Mum has just backed into me...

[alex85]

Guys, need a bit of advice. This evening my Mum has backed into my Z4.

Now, if i took it to BMW, it is going to cost a fortune, looks to me like it needs a new bumper, N/S headlight, even possibly N/S wing?

Wanting to get it done properly but obviously as cheaply as possible and as such I have been on ebay and seen the following;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Z4-XENON-HEAD-LIGHTS-N-S-O-S-COMPLETE-MINT_W0QQitemZ180442360251QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2a0333e9bb

Obviously to get a pair of them it would be a bonus, and I would put the O/S one on ebay to recoup some of the money. No issues there?

Other thing I have spotted is;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Z4-COMPLETE-FRONT-BUMPER-MET-GREY-MINT_W0QQitemZ180443304516QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2a03425244

I can't tell if that is the same colour as mine? Looks like it might be lighter in which case it is a none-starter as it is priced as mint and would need a respray. I do however need one with the washer jets in it.

Any ideas appreciated on this?

 

[alex85]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Z4M-FRONT-BUMPER-COVER-ROADSTER-COUPE-2004_W0QQitemZ260509894943QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item3ca799891f

??

 

[PawnSacrifice]

Alex, sorry to hear that mate... it's not much but enough to be a pain!

Would seek advice on the light as they're self levelling and there may be other issues - not sure if that is self contained or you need other parts. I had the bumper of mine resprayed a little while ago, superb job, about £200 I think. The scrape on the wing may be difficult as you'll need to spray more than just that part.

I hate to say it, but I'd cost up your mums insurance - if she has protected no-claims it could be the way to go. Just using rough numbers...
£250 excess
Current Premium £1,000 - 50% NCB - £500
Premium £1,000 + 20% for claim - £1,200 less 50% NCB - £600 - uplift £100
Total cost £400

The insurance figures really are guesses and will depend on her current premium and the addition for any claim.

 

[alex85]

I think before I went ahead and ordered anything I would take it to BMW for a quote and breakdown of exactly what needed doing, if it's more complicated then it may be an insurance job and get it done properly at BMW.

Here is a question, would BMW replace the front headlights with clear ones? i.e. are they the same price? When someone went into the back of me not too long ago, they put a clear 3rd brake light in for me instead of the red one.

It's just a pain, but I think I took it pretty well as my Mum gave me a hug and cried - she knows how much I love my car. I just told her not to worry.

My Dad on the other hand could be heard to say "Don't worry Alex, I'll f**kin pay for it!"

 

[peddy]

the set of headlights are from a facelift so not compatible.

EDIT: I don't see why clear ones would be more expensive, so i guess you could get clear ones instead??

 

[alex85]

the set of headlights are from a facelift so not compatible.

Really? I thought they were straight swap? What makes them different?

 

[peddy]

the wiring is different.

 

[alex85]

Fairly easily overcome though?

 

[dario]

first bumper is a face lift as you have stated, as for the colour, i think that Sterling Grey was deleted in the face lift models..... but i could be wrong.

2nd bumper is off an Z4M/// and you will need the brake ducts etc.

Dario

 

[cj10jeeper]

Alex - let me not dwell on the accident aspect but pick up on a couple of other areas:

The bumper cover is a facelift so it will be a different shade to your prefacelift Sterling Grey. Expect £200 to respray

As Peddy says the lights are not compatible and cannot be rewired (well not true as anythings possible, but not easily so) If easy they would have long since sold.

Clear lights are the same price as amber so if you do have to buy some then you may as well swap. you could alos change from black inner to silver. Count on £350 each halogen and £750 Xenon.

I'd also get to a repair centre as suggested and get an estimate. You'll be surprised how much damage has been done underneath the bumper cover and the real repair costs. My best guess is £2,000. Assuming halogen lights and new wing
Bumper £600
Wing £400
Light £350
Misc parts £100 - £200
spray £300 -£500
Labour ???

 

[Dreamer]

The bumper looks repairable to me. The light has probably had its lugs snapped of.

Im sure you could use postfacelift lights in a prefacelift car, just might have to change the internal wiring loom. Cant be sure unless i looked inside one though, but i bet its possible.

 

[cj10jeeper]

The bumper looks repairable to me. The light has probably had its lugs snapped of.

Im sure you could use postfacelift lights in a prefacelift car, just might have to change the internal wiring loom. Cant be sure unless i looked inside one though, but i bet its possible.

Repairable - I have no doubt. It's all about if it's a job on the cheap or through insurance. Ebay is full of repairable bumpers that were just replaced new.

I thnk you'd be surprised inside a facelift light. The last one I took to bits iirc the inner light is not even a light, just a blank with a mock angel eye ring. The problem being for an accident repair situation the option that you and I have done of messing with lights over weeks is not available and you have to buy fairly quickly and do direct plug and play exchanges.

 

[lacroupade]

first bumper is a face lift as you have stated, as for the colour, i think that Sterling Grey was deleted in the face lift models..... but i could be wrong.

Dario

I am pleased to report that Sterling Grey remained an option (which I took) post-facelift

 

[alex85]

They are xenons so cost increases somewhat... poor mother.