Ready for Summer!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
From: Bristol, CT
06 S211 E500 4Matic
Ready for Summer!
I took a chunk of ice this past winter from an 18 wheeler on the highway. While the damage could have been much worse, I still needed a new bumper, fog lamp (clips broke off on the housing), and a fender liner.
While in the process of painting the bumper/finding a fog lamp, my passenger side brake caliper locked up (163,100 miles). How did I know it was the brake caliper? The car began vibrating almost like lug bolts were loose and well.... there was smoke coming from the brake pads once I stopped. Measured the temperature on all four rotors and the one that was smoking was at 759 degrees F
. It had nice burn marks on it too. Once I took off the caliper, I believe the lower piston did not want to depress at all. This gave me a perfect excuse to go with drilled Zimmerman rotors and Akebono Euro pads.
Ice Damage:
New Bumper and clear side markers:
That's how she sits with 163,400 miles (oh, and no more ugly front plate):
If anyone needs tips on how to remove the bumper, I am kind of a pro as I had to do it twice. Long story... Also, the bleeding procedure was pretty involving and replacing the calipers required disabling SBC.
While in the process of painting the bumper/finding a fog lamp, my passenger side brake caliper locked up (163,100 miles). How did I know it was the brake caliper? The car began vibrating almost like lug bolts were loose and well.... there was smoke coming from the brake pads once I stopped. Measured the temperature on all four rotors and the one that was smoking was at 759 degrees F
. It had nice burn marks on it too. Once I took off the caliper, I believe the lower piston did not want to depress at all. This gave me a perfect excuse to go with drilled Zimmerman rotors and Akebono Euro pads. Ice Damage:
New Bumper and clear side markers:
That's how she sits with 163,400 miles (oh, and no more ugly front plate):
If anyone needs tips on how to remove the bumper, I am kind of a pro as I had to do it twice. Long story... Also, the bleeding procedure was pretty involving and replacing the calipers required disabling SBC.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 16
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Looks good man! Both of the above are pretty well covered in the forum but glad you were able to get everything replaced and without those ugly plate holes, I really wish they didn't drill into my bumper like they did. Consider yourself lucky.
She's a beauty, drive her a lot this summer!
She's a beauty, drive her a lot this summer!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 16
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
The clears look great on silver, if you get them from ESDEPO though get an LED sidemarker light as the housing will melt from the heat of the incandescent bulb due to cheaper plastic. They also make tinted ones for black cars.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
From: Bristol, CT
06 S211 E500 4Matic
Thank you all!
I wish... I believe the law is that you have to have an amber light bulb for side markers. Having no front plate is already illegal here, so I'm not looking to attract even more attention. Although, white LEDs would look great. I installed AZNOptics city lights and love them.
They do indeed look cleaner. I strongly dislike how US Government makes all car makers (especially German) to put those god-awful markers on the sides of the bumper. I see Minis, BMWs, and MBs with them and it just kills the clean look of the car.
They do indeed look cleaner. I strongly dislike how US Government makes all car makers (especially German) to put those god-awful markers on the sides of the bumper. I see Minis, BMWs, and MBs with them and it just kills the clean look of the car.
Last edited by 06E5004ME; May 2, 2014 at 01:45 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 16
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
The law is Amber side markers, but you can get white side markers with white bulbs that shine amber. That's what mine are, white LEDs that are amber so they are still legal. Never gotten pulled over for anything front plate or side marker related. Usually low priority for cops.
Completely agree though, I would love to get euro impact-strips without the terrible sidemarkers. Don't think they make it for the facelift though, only the pre-facelift.
Completely agree though, I would love to get euro impact-strips without the terrible sidemarkers. Don't think they make it for the facelift though, only the pre-facelift.
