ZephyrAMG

For those who have removed or replaced front and rear bumpers...how are they held on? Are they pretty secure?!...had a bump and heard a loud tick and want to make sure that its ok...

Are they stabilized and attached with tabs? Can they take some abuse or are they pretty delicate?

Mort

The front is held on by 8 small bolts. They are pretty delicate. The strength is in the aluminum bumper and frame underneath. They have some Styrofoam padding underneath that will take a light crush.

_AMG_

I removed my rear bumper to instal the diffuser and its pretty solid.

Helms

Both the front and rear bumpers are held by screws and they are there to stay unless they need to be removed for one reason or another, they can definitely take light abuse.

ZephyrAMG

Cool. Thanks. I have yet to place another rear diffuser, but in washing the rear and front bumper there is a lot of flexure.

I only wish that MB could make the joining panel lines more flush with less gap.

Mort

The panel lines between the bumpers and body panels are not the best and kind of bug me too. It is the material they use in the bumper covers that causes the problem. Kind of a shame but if you want contoured and rounded shapes the plastic covers add lots of flexibility to the body design. These molded covers are probably the way to go but the joining lines do leave a little to be desired.

jvanbrecht

The reason they are like they are, is that all bumpers need to be able to sustain a 5mph hit and not be destroyed (paint chipping aside) or heavily damaged.

As what was said above, the real strength is behind the bumpers, and the crumple zones around the car. The outer shell is just for looks

ZephyrAMG

Yeah I know...I agree. I see better panel lines and seems in Lexus and Nissan.
I have seen so many gaps and ill fitting margins that doesn't make the car look "clean" and well put together.