M-Sport lower rear bumper repair

[Pondrew]

My E89 has had a crease in the centre of the rear lower bumper/ valance since we got it two years ago. It looks like somebody reversed into a towbar or the corner of a post. On and off for those two years I have been considering how to sort it out. Used items from eBay are usually knackered and expensive and a replacement from BMW is very expensive.

So yesterday I took the valance off and set about trying to sort it. I didn't have much hope of improving it, as the crease was pretty sharp (you can see what is was like in the following pictures).
I heated up the creased area with a hairdryer and while still pretty warm, I tapped the top down with a hammer, the end covered in electrical tape to help with added dents. From the inside, again while quite warm, I used a thin piece of steel on the crease and hit that with a hammer. I had to do this a few times, heating it back up each time. I managed to push the dents below flush; so then filled the area with U-Pol plastic filler.

Once dried I sanded it all back flush with 320, 600 and finally 1500 grit wet and dry. I then sanded the whole piece with 600 grit to flatten the paint.
I bought a can of 'Sophisto Grey' metallic (A90 code) from Halfords and sprayed it with a couple of coats. Then finished it with a few coats of clear lacquer.
I was not expecting much TBH and was preparing to buy a replacement bumper if it didn't work well.
I am well chuffed with how it has come out; not 100% perfect but probably 95% and you can't notice any imperfections unless you runa finger across it. Cost me £10.99 for the paint; I had the plastic filler and lacquer already from a previous repair to the front valance.

Before:

IMG_8102.JPG (100.75 KiB) Viewed 316 times

IMG_8103.JPG (84 KiB) Viewed 316 times

IMG_8104.JPG (74.19 KiB) Viewed 316 times

After:

IMG_8753.JPG (83.13 KiB) Viewed 316 times

IMG_8756.JPG (77.28 KiB) Viewed 316 times

IMG_8769.JPG (96.04 KiB) Viewed 316 times

[Neil CR]

[smorris_12]

Excellent job. It's the sort of repair I always have to explain to a friend of mine as being more than good enough unless you actually lie on the ground and stare directly at it!

[inkey$]

Great result! Satisfying too when its been bugging you for a while

[mkinternet]

Fab job - well done

[Smartbear]

Looks much better, I’m assuming the previous owner was deaf & couldn’t hear the parking sensors
Rob

[BeardyJon]

I have one of these to sell if you decide you want to replace it, just PM me.

[B21]

Looks much better, I’m assuming the previous owner was deaf & couldn’t hear the parking sensors
Rob

He was an Arnold Clark driver..say no more…

Here in Scotland it’s the sign of someone who goes through 20 mph limits either at 15 mph or 45 mph..in de-restricted areas does 45 mph,turns without mirrors or signals and either frequents McDonalds or one of the many garden centres sprinkled across the country…

[Pondrew]

He was an Arnold Clark driver..say no more…

A C was where I bought it from! I have another set of plates but they have Shytner on them, so rock and a hard place!

[Pondrew]

I’m assuming the previous owner was deaf & couldn’t hear the parking sensors

That has crossed my mind. The crease is bang in the middle, so I'm thinking a long tow bar or similar.

[MikeyH]

You've made a good job of that pondrew

[tiglon]

Looks like a good job but.... all I'm hearing is that you reversed into a tow bar and don't want to take responsibility

[pvr]

So it went from grey metallic to black now?

Finish looks good though, quite impressive for someone who cannot bend down

[Pondrew]

So it went from grey metallic to black now?

Same colour as before. Light was fading so camera decided to do that. A photographer I definitely am NOT!