[Jbabl]

Hello,

I got some damage on my rear and front bumpers-my car was parked and when I returned someone had scraped the back bumper, pushed my car against the front one, so now both bumpers have some slight damage-the rear one is worse scrapped down past the paint , down to the plastic- after talking to the insurance rep I went down to the dealer to get an estimate on repair.

So the body shop guy copped an attitude because I said I want the front and rear bumpers replaced with new ones. He said instead, what they do is take the bumpers out, epoxy, reshape with heat if needed(?) and sand the spots that were smashed and scratched-he said that's the standard, and "not to worry about it, he's the expert", etc
I was appalled because to me, the only way to do it right is to get the new ones and paint them. There's no way I will accept trying to blend in paint and clear coat, especially Black Sapphire metallic!
So I said to the guy I wanted a print out of what it would cost do do it my way. He got pissed off and said he'd print it out but that he makes the call on what and how to repair the damage. I said I would take it up with State Farm insurance and demand the new bumpers painted or at least try to negotiate with them because I want it done right!

The bumper covers, costing $443.63 front and $512.43 rear. 4.4 hrs body labr 8.8 hrs paint labor, etc, total is $1870.42
I have a $500 deductible of course. So am I wrong to demand the new bumpers? There are no holes or gouges, but I don't want them sanded and epoxied no matter how many times he says they will look good and it's standard procedure etc Sounds like a hack job to me, so tomorrow I'm going to a different dealer for an estimate.

Thanks
John

[Mehale]

I would check the Private FS section. Alot of times people will sell their stock bumpers because they have replaced it with Mtech bumpers. Some will sell front or rear for $250.

Most of the time they are in great condition, they just don't want to hold onto it. I'd take a look around first. May be cheaper than even paying the deductible.

[Juan.sidarta]

I have a question.

Does your insurance rise with this? I mean does insurance go up if you claim? thanks

[Mike@F1 Autohaüs]

Looks like the body shop is trying to cut costs. If you're not happy with them then the best thing to do is bring it to a BMW body shop and they'll get the job done. You can work it out with them in regards to getting a bumper replacement

[Jbabl]

I went to a second dealer for a second opinion and the guy that came to look at the car had a great attitude compared to the first guy. He also sid standad procedure to him would be to just repair bumpers and spray them. I still think that after the front one got a flat spot smashed in from the other car's license plate it should be replaced
Anyway, I will have an insurance adjuster from State Farm come out to look at the car. I will see what his idea is, show him the quote on replacing both bumpers. Actually I have 2 quotes, pretty much the same, around $1800 for the new bumpers painted and installed. I bet it's pretty much the same as the man hours to sand, epoxy, sand again, paint and clear coat the damaged area-in any case I'll look at the numbers, and if needed will picjk up teh difference and just have the new bumpers put in, maybe add the Aero rear one and pay a little more-

I did ask if this would increase my insurance and the lady said no-

Thanks
*And some dope put a new ding on my door today-people suck
JB

[nferber]

Originally Posted by Jbabl

I was appalled because to me, the only way to do it right is to get the new ones and paint them. There's no way I will accept trying to blend in paint and clear coat, especially Black Sapphire metallic!

This shouldn't matter either way. If the bumper is repaired, they should respray the entire bumper, not just the damaged areas. And if the bumper is new, they still need to spray the whole bumper.

But I do agree on getting new bumpers. Depending on the damage, if a bumper is fixed and repainted, there is a chance that after a few years the paint will begin to crack on the fixed areas.