1 series bumper damage!!

[weigl]

So a very inconsiderate (!) individual hit my 1 series overnight on Saturday and left a nasty gash in the front bumper (see photos). No note, no witnesses, just an annoying blemish in my freshly cleaned black paintwork.

My options are:

1) BMW want to replace the whole bumper - £1594

2) Make an insurance - excess is £550

3) Have it repaired by an independent/bodywork specialist ~ <£550

So this may be a rookie question, but if I have it repaired by an independent, will it invalidate my manufacturer warranty?

And can anyone recommend an independent BMW bodywork specialist in the south west?

Thanks in advance.

W



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[Sixpackpert]

Smart repair, 150 quid or so.

Send a picture to a local specialist.

[Evercross]

Going by what I can see in those pics I would suspect that your bumper has been previously filled and repainted! That looks like white/grey powdery material in the gash which suggests filler rather than the black plastic and a clean fracture I would expect to see. The material goes too deep to be just primer/undercoat.

[weigl]

Evercross said:

Going by what I can see in those pics I would suspect that your bumper has been previously filled and repainted! That looks like white/grey powdery material in the gash which suggests filler rather than the black plastic and a clean fracture I would expect to see. The material goes too deep to be just primer/undercoat.

I would hope not - bought from BMW dealer at 1 year old and 2000 miles - previously owned by BMW employee at HQ. The photo isn't great, but the grey/white I believe belongs to the offender's vehicle, transferred onto mine at the point of impact.

[Mexman]

Evercross said:

Going by what I can see in those pics I would suspect that your bumper has been previously filled and repainted! That looks like white/grey powdery material in the gash which suggests filler rather than the black plastic and a clean fracture I would expect to see. The material goes too deep to be just primer/undercoat.

Agreed, looks like previous filler work.

[paintman]

Looks like split & cracked filler to me too - & quite a lot of it.

[Evercross]

weigl said:

I would hope not - bought from BMW dealer at 1 year old and 2000 miles

Anything can happen in 1 year and 2000 miles.

weigl said:

previously owned by BMW employee at HQ

...which IMO makes it more likely that the car has been treated carelessly and may have had a cheap repair on the QT to avoid the excess coming out of someone's wages..

weigl said:

The photo isn't great, but the grey/white I believe belongs to the offender's vehicle, transferred onto mine at the point of impact.

I'm highly sceptical. From the pics it looks like the top coat of paint has cracked/flaked and the grey material is underneath.

Edited by Evercross on Tuesday 15th January 17:22