BMW E46 3 Series Front Bumper Tow Hook Cover – Standard Bumper Towing Eye Cap for 318i 320i 325i 325xi 330i 330xi Sedan & Touring | Replaces Part No. 51117044125

Restore the original appearance of your BMW E46 front bumper with this replacement tow hook cover, designed for select 2002–2005 BMW E46 3 Series Sedan and Touring models equipped with the standard facelift front bumper. Identified by BMW original equipment part number 51117044125, this small exterior trim component covers the front towing-eye access opening while maintaining the clean, factory-style appearance of the bumper.

The BMW E46 front bumper incorporates a dedicated opening that provides access to the vehicle's threaded towing-eye mounting point. Under normal driving conditions, this opening is concealed by a removable plastic cover, allowing the bumper to maintain a smooth and consistent exterior appearance.

Because the tow hook cover must be removed whenever the front towing eye is used, it is a component that can easily become lost, scratched, cracked, or damaged. Aging plastic retaining tabs may also deteriorate over time, causing the cover to loosen or detach from the bumper.

This aftermarket replacement is intended to restore the original bumper opening coverage on compatible E46 Sedan and Touring vehicles. Its factory-style shape and retaining features are designed to match the corresponding standard front bumper configuration when the original opening and mounting points remain intact.

Unlike universal bumper accessories, this product is associated with a specific BMW part number and bumper design. It is intended for the facelift E46 Sedan/Touring standard front bumper, not the M Sport, ZHP, Coupe, Convertible, or M3 bumper configurations.

Whether replacing a missing tow hook cap after vehicle recovery, repairing damaged bumper trim, or completing an exterior restoration, this front bumper towing-eye cover provides a practical replacement for maintaining the original appearance of your BMW E46.

Key Features

• BMW E46 Facelift Compatibility: Designed for compatible 2002–2005 E46 Sedan and Touring models.

• OEM Replacement Reference: Replaces BMW part number 51117044125.

• Standard Front Bumper Design: Intended for the original non-M Sport facelift bumper configuration.

• Towing-Eye Opening Coverage: Conceals the front threaded towing-eye access point.

• Factory-Style Exterior Appearance: Helps restore the original continuous appearance of the front bumper.

• Molded Plastic Construction: Lightweight exterior trim construction intended for the corresponding bumper opening.

• Original-Style Retaining Features: Designed to engage the compatible bumper cover mounting points.

• Replacement for Missing or Damaged Caps: Suitable for replacing a lost, scratched, cracked, or loose original towing-eye flap.

• Paintable Appearance: The original BMW component is supplied primed; confirm the finish of the aftermarket version.

• Practical Exterior Restoration: Replaces the small bumper cover without requiring an entire front bumper assembly.

Benefits of Replacing a Damaged Front Tow Hook Cover

Restores the Front Bumper Appearance

A missing tow hook cover leaves a visible opening in the front bumper.

Replacing the original cap helps restore the smooth, factory-style exterior appearance of the BMW E46.

Conceals the Towing-Eye Access Point

The cover is designed to conceal the front towing-eye opening during normal vehicle use.

It can be removed when access to the appropriate towing-eye mounting point is required.

Helps Maintain Original Bumper Trim

A correctly matched replacement preserves the intended exterior trim configuration without requiring permanent bumper modifications.

Suitable for Cosmetic Repairs

The cover is useful after towing, bumper repairs, repainting, or accidental loss of the original component.

Avoids Unnecessary Bumper Replacement

When the bumper itself is undamaged, replacing the missing towing-eye cap is a simpler cosmetic repair than replacing the complete bumper cover.

FITMENT / VEHICLE COMPATIBILITY

BMW E46 3 Series Sedan – Facelift Standard Bumper

Approximately September 2001 Production Through 2005

• BMW 318i Sedan: Selected international-market applications

• BMW 320i Sedan: Selected applications

• BMW 325i Sedan: 2002–2005

• BMW 325xi Sedan: 2002–2005

• BMW 330i Sedan: 2002–2005

• BMW 330xi Sedan: 2002–2005

Primary North American Fitment: 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedan models with the standard facelift front bumper.

BMW E46 3 Series Touring / Wagon – Facelift Standard Bumper

• BMW 318i Touring: Selected applications

• BMW 320i Touring: Selected applications

• BMW 325i Touring: Selected 2002–2005 applications

• BMW 325xi Touring: Selected 2002–2005 applications

• BMW 330i Touring: Selected international-market applications

• BMW 330xi Touring: Selected applications

Touring fitment requires the corresponding facelift standard front bumper with the same tow hook cover opening.

Additional International-Market Diesel Models

Selected facelift E46 Sedan and Touring models may also use the corresponding cover, including:

• BMW 318d

• BMW 320d

• BMW 330d

• BMW 330xd

Important: Diesel engine compatibility does not independently establish fitment. Verify the factory bumper configuration and original cover reference.

Excluded BMW E46 Applications

• BMW E46 323i: Earlier non-facelift bumper application.

• BMW E46 328i: Earlier non-facelift bumper application.

• BMW E46 323Ci / 325Ci / 328Ci / 330Ci: Coupe bumper configuration differs.

• BMW E46 Convertible: Different front bumper and towing-eye cover arrangement.

• BMW E46 M3 Coupe: Different M3 front bumper.

• BMW E46 M3 Convertible: Different M3 front bumper.

• BMW E46 Compact: Different front-end design.

• BMW E46 ZHP / M Sport II: Requires a different towing-eye cover.

• BMW E46 M Aerodynamics Package: Not compatible with the standard bumper cap unless the actual installed bumper matches reference 51117044125.

Fitment Requirement: Verify the original bumper design, vehicle production date, and towing-eye opening shape before ordering.

Engine Compatibility

Front bumper tow hook cover compatibility is determined by the bumper configuration and body style, rather than engine displacement.

BMW M54 Inline-Six

• BMW 320i: 2.2L, selected facelift Sedan/Touring applications

• BMW 325i: 2.5L

• BMW 325xi: 2.5L

• BMW 330i: 3.0L

• BMW 330xi: 3.0L

BMW M56 Inline-Six

• BMW 325i SULEV: Selected applications with the corresponding standard facelift bumper.

BMW Four-Cylinder Gasoline Engines

Selected international-market facelift models equipped with N42 or N46 engines may use the corresponding bumper cover.

BMW Diesel Engines

Selected M47 and M57-powered facelift Sedan/Touring applications may use the matching standard front bumper design.

Important: Engine compatibility does not guarantee fitment. The correct bumper and original towing-eye cover reference are essential.

OEM Replacement Part Numbers

Primary BMW OEM Reference

• 51117044125

• 51 11 7 044 125

• 51-11-7-044-125

BMW Catalog Description: Flap, Towing Eye, Primed.

Aftermarket Partslink Reference

• BM1029102

This is an aftermarket body parts identification reference, not an additional BMW original equipment part number.

Related Bumper References – Not Interchangeable

• 51117893378: Front tow hook cover for the E46 ZHP / M Sport II bumper.

• 51117044116: Standard facelift E46 Sedan/Touring front bumper cover assembly.

Important: The part numbers above identify different components or bumper configurations. Do not substitute the ZHP/M Sport cover for the standard front bumper cap.

Product Specifications

• Product Name: Front Bumper Tow Hook Cover

• Alternative Names: Towing Eye Cover / Tow Hook Cap / Front Bumper Towing Flap

• Product Type: Exterior Bumper Trim Replacement

• Vehicle Manufacturer: BMW

• Vehicle Platform: E46 3 Series

• Primary Compatible Body Styles: Sedan and Touring / Wagon

• Primary Model Years: 2002–2005

• Production Range: From Approximately September 2001, Depending on Model

• Primary OEM Part Number: 51117044125

• Aftermarket Partslink Reference: BM1029102

• Required Bumper Configuration: Standard Facelift Front Bumper

• Installation Location: Front Bumper Towing-Eye Opening

• Vehicle Position: Front

• Primary Function: Covers the Front Towing-Eye Access Opening

• Material: Molded Automotive Plastic

• Exact Polymer Grade: Supplier Verification Required

• Original BMW Finish: Primed / Paintable

• Aftermarket Product Color: Verify Actual SKU

• Surface Finish: Factory-Style Exterior Bumper Trim

• Paint Matching: May Be Required to Match Vehicle Exterior Color

• Mounting Design: Factory-Style Retaining Tabs / Clips

• Exact Dimensions: Supplier Verification Required

• M Sport / ZHP Compatibility: No

• Coupe / Convertible Compatibility: No

• M3 Compatibility: No

• Electronic Components: None

• Electronic Programming Required: No

• Product Quantity: One Cover

• Product Category: Aftermarket Exterior Bumper Accessories

Package Contents: One front bumper tow hook cover.

The towing eye, complete bumper, mounting brackets, paint, and additional hardware are not included unless specifically confirmed in the actual product package.

Compatibility Notes

• Primary OEM Reference: 51117044125 identifies the corresponding front towing-eye flap.

• Standard Bumper Requirement: Compatible with the standard facelift E46 Sedan/Touring front bumper.

• BMW E46 Sedan: Compatible with selected facelift Sedan configurations.

• BMW E46 Touring: Compatible with selected facelift Touring configurations.

• BMW 325i: Primary verified application for 2002–2005 standard bumper models.

• BMW 325xi: Primary verified application for corresponding all-wheel-drive models.

• BMW 330i: Primary verified application for 2002–2005 standard bumper models.

• BMW 330xi: Primary verified application for corresponding all-wheel-drive models.

• BMW 318i: International-market fitment requires original-part verification.

• BMW 320i: Selected facelift standard-bumper applications are documented.

• Early Production E46: Vehicles produced before the September 2001 facelift generally require a different bumper cover.

• September 2001 Production Change: This is an important reference point for the facelift Sedan/Touring bumper.

• 1998–2001 Pre-Facelift Sedan: Not a guaranteed application.

• BMW 323i / 328i: These earlier North American models should not be included as standard direct-fit applications.

• E46 Coupe Exclusion: Coupe bumpers use different towing-eye cover configurations.

• E46 Convertible Exclusion: Convertible bumper configurations differ from the facelift Sedan/Touring standard bumper.

• E46 M3 Exclusion: M3 front bumpers require their own towing-eye cover.

• E46 Compact Exclusion: Different front bumper design.

• ZHP Package Exclusion: ZHP/M Sport II bumper configurations use another cover reference.

• M Sport II Reference: 51117893378 is not interchangeable with 51117044125.

• M Aerodynamics Package: Optional aerodynamic bumper designs may use different covers.

• Aftermarket Front Bumpers: Custom bumper covers may not have the same towing-eye opening dimensions.

• M3-Style Bumper Conversions: Vehicles converted to M3-style bumpers may require an entirely different cover.

• Bumper Style Over Model Year: The actual installed bumper determines fitment more reliably than the model year alone.

• Front Position Only: This component is not a rear bumper tow hook cover.

• Towing-Eye Opening: The cover conceals the access point for the removable threaded towing eye.

• Towing Eye Not Included: This product does not include the metal towing eye.

• Not a Structural Component: The plastic cover provides cosmetic coverage and is not intended to carry towing loads.

• Original Primed Finish: BMW supplies the original reference in a paintable primed finish.

• Aftermarket Finish: Verify whether the supplied replacement is primed, bare plastic, painted, or textured.

• Paint Matching: A primed cover may require painting to match the vehicle's exterior.

• Factory Paint Codes: The correct exterior paint color should be established separately.

• Plastic Retaining Tabs: The retaining features must match the bumper's original mounting points.

• Broken Bumper Retainers: A replacement cover may not remain secure if the receiving bumper tabs are damaged.

• Cover Alignment: The replacement should sit flush with the surrounding bumper surface.

• Bumper Repairs: Previous bodywork may affect the dimensions or condition of the towing-eye opening.

• Collision Damage: A bent or distorted front bumper may prevent normal cover alignment.

• Lost Original Cover: These caps can be misplaced or damaged after use of the towing eye.

• Exterior Weather Exposure: The cover is exposed to sunlight, rain, road debris, and changing temperatures.

• Material Durability: UV and temperature resistance depend on the actual aftermarket material and coating.

• Surface Texture: Aftermarket plastic may vary from the original BMW finish.

• Single-Piece Replacement: The product is intended to replace one front towing-eye cap.

• No Mechanical Steering Function: This component does not affect steering or suspension operation.

• No Electronic Programming: This is a mechanical exterior trim component.

• Not a Complete Front Bumper: The bumper cover, grille inserts, reinforcement carrier, and additional exterior trim are not included.

• Not Genuine BMW: This is an aftermarket replacement unless its manufacturer and origin have been verified.

• VIN and Bumper Verification: Confirm the original towing-eye cover part number, production date, and installed bumper configuration before ordering.

Restore Your BMW E46 Front Bumper Appearance

The front towing-eye cover is a small but visible part of the BMW E46's exterior design. When the original cap is missing, cracked, or damaged, the exposed opening can detract from the smooth appearance of the front bumper.

This replacement towing-eye cover is designed to restore the original-style appearance of compatible facelift E46 Sedan and Touring models equipped with the standard front bumper. When correctly matched to the bumper opening and finished to suit the vehicle's exterior, it offers a straightforward solution for replacing a missing or damaged trim component.

Whether maintaining a BMW 325i, restoring a 325xi, refreshing a 330i, or completing exterior bumper repairs on a 330xi, this front bumper tow hook cover helps preserve the clean, factory-inspired appearance of your BMW E46.

Please refer to the “Fitment” section in the product description for compatibility details.