Repair or replace bumper?

Jeff01234567 · 08-06-2022, 04:44 PM

I received small dents and holes from a truck that tapped into me. Would you think this is repairable? A BMW dealership-affiliated body shop thought that this is not repairable and need to replace the whole bumper, but I feel like they might just be trying to upsell. The damage doesn’t seem to warrant a whole new bumper but also enough that I feel like I need to dk something about it.

M Fifty · 08-07-2022, 08:43 AM

It's difficult to tell how much damage has occurred to the actual material from that picture. It is probably repairable, but to get it back to looking as new might be more expensive than fitting a new one.

Try a SMART Repair specialist for an alternative quote.

HTH

zkeeper · 08-07-2022, 03:49 PM

Definitely cost it out with a really reputable body/paint shop vs. new and then having to have it painted to match completely at body lines. I suspect, that the taps and dimples could be tapped out...or filled and paint blended for less than new. Do your due diligence...sit back and compare. You find the right answer for sure. Bests on the issue.

allinon72 · 08-07-2022, 04:05 PM

Some body shops are still willing to repair vs. replace, while others just want to parts-change. If your bumper is replaced, I would make sure it is an OEM piece and not an aftermarket replacement. Something like that seems relatively easy to repair and seems like the only way to make the numbers work would be to use a cheap aftermarket bumper.

jkoral · 08-07-2022, 05:59 PM

I had a dime size "tear" in my 135i bumper. I assumed the only option was replace, but brought it by a small *trustworthy* body shop where I could talk to the owner and they repaired/painted it for $600 or $700. It was perfect, I could not tell where it was was, paint (Space Gray) was a perfect match (not sure if they blended into rear quarter panels). I had wrongly assumed replacement was the only way I would be happy.

///MPhatic · 08-07-2022, 06:14 PM

The problem is that your bumper cover is polyurethane, so repair putty doesn't like to stick to it like it would metal. You can have poly grafted on, but it's cost prohibitive. If you don't want it to come back some day, replace the bumper cover. If you don't care because you're not going to own it that long, do whatever you like.

08-06-2022, 04:44 PM	#1
Jeff01234567 Second Lieutenant 218 Rep 244 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Comp, M-B A220 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: California iTrader: (2) Garage List 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00] 2019 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00]	Repair or replace bumper? I received small dents and holes from a truck that tapped into me. Would you think this is repairable? A BMW dealership-affiliated body shop thought that this is not repairable and need to replace the whole bumper, but I feel like they might just be trying to upsell. The damage doesn’t seem to warrant a whole new bumper but also enough that I feel like I need to dk something about it. Attached Images
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08-07-2022, 08:43 AM	#2
M Fifty Banned 844 Rep 1,962 Posts Drives: M2 & 330CI Join Date: May 2018 Location: The Interweb iTrader: (0)	It's difficult to tell how much damage has occurred to the actual material from that picture. It is probably repairable, but to get it back to looking as new might be more expensive than fitting a new one. Try a SMART Repair specialist for an alternative quote. HTH
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08-07-2022, 03:49 PM	#3
zkeeper Captain 208 Rep 602 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 & 08 Z4 si Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: BimmerHaven iTrader: (0)	Definitely cost it out with a really reputable body/paint shop vs. new and then having to have it painted to match completely at body lines. I suspect, that the taps and dimples could be tapped out...or filled and paint blended for less than new. Do your due diligence...sit back and compare. You find the right answer for sure. Bests on the issue.
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08-07-2022, 04:05 PM	#4
allinon72 Brigadier General 4922 Rep 3,805 Posts Drives: 20' M2C, 23' X1 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (2)	Some body shops are still willing to repair vs. replace, while others just want to parts-change. If your bumper is replaced, I would make sure it is an OEM piece and not an aftermarket replacement. Something like that seems relatively easy to repair and seems like the only way to make the numbers work would be to use a cheap aftermarket bumper.
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08-07-2022, 05:59 PM	#5
jkoral Lieutenant Colonel 1023 Rep 1,968 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MA iTrader: (7)	I had a dime size "tear" in my 135i bumper. I assumed the only option was replace, but brought it by a small trustworthy body shop where I could talk to the owner and they repaired/painted it for $600 or $700. It was perfect, I could not tell where it was was, paint (Space Gray) was a perfect match (not sure if they blended into rear quarter panels). I had wrongly assumed replacement was the only way I would be happy.
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08-07-2022, 06:14 PM	#6
///MPhatic The Seeker 13863 Rep 3,323 Posts Drives: OG M2 • Exige Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	The problem is that your bumper cover is polyurethane, so repair putty doesn't like to stick to it like it would metal. You can have poly grafted on, but it's cost prohibitive. If you don't want it to come back some day, replace the bumper cover. If you don't care because you're not going to own it that long, do whatever you like.
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