JDM/European Rear Bumper Cover

[-cj-]

Hey guys,

I'm currently in Europe and even though I've always known that the JDM/Euro-spec rear ends on our cars is shorter, I've never seen it in person until now.

One of my pet peeves with our cars is what I call the "Jay Leno Rear Bumper"... Since it's somewhat easy for me to pop into a local dealer and try to order a 1st gen bumper, and ship it myself, I'm curious what kind of trouble I'd run into if I transplanted the MPS rear bumper cover on a north american Mazdaspeed3?

I'm just wondering if it's a snap on replacement? Is there a rear bumper foam thing that I also need to pick up? I don't even think they sell the MPS in the country I'm in, but I'm sure they can order it...

[The Wolf]

I don't know for sure, but you'd probably have to cut the rebar and find the backing foam (or go without). I'd assume everything else lines up.

fwiw, I like the NAM rear bumper better than the JDM.

[-cj-]

Yeah, looks like the rebar needs to be modified... Not sure I want to mess with that. Too bad, the JDM bumper is much nicer IMO.

[bluemazda3]

any pics of the jdm bumper?

[The Wolf]

this is all I could find with a quick search.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p34/Siberexpress/image001.png

looks the same but doesn't stick out as far as NAM.

[bluemazda3]

thanks for the pics.. the difference is minimal.. almost looks the same..

[-cj-]

Pictures don't do it justice. Actually, I shouldn't say that... Most people won't care about the differences. *I* don't really like the OEM bumper on north american 3's... It sticks out too much for my liking.

I'll try to get a picture, but 3's are very rare where I am... When talking with family members about the car's my wife and I drive, they were like "Wow, a Mazda!" I was like "*pause* Are you serious?" lol

[Burner]

This picture gives a bit more perspective. It definitely gets rid of the ledge that is our bumpers.

http://cf.juggle-images.com/fit/white/600x600/wg-mazda-axela-1.jpg