Bumper carrier height adjustment?? SOLVED!

[StudioWizard]

Hey all

It was pointed out to me in another thread by someone who saw pictures I posted that my bumper carrier bar is sitting about 3 inches too high. Mine is a 2005 2.5i or si.

Is there a way to adjust the height of the carrier bar? I don't believe the car has been in an accident, but it is odd that the carrier bar is sitting high. You can see it through the kidney grills. It shouldn't be visible at all. It should be lower than the grills and flush with the bottom of the grill mount area.

Any suggestions?

[Zedebee]

Picture in this link, right?
viewtopic.php?p=1999244#p1999244

It definitely isn’t right, and together with some other things you have found wrong with the car suggests that you might have an unpleasant surprise when you take the front bumper off. You won’t know until you take it off, but I suspect that the car has suffered a front end impact at some point and been bodged; or someone has attempted to modify the front end and bodged it.

[StudioWizard]

Yes, that's the picture. What kind of unpleasant surprise do you think might occur?

The other issues I've had that might seem related to the front end have to do with the headlights, which were replaced; the brights not going on in constant mode, etc. That issue is possibly about to be fixed as the rain/light sensor attachment is bubbled up. I have a replacement part for that which I may install today.

The drivability of the car is basically perfect - there doesn't seem to be any type of handling, suspension or alignment issue going on... What else might there be?

[Zedebee]

You won’t know until you get that front bumper off. It’s a fairly easy job, although it helps to have an extra pair of hands.
Great photos from Patriot66 for comparison.

[patriot66]

Get that bumper off ! It's a ten minute job. A little easier to do and work on if the car is raised on axle stands/ramps. I am fairly certain you will find the front bumper has had a light'ish bump or slow impact which has damaged the grille surrounds and bent the aluminium carrier in/up. Hopefully you will only require a new carrier and polystyrene shock absorber.

[StudioWizard]

OK, I'll get that bumper cover off. I've been slightly afraid to take it off because I know they previous owner used some non OEM screws to attach it in the wheel wells. But fear be damned!!! OFF WITH THAT BUMPER NOW!!

I'll shoot some pix when I get it done.

[patriot66]

[StudioWizard]

I took the car to a body shop I trust. They popped the bumper off and everything looks normal. The guy said it doesn't appear there was even a minor accident. Also, it's not possible to install the carrier upside down.... that was one possible explanation now ruled out.

OTOH, the bumper cover has some issues. It doesn't fit fully flush as it should and somebody used zip ties to compensate for broken tabs on both top corners. There are also several broken tabs on the bottom, plus part of the bottom shield is getting quite frayed, but offering enough protection, for now, according to the tech. I may replace the bumper cover, but that's somewhat down on the priority list since it's functional.

So, the mystery continues. I may have to go to a BMW dealer to really know.

[StudioWizard]

UPDATE:
The bumper carrier on my car is EXACTLY where it's supposed to be. I've seen quite a lot of 2005 Z4s since I posted this and they all have the bumper carrier in the same spot mine is located. Maybe in later years, BMW moved that carrier bar down to be "hidden". Mine is painted black s so you really don't see it. However, if there are scuffs from debris like pebbles, tiny pieces of glass or other flying objects flying up to hit the bar from the highway, it will be seen. I'm going to put a new coat of flat black paint on it next time it goes to the body shop. That should take care of it. Btw, it's headed to the body shop in a few days as I got hit by a big pick up track on the back left quarter panel.