[Jon D]

Talk about a temporary sense of humour failure .
As per the attached photo, I caught the front bumper on the garage wall whist reversing out this afternoon; fortunately there's no panel deformation, just deep scratches, but it'll need a proper paint job.
What makes it worse is that the car is only 9 days old and there's nobody else to blame - just my own carelessness. It was tight enough with the E92, but the F10 is a bloody nightmare; the edge of the house prevents a straight run in and out of the garage and involves innumerable back and forth nudges.
Anyway, worse things happen at sea, or so I'm told .
Do any fellow UK members have any experience of Halfords scuff repair? They've quoted me £155 for the job to be done at home, which seems fairly reasonable.
Any recommendations welcome - thanks.
PS: strictly speaking, I know this is one for the 5 post, but there are far more UK members here. I'm still very much an E92 owner in spirit and, going by my disappointment with the F10's steering, it probably won't be very long before I return to the fold.

[JLR1969]

What a nightmare, I did a similar thing in my E92 when it was 1month old. I even had reverse sensors that were beeping to say stop!

Personally I would not bother with halfords, I used the body shop that Sytner High Wycombe use and I paid 250 pounds to have the whole bumper sprayed. On a new car I would not use a smart repair.

If it's a lease car it may be different but you will probably have the car for 4 years so for peace of mind get it done properly.

I know how you feel and it sucks but once it's repaired it's all forgotten about.

[chris_s1]

A smart repair will never get the fine detail around the parking sensor right. I had a very similar repair done on the rear corner a while back.

Since the car is that new, I'd have a proper body shop job if it was me

[xenon]

I disagree. If it were on metal I'd go for a body-shop type thing, but smart repairs can work really well for scuffs like that. I'd give it a try anyway - if they come to you it saves you a lot of faf and even if you're not 100% happy it's not a king's ransom.

[m@rk]

I did a lot worse on my rear bumper last year (concrete post) and it was a lot lot deeper than that.

Used Chips Away and could not be happier. Cost less than £100 as well.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by m@rk

I did a lot worse on my rear bumper last year (concrete post) and it was a lot lot deeper than that.

Used Chips Away and could not be happier. Cost less than £100 as well.

Thanks, that sort of money eases the burden of putting it down to experience - I'll get them to give me a quote.

[M3-FAST]

mmm, it would be a body shop for me I think.

The problem with all these 'chips away' type places is that they are all franchises. Some run by very capable ex body-shop experienced guys, others run by clowns who have had a weeks training on some scrap panels down at 'headquarters'

I have had good and bad repairs done in the past - after the last one I vowed never to use them again and get it done properly. A good bodyshop will have that done for less than £200 if paying cash and no receipt required. Go to a small reputable one that comes recommended and give em a try, you may be surprised.

That way it will be painted professionally indoors (not under a pop up gazebo!!) and not forced to dry in 2 minutes by surrounding it with heatlamps.

[andyp74199]

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

mmm, it would be a body shop for me I think.

The problem with all these 'chips away' type places is that they are all franchises. Some run by very capable ex body-shop experienced guys, others run by clowns who have had a weeks training on some scrap panels down at 'headquarters'

I have had good and bad repairs done in the past - after the last one I vowed never to use them again and get it done properly. A good bodyshop will have that done for less than £200 if paying cash and no receipt required. Go to a small reputable one that comes recommended and give em a try, you may be surprised.

That way it will be painted professionally indoors (not under a pop up gazebo!!) and not forced to dry in 2 minutes by surrounding it with heatlamps.

small bumps and scrapes are very annoying ! I totally agree with the above and have had a very similar experience. Im now in the position where I know and trust a local bodyshop who i'll always use instead of the mobile repairers even if it costs a little bit more, the quality is far superior and consistent

[Jeff123]

Originally Posted by chris_s1

A smart repair will never get the fine detail around the parking sensor right. I had a very similar repair done on the rear corner a while back.

Since the car is that new, I'd have a proper body shop job if it was me

I had my rear done - my own fault, so I know how it feels. The guy who did mine was highly experienced and works for many local dealers - but the bit around the parking sensor is difficult to spray. He more or less sprayed over mine. My car is sparkling graphite, so it does not look too bad.

Once you start spraying, it is very difficuly to match colours and sometimes you have to compromise and just live with an inferior job, as I have done. Even with a full bumper respray!

What I think is worth considering is a smart-type repair (as described on this forum) where you just use the bare minimum of paint and treat each scrach mark individually. You build up a layer that stands proud and rub it level, before buffing it. Could a detailer do this for you?

Also, front bumpers take such hammer that in 12 months time it will be full of stone chips anyway.

[m1bjr]

I agree with Jeff.
I would SMART repair that.
The thing will get chipped to hell anyhow in normal use (assuming you drive it and its not a garage queen)
Keep the £300 or so it'll cost until its trade back time, then get it fettled.

[DavS1]

Thats gutting Jon


Have no experience with SMART repair or anything like that, but people above seem to think it works no prob. if it can make it 100% invisible then i'd give it a try, if not, then im sure you could get some sort of refund and have a good bodyshop fix it?

[Carrera RSR]

Could be worse. This was 12 days old



In my view you buy cheap, you buy twice. I'd get in painted properly by a bodyshop. A smart repair will be visible. A smart repair will fail once its been battered by road shit through the winter. Next spring you will have to do it again. Your pic is probably not showing all the minute scratches, just the deeper ones. Too much work for individual scratch filling.

[Jon D]

Just 'googled' smart repair and I have no idea who to pick.
Does anyone have any recommendations?
Aberdeen, Inverness or Tonbridge areas.

[KadeSdad]

Originally Posted by Carrera RSR

Could be worse. This was 12 days old



In my view you buy cheap, you buy twice. I'd get in painted properly by a bodyshop. A smart repair will be visible. A smart repair will fail once its been battered by road shit through the winter. Next spring you will have to do it again. Your pic is probably not showing all the minute scratches, just the deeper ones. Too much work for individual scratch filling.

OUCH!!!

[briers]

If a bumper respray is possible for £250 then it's an easy decision, it's only another £100.

You could nail a load of carpet and foam to the wall which might take the edge off next time