Adjusting fit of M Sport rear bumper cover on an e39

Apologies for a basic question from a newbie, but I am struggling to adjust the fit of the M Sport rear bumper cover on my "new" 2003 e39. I can push it in to position but can not get it to stay in position.


It looks like the previous owner had some low impact to the bumper cover. The front right hand edge sits out from the body (and possibly a millimetre low of correct position... but that doesnt worry me). I'd just like to cosmetically get it to stay back in line with the metal body. I can push it in to position but can not get it to stay in position.

I have tried to figure out the fixings but remain baffled ! Photos attached. There are no marks on the bumper cover and the fit of the cover looks good around the rest of the car.



Any hints ??

I dont know the answer but here are some hints

http://realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?mo...id=47588&hg=51

http://realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?mo...id=47588&hg=41


You might have broken clips. My front was like that and i made the dealership fix it befote i bought it

Thanks, I'd found that and been poking around the car but still can't figure it out. Has anyone managed to fix similar problem or know how to ?

By the images, are you trying to make the bumper cover aligned with the fender? If so, pull on the fender & problem solved

I am not understanding your question

You mentioned that previous owner had some low impact to the bumper cover,Properly the damage is on the "inner body(behind the bumper)" where the bumper mount is attached to, so those mount are mis-aligned and created the gap, take the bumper off and see how it looks behind the bumper.

Thanks Roman / Ed,

I mam indeed trying to make the bumper cover aligned with the metal fender. I am indeed worried that there might be a very slight bend to a bracket or a broken clip possibly as a result of a possible low spped impact prior to me owning the car. The previous owner said he noticed it on returning to the car in a car park. I have thought of removing the whole bumper cover to examine for a bent bracket, but am worried about learning how to do this and then messing up the refit. I was hoping to just pop soething back in to place or get advice to be brave and use enough force in the correct place to bend back any underlying bracket.

Question 1. I am indeed "trying to make the bumper cover aligned with the METAL fender". I can indeed pull it in to place but the plastic pumper cover then springs back out of place. I am being cautious about too much pressure on the fender or bumper cover. Should use more force and will the plastic lip of the bumper cover then click in place behind the metal fender ?? sHound I use force on the cover over the site of an underlying bracket and bend the bracket back ??

Question 2. I have thought of taking the whole bumper cover off. From reading the site: Does this involve releasing the six nuts internal in the boot / trunk ... three on each side below rear light clusters ? Is it that easy to release... or am I going to end up with more problems that i have now ??