[Dustz]

Hello fellow bimmians becareful out there, I was a victim of an accident earlier this week. Another car carelessly merged into my lane, hitting my left fender and wheel . There are slight damages on the front bumper and door handle. I've gotten some estimates ranging from 700$-1300$. I've done some researching and found an unpainted fender goes for around $100 alone. I was wondering if anyone has been in a similar scenario that could give me a preliminary estimate.
Thanks

[sjf430]

Unfortunate my dude, but as long as no one as injured

[stashtrey]

Time for mtech or M3 front bumper! That is how I got my mtech rear. Assuming you're Pre lci stock front bumper?

[techietaichi]

Man, that shit ticks me off. Damned oblivious people. Anyways, glad you're ok dude. Like stash said, looks like it's time for an upgrade and even better THEY get to pay for it!

[mansito]

Accidents happen. That is minor. Hope you called the police and whoever hit you was declared at fault, and you are going to recover the cost through his/her insurance.

[GB-335xiCoupe]

I'm thinking $1,200-1,500 range.
Only thing pisses me off more than other drivers in general, is bad, oblivious drivers. Were they texting, I suppose?
To me, it's one thing if you text and can stay in your lane and still be observant. It's another (saw this the other day on the freeway), guy driving an SUV was making lane changes unintentionally, riding right in the center, making obvious corrections when he started going into the shoulder. It was exactly as if he was drunk. I zipped past him because I didn't want him to lose it, rollover and kill me. It was that bad. So I watched him in my rear mirror for about 5 miles. I lost count of how many times he made wandering lane changes and driving right down the center line. What a fucking moron.

[roadkillrob]

I am thinking more also, the big issue is if the bumper holes are tore where it bolts to the fender and a bumper goes 800 or more painted and installed at a reputable shop. Also then the fender and bumper move it will often crack the headlight mounts and the headlight is expensive. I would bet 2k done right or more.

[KwlAznKid]

wait.. e90s have metal fenders?! howcome us e92 guys got plastic ones?!

anwyays op sorry to hear but as long as you're not hurt that's what matters! good luck with repairs

[Bob Shiftright]

Originally Posted by Dustz

I've gotten some estimates ranging from 700$-1300$.

When my car was new, it received a shopping cart ding that was small enough that I wouldn't have been dinged for it if the car was a lease. (But you could see it from 20 feet away.)

It was adjacent to a panel crease so the PDR people couldn't fix it.

The tab was about $1000.

Your damage looks worse.

(BTW, as I read the BMW parts catalog, an E90 BMW front bumper lists for $532 and the fender is $354. I'm not sure how they can do this job -- with paint -- for $700.

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by Bob Shiftright

(BTW, as I read the BMW parts catalog, an E90 BMW front bumper lists for $532 and the fender is $354. I'm not sure how they can do this job -- with paint -- for $700.

aftermarket chinese parts, cheap paint.

[R608]

Originally Posted by Bob Shiftright

...(BTW, as I read the BMW parts catalog, an E90 BMW front bumper lists for $532 and the fender is $354. I'm not sure how they can do this job -- with paint -- for $700.

Non-OEM parts as stated above, perhaps, or used (salvaged) parts. I was in a similar situation last summer. Find out what kind of replacement parts they're using and push for new OEM. I'd probably accept used OEM if I had to as long as the parts were in A1 condition, but I wouldn't accept an aftermarket panel if I cared about the car at all. You won't have to worry about rust, but the fit would still be an unknown.

Are they proposing to replace your front bumper cover, can it be repaired, or is the damage to it just paint-related?

[Dustz]

Thanks for all the support everyone. The three shops that I spoke to said that they would just paint the bumper. The only part that would be needing to replace would be the left panel/fender. All three shops proposed to using non oem parts to replace with. I am not sure about the plastic liner beneath which is not included in any estimates yet.

[wojcikgu]

The three shops that I spoke to said that they would just paint the bumper.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by mansito

Accidents happen. That is minor. Hope you called the police and whoever hit you was declared at fault, and you are going to recover the cost through his/her insurance.

Most are preventable however.....

[GB-335xiCoupe]

Originally Posted by KwlAznKid

wait.. e90s have metal fenders?! howcome us e92 guys got plastic ones?!

anwyays op sorry to hear but as long as you're not hurt that's what matters! good luck with repairs

If he had an e92, he probably wouldn't have this much damage...

[Rob13567]

Originally Posted by KwlAznKid

wait.. e90s have metal fenders?! howcome us e92 guys got plastic ones?!

anwyays op sorry to hear but as long as you're not hurt that's what matters! good luck with repairs

I think I read somewhere it helps e92 50/50 weight distribution

[bily]

Originally Posted by Dustz

Thanks for all the support everyone. The three shops that I spoke to said that they would just paint the bumper. The only part that would be needing to replace would be the left panel/fender. All three shops proposed to using non oem parts to replace with. I am not sure about the plastic liner beneath which is not included in any estimates yet.

Understand what the warranty is on the non OEM parts from the supplier. Shops don't warranty the parts, just the work. If you are concerned, just ask your insurance company if the parts have been crash tested and ask them to see the results so you can make sure your car and it's occupants will be safe.

[R608]

Originally Posted by Dustz

Thanks for all the support everyone. The three shops that I spoke to said that they would just paint the bumper. The only part that would be needing to replace would be the left panel/fender. All three shops proposed to using non oem parts to replace with. I am not sure about the plastic liner beneath which is not included in any estimates yet.

Personally, that would be unacceptable to me. For a fender replacement I wouldn't be worried about reduced crash protection, but I would be worried about panel fit and quality. It may come back looking perfect, but you won't know until the work is done at which point you're probably stuck with the result. A friend of mine's car was hit in a parking lot a few years back, also requiring replacement of a front fender. When he got it back I could tell almost immediately (and he confirmed) that they had used an aftermarket replacement panel because when siting down the gap between the new fender and the front door, the curvatures were slightly different resulting in the two parts not lining up quite right. He didn't seem to care, but I wouldn't have been satisfied with it, myself.

[Kolyan2k]

So why not go through the insurance ? its free and you get quality job done. Go to BMW certified shop, get a quote, get paid from insurance company.....easy, and you get free rental on top

[mansito]

What R608 said. You should demand OEM parts. Keep in mind BMW body is galvanized. Not sure if the non-OEM part are galvanized + fit/fitment may be an issue. Why gamble if cheap parts if you are not at fault.

[roadkillrob]

I also would demand oem parts and would find a high quality shop the knows bmw's, someone else caused the damage and I would assume their insurance is paying, so why would you not want you car fixed perfectly as it was?

[bimmerdavid]

I was in an accident with the same type of damage (except they clipped the mirror too). They replaced my fender and bumper both, since the bumper is plastic. My total was closer to $2K. My wheel wasn't replaced since it was not cracked and held air (was just painted). Just go through their insurance and take care of it.