Rear Bumper: Service and Repair

51 12 000 Removing And Installing Complete Rear Bumper (Z3 Roadster, M Roadster, Z3 Coupe, M Coupe)

Remove spare wheel, refer to Owner's Handbook.
Remove and install rear wheel housing cover, left and right.

Z3 roadster only:
Unclip lamps (1) from license plate lighting on broad rib. Unfasten connector and remove license plate lighting.

M roadster only:
Release lamp (1) of license plate lighting towards rear and lift out upward. Unfasten connector and remove license plate lighting.

Unscrew bolts (1).

Installation:
2AZ Bumper / carrier to impact absorber
M10 42 Nm
Note: Install bolts with bolt cement.

Z3 roadster with 4-cylinder engines only:
Unfasten expanding rivet (1) in left/right wheel housing.

6-cylinder engines only:
Push bumper (1) forwards until clips (2) are located in assembly opening.

6-cylinder engines only:
Press bumper (1) downwards/towards rear until clips (2) are out of assembly opening (3).

Carefully press bumper (1) from wheel housing over tail lights (2) on left/right (risk of damage to tail light rubber) and remove bumper (1) towards rear.

6-cylinder engines only:
If necessary, replace defective clips (1).

Adjust bumper:
Ideal setting (dimension):
Transition (A) should be flush on left/right side.
(B) 5.5 mm (tolerance + 0.5/-1 mm)
(C) 1 mm (tolerance + 1.5/-0 mm)
(D) 5 mm (tolerance + 0.5/-1 mm)

Loosen nut (1) from wheel housing and adjust bracket (2).

NOTE: Adjustment at shock absorber is also possible with bumper installed if spare wheel is removed (remove spare wheel, refer to Owner's Handbook).

Unfasten left/right screws (1).

Installation:
2AZ Bumper / carrier to impact absorber
M10 42 Nm
Note: Install bolts with bolt cement.

Insert special tool 51 1 130 on standard extension (1) through bore with reversible handle into shock absorber (2).

Height of bumper (in rear area) is now set by twisting socket head cap screw (1) in shock absorber (2).

NOTE: Adjustment only possible when bumper is fitted using special tool 51 1 130.