Ram air pressure holds them in place ;^) (more) (archive)

All M3s have those openings in the lower portion of the bumper. The one on the driver's side is the air intake and the passenger side one is where the tow hook resides. They are both generically referred to as "tow hook covers". This is most likely because "tow hook and stock air intake covers" doesn't quite roll off the tongue as nicely. The Sport Evo and Evo II came standard with the covers partially for aesthetics and partially because those models have a different air intake and there is no need for the bumper inlet. If you still have the standard airbox, you should not cover up the driver's side opening or you may take a performance hit as your engine will not be able to breathe properly. The covers are supposed to have clips and plastic straps. The clips hold the covers in place (very firmly) but the straps are kind of pointless. I guess if the cover ever manages to come off, the straps will keep them from getting lost, but if your front bumper gets enough trauma to knock the covers loose or off, you have other issues to concern yourself with. My bumper is at the paint shop right now or I'd take some detailed pics of the covers, clips and straps installed for you. The clips are a few cents each and you can get them from your local BMW dealer. You need four of them, two for each cover.

Now if someone would make a cover for the REAR tow hook!

Take care.

Brandon Wheaton
1989 E30 M3
Zinnoberrot/Natural

I have an M3 with the Euro front bumper (I dont know why). anyway, I got tow hook covers and I cant get them to stay on. they will fit in, but if you shake the air dam a little bit they fall right out. are there supposed to be any clips on the back side?

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