Help me choose the most aerodynamic bumper - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

MaxMatt · 01-09-2010, 11:04 AM

I haven't written anything in a long time. My MPG is getting tragical recently. I damaged my catalytic converter cover and I recon it now needs much more time to heat up - therefore uses more fuel when cold. And it's below freezing all the time.

Anyway - I want to change the front bumper on my daily driver Mercedes. I have 2 options.

Right now I have a standard bumper, which looks like this:

And the choice is:

E500 bumper:

or AMG bumper:

I don't know if one can tell which is more aerodynamic just by looking at it, but maybe there are some things that are always good or always bad.

Any input is appreciated!

cfg83 · 01-09-2010, 12:59 PM

MaxMatt -

I like the E500 bumper + grill blocking.

CarloSW2

mcrews · 01-09-2010, 01:16 PM

THe trick will then to be ........mount a underbelly pan that goes from the new lowered lip back at least 18-24 inches.

I have a lowered front bumper on my 02 infiniti Q45 and there was 2 inches of gap to the factory underpan. The new underpan with the lowered bumper helped significantly with the quest for mpg.

here is the gap created by the lowered bumper and the factory pan.

here is the custom pan the goes edge to edge and back 24 inches:

mcrews · 01-09-2010, 01:23 PM

also, you will pay a premium for any AMG part, new or used. since they are so similar go with the least expensive.

aerohead · 01-09-2010, 02:51 PM

I can't speak for Hucho,but I think he'd tell you that you're" already there"with respect to the front of the car,and to go after the back.

MaxMatt · 01-09-2010, 03:54 PM

The thing is - the bumper I have right now is warped and I want to change it anyway. I'll be getting a used bumper. The AMG one is almost impossible to find and the most expensive. I just thought that maybe its shape at the bottom does sth really good for the aerodynamics. I think I'll have a go with the E500 bumper - it looks nice and is more vertical - more like an airdam - I suppose it's a good thing. Also it has nice openings for fog lights, which I think will be great for LED daytime driving lights. In Poland we have to use lights all year long 24h a day so 150W of bulbs opposed to few W of LEDs gives some savings...

Thanks for all the input. Keep it coming!

aerohead · 01-09-2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxMatt

The thing is - the bumper I have right now is warped and I want to change it anyway. I'll be getting a used bumper. The AMG one is almost impossible to find and the most expensive. I just thought that maybe its shape at the bottom does sth really good for the aerodynamics. I think I'll have a go with the E500 bumper - it looks nice and is more vertical - more like an airdam - I suppose it's a good thing. Also it has nice openings for fog lights, which I think will be great for LED daytime driving lights. In Poland we have to use lights all year long 24h a day so 150W of bulbs opposed to few W of LEDs gives some savings...

Thanks for all the input. Keep it coming!

MaxMatt,sounds like you've well researched your options and that E500 rig will be a good compromise.The vertical form will shunt air around the car,which you see quite a bit now with current production cars.A good thing.
I really like your LED daytime driving light solution.Good 'world-view',thanks!
Question,are your speed limits still limited to around 130 km/h?

MaxMatt · 01-09-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerohead

I really like your LED daytime driving light solution.Good 'world-view',thanks!

I like Hella's LED daytime lamps. I just didn't like the idea of cutting the original parts on a Mercedes (stuff just costs too much...).

Quote:

Question,are your speed limits still limited to around 130 km/h?

Actually, yes. There was a new statute coming that raised the motorway speed limit to 140 km/h and expresway to 120 km/h but due to some legal issues it was rejected by our Constitutional Tribunal as invalid.

At the moment it's still max. 130km/h on the motorways. Luckily there more and more motor- and expresways to drive.

winkosmosis · 01-09-2010, 05:28 PM

I think replacing the bumper is a waste of money. Keep the one you have.

Edit: Oh you need to replace it anyway

mcrews · 01-09-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerohead

I can't speak for Hucho,but I think he'd tell you that you're" already there"with respect to the front of the car,and to go after the back.

Aerohead, If that is meant for me........been there & done that!!!!!

Finished up the full underbody about dec 2009 here is the link:
the completed pics are on page 2.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...5-11402-3.html