brente91

Hey guys, unfortunately i was in a small car accident which left my new umnitza m5tech bumper destroyed as well as my hood and headlight. kinda heart breaking because i was about to do a review of all the parts i just put on but that will have to wait until my car gets fixed. i have filed a claim from my insurance but i was wondering if anyone can help. based on the pictures can you guys give me some input. pictures down below

1)will insurance install a new m5tech bumper (i believe they will especially since it was on the car when the accident happened and it cost cheaper than OEM)

2)will they try to repair the hood instead of giving me a new one? ( the only way i can come out of this accident slightly happy is if i am allowed to buy a new hood. i was going to put the seibon carbon fiber m3 style hood in a couple of months anyways and was hoping they could cover that. i also don't want them to hammer and remold the hood because of structural issues down the road.)

3) headlight, same as the hood. it has some scrapes and i was hoping they could get me a new one instead of repairing it by sanding and what not.

cakes

They're going to replace the hood and repair the bumper. The Aluminum hood is soft, but it's very hard to bend since it doesn't have a memory. Just make sure they get an aluminum hood - preferably OEM, but they probably won't spring the $1200 for one.

brente91

this is exactly what i was looking to hear, but you think they will try to repair the bumper? It looks beyond repair to me. yea i had read that insurance companies don't like using expensive OEM parts or that they get used parts which sucks lol. Thanks for your reply!! i won't know till i go meet with them but i wanted to have an idea of what to expect.

JayArras

Let us know what they come back with. Remember, you can always demand the more expensive OEM parts, cash the check and then get it repaired with whatever parts you please.

brente91

haha thanks, i didn't know that! i will try to demand the most i can and will do a review, before and after, and experience once it's all over. i haven't seen a review of the seibon carbon fiber m3 style hood yet so that will be a good idea (if i get the hood).

thanks for the reply!

KyleB

I am an appraiser for a major insurance company. Have been for 12+ years, and prior to that I worked at an independent BMW specialist. My thoughts:

-That hood is 100% not repairable. It is aluminum. Even if it were steel, that hood would not be repairable.

-Your bumper fascia is not repairable. Your insurance company will likely entertain replacing it with what you have, provided a) you can show them a receipt and b) it is cheaper than the OE original part and a comparable OE aftermarket part. If it isn't, it's going to be up to the discretion of your insurer.

-If you are only dealing with surface abrasions on the headlight lens, then yes you can wet sand and buff that out just as you would imperfections in a painted surface. I won't be surprised if the headlight comes out with punctures in the back side of the housing though.

My main concern if I were you would be with the radiator support and apron on your car. The E60 uses bonded, riveted aluminum for its entire structure forward of the cowl. If it is damaged, it MUST be replaced per BMW repair procedures. I don't think your main apron/sidemember are likely damaged based on those photos, but your right core support baffle might be. If the damages are just 'bolt on' replacement parts and body panels, then sure go for the DIY. If you have core support damage, forget about it.

The one last thing I'll leave you with is this. I have been a member of several BMW forums since the late 90s, and as I mentioned have worked in this industry since 2002. For whatever reason, 'body work' threads seem to contain more misinformation than I have ever seen in any other topic. Beware of any advice, 'facts', etc that you receive if you have posted this elsewhere. If you have, I'll guess that 60-75% of it will be inaccurate.

good luck with the car, feel free to PM me if you want.

umnitza

Everything KyleB said is spot on.

Also, unless your deductible is insanely high, it's best to press the shop into replacing the parts rather than refinishing them.

Email us if you need a copy of the receipt and another shipment for the same bumper.

brente91

THANKS MAN! that is a lot of help. lol yea I've already have had mixed responses. i should have taken some photos with the hood open. when i did open it though, the mounting brackets for the bumper bolt on is bent and sure enough the mounting bracket for the headlight snapped off. i didn't really dig in there because i kinda don't want to mess with it before the adjuster takes a look at it. fortunately (from my untrained eye) the radiator seems to be untouched though. Ill PM you if i can think of any more questions. Again thank you for your reply!!!

brente91

customer support even after the parts are sold. lol i had already planned to give y'all a great review, the fitment was great and i had absolutely no issues putting it on myself. it saddens me to see it like this especially since i just put it on, but I'm glad i bought the parts from y'all. Thanks Umnitza!

plowery21

KyleB - curious question.. do body shops replace with aftermarket but bill insurance with OE parts?

I actually had my OE Msport bumper replaced after run in with a curb (girlfriend driving). Insurance replaced no questions asked, but the fitment wasn't right after. Took it back a bunch and they got it "as good as they could"..Took it to another shop and they said that it was aftermarket for sure and that cheap aftermarkets will not be perfect. I was under the impression that the body shop replaced with OE..and pretty sure thats what my insurance paid for..

Thanks for the enlightenment!