E36 M3 Evo Front Bumper Stolen

[skibum]

Just had a call from one of my mates and he has awoken to a car with no Front Bumper. Someone has carefully unbolted the whole assembly (bumper, Fogs etc..) without setting off the alarm. The car has been parked up for about a week as he was looking to sell following the arrival of his company car so it sounds to me as if someone has done their homework on this and it seems obvious the part was stolen to order.

Anyone have any advice?

If anyone is offered an M3 Evo front bumper in Techno Violet in the Maidenhead area, I'd appreciate a shout.

Thanks for your time

Rich

[Raify]

This sounds rife. Same thing happened to a friend of mine in Kent last month. They very carefully removed both front and rear, leaving all the connections and wires intact. A professional job.

[skibum]

Yep - its a royal pain in the backside. Apart from having to either claim on the insurance or dip into his own pocket for a new one, he was trying to sell it. So its put a couple of weeks delay on that as well.

[Raify]

Are these bumpers as rare as rocking horse sh1t then? When my friends car went in for repair, they initially wanted to write it off (a ~£8k car) because they couldn't find the parts... I presume that they're being stolen to order, as it's such a careful removal.

[skibum]

No idea. But since he's had it, he's also had the M3 Side strips removed and that cost upwards of £250 to replace. he just wants rid of the car as it is eating Money (new Vanos unit replaced - not under warranty )

[scared but happy]

This problem is getting quite common. I even posted a thread about it

www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=243068

[The Dude]

Happened to me several yes ago when I had my E36 M3. Woke up one morning to find the whole of the front had disappeared. It is ridiculously easy to remove though - I think the whole thing is held on with only a couple of bolts. When I had it replaced I had the bolt heads ground so you couldn't get a spanner on them - wouldn't stop someone who was really determined but for your average pikey with a pocket of spanners it would slow them down.

One of the local copppers told me, and I don't know if it's true, that the kit fitted perfectly on older Golf GTIs so it might not necessarily be a BMW that it's been nicked for.

[phatgixer]

This aggression will not stand, man.

[The Dude]

phatgixer said:

This aggression will not stand, man.

Angus? You brought a Pomeranian bowling?

[Raify]

The Dude said:

phatgixer said: This aggression will not stand, man. Angus? You brought a Pomeranian bowling?

Relax Dude. He didn't rent it shoes, it's not taking your fing turn!

[phatgixer]

Was it near the In 'n' out burger?

[Raify]

phatgixer said:

Was it near the In 'n' out burger?

Shut the fk up Donnie! You're completely out of your league!

[phatgixer]

All the Dude ever wanted was his rug back, it really tied the room together.....

[The Dude]

phatgixer said:

All the Dude ever wanted was his rug back, it really tied the room together.....

in' A...

[Zod]

Oh no! The Dude and Angus are at it here too! This could go on for days until tehy've recited the entire script!

[Raify]

This is what you need. (although I'm sure it's a repost )
Big Lebowski random quote generator

[andysv]

yep had my 330 sport front nicked last week, on the drive, left all the bolts behind, lucky i have a touring or the rear would be gone too, bill must be over a grand for dealer to rectify. gutted. i'm looking at a different bolts to lock it on. a mate had set after set of m3 mirrors nicked, ended up selling the car.

[Raify]

Phew, back on topic!

Is there a roaring trade for these bumpers on Ebay then? I just don't understand why it seems to be this particular model that's being targeted...

[The Dude]

Zod said:

Oh no! The Dude and Angus are at it here too! This could go on for days until tehy've recited the entire script!

Yeah well, that's just you know, like, your opinion man...

(He started it!)

[dick dastardly]

Same thing happened to my E36 M3 front bumper last year and they took the back one also. The job (parts along with fitting and spraying) cost almost £1K to fix.

Tell your mate to get the replacements from eBay and make sure they're the official parts. BMW want extortionate money for them and the 'replica' ones don't fit, as I found out.