New Front End Needed (PICS)

[Jbs]

So about 5 weeks ago I was driving in rush hour traffic back from Santa Monica. Traffic started moving and then stopped again and for whatever reason, I did not exactly stop with it (make sure to fix your cupholders in this car so you're not driving stick with one hand lol). I go under the back of a Nissan Rogue (which of course is totally fine after all this - just a broken clip on the bottom left side of the bumper), and do a surprising amount of damage to the front of the car... Anyway, here's what $16.5k in damages looks like ($1800 away from totaling from a 5mph accident). Car should be back late this week/early next week; it just went in for paint now today.



more pics upon request/when car is back!

I will get a full parts list of what has been replaced, but off the top of my head - vanos unit in engine bay, bumper/fenders/hood/supporting parts, both headlight units and associated parts, grills/reflectors/lining/mounts/etc misc parts, radiator etc, NO FRAME DAMAGE!!


I was very close to trying to total the car, but its impossible to find another one right now and there was no frame damage; there is literally no other car I would want for $30k or whatever insurance would pay out.

Should be mint when it comes back in a few days; so excited!!

[Finnegan]

****! I agree with your reasoning, nothing structural, but damn, that's pricey! Did you go with stock or Aero bumper? At least those fangs will be nice and clean again, and no rock chips on the bumper or hood. (Suggestion: clear bra as soon as paint cures.)

[Kgolf31]

Ouch. +1 on your reasoning though.

When I got my bumper re-sprayed (thanks to the shippers putting a wonderful amount of damage to it) I got my bumper clear-bra'ed. Best decision ever IMO

[Jbs]

Haha I was shocked honestly; and am hoping that it drives as well as it used to (but with no frame damage, its purely cosmetic and should drive fine, correct?). I was actually going to go with an e90 M3 replica bumper (like the grey Euroboard z4), but decided to stick with OEM. I completely agree on getting a clear bra since I DD around 60 miles/day now. I may even get a full matte clear wrap!! or maybe matte grey.

[Swashplate]

Yea, you just missed the bumper beam by inches.

[pokeybritches]

Will they give you the old HID bulbs, assuming they are undamaged? Those are $275 each from the dealer ($175 + shipping online).

[Shipkiller]

John,

I would be surprised if there was any frame damage or distortion based on your assertion of a 5MPH contact and looking at the pictures which support the speed.

If the body shop properly aligns the replaceable crash/collapsible under pieces, you will have no issues. Everything in that area is designed to be unbolted and replaced. Without looking under the hood at the damage, the three priciest parts are the hood and both headlight assemblies. The headlights come in two configurations for order. The basic headlight without the HID components ($895.00), meaning they (the HIDs) must be transferred over from the old lights to the new ones and the complete assembly (with HIDs) for a whopping $1300.00.. I would bet the HID components are good. Mine were.

The biggest cost will be labor.

I can think of and visualize of a lot of the small non-chassis structural components that are out of whack but don't worry. A good shop will make it right.

Just do a good inspection before taking possession.

I bet the alignment was not disturbed from the collision.....but, if you have any specific suspension alignment settings you use, make sure the shop knows them before hand or you will have to get alignment redone after taking possession of the car.

Also, you will have to wait at least 30 or 45 days before you have a 'clearbra' applied. This is for the paint to cure and outgas.

For me, that would be a good project to do myself...

[dorifto88]

=/

[txz4]

yuk, looks like my nightmares. At least their isnt any frame damage to speak of. I would do the exact same thing as you, repair and drive. Its gonna look pristine at least and hey, its not like you had any immediate plans to sell, right?

[BlackMoupe]

Prime time for a tekarbon light job with all the downtime!

[jumpthewire]

Caliber in Santa Monica is great. Expensive, but they do great work and stand behind it.

[jrainlay]

Ouch! At least you were looking good when the accident occurred. Looks as though the car had been freshly detailed. Glad the damage is relatively superficial and the car will live again. The world becomes a little darker place each time a z4 coupe is lost.

[krusty]

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

I would be surprised if there was any frame damage or distortion based on your assertion of a 5MPH contact and looking at the pictures which support the speed.

5MPH seems a leetle on the optimistic side. How about 10+?

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

The biggest cost will be labor.

I very much doubt that.

Also, the side panel looks like it has bent on the corner. Anyway, am sorry to hear this ... someone went into my first z4 coupe (they ran a red light) and caused similar damage to the front. I'm looking to repair it, but need to find some parts at a reasonable price ... or find a facelift Z4 that got hit at the rear

[ZStig]

ouch, thats a lot of damage man :/

[Swashplate]

Looks kinda like mine did. But my bumper beam was toast along with a frame rail. One of my headlights actually was hit so hard it reverted back to individual atoms or 9000 pieces of plastic. One or the other.

these cars just do not crash nice. But what sportscar does i suppose.

[Uncle Russ]

Where were you able to get an OEM front bumper cover from? I looked at RealOEM and it said they were no longer available.

[v3.2mc]

Originally Posted by Uncle Russ

Where were you able to get an OEM front bumper cover from? I looked at RealOEM and it said they were no longer available.

that freaked me out so much that i called the local dealer...

there are 37 in the USA, and 68 in Germany.

[Jbs]

lol this was just my not looking back up after starting to move in stop and go traffic. put me without a car for 7 weeks!!

Just got it back a couple days ago though and it drives great! Needs new tires, but its very stiff/straight and feels solid. anything I should look for? I have a few sheets of paper with 120 different parts (not including left/right) that had to be replaced if anyone is interested in seeing...

!!

[Blind32]

Glad to see you got her back and she is putting a smile on your face again.

[bigbacon]

least you were in the loading zone.

[Swashplate]

And now you can get back into the Danger Zone!!!