Damage by Tow truck Driver...should I fix?
#1
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I had my car towed recently due to a transmission cooler failure, and the tow truck driver used a screw driver to pop the tow hitch cover open, consequently damaging the front bumper a little.
(I have photos at home that I will post later). It's actually about a screw driver width. I know a few others have had similar damage to their bumpers.
I just got some quotes from auto body shops and I was a bit surprised at the estimate - $580 and $605 - to remove the bumper, sand and patch the area, paint the area, and apply clear coat, etc... Of course, I am getting the tow truck company pay for it.
I am probably going to go forward with fixing it (even though its not generally very noticable, I know it's there). Question is what will you guys/gals do?? Will it affect the resale if I get it painted?? Also, what is the cost to get a new front bumper instead? M-Tech
!!!!
BTW, in case anyone is wondering, it happened so fast, I couldn't prevent the driver form using the screw driver. I had just turned to talk to the police officer when the guy took the screw driver at it.
![Doh](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/doh.gif)
I just got some quotes from auto body shops and I was a bit surprised at the estimate - $580 and $605 - to remove the bumper, sand and patch the area, paint the area, and apply clear coat, etc... Of course, I am getting the tow truck company pay for it.
I am probably going to go forward with fixing it (even though its not generally very noticable, I know it's there). Question is what will you guys/gals do?? Will it affect the resale if I get it painted?? Also, what is the cost to get a new front bumper instead? M-Tech
![Whistling](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/whistling.gif)
BTW, in case anyone is wondering, it happened so fast, I couldn't prevent the driver form using the screw driver. I had just turned to talk to the police officer when the guy took the screw driver at it.
#2
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Originally Posted by JStraw' post='396671' date='Feb 28 2007, 09:58 AM
I had my car towed recently due to a transmission cooler failure, and the tow truck driver used a screw driver to pop the tow hitch cover open, consequently damaging the front bumper a little.
(I have photos at home that I will post later). It's actually about a screw driver width. I know a few others have had similar damage to their bumpers.
I just got some quotes from auto body shops and I was a bit surprised at the estimate - $580 and $605 - to remove the bumper, sand and patch the area, paint the area, and apply clear coat, etc... Of course, I am getting the tow truck company pay for it.
I am probably going to go forward with fixing it (even though its not generally very noticable, I know it's there). Question is what will you guys/gals do?? Will it affect the resale if I get it painted?? Also, what is the cost to get a new front bumper instead? M-Tech
!!!!
BTW, in case anyone is wondering, it happened so fast, I couldn't prevent the driver form using the screw driver. I had just turned to talk to the police officer when the guy took the screw driver at it.
![Doh](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/doh.gif)
I just got some quotes from auto body shops and I was a bit surprised at the estimate - $580 and $605 - to remove the bumper, sand and patch the area, paint the area, and apply clear coat, etc... Of course, I am getting the tow truck company pay for it.
I am probably going to go forward with fixing it (even though its not generally very noticable, I know it's there). Question is what will you guys/gals do?? Will it affect the resale if I get it painted?? Also, what is the cost to get a new front bumper instead? M-Tech
![Whistling](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/whistling.gif)
BTW, in case anyone is wondering, it happened so fast, I couldn't prevent the driver form using the screw driver. I had just turned to talk to the police officer when the guy took the screw driver at it.
You might want to check with the dealership if they will cover the damage done by the tow truck. If you did call roadside assistance to have your car towed then it's their liability I guess. Goodluck.
#3
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Originally Posted by JStraw' post='396671' date='Feb 28 2007, 10:58 AM
I had my car towed recently due to a transmission cooler failure, and the tow truck driver used a screw driver to pop the tow hitch cover open, consequently damaging the front bumper a little.
(I have photos at home that I will post later). It's actually about a screw driver width. I know a few others have had similar damage to their bumpers.
I just got some quotes from auto body shops and I was a bit surprised at the estimate - $580 and $605 - to remove the bumper, sand and patch the area, paint the area, and apply clear coat, etc... Of course, I am getting the tow truck company pay for it.
I am probably going to go forward with fixing it (even though its not generally very noticable, I know it's there). Question is what will you guys/gals do?? Will it affect the resale if I get it painted?? Also, what is the cost to get a new front bumper instead? M-Tech
!!!!
BTW, in case anyone is wondering, it happened so fast, I couldn't prevent the driver form using the screw driver. I had just turned to talk to the police officer when the guy took the screw driver at it.
![Doh](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/doh.gif)
I just got some quotes from auto body shops and I was a bit surprised at the estimate - $580 and $605 - to remove the bumper, sand and patch the area, paint the area, and apply clear coat, etc... Of course, I am getting the tow truck company pay for it.
I am probably going to go forward with fixing it (even though its not generally very noticable, I know it's there). Question is what will you guys/gals do?? Will it affect the resale if I get it painted?? Also, what is the cost to get a new front bumper instead? M-Tech
![Whistling](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/whistling.gif)
BTW, in case anyone is wondering, it happened so fast, I couldn't prevent the driver form using the screw driver. I had just turned to talk to the police officer when the guy took the screw driver at it.
I would go for the M-tech front. Its soo much nicer. Check with quad m for pricing, I think he might even sell them painted.
Check this link: http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=30286
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Originally Posted by JStraw' post='396671' date='Feb 28 2007, 10:58 AM
Will it affect the resale if I get it painted??
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Well, those covers are so damn tough to remove that you sometimes need a screwdriver. But when you are working on a tow truck you should know how to do it without damaging the car... I can... ![Wink](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/wink.gif)
Anyways, the towing company is responsible for the damage and has to pay for it...
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Anyways, the towing company is responsible for the damage and has to pay for it...
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i say leave it, its too small to fix. your paint wont look the same again unless you paint the whole bumper. a real car lover can immediately tell if you repair something that small, but if you repaint your whole bumper then its a different story. anyways, I wouldn't do anything to it. just leave it.
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I say leave it as well. It's very tiny. Wait until you get a few more nicks/stone chips, then get a new M-tech front painted by Tony (quad-m).
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Originally Posted by 525iSE' post='397080' date='Mar 1 2007, 01:12 PM
i say leave it, its too small to fix. your paint wont look the same again unless you paint the whole bumper. a real car lover can immediately tell if you repair something that small, but if you repaint your whole bumper then its a different story. anyways, I wouldn't do anything to it. just leave it.
Nobody who see's your car is going to notice that anyway. We won't tell anyone
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I'm going to have to agree with everyone else on here. I actually did something similar when I removed my painted reflectors to install the euro red ones
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