Just a quick front bumper swap to M Sport one

[DuSh]

Had front M Sport bumper laying for a couple months and decided to do it today on the Home Depot parking lot. For those looking to swap non M Sport to M sport - it can be done without any extra parts, but if you go by the book you'll need 2 air ducts for M Sport (they are a bit different), but I did it without them. Just managed to use old air ducts.
Fog LEDs, front view camera and 4 parking sensors are just plug-n-play - you unclip them from old bumper and clip to a new one.
So total it's 5 torx bolts on top, 2 torx at the connection to fender at sides and 8 bolts from below the bumper. I spent 2 hours, but as usual if I had to do it again - I would do it in 20min.

The bottom portion of M Sport bumper still needs 4 bolts - that's why it's sticking out a bit. I'm going to fix that soon, just ran out of time - had to do other things.

It's indeed looking a lot better in person (don't pay attention to dirt - bumper was sitting on balcony and AZ storms covered it with dust) when you have M Sport. For everyone on the fence I highly recommend it.

[turboawd]

Nice shop!

[yewlock]

Nice job well done.

[Mr.47]

Im thinking of doing the same thing do a M-sport total swap, However mine been a Sophisto gray (A90 paint) which M sport didnt come with its gonna be $$$ to get that repainted...and hoping it comes out right.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Mr.47

Im thinking of doing the same thing do a M-sport total swap, However mine been a Sophisto gray (A90 paint) which M sport didnt come with its gonna be $$$ to get that repainted...and hoping it comes out right.

Yeah man, it's a hard color to match. Hopefully fingers crossed it's going to look amazing. I was lucky to buy a used M Sport set already painted my AW color. If it wasn't for that - I would have probably never done M Sport conversion - just due to $$$ required to do it right. I did both bumpers and next step will be side skirts (but I need supports for them and they are $100 each - for the plastic part that no one will even ever see). Then aero kit on top of that for m sport. It just never ends

[yewlock]

Front lip will be your next priority to make it looks more handsome.

[daytonaviolet]

nice job any side/front sides?

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by daytonaviolet

nice job any side/front sides?

Thank you. I'll try to snap a pic.

[daytonaviolet]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Thank you. I'll try to snap a pic.

wanted to see how the msport bumper looks without the fender flares. perhaps that will be your next mod

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by daytonaviolet

wanted to see how the msport bumper looks without the fender flares. perhaps that will be your next mod

I have fender flairs - did them a month ago. I have a running board and it does look weird with M Sport bumpers.

[X5Guy]

You did the bumper swap in a shopping center parking lot?

[daytonaviolet]

Originally Posted by DuSh

I have fender flairs - did them a month ago. I have a running board and it does look weird with M Sport bumpers.

ohh nice.... let's see them

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by X5Guy

You did the bumper swap in a shopping center parking lot?

Yep. I made sure to be on far end of parking lot to not bother anyone. Front bumper cover fits into x5 and I drove to nearest Home Depot - just in case I'll need some tool or fastener.

The thing is people think it's hard or is a huge task. The reality is that it's a bumper cover (btw it's very light - you can hold it with 1 hand - probably 10-15lbs or so) that attaches to the car with 9 torx bolts and 8 regular bolts. Only 4 of those are hard to reach, others are very easy to undo. After that it's just careful pulling cover off and disconnecting sensors. All sensors and camera are just clip on/off type of thing - very easy to disconnect. Fog LEDs have 2 bolts each. Everything is relatively easy-ish, except when you are doing it first time - it's still a challenge, but halfway into it you realize it's very doable.
Tools required are a torx set and 10mm socket (if I'm not mistaken) - that's all you need. Well you can also use a plastic prier tool to remove couple fender flair rivets (or just regular flathead screwdriver can do that job also).
But most importantly it's a mod bug that was giving me motivation lol. I'm sure as a lazy person I would have never even thought to accomplish something like that if not for urge to mod.

[daytonaviolet]

Originally Posted by DuSh

But most importantly it's a mod bug that was giving me motivation lol. I'm sure as a lazy person I would have never even thought to accomplish something like that if not for urge to mod.

i hear this bug is contagious

[P1]

I personally would have done this at a Neiman Marcus. With a hidden camera, naturally.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by P1et

I personally would have done this at a Neiman Marcus. With a hidden camera, naturally.

Well, I was at the very end of parking lot, and I always keep space around me clean and tidy, but I still got couple folks driving by thinking I was crazy dude destroying a nice BMW SAV. There was a 18 wheeler truck dude chilling in his truck near me and I think he had a nice free 2hr show of how to convert non M Sport x5 to M Sport one. It was either me or just looking at the boring scenery. I think he was entertained. I think he can't complain.

[Kzang]

Actually doing it at home depot is brilliant... just in case you need a tool or missing fasteners.. Now doing it at Advanced Auto Parts or Autozone would have been pure genius Looks good Dush, but I would definitely remove the side running boards and add the proper Msport skirts.

[covertstyle]

Awesome DIY job, DuSh!! How difficult was it to pull out the bumper? Clips involved?

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Actually doing it at home depot is brilliant... just in case you need a tool or missing fasteners.. Now doing it at Advanced Auto Parts or Autozone would have been pure genius Looks good Dush, but I would definitely remove the side running boards and add the proper Msport skirts.

Yep. That's what i'm planning to do next. Already have side skirts and just looking for support trim that goes under side skirt.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by covertstyle

Awesome DIY job, DuSh!! How difficult was it to pull out the bumper? Clips involved?

So there are 5 torx bolts on top - they are very easy to remove. 8 regular bolts on bottom - they are very easy too, just need to bend/sit to undo them. The only hard to reach torx bolts were 2 torx bolts on each side - where bumper cover meets fender. Spent most of time trying to reach them. Once they are removed - it's very very easy to pull bumper cover off. There are couple clips under each headlight, but they are not your regular hard to pull out clips or anything. A slight pull and cover comes off.
Then it's just matter of unclipping all sensors and camera carefully and bumper cover is completely off. Once it's off - you can easily remove fog LEDs (each is held by 2 torx bolts). Also, once cover is off - it's very easy to do any trim adjustment or some other things like installing a multi-horn (as stock horn is exposed right there). It's also a good time to clean radiators if needed from dirt etc. Also, both radiators (main and extra one for 50i) are exposed with their hoses - so probably a good time to easily flush coolant if needed.
BTW parking sensors are plug n play, but 2 side sensors have a bit different socket angle for M Sport, so I had to improvise to clip them on (non m sport sensors have longer wiring clip that gets in the way).

[DuSh]

Running boards have to go.

[DuSh]

Just iPhone pic