[monkeyboy]

A couple of years ago, at night, I hit Bambi with my 2011 328xi. She came out of nowhere and I never saw her til after I heard/felt the hit. I was probably going around 30mph. Luckily Bambi was tiny so the damage was only (I believe) to the front end plastic pieces.

The hit cracked portions of the kidney grill and front bumper assembly. I bought a couple of pieces to replace the obvious breakage from ebay, but I never replaced the whole front assembly. Its slightly cracked in a couple of places and the paint has stressed-off in a few places, but since the car is black and the underlying plastic is black, it is difficult to see any of the damage (after I replaced the grill pieces).

I'd guess a front assembly replacement from a local body shop would cost ? $1200-1500 ? something like that (include the paint job). But unless you're up close, say a foot away and know what to look for, it is hard to see anything out of whack.

So I wonder if it is really worth it to put that kind of money into this car. I plan to keep it for a while. I worry that if I do replace it, Bambi's sister might jump out (there are a lot of deer around here) and make the repair a waste. Over the past 20 years, I've hit Bambi's friends 2 other times (which other cars). Whatdya all think? fix? leave it alone?

[Timothi2]

post a picture if you can. From your description I can't at all tell how much damage there was

[monkeyboy]

Originally Posted by Timothi2

post a picture if you can. From your description I can't at all tell how much damage there was

okay I'll try, but I'm skeptic as to whether you can see anything unless I go right up close to the actual cracks ...

[marvinstockman]

If you can't see it, why fix it?

[monkeyboy]

OK, here are a couple of pictures. You'll have to zoom in to see much. I've marked the areas in question with red numbers. The plastic is very slightly cracked in a couple of those areas but most of the visible "damage" is paint that has cracked off from the impact. Maybe just get a good re-paint job?

As mentioned, the real breakage were the two chrome/plastic kidney grill pieces, which I replaced with aftermarket parts. I see now that was a mistake as the chrome is wearing badly as compared with OEM parts. Best source for OEM kidney grills? (i.e. cheaper than dealer... or high-quality aftermarket?)

[Wolf 335]

Is the hood damaged right above passenger grille?

If body shop is charging $1500 why not order a brand new M Sport bumper from ecstuning. That cost will roughly cover the bumper and paint.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...90mtech-front/

However if you think you'll be saying hi to bambi again then just leave it.

[monkeyboy]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

Is the hood damaged right above passenger grille?

If body shop is charging $1500 why not order a brand new M Sport bumper from ecstuning. That cost will roughly cover the bumper and paint.

No, I don't believe there is any hood damage.
The $1500 figure was just my guess based on previous experiences.
Would you really put $1500 into this? I'm thinking of just trying to find a low-cost way to repaint the bumper. Any ideas?

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by monkeyboy

No, I don't believe there is any hood damage.
The $1500 figure was just my guess based on previous experiences.
Would you really put $1500 into this? I'm thinking of just trying to find a low-cost way to repaint the bumper. Any ideas?

Personally i would not invest any money in a 2007 vehicle, unless needed in order to operate properly.

This is one of those situations that you can leave it as is and just keep an eye out for a used bumper in your colour.

[Serf27]

The bumper doesn’t looked cracked in the photos.
Maybe some deep scratches?
$1500 is far too much.
If the bumper isn’t cracked, it can be re-sprayed and get new grills.
If not, a new aftermarket bumper isn’t much and a couple hundred to paint and it’ll be good!

[ny325]

I have a few scratches due from everyday driving. I'm going to call my body shop guy. I heard if it's cosmetic, they could usually touch up/spot spray the damage. My bumper just has rock chips, and about a 1/2 scratch. No cracks, or dents. My E90 is a 2008. And regardless how old it is, I take great care of it.

[uber]

Your bumper in that color should be pretty easy to find used. Keep an eye out on craigslist or junk yards!

[hOlykamOtie*]

Check Groupon for those bumper re-paint specials, usually around 200 or just do touch up paint and wax it.

[monkeyboy]

Originally Posted by Serf27

The bumper doesn’t looked cracked in the photos.
Maybe some deep scratches?

May have some scratches but mostly it is a paint issue. I read that paint applied to such "flexible" plastic pieces have some kind of extra "flexibility" agent added to reduce cracking in case of mild temporary deformations (i.e. bumping into something softly). I guess the paint wasn't flexible enough for this hit.

I gather that the front center piece that the grills snap into is all part of a single bumper piece. There are a couple of small cracks in that center area where it meets the bumper proper at near right angles, but they are not noticeable unless you look closely or run your finger across them. I guess the worry is that the bumper is now somewhat weakened, but perhaps not a big deal.

[Serf27]

If the paint is cracked, that’s fine. It can still be painted.
I’m sure your paint is able to flex some, as most are, but after a certain amount of flex, any paint will crack.

If the plastic is cracked, it would be better to get a new aftermarket bumper.
If only the paint is cracked, get it resprayed.
But don’t pay $1500 for a respray.

I wouldn’t worry about the bumper being “weakend”

[monkeyboy]

Originally Posted by Serf27

If the plastic is cracked, it would be better to get a new aftermarket bumper.
If only the paint is cracked, get it resprayed.

the plastic is cracked very slightly in 1-2 places -- very minor cracks, maybe less than 1" long and barely visible. I think I will seek out a low-cost repaint job... or how hideous would a $20 can of touch-up spray paint be?

[Serf27]

Sand all the paint cracks smooth and paint the center portion of the bumper then touch up the passenger side where the paint also chipped.
It has to be done properly for any chance of it looking semi decent.
Up to you if you want to repair the cracks or leave them there. They may start spreading if you don’t drill holes at the ends of each crack.

If you get it repaired, you might want to weight out the options of a repair shop charging you- crack repair cost+paint vs new bumper cost+Paint

Or wait till a color matched bumper pops up as other suggested.

[monkeyboy]

Originally Posted by Serf27

If you get it repaired, you might want to weight out the options of a repair shop charging you- crack repair cost+paint vs new bumper cost+Paint

Or wait till a color matched bumper pops up as other suggested.

Thanks.
Googling, I see that carparts.com lists a new bumper for less than $55 (usually about $200). Cheap but the labor to install and paint would likely push such a job at least to $600-700, no?

[Serf27]

It may be $55 but shipping will add up.
I don’t think you can get a new bumper for $55 shipped to your door.

Yes the paint work(depending on your area) can range anywhere from $180-$500 for the paint alone.
Add another maybe $100 to install?
Install is easy if you have a couple tools. Takes about an hour or less and you save the install $$.

Best bet. Buy a new bumper, get it painted at a decent price and install yourself.

[Boosted12a]

Last time I got a bumpper cover painted it was $200. The cover is pretty easy to take off so I wouldn't pay to have that done. I think you could get away with $500 all in. Or if.you like trying stuff your self get some plastic weld to fix the cracks, sand it down and get some rattle cans of touch-up and clear.

[neilvan]

IMO for what it is, Id just polish the bumper and leave the cracks for now(Most people wouldn't even notice. If the same bumper in your colour comes up locally then grab that.

Use that money for other things more necessary in the present or even a M-sport bumper down the line.

[pelon222]

I would call a few junk yards to see if they have the same color available, check craigslist for people parting out, facebook, or offerup. If it doesn't bother you as much just wait til one comes available

[Nickco43]

I have front and rear ebay pre-painted bumpers on my blue car for $230 a pop. They are good for what they are.