to install an m3 bumper

Just wanted to share the final product

Next will be installing either an M5 or M3 rear bumper and custom carbon diffuser

[ZHPZ4]

Nice... I was thinking of doing something similar can you share the cost of the conversion? Any better pics?

[Nate4641]

This is at least the 3rd car I've seen with this bumper and I have a good feeling this may become more popular. I love this look on our cars and I really want to do it myself. I too would be interested in an estimate of the cost involved.

[inTgr8r]

Nicely done.
I'd love to see a few more pics from different angles.

I see this posted on Kijiji.

[Walkurie]

Very nicely done. Would appreciate tips on how-to.

[itdnwiwbp]

When I clicked on this I was expecting a train wreck but this is very well done. Looks great!

[a_riddler]

very nice, love the look and think the lower opening might have better air flow for an oil cooler.

[3002 tii]

I wonder how much is heat gun and how much is trimming? Also end of day does it still retain original mounting points?

[chickdr]

So that is an actual M3 bumper? It seems impossible it would fit the Z4 so well. I too would love to see the process for doing this mod.

[Z4inAZ]

Its really pretty simple, you take the Z4 bumper, take the M3 bumper, cut the part of the M3 bumper you want leaving a few extra inches on the top and sides (by extra I mean cut a few extra inches away from the design elements of the bumper). Cut a hole in the Z4 bumper slightly smaller than the M3 bumper part you want to add. Test fit the M3 part in place and when you get it lined up nicely mark with a sharpie the outline of the M3 part. Cut the Z4 bumper along the line. Drill some small holes all around the M3 bumper in the extra bit you left yourself, and do the same for the Z4 bumper around where you want this design element moulded in. Use tape to hold in place while you apply bondo hair, the holes were drilled to allow the bondo hair to "grab on" and hold the two parts really strongly together. Do the top first then the sides. Apply bondo hair all the way around, working in small sections at a time. Once its done your basically done with the custom work, just sand the bondo down, prep and paint. If the bumper you want to use is too wide you cut it right in the middle and mould it back to itself.

Then you have the M3-look bumper on the Z4 with Z4 bumper mounting points.

Its a lot more time consuming then it is hard.

[Pheonix]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Nicely done.
I'd love to see a few more pics from different angles.

I see this posted on Kijiji.

Very nice looking but there are better ways to spend $2800!

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by Pheonix

Very nice looking but there are better ways to spend $2800!

Definitely!

[ZHPZ4]

What M bumpers were you looking at that were so expensive it made you pull the trigger in a $2800 facelift lol... Hope you didnt pay that much for the job

[Walkurie]

A brand new M3 bumper is $800, labor and bondo almost free if one does it themself, allow another what, $800 for paint? But your point is taken, would rather apply the money to a really good airbox and tune...

[jdoublehcubed]

Also came expecting to see a trainwreck and instead very impressed. Amazed that it looks so clean.

[dubsesd]

any better pics from angles, sides?

[marc3lo19]

first off thanks everyone lot of time went into it and will post some better photos of the car tomorrow
I will try to answer everyones questions in one go

I couldn't find a M z4 bumper locally except for from the dealer

was it difficult: yes
I bought a aftermarket m3 bumper with foglights for $550
yes original z4 mounts are there

You can see here which portion I transplanted from the e92
z4 mounts, grills left in place

Took many hours of trimming to get it to fit

then plastic welded the two pieces together
little bondo used on top of the weld
sanded down and then painted

Did a lot of the work on my own with the help of my friend who owns a body shop he didn't charge me anything for his help or materials paint, bondo etc
He estimated it would be about $2000 in labour at a body shop to have it done

Just FYI I cracked this bumper completely in half on a small pothole right down the middle. Its not very strong when its complete and the aftermarket bumper is poorly made. I drive it extra slow now

I will install a m3 or m5 rear bumper on this same car I can do much more detailed photos / videos if people want to see how its done

[StickMon]

I'd seriously consider this nose, painted to match, for up to 2 large.
It has more Shelby, and less Guppy.
I really like it, but I don't like it $2800.

[Vanne]

I love it!!!!!

Good on ya for trying something different and it looks freakingly AWESOME!!! : )

[cossied]

That's the best front I have seen on a Z, I am getting a Shnitzer bumper, about $1000 in the UK but if you could get someone to mould a copy and manufacture one like that I would buy it. great job

[GuidoK]

I think this is a beautifully made mod. Very well done.

But the aftermarket bumpers are not as good as original ones?
So if you're doing this mod it's better to get a second hand original m3 bumper? (you're respraying it anyway).
You can get a imitation e9x m3 bumper as low as $250 or so, but I guess you get what you pay for.

You said you broke the bumper on a pothole; does the low air scoup make it difficult to drive over speedbumps and other drive disgusting obsticles?

Oh hold on, that imitation bumper is ABS. That probably isn't a good combination with the bmw bumpers that are made from polypropylene if you want to heat weld it. ABS is also more brittle (but you can glue abs and you cant glue PP)

[Nate4641]

Couldn't you just make a mold of the frankenstein bumper and produce a solid 1 piece bumper that wont crack at the seams? It would be more expensive, but you would end up with a better product in the end...