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      08-27-2010, 12:08 PM   #1
ctown113
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INSTALLATION of PAINTED BUMPER REFLECTORS

I just got my painted reflectors for my e92 M3... it didn't come with any instructions. I'm assuming its pretty easy? i'm no mechanic by any means, but could someone tell me how to do this? Should i use a flat head to just pop off the originals? Thanks for the help
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      08-27-2010, 12:15 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by charlton113 View Post
I just got my painted reflectors for my e92 M3... it didn't come with any instructions. I'm assuming its pretty easy? i'm no mechanic by any means, but could someone tell me how to do this? Should i use a flat head to just pop off the originals? Thanks for the help
Not hard, but I'll run you through it.

What you'll need: Painter's tape.

What to do:

1) Tape up the top of the OEM reflectors and the bumper above the reflectors. Use a decently long piece of tape and leave some slack, but make sure it's stuck on reasonably well. This is so the reflectors don't fall into the car's bumper, I'm speaking from personal experience.

2) Using your thumbs, Push the bumper inwards along the bottom of the reflectors on the left and right side. The reflector tabs should pop right out.

Let's say the lines are the bottom edge of your reflector. your thumbs should be positioned below the reflector, where the 0's are, and pushing inwards.
--0--0--

3) Push up and out.

4) Take painted reflector, position losely where it should go. Painters tape it up as before, push up and back in. Remove painters tape. Done.

If you want to wait until I'm off of work today, I'll post up some photo DIY's for you. It's super easy, I've done it a million times.

Last edited by LateBraking; 08-27-2010 at 12:48 PM..
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      08-27-2010, 01:03 PM   #3
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Thanks a MILLION iBeJayKaying.. that was very thorough.. will DO!!!
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      08-27-2010, 01:05 PM   #4
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and OH, on the DYI pics, that would be great!!! please do! and again, thanks for the help
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      08-27-2010, 02:01 PM   #5
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Sure, though I get off pretty late today.
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      08-27-2010, 10:47 PM   #6
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Excuse my tardiness with the photos, I just got back home. Also excuse my being in my pajamas, as I am getting ready for bed.

Note: In the photos, I am not using painters tape like I advised. This is because I am very experienced with doing this for other people (for free), and didn't have any painters tape available at home. PLEASE USE PAINTERS TAPE AS INSTRUCTED IN MY FIRST POST, TO PREVENT THE REFLECTOR DROPPING INTO YOUR BUMPER IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME!!!!!

Also, if you want to prevent any and all possibility of you scratching your bumper, then coat the bumper underneath the bottom of the reflector in painters tape as well. It's a "just in case" kind of thing.

Thumbs under reflectors around here, banish your fears, and just push in!


Now that it's loose, push up and pull out.



See how the bottom has little tabs, and the top is spring loaded? Just so you get the idea on why you push in then push up and pull out.


Installation is just reverse order. Push upwards to load the springs, then pop reflector in. Done!
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      08-27-2010, 10:51 PM   #7
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u have sexy hands
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      08-27-2010, 10:52 PM   #8
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u have sexy hands
Love you too George.

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      08-27-2010, 10:54 PM   #9
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lol
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      08-28-2010, 03:39 AM   #10
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Thanks buddy for posting DIY pics. This is very helpful. Considering you decided to keep orange reflectors one wonder what made you try and learn how to swap reflectors
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      08-28-2010, 04:30 AM   #11
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I thought you were supposed to push the reflectors UP to release those bottom tabs since the upper tabs have springs or flexible tabs to hold keep tension and hold it in place.
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      08-28-2010, 10:14 AM   #12
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@quality sound Well, if you can do it that way, then cool! This is just how I do it, and I've always been able to do it quite easily this way, but I'm sure there isn't only one method.

@atolius I had clear reflectors in the past, and I've done it for some friends. My car is 100% stock right now, for....various reasons that may become public in a month or two. I'd rather not talk about it yet.

Last edited by LateBraking; 08-28-2010 at 10:20 AM..
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      08-28-2010, 10:36 AM   #13
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I was just asking since it seems like it would be less risky to the paint but as long as it works it really doesn't matter how it gets done, right?
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      08-28-2010, 12:58 PM   #14
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thanks man..youre the BEST!!!!
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      08-28-2010, 01:07 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by atolius View Post
Thanks buddy for posting DIY pics. This is very helpful. Considering you decided to keep orange reflectors one wonder what made you try and learn how to swap reflectors
LOL
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      08-28-2010, 02:31 PM   #16
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My M3's little story will not be concluded within the next month or two apparently, so I put my Volk G2's and clear reflectors back on. Driving my car the first time in a month felt sooooo good, our M3's really spoil us with the terrific driving experience!

Maybe I should have made another DIY when I was swapping from orange to clear this morning....
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      08-28-2010, 02:45 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FruitCake View Post
u have sexy hands
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      08-28-2010, 04:32 PM   #18
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lol!

second i got my car, first thing i did was put reflectors on at home...

ahhh must be cheapest best mod EVER
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      09-01-2010, 02:13 PM   #19
ctown113
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iBeJayKaying View Post
Excuse my tardiness with the photos, I just got back home. Also excuse my being in my pajamas, as I am getting ready for bed.

Note: In the photos, I am not using painters tape like I advised. This is because I am very experienced with doing this for other people (for free), and didn't have any painters tape available at home. PLEASE USE PAINTERS TAPE AS INSTRUCTED IN MY FIRST POST, TO PREVENT THE REFLECTOR DROPPING INTO YOUR BUMPER IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME!!!!!

Also, if you want to prevent any and all possibility of you scratching your bumper, then coat the bumper underneath the bottom of the reflector in painters tape as well. It's a "just in case" kind of thing.

Thumbs under reflectors around here, banish your fears, and just push in!


Now that it's loose, push up and pull out.



See how the bottom has little tabs, and the top is spring loaded? Just so you get the idea on why you push in then push up and pull out.


Installation is just reverse order. Push upwards to load the springs, then pop reflector in. Done!
DONE! thanks a million..one thing, maybe because my new painted reflectors are aftermarket, but the front lower inner corners on both reflectors are pertruding just a tad bit..maybe 2mm or so.. is that normal or should it be totally flush with the bumper? i took it off and put it on a few times to be sure..same result..i wish i had the pics, but i'm at work..i'll post tonight. thanks again~
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      09-01-2010, 10:20 PM   #20
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where is everyone buying the painted reflectors?
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      09-02-2010, 03:52 AM   #21
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where is everyone buying the painted reflectors?
Contact Nate @ IND, great prices, great work, absolutely stellar service.
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      09-09-2010, 05:13 PM   #22
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great installation guide
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