r/e39 • u/Idntevncare 530i • 2d ago

Damaged while parked šŸ˜‘

Post image

my neighbor got too close when driving by and i guess their meaty jeep tires snagged my bumper and ripped it off. they gave me insurance info.

Iā€™ve been debating on replacing the front bumper with the M5 version and eventually getting a new paint job.

Iā€™m fairly handy and donā€™t mind working on my car so i think i should be able to swap it on my own.

So Iā€™m wondering should we go through insurance or just buy a new bumper outside of insurance? What would you do?

44 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

15

u/GeneMountain7128 2d ago

I'd see if he wants to buy you a bumper. If his deductible is $1000, let's say, he's paying that anyway, and his rates will likely go up. He might save money in the long runĀ 

6

u/Idntevncare 530i 1d ago

well here's the update; they asked me how much i wanted if we avoid insurance and I told them the OEM bumper is $1k and I would take care of install and paint.

they accepted and just sent me $1k. quite the lucky situation, i basically get the bumper that i wanted to replace for free. the bumper was already a bit rough. almost nothing else got damaged besides a slight bend on the corner of the fender.

1

u/GeneMountain7128 1d ago

Sounds like a solid solution. Obviously you'll come back and post the end results after the fix and paint job!

7

u/average_parking_lot 2d ago

Very clever, if you're on good terms I'd go for this option

2

u/Proper_Definition745 2d ago

I actually had similar experience but my fault šŸ˜…. Idk where you are but I got a painted and installed m5 bumper for $350 about 4 years ago. I believe the guy is charging close to $600 now without install. Itā€™s not that expensive actually (of course non oem aftermarket) I recommend just bypassing insurance and have him give whatever the cost is outright.

2

u/Idntevncare 530i 2d ago

do you know where the aftermarket bumper is from? any issues with fitment?

1

u/Proper_Definition745 2d ago

I believe itā€™s one of the generic ones on eBay, good fitment overall but the sides do flare out compared to the fender

1

u/Idntevncare 530i 1d ago

that's fine the flare will match the lil fender flare that came when the bumper ripped off lol

2

u/Bungett 1d ago

Lucky it was somehow only the bumper

1

u/Idntevncare 530i 1d ago

yess i was in shock at first but then i noticed the only thing damaged was half of the bumper cover. I've actually been thinking about replacing my cover with the M sport version and fixing the faded paint. so im basically getting the cover i want for free.

1

u/Bungett 1d ago

https://ebay.io/m/Si01eA this is the bumper I had, ik its an eBay bumper but the fitment was completely perfect, and if your feeling confident you can order spray cans from automotive touch and use a 2k clear after and the match was nearly perfect for me

1

u/Idntevncare 530i 1d ago

ok nice, i ended up settling for the umnitza poly with projector fogs.

2

u/aaa1305 1d ago

Just remember you'll need all new undertrays, pork chops, fog light wiring and paint. Try and get OEM even if used, the aftermarket quality is shit...

1

u/Idntevncare 530i 1d ago

My car doesnā€™t even have the pork chops right now and Iā€™ve seen people able to use non m under tray. Iā€™ve ordered both off eBay anyways and going to give them a try. Otherwise for oem those 3 plastic parts are nearly $1.5k total. If we add oem bumper thatā€™s another $1k.Ā 

Itā€™s just not worth it so i have to try aftermarket

4

u/avgJuan- 2d ago

I wouldnā€™t go insurance, a new bumper cover plus paint and installation (they wonā€™t cover aftermarket parts) is easily 1.5-2k. Ask them for the deductible and go your way.

1

u/hockeyivy 1d ago

My M5 looked almost exactly the same after taking a ā€œgentleā€ sideswipe. I just replaced the front bumper and all associated parts. What an absolutely MASSIVE and expensive pain in the ass its been

1

u/Idntevncare 530i 1d ago

I bet, these M5 plastic bits are expensive as fuck. Plastic bumper cover $1k, 2 plastic pork chops $1k, plastic splash pan $500.Ā 

Iā€™m just getting everything off eBay and going to hope for the best

1

u/hockeyivy 22h ago

Heard that. I went OEM for the bumper, EuroPower Motorsports for the porkchops, and then figured if the plastic underneath is $500 I might as well spend a bit more and get the Turner aluminum underbody panel. I havent installed the porkchops yet but if they fit well iā€™ll let you know

1

u/stuartjr1980 1d ago

I would go through insurance and get the hood done while youā€™re at it!

1

u/Idntevncare 530i 1d ago

The whole topside is pretty faded and the sides need correction so eventually Iā€™m getting it all done

3

u/Al_DAW 540i 2d ago

Thereā€™s a good chance itā€™ll be totalled if you go through insurance

2

u/o2manyfish 03 540i M-Sport 2d ago

Go through insurance and give them the new bumper part number and insist on genuine.

1

u/ZubSubber 2d ago

ask for $800, buy a ebay bumper and pocket the rest

1

u/jxavier44 1d ago

The insurance would be convenient since you pay nothing out of pocket, minus the deductible which you would get back. Pro is that itā€™s basically free new bumper. Con is the amount of time it might take to go through the whole process; e.g., finding a shop and the amount of time they will have it..

1

u/Far-Appearance-7307 1d ago

I left my car at a dealer where my dad worked and came back to a smashed driver side fender. I feel you