What should I do behind the bumper?

[skmattwell]

The bumper is coming off this weekend so I can fix the wing clips and clean the headlights. Given how much of a PITA it was to get all the clips off, I can't see it coming off for a while afterwards. Any recommendations of what else I could do while it's off? (ie painting the bars behind the grill, it's tempting)

[colb]

Makes sense to tart the bits up that you won't be able to get to with the bumper back on.

[davidmudley12]

I found the engine splash guards in a rotten state, worth fitting new ones (expensive at £80 each side) or doing some sort of repair).

If you have the facelift model it’s worth taking the fog lights it too and drying them out, they’re notorious for moisture getting inside.

[oldgitdave]

As above my splash guards were in a sorry state, cracked & bits missing, very expensive new though. It is possible to repair them & there are a couple of threads on here about it. With luck both yours will be OK.
I found only one of the horns were working so I replaced both of those whilst the bumper was off. Worth checking perhaps?
I didn't have any issues getting mine off or back on again. Have fun

[davidmudley12]

As above my splash guards were in a sorry state, cracked & bits missing, very expensive new though. It is possible to repair them & there are a couple of threads on here about it. With luck both yours will be OK.
I found only one of the horns were working so I replaced both of those whilst the bumper was off. Worth checking perhaps?
I didn't have any issues getting mine off or back on again. Have fun

Good point about the horn, I found that one of mine had the wires severed from the horn, which I’m guessing happened by part of the broken splash guard.

[patriot66]

I have recently had the front bumper off my car whilst looking for a wiring fault. I took the opportunity to give everything a good clean and on the reverse of the bumper also.
The wheel arch liners with their access panels to get at the back of the headlights and foglights/horn are absolutely useless letting sand and mud in behind the lights and running down and gathering on the flat panel under the horn. I bought some 3mm plain rubber matting on Ebay, cut it to shape after making a template from cardboard and cable tied it in position on the reverse side of the wheel arch liners immediately behind the headlights etc. If any muck gets through now I'd be amazed. Also drilled a few strategically placed 5mm holes to aid water egress from under the horns etc.
Access to the headlights now for bulb changing etc will have to be from above by removing the washer reservoir (one 10mm bolt) on the offside with fortunately nothing in the way on the reverse of the nearside headlight. It's also much quicker and easier than going through the silly arch access panels

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[Bunnyboileravoider]

I have recently had the front bumper off my car whilst looking for a wiring fault. I took the opportunity to give everything a good clean and on the reverse of the bumper also.
The wheel arch liners with their access panels to get at the back of the headlights and foglights/horn are absolutely useless letting sand and mud in behind the lights and running down and gathering on the flat panel under the horn. I bought some 3mm plain rubber matting on Ebay, cut it to shape after making a template from cardboard and cable tied it in position on the reverse side of the wheel arch liners immediately behind the headlights etc. If any muck gets through now I'd be amazed. Also drilled a few strategically placed 5mm holes to aid water egress from under the horns etc.
Access to the headlights now for bulb changing etc will have to be from above by removing the washer reservoir (one 10mm bolt) on the offside with fortunately nothing in the way on the reverse of the nearside headlight. It's also much quicker and easier than going through the silly arch access panels 20210313_143704.jpg20210321_173709~2.jpg20210324_183923.jpg

Bloody smart. I like it

Edit: ***addition*** Just put a GoPro behind mine and it’s hysterical as a PoV (I’m going on a solo adventure). Not a sexy install TBH; fixed with brutality and minimal decorum. But it’s now remote controllable from iPhone, and rechargeable without removal

[bigwinn]

I have recently had the front bumper off my car whilst looking for a wiring fault. I took the opportunity to give everything a good clean and on the reverse of the bumper also.
The wheel arch liners with their access panels to get at the back of the headlights and foglights/horn are absolutely useless letting sand and mud in behind the lights and running down and gathering on the flat panel under the horn. I bought some 3mm plain rubber matting on Ebay, cut it to shape after making a template from cardboard and cable tied it in position on the reverse side of the wheel arch liners immediately behind the headlights etc. If any muck gets through now I'd be amazed. Also drilled a few strategically placed 5mm holes to aid water egress from under the horns etc.
Access to the headlights now for bulb changing etc will have to be from above by removing the washer reservoir (one 10mm bolt) on the offside with fortunately nothing in the way on the reverse of the nearside headlight. It's also much quicker and easier than going through the silly arch access panels 20210313_143704.jpg20210321_173709~2.jpg20210324_183923.jpg

That’s inspired Si- great job!

I was disappointed to see the state of mine when I sorted the headlights- what was evident was how brittle the plastic and rubber was after 18 years

I considered replacing the damaged bits but saw the price from bmw

Decided against it!