[jplev]

While my car was parked at work (backed-in to a parking spot), someone scratched my front bumper. My car was fine when I parked in the morning and I didn't go anywhere until the end of the day when I saw the damage. I won't get into why the person who did this didn't take responsibility by leaving a note (that could be a thread all to itself).

My questions is what the best remedy to fix this would be. It is a leased vehicle with about 10 months left. I really don't want to replace the entire bumper, nor do I really want to report to insurance unless the cost is really high. Is there a way for a body shop to sand out the scratches and repaint either part or the entire bumper (and if so, what kind of cost do you think I would incur)? I realize it is difficult to tell in the picture, but the scratches are basically just through the paint from what I can tell (bumper itself beneath the paint seems ok to me).

[NormE91]

A body shop can fix that easily, no reason at all to replace the bumper. Whether or not the entire bumper needs to be painted will be up to them, but they'll probably want to paint the whole bumper. Looks like about $400-$500 to me, but prices vary.

[jplev]

Thanks...that is somewhat comforting. If the cost is around there, that is close enough to my deductible where it wouldn't make sense to go through insurance.

It still upsets me that people don't take responsibility for things like this. Years ago, I backed into an illegally parked vehicle and I left a note, had my insurance take care of the repair.

[JustinGTP]

People are pieces of shit and karma will find its way to that person.

I had my bumper refinished at a really good shop up here in Canada for $900~. Neighbour had backed into my car pressing the front bumper into the horizontal bar behind it causing a crease along the front. Luckily I confronted them about it and they paid for the refinish in cash. Body shop made it look like new.

[jplev]

Well, I received an estimate for sanding and repainting - $1,200. I'll need to go through insurance for that amount. At this point, I'm going to wait until we hit spring.

I don't have my lease agreement at my fingertips, was wondering how much of an allowance for things like this BMW provides when turning in a lease?

[Dylanize]

I'd be pissed. Dude at that price you better have insurance get you a nice m sport bumper!