E92 M3 damage - pay out of pocket vs claim via insurance?

[VeeTenM]

Wing looks ok to me, unless there is other damage?

[MitchT]

VeeTenM said:

Wing looks ok to me, unless there is other damage?

I'm thinking the same.

If it's just the bumper and a grill that's damaged I'd get replacements from a breaker and find a good independent to fit and, if necessary, paint them.

[l-murcielago]

VeeTenM said:

Wing looks ok to me, unless there is other damage?

I agree the wing looks perfectly fine. However, our local bodywork shop said it needs replacing because the thin plastic strip which connects the wing to the bumper came off.. does that sound right to you?

[MGirl]

That’s going to take more than a new grill and bumper. There is a couple of reinforced parts behind that within the carrier and a shock absorber on both the left and right sides which will by the looks need to be replaced too. At least on the impact side.

As for the bracket, yet there is a combination bracket and a couple of guides to go with it and all are individual and replaceable parts but if the impact has damaged the connection points then it may be why a new wing is being advised but I would be asking to see the damage to judge.

Until you actually tear it down, you never actually know what the real damage is and if there is anything underneath needing replaced.

Edited by MGirl on Saturday 11th September 22:31

[Mr Tidy]

I don't know for sure about the E92 but most BMWs have a plastic clip where the wing meets the bumper.

It looks like it's part Number 3 on here:-

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=WD92...

I think I'd be looking for a better bodyshop!

[E-bmw]

I would have thought at 10 years NCB he would have protected NCB, so just the cost of the excess if that is the case.

[Fore Left]

E-bmw said:

I would have thought at 10 years NCB he would have protected NCB, so just the cost of the excess if that is the case.

It's optional. I have more than that and I don't have it. Premium will go up regardless as he has to declare the claim.

[E-bmw]

Fore Left said:

E-bmw said:

I would have thought at 10 years NCB he would have protected NCB, so just the cost of the excess if that is the case.

It's optional. I have more than that and I don't have it. Premium will go up regardless as he has to declare the claim.

I know it is a bit stable-door-horse-bolty but I would never be without it, 2 claims in 3 years, no premium hike, just excess on both.

[l-murcielago]

MGirl said:

That’s going to take more than a new grill and bumper. There is a couple of reinforced parts behind that within the carrier and a shock absorber on both the left and right sides which will by the looks need to be replaced too. At least on the impact side.

As for the bracket, yet there is a combination bracket and a couple of guides to go with it and all are individual and replaceable parts but if the impact has damaged the connection points then it may be why a new wing is being advised but I would be asking to see the damage to judge.

Until you actually tear it down, you never actually know what the real damage is and if there is anything underneath needing replaced.

Edited by MGirl on Saturday 11th September 22:31

Okay thanks for your advise. Sounds like insurance is the way to go rather than out of pocket then.

[l-murcielago]

Mr Tidy said:

I don't know for sure about the E92 but most BMWs have a plastic clip where the wing meets the bumper.

It looks like it's part Number 3 on here:-

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=WD92...

I think I'd be looking for a better bodyshop!

Thank you

[thegermancarguy]

Will be bumper and then there is a bar behind the bumper. Could be a normal 3 series one? Best to check

[RS250_Steve]

£1850 for a brand new genuine front bumper, wing and grill, plus paint and fitting sounds cheap to me!

Also sounds like it would be easier to claim via the insurance. It's unlikely the increase in premium over the next few years will be more than the cost to replace out of pocket, unless he has a few cars? (although i would expect the bill to the insurance company to be quite a bit more).

[survivalist]

If your friend ends up paying himself there's a guy on the M3 Facebook Owners Group who breaks these for a living. Likely to have all the second hand parts you need significantly cheaper than new. DM me if you want his details.

When I bought mine, BMW needed a new backbox due to an issue with the original one. A new OEM replacement was thousands, which is bonkers when you can pick up a great condition used one for a couple of hundred.