Rear bumper alignment?

k_mann · 05-17-2018, 09:10 PM

Hey Guys!

So I'm very excited to have just bought my first M3 a couple days ago! It was a clean, local, one owner with only a "minor damage" reported on the carfax. It was stated to the rear and the owner informed me he got backed into in a parking lot and the bumper cover needed replaced. I made sure to look when I checked out the car but not close enough! I just noticed the drivers side fitment is a few MM's off. Is this fixable by chance? Or is it not worth the effort? I just noticed this today so its fairly faint, but I'd like to fix it if possible!

AggieZig · 05-17-2018, 10:17 PM

I'm not sure how much of that difference is the result of any accident vs. overall build quality. My car has never been in any accident and I still catch myself glaring at panel gaps that are unequal or seem "off". While these are great cars, especially for the money, I don't think they had the highest level of fit and finish from the factory.

Now, it's hard to tell from pictures online so maybe your gaps are off by a lot more than I'm seeing in the pics. In either case, it's probably not worth the $$ to fix it. I've never taken a bumper skin off of an E9X, but it may be worth checking to make sure all of the panel clips are tight and in place. That could be a quick, easy fix to the issue.

Oh, and congrats on the new M3!

Tewie · 05-17-2018, 10:40 PM

I have a slight misalignment as well near that area. Carfax was clean and original owner didn't disclose any accidents. Took me about two years to notice. Chances are nobody else will. It's a tedious process to remove the rear cover but if you remove the tail lights (three 8mm nuts) I think you can see the clips in that area. It may be worth a quick look.

famm3 · 05-17-2018, 10:49 PM

Have a gap exactly like that on one side. Other side is basically perfect. My car also had no accidents so guessing it is just build quality

E46M3forRay · 05-17-2018, 11:25 PM

I’d be more in a hurry removing those poop droppings over a minuscule alignment.

BanjoPaterson · 05-17-2018, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AggieZig

I'm not sure how much of that difference is the result of any accident vs. overall build quality. My car has never been in any accident and I still catch myself glaring at panel gaps that are unequal or seem "off". While these are great cars, especially for the money, I don't think they had the highest level of fit and finish from the factory.

Now, it's hard to tell from pictures online so maybe your gaps are off by a lot more than I'm seeing in the pics. In either case, it's probably not worth the $$ to fix it. I've never taken a bumper skin off of an E9X, but it may be worth checking to make sure all of the panel clips are tight and in place. That could be a quick, easy fix to the issue.

Oh, and congrats on the new M3!

+1 on this. Panel gaps and "orange peel paint", were an E9x M3 specialty. My indy mechanics were able to bring in the bumper after I bought mine (and scraped the bottom protective cover), so I don't think it's a body shop only repair ??

PS - clean the bird poo. Bad, bad owner!

HadesM3 · 05-18-2018, 12:37 AM

I have poor alignment on my zero accident e90 too.

Clean the turd quickly or if will etch the paint.

codinge90 · 05-18-2018, 01:14 AM

Probably was taken off at one point and the clips broke. I've taken rear bumpers off e92's it's nearly impossible to keep the the spot where the clips slide into in tact. Even experienced body shops I know here in SoCal say they can't guarantee they won't break a clip or 2

k_mann · 05-18-2018, 05:55 AM

Thanks you guys! Definitely gives me some piece of mind!

And I somehow knew I couldn't go without getting some slack for the recent bird crap haha

gfisher99 · 05-18-2018, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aututto

Thanks you guys! Definitely gives me some piece of mind!

And I somehow knew I couldn't go without getting some slack for the recent bird crap haha

I park in a covered parking garage at work and a bird dropped a massive poo on my hood the other day. Thing must have been eating epoxy - it was really difficult to remove. It was only on there a few hours and it etched the paint. Guess I will be doing some polishing this weekend.

Get that stuff off ASAP and you still may be screwed.

MachinesWithSouls · 05-19-2018, 07:04 AM

If it makes you feel better, I'm still the original owner and have the EXACT same fitment issue on my rear bumper. No accidents.

I thought I was alone!

BlkOnyx · 03-27-2026, 01:06 PM

I got the same problem, someone clipped the passenger side bumper and popped the bumper out from under passenger side taillight, you can even see the scuff mark from vehicle that clipped lower rear passenger bumper...

Trying to figure out how to fix this problem!!

Any Ideas or Guides are welcomed, anyone with experience in realigning or fixing rear e9X Rear Bumper.

Thanks
Michael J

05-17-2018, 09:10 PM	#1
k_mann Lieutenant 426 Rep 462 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	Rear bumper alignment? Hey Guys! So I'm very excited to have just bought my first M3 a couple days ago! It was a clean, local, one owner with only a "minor damage" reported on the carfax. It was stated to the rear and the owner informed me he got backed into in a parking lot and the bumper cover needed replaced. I made sure to look when I checked out the car but not close enough! I just noticed the drivers side fitment is a few MM's off. Is this fixable by chance? Or is it not worth the effort? I just noticed this today so its fairly faint, but I'd like to fix it if possible! Attached Images __________________ Current: 2018 M2 DCT Previous: 2011 E92 M3, 2007 E92 328xi Insta: @kmannc
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05-17-2018, 10:17 PM	#2
AggieZig Private First Class 74 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 2010 E91 328xi Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW E70 X5 35d [0.00] 2010 BMW E91 328xi ... [0.00] 1975 Porsche 914 2.0L [0.00]	I'm not sure how much of that difference is the result of any accident vs. overall build quality. My car has never been in any accident and I still catch myself glaring at panel gaps that are unequal or seem "off". While these are great cars, especially for the money, I don't think they had the highest level of fit and finish from the factory. Now, it's hard to tell from pictures online so maybe your gaps are off by a lot more than I'm seeing in the pics. In either case, it's probably not worth the $$ to fix it. I've never taken a bumper skin off of an E9X, but it may be worth checking to make sure all of the panel clips are tight and in place. That could be a quick, easy fix to the issue. Oh, and congrats on the new M3!
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05-17-2018, 10:40 PM	#3
Tewie Lieutenant 207 Rep 466 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 ZCP Melbourne/FoxRed Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Vallejo, CA iTrader: (0)	I have a slight misalignment as well near that area. Carfax was clean and original owner didn't disclose any accidents. Took me about two years to notice. Chances are nobody else will. It's a tedious process to remove the rear cover but if you remove the tail lights (three 8mm nuts) I think you can see the clips in that area. It may be worth a quick look.
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05-17-2018, 10:49 PM	#4
famm3 Enlisted Member 13 Rep 48 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: - iTrader: (2)	Have a gap exactly like that on one side. Other side is basically perfect. My car also had no accidents so guessing it is just build quality
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05-17-2018, 11:25 PM	#5
E46M3forRay Güdentyte 1374 Rep 1,248 Posts Drives: GT3RS & 1M Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (9) Garage List 2019 991.2 GT3RS [10.00] 2023 Model 3 [6.50] 2022 T4R TRD Pro [5.00] 2011 1M [8.75]	I’d be more in a hurry removing those poop droppings over a minuscule alignment. __________________ CURRENT - 991.2 GT3RS \| Future Classic 1M \| Model 3 \| T4R TRD Pro Lime Rush SOLD - 991.1 GT3 \| MB M2 CS \| SMB F80 M3 CS \| E90 M3 \| E90 335i \| E46 M3 Vert \| E39 M5 \| E34 525i
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05-18-2018, 12:37 AM	#7
HadesM3 Private First Class 147 Rep 195 Posts Drives: Pair of e90's Join Date: May 2016 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	I have poor alignment on my zero accident e90 too. Clean the turd quickly or if will etch the paint.
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05-18-2018, 01:14 AM	#8
codinge90 Banned 351 Rep 743 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	Probably was taken off at one point and the clips broke. I've taken rear bumpers off e92's it's nearly impossible to keep the the spot where the clips slide into in tact. Even experienced body shops I know here in SoCal say they can't guarantee they won't break a clip or 2
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05-18-2018, 05:55 AM	#9
k_mann Lieutenant 426 Rep 462 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	Thanks you guys! Definitely gives me some piece of mind! And I somehow knew I couldn't go without getting some slack for the recent bird crap haha __________________ Current: 2018 M2 DCT Previous: 2011 E92 M3, 2007 E92 328xi Insta: @kmannc
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05-19-2018, 07:04 AM	#11
MachinesWithSouls Colonel 5178 Rep 2,475 Posts Drives: 2022 M3 6MT Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW M3 [10.00]	If it makes you feel better, I'm still the original owner and have the EXACT same fitment issue on my rear bumper. No accidents. I thought I was alone! __________________ Machines With Souls.com
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03-27-2026, 01:06 PM	#12
BlkOnyx M3 Lyfe 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: BMW M3 E93 Join Date: Jul 2025 Location: Queens iTrader: (0)	We in the same Boat guys, looking for similar Info on realigning the m3 rear bumper. I got the same problem, someone clipped the passenger side bumper and popped the bumper out from under passenger side taillight, you can even see the scuff mark from vehicle that clipped lower rear passenger bumper... Trying to figure out how to fix this problem!! Any Ideas or Guides are welcomed, anyone with experience in realigning or fixing rear e9X Rear Bumper. Thanks Michael J Attached Images
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