Got lucky at junk yard yesterday, got a front and rear euro bumpers. Did the rear today. I know that I could just have drilled two holes for the main bolts, but why not do something different? I used the factory US mounting plate and part of the shock absorber. I would call this a hybrid look since the upper (small) bumpers are going to stay US. The rubber piece used to fill the empty space between the bumper and chassis has been reduced in size and will remain.
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn209/mike_bmw88/photobucket-19608-1393797634825_zpsbef4f1ef.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/mike_bmw88/media/photobucket-19608-1393797634825_zpsbef4f1ef.jpg.html)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn209/mike_bmw88/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-02_14-30-09_385_zpspowxbbf1.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/mike_bmw88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-02_14-30-09_385_zpspowxbbf1.jpg.html)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn209/mike_bmw88/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-02_15-46-07_102_zpsok8ddc9h.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/mike_bmw88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-02_15-46-07_102_zpsok8ddc9h.jpg.html)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn209/mike_bmw88/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-02_17-31-29_144_zpszlsokyve.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/mike_bmw88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-02_17-31-29_144_zpszlsokyve.jpg.html)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn209/mike_bmw88/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-02_19-55-58_322_zpswc2vlgsz.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/mike_bmw88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-02_19-55-58_322_zpswc2vlgsz.jpg.html)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn209/mike_bmw88/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-03_01-46-21_260_zpss7zwgn6y.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/mike_bmw88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-03_01-46-21_260_zpss7zwgn6y.jpg.html)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn209/mike_bmw88/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-03_01-47-44_363_zpssl4bg6hh.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/mike_bmw88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-03_01-47-44_363_zpssl4bg6hh.jpg.html)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn209/mike_bmw88/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-03_01-47-20_152_zpsyepssao4.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/mike_bmw88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-03_01-47-20_152_zpsyepssao4.jpg.html)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn209/mike_bmw88/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-03_01-49-38_449_zpspacixcgz.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/mike_bmw88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-03_01-49-38_449_zpspacixcgz.jpg.html)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn209/mike_bmw88/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-03_01-50-51_104_zpsnewjepps.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/mike_bmw88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-03_01-50-51_104_zpsnewjepps.jpg.html)
not bad at all, cant wait to see how the front look, might try this myself, thanks for sharing
No problem, it was hard for me to find good visuals on the net so I decided to make a DIY of my own for other w116 owners. Just take your time and measure everything properly. The horizontal rubber trim has to be cut down to about half length. I have posted the front bumper installation on another thread here.
I forgot to mention, when you cut the shock absorber it's under oil pressure so wear proper PPE like z87 approved eye goggles, etc. I sugest cutting it with a thin metal cutting blade on a grinder and when you break through to aim the stream of oil away from your self. Just think safety when you attempt this.
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn209/mike_bmw88/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-05_15-51-22_267_zpswlozinwj.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/mike_bmw88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03-05_15-51-22_267_zpswlozinwj.jpg.html)
What is the difference between the Euro upper and USA upper bumper pieces?
Quote from: socalsean on 12 April 2014, 10:25 PM
What is the difference between the Euro upper and USA upper bumper pieces?
Nothing on the rear pieces. On the fronts, the Euro upper bumper pieces have a tab on the bottom that allows them to attach to the bumper itself. On the US models, they have a nut welded to the inside of the upper bumper pieces because they attach to the fender instead of the bumper.
I once thought that the Euro cars had pointer rubber trim, while the US cars used rounded trim. But, now I am thinking that it's more due to year of manufacture (1972-1977-ish use pointed trim, 1978-1980 use round trim).
The euro upper rears are a few millimeters closer to the body and have more rubber, less chrome. The fronts are also more square at the bend (corner)
Quote from: 78w116300sd on 15 April 2014, 12:54 AM
The euro upper rears are a few millimeters closer to the body and have more rubber, less chrome. The fronts are also more square at the bend (corner)
Really? I am looking at some upper rears and don't seen any difference at all between the Euro and USA.
I noticed those things on a euro '73 model at pick n pull. Maybe other years were different?
I know they used a pointy style upper bumper rubber molding from 1972-about 1977. After then, they used a rounder profile molding. I think the metal is the same, and both types of rubber fit on them.
I have a '79 450 SEL under restoration, and I'm very curious about a complete front and rear bumper swap, Euro for US. I've heard that the parts and labor could run as much as $10,000, and I'm not handy nor can I weld, so I'm either going to have to pass or have it done by a pro shop. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
Jim, there are as many methods to do the conversion as there are people. This conversion thread seems to describe the simplest and likely cheapest approach.
Start the search now, and take as long as necessary to find a good clean set of Euro bumpers - that is where you'll really spend $ if you aren't patient
I've found that Euro W116 bumpers are a hard sale... I've sold at least 3 nice sets of these and have lost money on every single one, not to mention the hassle they are to ship. They usually cost me about $175 at the wrecking yards for a complete set, and then after setting on eBay and W116.org for months on end, I usually end up giving them away for what I paid for them and then lose money on the shipping (not to mention my time). I guess timing is everything, because only a few days after I gave away the last set I had, someone contacted me wanting to buy a set.
Hey 300SD, I'm in Vallejo. I've several pieces of Euro bumpers, probably enough for complete front set if you or anyone in Bay Area needs them and they're free.