Rear bumper question

[Shawn Piper]

I’m having my 2002 bumpers chrome plated. The plater said there is a hole in the rear bumper that he thinks should be welded up. I can’t recall if this was used for something or was drilled by a previous owner.  In fact I don’t remember seeing it at all. Anyone know?
 

Bumpers go on a US spec 1969 model. Hole is circled in photo. 
 

 

[72pdx02]

Hole should not be there. 

[Shawn Piper]

Cool thanks. I have another question...

 

The plater says they usually chrome the front and leave the backside rough (usually paint the backsides silver or black). He can chrome backside for an additional fee. Any recommendations for doing this? What did BMW do at the factory?

[72pdx02]

I would paint the back side gray.  The backside of my 67 bumpers are a silver looking gray. The same silver/gray as the stock steel wheels. 

Edited May 3, 2020 by 72pdx02

[02fanatic]

The back of early chrome bumpers should be grey.  As for the hole, if it’s on the top surface on the driver side maybe it’s for a rear fog light?

Edited May 3, 2020 by 02fanatic

[Mike Self]

I've seen original bumpers with silver paint on the back sides, and also with a semi-glossy light grey--almost primer color but not flat.  It doesn't seem to have anything to do with year of production; I suspect that BMW bought bumpers from two different suppliers, and one painted 'em silver, the other grey.  I've even seen 'em mismatched on the same car:  silver center, grey end pieces, or vice versa...

 

mike

[72pdx02]

After reading what Mike wrote I went back to the garage to look at my front bumper end pieces. They are a dirty gray color, not like the center section. I took this picture to show the difference side by side.  My back bumper is silver/gray on all sections. 

Edited May 3, 2020 by 72pdx02

[Shawn Piper]

Thanks guys for the reference pics!