51 12 000 Removing and installing complete rear bumper (Z3 Roadster, M Roadster, Z3 Coupe, M Coupe)

Remove spare wheel.

Remove and install rear wheel housing cover, left and right, refer to 51 71 041 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING WHEEL ARCH COVER, REAR LEFT OR RIGHT (Z3 ROADSTER, M ROADSTER, Z3 COUPE, M COUPE) .

Z3 roadster only:

Unclip lamps (1) from license plate lighting on broad rib.

Unfasten connector and remove license plate lighting.

Fig 1: Identifying License Plate Lighting

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Unscrew bolts (1).

Installation: 

Tightening Torque, 51 12 2AZ. Refer to 51 12 REAR BUMPER .

Fig 2: Tightening Bolts

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Z3 roadster with 4-cylinder engines only:

Unfasten expanding rivet (1) in left/right wheel housing.

Fig 3: Identifying Left/Right Wheel Housing

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6-cylinder engines only:

Push bumper (1) forward until clips (2) are located in assembly opening.

Fig 4: Aligning Bumper Forward

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6-cylinder engines only:

Press bumper (1) downwards/towards rear until clips (2) are out of assembly opening (3).

Fig 5: Pressing Bumper Downwards Until Clips Are Out Of Assembly Opening

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Carefully press bumper (1) from wheel housing over tail lights (2) on left/right (risk of damage to tail light rubber) and remove bumper (1) towards rear.

Fig 6: Removing Bumper

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6-cylinder engines only:

If necessary, replace defective clips (1).

Fig 7: Replacing Defective Clip

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Adjust Bumper: 

Ideal setting (dimension):

Transition (A) should be flush on left/right side.

(B) 5.5 mm (tolerance + 0.5/-1 mm).

(C) 1 mm (tolerance + 1.5/-0 mm).

(D) 5 mm (tolerance + 0.5/-1 mm).

Fig 8: Identifying Bumper Adjustment Settings

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Loosen nut (1) from wheel housing and adjust bracket (2).

Fig 9: Adjusting Bracket

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Unfasten left/right screws (1).

Installation: 

Tightening Torque, 51 12 2AZ. Refer to 51 12 REAR BUMPER .

Fig 10: Adjusting Shock Absorber

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Insert special tool 51 1 130 on standard extension (1) through bore with reversible handle into shock absorber (2).

Fig 11: Installing Special Tool In Shock Absorber

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Height of bumper (in rear area) is now set by twisting socket head cap screw (1) in shock absorber (2).

Fig 12: Adjusting Special Tool

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