Just as the title. I have OEM PDC on my rear bumper and it has had a bump so I want to change it. I’ve spotted a non PDC bumper in the right colour and in good condition. I was thinking of drilling it using my current bumper as a template and installing the PDC to it securing the mountings with adhesive. I don’t see why this wouldn’t look OEM but wondered if anyone had tried it with any success.
Installing OEM PDC to a non-PDC bumper
- Thread starter Any1else
- Start date
Coventry
I've had one of my mounting come off and successfully adhesed it back on with epoxy resin.
Also done similar with the clips under the scuttle panel.
Also done similar with the clips under the scuttle panel.
It will not look exactly OEM as the holes are indented, not just drilled through. There is no item for the 4 sensor holders in the parts catalogue, but you can reuse yours. Unlike newer cars where there is only one bumper version and the holes are drilled at the repair shop and holders glued onto skin, the Z4 bumpers have different numbers for PDC and without it. Logistically, is a nightmare for BMW to store this rather bulky item in both versions when it could be solved with a single item.
Or they learned in the meantime
Or they learned in the meantime
Yes, I noticed the bevels on the sensor holes on my bumper. Might just hold off and keep a lookout for a PDC bumper. Thanks for the comments.It will not look exactly OEM as the holes are indented, not just drilled through. There is no item for the 4 sensor holders in the parts catalogue, but you can reuse yours. Unlike newer cars where there is only one bumper version and the holes are drilled at the repair shop and holders glued onto skin, the Z4 bumpers have different numbers for PDC and without it. Logistically, is a nightmare for BMW to store this rather bulky item in both versions when it could be solved with a single item.
Or they learned in the meantime
When you say bevelled, to you mean the slight angle the PDC brackets provide?
I assume the 4 sensor holder are the brackets to which your refer.
Yes, those brackets are not sold separately as spare parts, they come already attached to the bumper. The outer hole is larger and the bracket gets also painted to form that bevel. Those sold on AliEx didn’t look exactly the same, so bought a PDC bumper for my retrofit in the end.
After around 2008 BMW switched on all car series to different brackets and smaller diameter sensors that sit flush with the bumper skin. Our Z4s didn’t get that improvement.
@Any1else You do not have that problem since you have your old brackets you can reuse. Only thing you have to pay attention to is that you will have to precisely work out the hole and paint the „side“ of the hole (black plastic bumper skin thickness) since it is visible. And I am not sure the hole locations are marked on the inside, but you have reference for measures on the old one.
After around 2008 BMW switched on all car series to different brackets and smaller diameter sensors that sit flush with the bumper skin. Our Z4s didn’t get that improvement.
@Any1else You do not have that problem since you have your old brackets you can reuse. Only thing you have to pay attention to is that you will have to precisely work out the hole and paint the „side“ of the hole (black plastic bumper skin thickness) since it is visible. And I am not sure the hole locations are marked on the inside, but you have reference for measures on the old one.
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Thanks Cv6benplus - just to clarify then, on the image below the bumper is the green dot and the sensor is orange, I assume from your photos that the purple area is the mounting bracket that fixes to the rear of the bumper. If I drill a non-PDC bumper and fit my existing brackets, the only bit I would need to touch up would be the red line?
Maybe not as "non OEM" as it might appear. Might just be a harder edge to the outside of the red line.
Yes, I would agree with your theory.
I'd also take an accurate measurement of the diameter of the purple so as not to drill a too larger hole. Then maybe perfect the final hole with an appropriate abrasive material around a suitably sized piece of dowel or rod.
Perfect - thanks.
Any thoughts on what glue I could use to bond my brackets to the bumper once drilled? Tiger seal?
Use epoxy resin. It's a 2 part adhesive, one tube compound the other tube is hardener.
A pea size of each tube mixed will do 1 bracket. This stuff
