[dbs600]

Stupidly damaged my front bumper today.

Ice caused a slide into another car in my driveway.

Minor, but repair and paint definitely needed.

Thoughts on what I should expect to pay?

Is it unwise to suggest that the bumper not be removed on painting to keep cost down?

Pictures to follow.

Pissed.

[AP]

I'd just suggest taking to a couple of BMW dealerships and get some quotes.
I'd have thought it would be easier for them to remove the bumper to do the actual work.
At least it doesn't sound too serious.

[martin mustang]

Not sure if any help, but on this side of the Atlantic it cost me 400 euros, re-spraying of the bumper side was needed too, when I checked the quote I got from BMW with an independent one it come up to the same mainly down to the re-spraying costs a good section of the bumper needed re-spraying to make sure the job is perfect.

[martin mustang]

by some idiot while parked, took off of course without leaving his/her details.

[493263]

I had similar damages but I fixed it all myself. Of course, I'm talking about minor paint and clear coat damages and not physical dents. Sometimes minor damages to paint will seem major so check carefully. Most scrapes and scratches can be buffed out.

Just buy a PC random orbital buffer, some pads(cutter and buffers), BMW paint and clear coat sticks, alcohol spray, and lots of good microfiber towels.

It will take you a total of 2-3 hours if you're fast and maybe 8 hours if you're slow.

There's a lot of DIY instructions online. That's what I used.

After I fixed everything, I used Opticoat on my entire car to form a slippery hard shell. Since then, I have not notice any minor scratches or scrapes. It's also a lot easier to wash the car.

[The Beast]

I had someone scrape mine and it was almost identical to this.

I got a smart repair from BMW, it turned out the wing just had some paint transfer on it so they mopped this out and sprayed the corner of the bumper. Job was perfect and only cost £180.

Have tried smart repairs from independent shops and never been 100% happy with the outcome although they are considerably cheaper

[dbs600]

Thanks for the replies guys.

As promised, pictures attached.

A lot of road salt shown, but I saw the damage when the car was clean, and the scratches are not bad. The gouge from behind will require repair and paint, however.

I'm not sure how the washer nozzle shifted (not allowing the door to close, as shown) when the bumper is minimally out of alignment. I've tried pushing the nozzle to the right, but it won't budge. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Again, the bumper seems to be in perfect alignment otherwise (by the hood, around the headlamps, etc.).

In addition to what's circled, the fog lamp is lose, but works and is not cracked. I believe the bracket broke and hope same can be secured in place without need for replacement. Just called a dealer and the lamp itself is $250! :|

Three random shops came back with estimates of $650, $680 and $800 today; what a waste for sliding into another car in my own driveway.

Argh.

[ezmaass]

dbs - sorry to hear this. Depending on who you take it to, I'd estimate you're probably in for upwards of a $1,000 easily. The estimates at $650 - $800 seem low to me. Will they be able to reshape the bumper? What kind of paint job are they doing? If you won't be keeping the car, maybe go for moderate fix... but high quality paint jobs (that last, don't peel, match right, etc) are usually not so cheap... not to mention this isn't simply a respray but fixing the bumper.

I'm a bit anal, but if it were me and I were keeping the car, I'd probably have the entire bumper replaced and sprayed fresh by a high quality shop. No cheap, I know...

[dbs600]

Thanks for your reply and kind regards, ezmass.

Hmm; I’m not so sure of the estimate range then. :|

The repair is minimal, flexing the gouge back into place and using adhesive to seal. I know the pictures aren’t great, but the damage is minimal.

I understand it's a 2 day job; remove, repair, prime, paint, clear, polish, install, with drying in between.

I have a service appointment upcoming and plan to see what the dealer states. Maybe I can stay in a loaner during the work?

If dealer doesn't agree to $650 or less, I'll bring it to a shop I use and hope to get a good price, and maybe tint the reflectors as well.

Wish ALL xDrive vehicles were fitted with all-seasons, instead of summers, as with my 20's, which become hard like a hockey puck. :|

[dbs600]

So this has me thinking...

When an uninsured goes to a hospital, the cost is astronomical, but can often be negotiated, whereas when insured, the hospital bills at much lower, different rates, which are pre-negotiated with the insurance companies.

What's the body shop analogy?

It seems body shops rake in huge sums from insurance companies and there's the 'notion' that if someone is paying out of pocket, they get a better deal.

Why is this inverse? In other words, is paying out of pocket not the inherently better deal and there's still room to negotiate, as with hospitals?

That said, body shops have mechanics' liens, hospitals don't. Ha.

[dbs600]

With better weather now, I've brought my car to a body shop for repair; $760.

Will post again when complete, but doesn't look too bad without a front bumper (cover)...

[dbs600]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on body color painted reflectors?

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by dbs600

What’s everyone’s thoughts on body color painted reflectors?

Personally, don't like them. I feel it looks like an option was supposed to be there that wasn't included. Kind of like the plastic trim pieces where fog lights are supposed to be.

[493263]

Originally Posted by dbs600

What’s everyone’s thoughts on body color painted reflectors?

Wouldn't that diminish its function?

[dbs600]

Originally Posted by 493263

Wouldn't that diminish its function?

Yes, it would, but it's a DOT rule, Euro cars make due without same...

[dbs600]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Personally, don't like them. I feel it looks like an option was supposed to be there that wasn't included. Kind of like the plastic trim pieces where fog lights are supposed to be.

I think you hit the nail on the head! I don't like them, want to, but just don't know!

I've asked to have them tinted / smoked, but shop is sort of unwilling.

[ezmaass]

Glad to hear this worked out for under a grand - not bad, honestly!

As for the reflectors, I tend to like keeping my cars stock - so I'd leave them as-is.

[lsturbointeg]

Wow...I would have cried...and cry some more.

[dbs600]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

Glad to hear this worked out for under a grand - not bad, honestly!

As for the reflectors, I tend to like keeping my cars stock - so I'd leave them as-is.

Thanks my good man!

[dbs600]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

Wow...I would have cried...and cry some more.

Ha; this is nothing!

Imagine seeing your Grey / Red 2014 Lexus IS 350 AWD F Sport rear three quarter panel cut out at the c-pillar and around the trunk jamb, plus the rear bumper, trunk lid AND REAR GLASS removed all for the damage in the photo attached.

Shop got $8.5k! FLAWLESS WORK, WOULD NEVER KNOW WITHOUT PAINT METER, and I'm beyond particular!

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by dbs600

Imagine seeing your Grey / Red 2014 Lexus IS 350 AWD F Sport rear three quarter panel cut out at the c-pillar and around the trunk jamb....

Can't lie, got a little sick just reading that .... ouch.
Great that both worked out fine.

[dbs600]

Final photos attached.

Not completely happy with the job.

Difficult to capture, but slight imperfection remains where repaired.

Otherwise, think I made a mistake with the reflectors. Only 75% sold on the look and unhappy they’re not completely flush with the bumper; driver side worse than passenger side.

Dealer parts department said new ones can be had for about $50 and they attached with double sided tape from behind. Anyone have any removal / installation pictures? And anyone know the cheapest place to source same?

Thanks for everyone help.