V-CSL Bumper DIY

By

Daytonaviolet

 

 

 

 

This is a step by step DIY for installing the Vorsteiner bumper.  This install will require some patience as well as some minor dremel work.  Here is a list of tools and new parts which you will need to install your V-CSL bumper.

 

 

Tools:

  1. Allen wrench set
  2. Philips screwdriver
  3. Dremel kit
  4. Sockets and rachet
  5. Two part epoxy

 

Parts:

qyt1 CARRIER 8 KM/H = 5 MPH 1 11/2001 51118195300 $130.84

qyt1 SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT LEFT 8 KM/H = 5 MPH 1 11/2001 51118195301 $75.61

qyt1 SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT RIGHT 8 KM/H = 5 MPH 1 11/2001 51118195302 $75.61

qyt2 ASA-BOLT 2 51117007219 $2

qyt1 WINDSHIELD CLEANING CONTAINER 1 09/2001 61677892702 $62.78 (this is for cars without headlight washers)

qyt1 WINDSHIELD CLEANING CONTAINER 1 09/2001 61677892700 $62.78 (this is for cars with headlight washers)

qyt1 VALVE F WINDSHIELD CLEANING 1 61668361370 $16.85

qyt1 RUBBER GROMMET 1 61311369343 $2.57

qyt1 GRILLE,AIR INLET LEFT 1 51117895883 $7.04

qyt3 BODY NUT  3  09/2001 07129901662

qyt2 HEX HEAD SCREW ST4,8X19-C-Z2 2   07119916949 $0.22

 

 

Let’s begin.  First remove your oem bumper.  We need to find out what bumper style your M3 has.  There are two style of bumper methods for the E46 M3.  The first style was the aluminum carrier method.  It uses the identical carrier 51118195300, shock absorbers 51118195301 /  51118195302  and ASA bolts 51117007219 listed in the parts list  This method was used from 2001 to 2002+.  The second style was the kevlar carrier method which was used from 2002+ to present day.  To find out which bumper style you have, do the following steps to find out.

 

  1. open front hood
  2. find the area between the two headlights on the top of the bumper
  3. reach down and lift the bumper cover near the rubber molding
  4. as you lift up on the bumper cover, you’ll either see an aluminum carrier or a Kevlar bar.

 

Depending on which bumper style you have, please proceed only to that section of the DIY. 

 

 

 

 

Bumper removeal Part1: This applies for both bumper styles.

 

Remove the 2 screws on each side of the fender liner closest to the bumper.  These 2 screws hold the fender liner to the car.  Do the same on the other side of the car.

 

 

Remove the 3 screws on the passenger side bottom portion of the bumper.

 

 

Remove the 2 screws on the driver side bottom portion of the bumper.

 

Also remove the fog rings and fog lights.  Fog rings can be removed by pulling on the most inner tabs.  Fog lights can be removed by remove the one screw.

 

 

 

 

Bumper Removal Part2:  This is only for Kevlar style bumpers (2002+  to current)

 

Now that you have removed all the screws, fog rings and fog lights.  We can simply just pull the bumper straight out.  The Kevlar style bumper is held on by 4 metal ball style studs.  These studs attached themselves  to the bumper via 4 rubber suction cups.  Its best to have two people pull on each side of the bumper.  Firmly grab old of the edge of the bumper and fog light openings.  I’ve high lighted the areas in yellow where you should place your hands to pull the bumper off.   Now pull very very hard.

 

 

Bumper off exposing Kevlar bumper bar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bumper removal Part3:  This is only for aluminum carrier style (2001 to 2002)

 

The bumper below was removed by releasing the 2 ASA bolts.  The circled areas is where you need to remove the ASA bolts.  You can use a standard 10mm socket to remove this.

 

 

 

Look under the bumper and you’ll see 2 holes.  On each side of the bumper, the ASA bolts go up into the aluminum carrier.  Remove them now.  After removing the bumper, rip the oem bumper off the metal carrier.  We will re-use the aluminum carrier, bumper shocks and ASA bolts.

 

 

 

 

 

Installing the bumper shocks, and aluminum carrier Part 4 :  (if the car already has aluminum carrier 2001-2002, skip this part)

 

Install both the left and right bumper shocks (SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT LEFT/RIGHT).   You will use the same bolts which held on the Kevlar bar.  Use the 2 guide screws first, then install the 3 bigger nuts.

 

 

Driver side bumper shock installed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The threads in the bumper shocks are adjustable.  Adjust the bottom of the bumper shock with an allen wrench to about 5.5mm – 6.5mm.  This adjustment will determine the gap size between the bumper and the bottom of the headlights.  Adjust both sides of the bumper shock equally.

 

Now mount the new WINDSHIELD CLEANING CONTAINER onto the aluminum carrier.   (if your car already has the aluminum carrier, the WINDSHIELD CLEANING CONTAINER is already on the aluminum carrier.  Just rip the aluminum carrier off the oem m3 bumper).  Now mount the aluminum carrier onto the bumper shocks.  Secure the aluminum carrier with the ASA-BOLTs.

 

 

 

 

V-CSL Internals Part 5 :

 

The back sides of the v-csl bumper is complete bare.  We need to glue the side internals to the back side of the bumper.  The placement of the internals should be as close as possible to the back of the bumper.  This will insure proper fender liners later.

 

 

 

You can use any type of 2 part epoxy.  Simply apply glue to the back of the v-csl bumper and the side internals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can re-use the oem internal pins to secure the bottoms of the side internals.

 

 

 

Now glue on the csl intake grille and clip on the center grille.  Tie raps can be used to fully secure the grille tabs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modifying Side Rails Part 6 :

 

This section will allow the v-csl bumper more adjustment.  By modifying the side rails, the bumper will now be able to move slightly up, down, left and right.  The side rails has 2 holes which we will widen slightly.  First install your bumper and determine how much  adjustment your bumper will require.  The openings of the side rails should be widened to allow further bumper adjustment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Installing  and Securing the v-csl bumper Part7 :

 

At this point, we are ready to install the v-csl bumper over the aluminum carrier.  Slide the v-csl bumper over the bumper bar.  You may need to install and remove the v-csl  bumper several times before you get proper alignment.  You may want to re-install the headlight eyebrows temporarily to view the gap between the bumper and the bottom of the headlight eyebrows.  If the area under the headlights are too low.. you may have to adjust the bumper shocks.  If the sides of the bumper sags too much, remove the bumper and raise the side rails.  Sometimes it may be easier to raise the side rails with the bumper completely off.  This process may take several attempts.. so be patient.

 

 

Now secure the sides of the bumper with a screw.  Even thou  the bottom screws will be re –used, its best to also secure the sides.  Drive a screw from the side of the rails to the internals of the v-csl bumper like this.  This will prevent the bumper from moving forward and backwards.  It may be also easier to pre drill holes on the side rails before putting them back on the car.

 

 

 

 

The side view of the bumper should line up like this.  The lines of the bumper should flow with the fenders.