Need some advice

ChuckBMW3 · 05-24-2011, 01:34 PM

Early this morning, my sister's 2011 335i (m-sport if it matters) was rear ended. To make a long story short, the damage is not too bad (crease/dent in the back bumper) and she all ready received an estimate from the local BMW certified body shop-about $500.

Their method of repair: Take off the bumper, "heat up" the bumper to remove the dent/crease, sand the area, and repaint.

My question is this: should she push for a new bumper or will this method suffice? Thankfully, I have never dealt with an accident so I'm fairly ignorant to the whole repair process.

Expert's please chime in with some advice. Thanks everyone...

I'll have pictures up shortly.

Wingman335 · 05-24-2011, 01:38 PM

It largely depends on the severity of the crease. In most cases, if the dent/damage isn't serious, the heating method works just fine.

Of course, getting a new bumper is always better, but the adjuster may not approve if the damage is minor that can be fixed by heating.

NaNo_F1 · 05-24-2011, 01:41 PM

Heat bumper, repair dent, paint TiAg, then send to me. kthxbye

IMO it should be fine if it's relatively minor damage and whoever is doing the work will do a good paint job. Since you mentioned a certified bmw shop it should be fine. The pictures will help.

ChuckBMW3 · 05-24-2011, 02:08 PM

Thanks for the responses. Here is the picture, and from what I can tell, it's not as bad as it sounded over the phone. The bumper is creased at the black horizontal line.

P.S. sorry the pic is so large

Edward · 05-24-2011, 02:13 PM

now pics of sister...that should help determine whether you should stick it to the adjuster or not for a new bumper.

Bimmer84 · 05-24-2011, 02:15 PM

^+1... Purely for professional reasons only...

ChuckBMW3 · 05-24-2011, 02:20 PM

Come on guys, keep this thread on topic. The general consensus seems that the body shop's plan of attack will work since the damaged area is fairly small...

Never-Enough · 05-24-2011, 02:24 PM

As long as there is no bondo going on the bumper, their method is fine.

Bimmer84 · 05-24-2011, 02:30 PM

I agree, I'm sure the car is brand new enough being a 2011 that if the bumper is repainted it should be fine to heat, fix and repaint. I'd stress they paint the WHOLE bumper and not just blend the area. It sounds stupid that they wouldn't, but saving a buck is saving a buck.

Wingman335 · 05-24-2011, 09:14 PM

Looks like a heating and molding job would do the trick well. Generally, a good body shop will insist on repainting the entire bumper, but just make sure that they indeed do it.

BoxerBimmer · 05-24-2011, 09:24 PM

The exact same thing happened to me last summer. They did exactly what you described. I was skeptical they would be able to get it back to mint. They did. It looks perfect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckBMW3

Early this morning, my sister's 2011 335i (m-sport if it matters) was rear ended. To make a long story short, the damage is not too bad (crease/dent in the back bumper) and she all ready received an estimate from the local BMW certified body shop-about $500.

Their method of repair: Take off the bumper, "heat up" the bumper to remove the dent/crease, sand the area, and repaint.

My question is this: should she push for a new bumper or will this method suffice? Thankfully, I have never dealt with an accident so I'm fairly ignorant to the whole repair process.

Expert's please chime in with some advice. Thanks everyone...

I'll have pictures up shortly.

RaceBlood · 05-24-2011, 09:24 PM

I agree, I had this done and it worked fine, but when its hit again, the paint bond is more fragile than the factory, and can splinter...

madehtsobi · 05-24-2011, 10:46 PM

i dont think they will give you a new bumper for something that small...but yeh make sure they repaint the whole bumper and not just "part" of it cause it just wont match..

make sure they "match" the white perfectly cause white is hard to match...

ChuckBMW3 · 05-25-2011, 10:41 PM

Thanks for the information everyone

. I'll pass along the advice...

driverman · 05-26-2011, 09:03 AM

I ask body shops this question: "Will I be able to tell that the car was damaged after you are done?" If they say yes, look for another body shop. If they say no, hold them to it.

My wife's Civic was just repaired after she hit a deer at low speed. When we got it back, you could see swirl marks when the car was in the sun. We took it back and they fixed it.

I would let them do the work the way they suggest and inspect it carefully when you get it back.

05-24-2011, 01:34 PM	#1
ChuckBMW3 Lieutenant 12 Rep 433 Posts Drives: f30 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	Need some advice Early this morning, my sister's 2011 335i (m-sport if it matters) was rear ended. To make a long story short, the damage is not too bad (crease/dent in the back bumper) and she all ready received an estimate from the local BMW certified body shop-about $500. Their method of repair: Take off the bumper, "heat up" the bumper to remove the dent/crease, sand the area, and repaint. My question is this: should she push for a new bumper or will this method suffice? Thankfully, I have never dealt with an accident so I'm fairly ignorant to the whole repair process. Expert's please chime in with some advice. Thanks everyone... I'll have pictures up shortly. __________________ f30 335i: Current e92 335i: Sold 10/29/2015 e90 328i: Sold 12/7/2013
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-24-2011, 01:38 PM	#2
Wingman335 Lieutenant 52 Rep 423 Posts Drives: 2011 335i E92 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	It largely depends on the severity of the crease. In most cases, if the dent/damage isn't serious, the heating method works just fine. Of course, getting a new bumper is always better, but the adjuster may not approve if the damage is minor that can be fixed by heating.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-24-2011, 01:41 PM	#3
NaNo_F1 Lieutenant 14 Rep 434 Posts Drives: 07 E90 328i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (9)	Heat bumper, repair dent, paint TiAg, then send to me. kthxbye IMO it should be fine if it's relatively minor damage and whoever is doing the work will do a good paint job. Since you mentioned a certified bmw shop it should be fine. The pictures will help.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-24-2011, 02:08 PM	#4
ChuckBMW3 Lieutenant 12 Rep 433 Posts Drives: f30 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the responses. Here is the picture, and from what I can tell, it's not as bad as it sounded over the phone. The bumper is creased at the black horizontal line. P.S. sorry the pic is so large Attached Images __________________ f30 335i: Current e92 335i: Sold 10/29/2015 e90 328i: Sold 12/7/2013
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-24-2011, 02:13 PM	#5
Edward Colonel 377 Rep 2,982 Posts Drives: 2013.9999 E92 Jerez ZCP Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	now pics of sister...that should help determine whether you should stick it to the adjuster or not for a new bumper.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-24-2011, 02:15 PM	#6
Bimmer84 Guardian of the Night 109 Rep 1,831 Posts Drives: 2010 335i M Sport Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 335i E92 [7.50]	^+1... Purely for professional reasons only... __________________ 2010 335i M Sport Coupe -- Black Sapphire Metallic\|Coral Red\|Loaded\|JB4 Stage 3\|BMS DCI\|VRSF DPs\|Camaross 6k AE\|Performance Gloss Black Grilles\|CF Performance Spoiler\|CF Quad Diffuser\|Double Layer Black Chrome Quad Tips\|CF Roundels\|Smoked Reflectors\|Red Cyba Scoops\|193s Painted Lamborghini Metallic Dark Gray
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-24-2011, 02:20 PM	#7
ChuckBMW3 Lieutenant 12 Rep 433 Posts Drives: f30 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	Come on guys, keep this thread on topic. The general consensus seems that the body shop's plan of attack will work since the damaged area is fairly small... __________________ f30 335i: Current e92 335i: Sold 10/29/2015 e90 328i: Sold 12/7/2013
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-24-2011, 02:24 PM	#8
Never-Enough Banned 48 Rep 1,038 Posts Drives: 2007 335xi E90 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA iTrader: (19)	As long as there is no bondo going on the bumper, their method is fine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-24-2011, 02:30 PM	#9
Bimmer84 Guardian of the Night 109 Rep 1,831 Posts Drives: 2010 335i M Sport Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 335i E92 [7.50]	I agree, I'm sure the car is brand new enough being a 2011 that if the bumper is repainted it should be fine to heat, fix and repaint. I'd stress they paint the WHOLE bumper and not just blend the area. It sounds stupid that they wouldn't, but saving a buck is saving a buck. __________________ 2010 335i M Sport Coupe -- Black Sapphire Metallic\|Coral Red\|Loaded\|JB4 Stage 3\|BMS DCI\|VRSF DPs\|Camaross 6k AE\|Performance Gloss Black Grilles\|CF Performance Spoiler\|CF Quad Diffuser\|Double Layer Black Chrome Quad Tips\|CF Roundels\|Smoked Reflectors\|Red Cyba Scoops\|193s Painted Lamborghini Metallic Dark Gray
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-24-2011, 09:14 PM	#10
Wingman335 Lieutenant 52 Rep 423 Posts Drives: 2011 335i E92 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	Looks like a heating and molding job would do the trick well. Generally, a good body shop will insist on repainting the entire bumper, but just make sure that they indeed do it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-24-2011, 09:24 PM	#12
RaceBlood Going nowhere fast. 56 Rep 2,243 Posts Drives: 2 wheels Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Downtown iTrader: (0)	I agree, I had this done and it worked fine, but when its hit again, the paint bond is more fragile than the factory, and can splinter...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-24-2011, 10:46 PM	#13
madehtsobi Enlisted Member 0 Rep 41 Posts Drives: bmw 335i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sugarland, TX iTrader: (4)	i dont think they will give you a new bumper for something that small...but yeh make sure they repaint the whole bumper and not just "part" of it cause it just wont match.. make sure they "match" the white perfectly cause white is hard to match...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2011, 10:41 PM	#14
ChuckBMW3 Lieutenant 12 Rep 433 Posts Drives: f30 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the information everyone . I'll pass along the advice... __________________ f30 335i: Current e92 335i: Sold 10/29/2015 e90 328i: Sold 12/7/2013
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-26-2011, 09:03 AM	#15
driverman Captain 38 Rep 715 Posts Drives: 2008 328i 6MT - SOLD Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: El Dorado Hills, CA iTrader: (0)	I ask body shops this question: "Will I be able to tell that the car was damaged after you are done?" If they say yes, look for another body shop. If they say no, hold them to it. My wife's Civic was just repaired after she hit a deer at low speed. When we got it back, you could see swirl marks when the car was in the sun. We took it back and they fixed it. I would let them do the work the way they suggest and inspect it carefully when you get it back.
	Appreciate 0 Quote