E39 540i Sport bumper trouble

[The Stiglet]

Guys,

I don't understand what's going on. I took my car to a BMW dealer in London about 6 weeks ago to get them to replace a parking sensor in the rear bumper (was a bumper off job as the sensor was body coloured) but when I went to pick up my car I noticed the rear bumper was cracked right underneath the number plate. It looked as though it was a stress fracture caused by them having problems getting the bumper off - there was no damage that showed abrasion or impact and I categorically did not drive in there with the bumper in that state. To cut a long story short, they admitted they had some problems getting the bumper off but the damage must have occurred in the past and been patched over. (I still am not sure about this). The manager didn't want all the fuss of me kicking up st with any further letters and emails and kindly offered to have it fixed, not replaced, at their bodywork department free of charge.

All good and the results were superb - perfect in fact. I was chuffed.

However, just used the car today to pick up something at work and as soon as I walked round the back after parking in the office car park, I did the 'look over the shoulder' and noticed the bloody crack was back!!!! It was not there when I had left home 15 minutes before and I know this for certain because I had opened the boot and couldn't have missed it.

My question is, what's going on?! Did they do a bad repair? Again, there is no sign of damage from another vehicle. What should I do about getting it fixed and how much ££ should it cost? It certainly looks rubbish and will give me hell in resale if I try to sell. I paid top dollar in October last year for it and don't want to take that sort of hit because of a cracked bumper. VERY annoying.

Thanks in advance.
Stiggy

Original crack (fixed by BMW):





Cracks today (different but same starting point):

[roofer]

They've filled the crack and painted it, so it was never going to last long. Due to the different expansion/contraction rates of filler/bumper. It should have been taken off, plastic welded and then a skim of filler, which they were never going to do as it was a 'freebie'. If it had been a paid repair, it would be warrantied, may be worth a try though.

Bumpers on them are the easiest thing in the world to get off, as long as the sliding track on the corners is not gunked up, i would guess that someone has tried to pull it off unevenly and caused the crack, hard to prove though....

[The Stiglet]

roofer said:

They've filled the crack and painted it, so it was never going to last long. Due to the different expansion/contraction rates of filler/bumper. It should have been taken off, plastic welded and then a skim of filler, which they were never going to do as it was a 'freebie'. If it had been a paid repair, it would be warrantied, may be worth a try though.

Bumpers on them are the easiest thing in the world to get off, as long as the sliding track on the corners is not gunked up, i would guess that someone has tried to pull it off unevenly and caused the crack, hard to prove though....

Thanks mate, I appreciate the feedback. I posted on the Bodywork & Detailing forum and Anatol basically said the same thing. Clearly, they didn't do the job as well as it should have been done.

How much do you think it would be to get this done by a specialist Bodywork company? Or would I be better trying to find an E39 sport bumper and having it re sprayed?

[roofer]

I would try and find another bumper skin. Give M Style in Romford a shout, he usually has something about and paints also. 6 year warranty on their paintwork.

[The Stiglet]

Thanks, although it looks like I'm going to have an expensive day out

I've never heard of these guys but their options on the website look good - have you used them before?

[roofer]

Yes, Paul or Dan will look after you. Sport bumpers are still in demand, those available used usually have some faults.

[The Stiglet]

Thanks again for the help