Parts help

[VoidDriver]

I recently bought an E24 (1985 635 CSI). It's my first BMW I have owned. It had the US 5mph bumper on it. My question is this, what is the name of the side reflecter that is attached to bumper on the front? I have tried looking for the name and in parts catalogs and find nothing. The ones on my E24 are coming off and slightly warped. I wanted to know if I could replace them or just mold them back into shape

[MIKYZZ4]

This may help:https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=5374-USA-06-1985-E24-BMW-635CSi&diagId=63_0163#63141360809

[dcains]

Or do you mean the black plastic side pieces, i.e. #10 in this diagram:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=5384-USA-06-1985-E24-BMW-635CSi&diagId=51_0503

This is the sort of part you would likely want to find in good, used condition, as the new cost is just silly.

[DesktopDave]

Those can't be easily salvaged, I had the same trouble with my old '81. I always called them 'bellows' but that's not what they are. The side reflector can easily be replaced but the trim piece is hard to find in good shape. BMW calls them the bumper assembly 'covering left' and 'covering right', PN 51111869769 & 51111869770 respectively (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=5374-USA-02-1986-E24-BMW-635CSi&diagId=51_0503).

They're curling because of a mild steel support bracket that's molded into the rubber part. When it rusts, the whole part looks like it's 'curling' up. It seems that many E24 owners have swapped over to the fragile "Euro" bumpers, or the late-model "world bumpers". There are a lot of potential pitfalls, and the parts are rare & expensive. It's also not a process for the faint of heart if your car is in really good shape otherwise. Some quick threads here (http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2043912-Euro-Bumper-Conversion) and here (http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1760535-Change-bumpers-w-money-saved-from-cheap-US-6er-or-wait-for-Euro) for your reading pleasure.

[VoidDriver]

Thanks I appreciate the help. Instead of starting a new thread Maybe I can get some help here as well. My odometer doesn't work, and the instrument cluster occasionally doesn't turn on.

[DesktopDave]

Odometer is usually a stripped gear internally, especially on the later (>81) models. The E28 & E30 have the exact same problem. BavAuto has a great post detailing that repair (http://blog.bavauto.com/11888/bmw-diy-inoperative-odometer-replace-repair-gears-how-to/).

Dead instruments is an odd one, usually they fail one at a time. The gauge cluster always has power if the ignition switch is working. Maybe a loose fuse or two? I've had a bunch of problems with fuses that looked good but had tiny cracks, or slightly melted/scorched spring clips inside the fuse box base. The gauges use fuses 10, 12, 21 & 23. (http://bigcoupe.com/links/links/fusesandrelays.html)

[JimPA]

My odometer doesn't work, and the instrument cluster occasionally doesn't turn on.

Odometer gear failure is common and easily remedied. Go to the Odometer Gears website here: http://www.odometergears.com/index.php for ordering information and DIY photos. Jeff Caplan is the owner and supports the E24 community.