halsnook
06-18-2003, 10:15 AM
Hi everyone,
I recently purchased a used (previously leased) `99 323i from a dealer. Everything appeared to be in perfect shape, but a few days after I bought it, I noticed that the underside of the front bumper had seen quite a few curb scrapes. On one side, the tab that connects to the wheel well trim is bent away from the car and looks irreparable (as if someone got caught on one of those cement parking lot curbs, then backed up). On the other side, the tab is still in good shape, but is missing the bolt that holds it to the trim. So, on both sides, the trim is held in place by just one bolt, but it seems fairly stable.
(I hope I'm refererring to the "trim" correctly. It's the black piece that hangs in front of the wheel)
Anyway, I got a quote from the dealer's collision center on replacing the entire bumper, and it came to $800. I'm sure I could find a lower price if I shopped around, but I'm wondering if I should be in any particular hurry. Is anything in danger of being damaged further, as long as I avoid hitting curbs?
I've attached a picture, which was actually taken before I even noticed the problem. Note the slight bulge on the driver's side; that's the tab that's bent downward. Now that I know it's there, my eye gravitates toward it everytime I approach the car. :(
I recently purchased a used (previously leased) `99 323i from a dealer. Everything appeared to be in perfect shape, but a few days after I bought it, I noticed that the underside of the front bumper had seen quite a few curb scrapes. On one side, the tab that connects to the wheel well trim is bent away from the car and looks irreparable (as if someone got caught on one of those cement parking lot curbs, then backed up). On the other side, the tab is still in good shape, but is missing the bolt that holds it to the trim. So, on both sides, the trim is held in place by just one bolt, but it seems fairly stable.
(I hope I'm refererring to the "trim" correctly. It's the black piece that hangs in front of the wheel)
Anyway, I got a quote from the dealer's collision center on replacing the entire bumper, and it came to $800. I'm sure I could find a lower price if I shopped around, but I'm wondering if I should be in any particular hurry. Is anything in danger of being damaged further, as long as I avoid hitting curbs?
I've attached a picture, which was actually taken before I even noticed the problem. Note the slight bulge on the driver's side; that's the tab that's bent downward. Now that I know it's there, my eye gravitates toward it everytime I approach the car. :(
