Don’t go into a happy dance until you have read all of this post.

 

I tried fitting the new bumper to my car and determined the curve of the center piece was not a good match for the back of the car.  Note that the car is accident-free and all of the body is exactly as delivered from the factory.  Essentially, the arc on the bumper is less than the arc on the body (and the OE bumper).  When attached to the stock mounts, the center of the bumper was pressing hard on the body.

 

I attempted to warp the bumper section to increase the arc with little success.  I did manage to introduce some very slight waves in the center of the bumper’s top surface – not obvious but there if you look hard for them.  While the unit may not be perfect for a concours car, it should be OK for any other.

 

So… I’m done with this bumper and will continue to look for an OE unit I can refurbish.  There is NO damage to the chrome finish and everything is re-packed in the factory shipping materials.   The price is $150 plus actual shipping cost – FEDEX ground should be no more than $30 anywhere in the U.S.

Sorry to hear about the quality issue with the new bumper.  I think the ones sold (previously now) from BD are the same ones sold from MSA.  I wonder if this was an issue with all the new back bumpers or a select few?

I might be interested. Sent you a pm!

It seems like the one I bought from Futofab may have touched a little in the center too.  I'm thinking I had to do something extra with those rear mount brackets like maybe put an extra washer under their bolts to get the bumper off the body.  It's super close now, like paper thin, but not touching.  My biggest headache was the chrome carriage bolts I had to source myself.  All the ones made for chrome bumpers were either too big or too small.  Rossi'sZ told me he used stainless and polished them to a shine with polish and a buffing wheel.  Worked great.

 

11 hours ago, EhlersRS said:

Sorry to hear about the quality issue with the new bumper.  I think the ones sold (previously now) from BD are the same ones sold from MSA.  I wonder if this was an issue with all the new back bumpers or a select few?

This is actually my second pass at this.  Last year I ordered a unit from Futofab and had the same issue.  Dave asked me to take a series of measurements of the car body and the OE bumper, which I did and documented back to him.  He allowed me to return the bumper for a full refund including my initial shipping cost (quality guy!).  I bought this one because of the crazy good price and the faint hope it might fit better.

 

I've now learned that all of the bumpers sold by Futofab, MSA, BD, and perhaps others are coming from a single mfr. in Taiwan.  Dave did additional research on OE  measurements and got them to the mfr. for a revision in the specs.  He recently told me he thinks revised bumpers will begin shipping sometime in Dec.  At that rate, they'll probably be available in the U.S. sometime late 1Q.  The problem will be with vendors clearing out old stock prior to shipping the new versions.  How will anyone know what version they are getting?

IMG_20160302_0001.pdf

 What is the measurement from the center of the string to the bumper?

Jim,

I have several rear bumpers laying around. If you want PM me and we can see if I have something you need...

C

4 hours ago, Mark Maras said:

 What is the measurement from the center of the string to the bumper?

Mark - pull up the pdf file just below the last pic, all measurements are there.  Jim

 Nice, Thanks

Jim,

Thanks for the extra info on these new reproduction bumpers.  You did your part in getting the correct specs to the manufacturer!  BD sold their inventory of bumpers with the close out sale, but it would be nice if the other vendors discounted the "defective" rear bumpers until the corrected ones are available.

Robert S.

12 hours ago, jfa.series1 said:

IMG_20160302_0001.pdf

@jfa.series1, here's your PDF in an image so you can view it in the forum

 

Hi Jim, 

I have a stock rear bumper that I will probably not be using. I'll take some pics soon if you are interested. It has the overriders mounted on it. If memory serves, its straight but the chrome is pitted in some places. 

Just let me know if you have any interest. 

Curtis

Atlanta, GA