Is it possible to replace the front PDC sensor below the grill (right side) without removing the front bumper? My fiancee kindly managed to impact the PDC exactly against a stationary hard object - don't ask cos even I don't know how the hell that happened

Cheers guys
Adam

 

Adam,

She was saying . . . . "What's that beeping noise???"

If you can get a hand up to the back of the sensor, then yes. IIRC you'll have to loosen the plastic mudshields to get to it.
The sensor just clips in at the back.

By the looks of the pic, you may need to remove the bumper anyway!!

Mike

 

Thanks Mike,

Nah she hit the back of someone at 20mph, broke one of the headlight retaining clips too, but the bumper is really not damaged at all apart from round the sensor, but God knows there might be damage inside that I cannot see yet. I want to get the PDC up and running in the meantime then try to figure out how much the whole job is gonna cost. I got a price for parts from BMW today, PDC is ?116 cos it's one of the painted ones, headlight is ?330ish and front bumber is the guts of ?500 (primed but not painted). Hopefully the bumper can be repaired and the headlight is pretty firm despite the broken clip, desparate. The only thing I am most thankful for is the fact that the guy she hit, in a nice-ish Audi, just had a look at the cars and said not to worry about it, and drove on with no further action. I was half expecting him to be putting in a claim for personal injuries, like most of the people in this country seem to do whether they are hurt or not!

Thanks again

Adam

 

Hi,

you can replace it by removing grill ...see post below

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?s=&sho...st&p=515892

 

That's most helpful, thanks for the links.

Adam

 

Adam,

At those sort of prices, and out of your own hard-earned, I'd be tempted to go the Fleabay route and get some pre-used kit - there are usually a few SE bumpers on the site, and it's reasonably easy to get the PDC sensors sprayed with the correct colour - especially if a replacement bumper is in the wrong shade for your car. Likewise, there are often halogen headlights up for sale quite often (xenon's are a little more sought after!)

Mike

 

Good plan indeed, it's a M-sport though which makes it all the worse Can you really respray the PDC sensors?

 

I thought it was recommended that the PDC sensors be purchased in the required color - that they must NOT be repainted!

 

According to BMW there is a six week waiting time on them too.

 

Recommended is the key word here.
As long as you don't put 25 coats of paint on it!!

The reason I heard was that $tealers were back-charging BMW exhorbitant rates for painting sensors replaced under warranty.
Can you believe that???? I can

When I had mine replaced (under warranty) I was also quoted six weeks. The replacement arrived in less than a week! The $tealership wanted me to book my car in for a day to replace it (a round trip of 70 miles for me). After much discussion, I got them to give me the new sensor and I replaced it in about 15 seconds on the forecourt.

Mike