Repairing e90 lci bumper

Mark12 · 02-06-2015, 01:51 PM

I'm trying to find a low cost solution to fix my cracked bumper. Here are couple of pictures of the damage -

View post on imgur.com

Shops are quoting me around 1200 to fix the damage. As a low cost solution, I'm looking to use this JbSpeed Splitter to cover up most of the damage. I can then use epoxy and touchup paint to hide the crack on the side. Any thoughts on this? Would the splitters be high enough to cover up most of the damage?

The other option is I buy a bumper and take it to the shop. The OEM bumpers seem to cost around $450. That's about the same as the MTech bumpers. Is the MTech bumper prefered by the other users?

Thanks

hongsc · 02-06-2015, 03:14 PM

I guess epoxy, bondo, wet sanding and touch up paint along with the splitters. Or try to find a cheap original bumper, which might be fairly easy because it's a common color. Alpine White right?

Mark12 · 02-06-2015, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hongsc

I guess epoxy, bondo, wet sanding and touch up paint along with the splitters. Or try to find a cheap original bumper, which might be fairly easy because it's a common color. Alpine White right?

Correct. What is the best place for me to search for OEM bumpers? I've been googling and have seen a couple of dealers have them for $440. Painting them is going to cost almost $350. So, it'll cost quite a bit more than splitters + epoxy.

///Mposter · 02-06-2015, 03:30 PM

In my opinion replace the bumper. If it is repaired you will either see the repair area, or later if you hit the same area it will crack in the weakest points being the hairline crack from previous . You will spend more money trying to repaint again later and you will wish you just ponied up or waited a bit longer to find an OEM bumper.

wdeerfield · 02-06-2015, 03:32 PM

The splitter will only go up to the horizontal line on the side. I would suggest getting them prepainted off ebay for $130 instead of JB speed. Just put some 3m clear protectant over them and they will last a while. could also epoxy from the back of the bumper where it is cracked and use clear 3m on the crack to hold it better as an alternative too

Mark12 · 02-06-2015, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

The splitter will only go up to the horizontal line on the side. I would suggest getting them prepainted off ebay for $130 instead of JB speed. Just put some 3m clear protectant over them and they will last a while. could also epoxy from the back of the bumper where it is cracked and use clear 3m on the crack to hold it better as an alternative too

I found a couple on ebay - one, two ,three.

Do you think one would work better than the others?

wdeerfield · 02-06-2015, 03:44 PM

one and two are the same and three is what i have. i bought it from that seller too. they fit great for me. the only issue is the cheap paint job. Thats why i recommended clear vinyl film to protect them

Mark12 · 02-06-2015, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

one and two are the same and three is what i have. i bought it from that seller too. they fit great for me. the only issue is the cheap paint job. Thats why i recommended clear vinyl film to protect them

Cool. I'll order the same one. How quick was the shipping?

litxus · 02-06-2015, 04:13 PM

Check junkyards for bumpers as well as car-part.com. You will have to pay for repainting anyways, so why not get a decent bumper? You can try to fix the old one, and I'm guessing it will cost you close to $100-200 to fix and then add painting (300$?).

hongsc · 02-12-2015, 01:39 AM

Check the forum for the used bumper. I bet those that upgraded to the m3 rep or mtech will sell it cheap.

wdeerfield · 02-12-2015, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark12

Cool. I'll order the same one. How quick was the shipping?

Had them in less than 2 weeks

02-06-2015, 01:51 PM	#1
Mark12 New Member 3 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2010 328xi Join Date: May 2013 Location: Grand Rapids, MI iTrader: (0)	Repairing e90 lci bumper I'm trying to find a low cost solution to fix my cracked bumper. Here are couple of pictures of the damage - View post on imgur.com Shops are quoting me around 1200 to fix the damage. As a low cost solution, I'm looking to use this JbSpeed Splitter to cover up most of the damage. I can then use epoxy and touchup paint to hide the crack on the side. Any thoughts on this? Would the splitters be high enough to cover up most of the damage? The other option is I buy a bumper and take it to the shop. The OEM bumpers seem to cost around $450. That's about the same as the MTech bumpers. Is the MTech bumper prefered by the other users? Thanks Last edited by Mark12; 02-06-2015 at 02:23 PM..
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02-06-2015, 03:14 PM	#2
hongsc Captain 153 Rep 982 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Amazon Prime iTrader: (1)	I guess epoxy, bondo, wet sanding and touch up paint along with the splitters. Or try to find a cheap original bumper, which might be fairly easy because it's a common color. Alpine White right? __________________ 2011 BMW 328i Space Grey\|18" Avant Garde m359\|Michelin Pilot Sport A/S2\|Eibach Pro-Kit Springs\|Koni FSD\|M3 U+L Control Arms\|Lux Angel Eyes\|Stoptech\|Hawk 5.0\|aFe Race Pipes\|BMW PE
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02-06-2015, 03:30 PM	#4
///Mposter Macgyver 208 Rep 942 Posts Drives: 2007 e92 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Greensboring iTrader: (0)	In my opinion replace the bumper. If it is repaired you will either see the repair area, or later if you hit the same area it will crack in the weakest points being the hairline crack from previous . You will spend more money trying to repaint again later and you will wish you just ponied up or waited a bit longer to find an OEM bumper. __________________ GTX3076R , ADV, JB4, FMIC, BOV, 17"APEX, 255/40/17 SQ, 6-SPD Manual
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02-06-2015, 03:32 PM	#5
wdeerfield A family of bimmers 2745 Rep 7,741 Posts Drives: '18 G01 X3M40i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Clifton Park, NY iTrader: (0)	The splitter will only go up to the horizontal line on the side. I would suggest getting them prepainted off ebay for $130 instead of JB speed. Just put some 3m clear protectant over them and they will last a while. could also epoxy from the back of the bumper where it is cracked and use clear 3m on the crack to hold it better as an alternative too __________________ 2018 PB/Black G01 X3M40i \| 699M \| ZDA \| ZPP \| ZPX \| Maxton front lip \| X3M vents \| 15mm Spacers \| Diamond G20 style grills
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02-06-2015, 03:44 PM	#7
wdeerfield A family of bimmers 2745 Rep 7,741 Posts Drives: '18 G01 X3M40i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Clifton Park, NY iTrader: (0)	one and two are the same and three is what i have. i bought it from that seller too. they fit great for me. the only issue is the cheap paint job. Thats why i recommended clear vinyl film to protect them __________________ 2018 PB/Black G01 X3M40i \| 699M \| ZDA \| ZPP \| ZPX \| Maxton front lip \| X3M vents \| 15mm Spacers \| Diamond G20 style grills
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02-06-2015, 04:13 PM	#9
litxus Lieutenant 58 Rep 494 Posts Drives: 09 E90 335i sedan Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Villa Park iTrader: (1)	Check junkyards for bumpers as well as car-part.com. You will have to pay for repainting anyways, so why not get a decent bumper? You can try to fix the old one, and I'm guessing it will cost you close to $100-200 to fix and then add painting (300$?).
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02-12-2015, 01:39 AM	#10
hongsc Captain 153 Rep 982 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Amazon Prime iTrader: (1)	Check the forum for the used bumper. I bet those that upgraded to the m3 rep or mtech will sell it cheap. __________________ 2011 BMW 328i Space Grey\|18" Avant Garde m359\|Michelin Pilot Sport A/S2\|Eibach Pro-Kit Springs\|Koni FSD\|M3 U+L Control Arms\|Lux Angel Eyes\|Stoptech\|Hawk 5.0\|aFe Race Pipes\|BMW PE
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