Whats better for a bumper? - United Bimmer Community

DEATH2000 · 07-03-2005, 10:08 PM

Im getting an M3 bumper in a few days. There are 2 diff bumpers i can get,both made to OEM factory specs. One bumper is made out of ABS plastic (like the factory one), the other is made out of fiberglass. The ABS plastic one is $600 CDN ($490 US) and the fiberglass one is $325 CDN. Which would be better for durabitlity and survival? cause ive go to palces were the exit out of the lot is at a bad angel and theres the possibility of bottoming out. The thing is price isnt really that much of a deal.But if the theres no diff in between the 2 types then i may as well go for the cheaper one.

**jrhaile** · 07-03-2005, 10:12 PM

ABS no questions asked...Also PU or Poly Eurthane (spelling) is REALLY strong and it's flexible so less chance for major cracks or breaks

Fiberglass is OK, but it's easily cracked and usually cheaper quality...

**Spieluhr** · 07-04-2005, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrhaile

ABS no questions asked...Also PU or Poly Eurthane (spelling) is REALLY strong and it's flexible so less chance for major cracks or breaks

Fiberglass is OK, but it's easily cracked and usually cheaper quality...

exactly!

And if a good sized rock hits your fiberglass bumper you can say goodbye.

**cainchapman** · 07-04-2005, 04:11 AM

ABS. If you go down the path of getting a fibreglass one. Get a mould made so you can make more.

**Antiburn** · 07-04-2005, 11:16 AM

Go with the fiber glass and save your $. The bumper isnt going to give you any better performance so why pay more? Look at your bumper and see how many really noticeable paint chips you have. If it was me I would put a 2x8 on the front and throw some bolts through it, now thats a dependable bumper.

**jrhaile** · 07-04-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antiburn

Go with the fiber glass and save your $. The bumper isnt going to give you any better performance so why pay more? Look at your bumper and see how many really noticeable paint chips you have. If it was me I would put a 2x8 on the front and throw some bolts through it, now thats a dependable bumper.

Don't take this the wrong way, but that is the stupidest advice I've ever heard

Paint chips is going to happen with any bumper, yes, but we're talking about CRACKS. I've seen fiberglass bumpers get some major cracks in them from rocks, people backing into them, shopping carts etc. On the rear or side skirts, I would probably say a Fiberglass kit is less likely to be damaged and isn't that important to have PU or ABS but in the front, I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend getting ABS or PU.

DEATH2000 · 07-04-2005, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antiburn

Go with the fiber glass and save your $. The bumper isnt going to give you any better performance so why pay more? Look at your bumper and see how many really noticeable paint chips you have. If it was me I would put a 2x8 on the front and throw some bolts through it, now thats a dependable bumper.

ummm yea no. any damage to the bumper is on the bottom from bottoming out once in a while. Ill probably go with abs now

**B_w.** · 07-04-2005, 07:33 PM

go with abs. it is most likely to be the highest quality. fiber glass is junk as most have already stated. poly urathane is good in a warm climate but in cold weather it gets brittle and cracks easily. if you buy a cheap bumper now you will pay more in the long run repairing or replacing it.

**komodo** · 07-04-2005, 11:43 PM

I agree, abs all the way. I've seen enough cracked fiberglass bumpers to make me not want one.