bimmerboyali

I was wondering can u paint PDC sensors without it effecting them? Will the paint give a false reading?

I am planning on putting a OEM MTECH Bumper on my LCI E60, My car has the smaller sensors, DIME SIZE, but the MTECH FRONT BUMPER has the bigger sensor holes, QUARTER SIZE. So I wanted to buy some used sensors that fit, but they are a different color. If I have the body shop paint them, will it effect the sensor reading? Has anyone done this, painted their sensors? I am wondering if by painting them, it will give a false reading to the sensors?

Please let me know. Thanks

superman832

I believe you can get the Mtech with the correct size PDC sensor ports... But to answer you question, yes they can be painted. Mine are.

sheldor535i

All OEM Mtech are pre lci size (quarter size) I too wanted to put mtech but the damn PDC sensor are more expensive than the kit itself... I saw on the 3 series forum someone retrofitting PDC.. Where did you get the used pdc?

bimmerboyali

I'll only tell you if u sell me your white M5 mirrors, LOL

Ok after searching and talking to a few BMW LCI fanatics, there is possibly a plastic adapter that I just ordered from BMW that allows us LCI owners to use our small size PDC's to fit onto the MTECH bumper, which has the bigger hole. The 4 pieces cost like $20. I'll get u the part number. There is a different one for the rear sensors. Those are like $8 a piece. But I just found some used PDC from the wrecking yard that should just plug into my wire harness and hopefully work. The sensors fit alot of BMW's. So they are common. Try looking on craigslist or calling the junkyards in your area prices are like $25 on the low end to $75 a piece. Silver and black are the 2 common colors, my car is white and u dont see too many white sensors. Maybe down south where u are. Anyways I'll keep u updated.

Kaizen

IIRC, you cannot just simply paint over the PDC sensors. I think BMW uses a special paint for the PDC sensors to allow for the transmission of the signal to pass through w/o disturbance. Please verify with the pros, but I recall reading another thread that mentioned this. My apologies if I am way off.

hks

plenty persons painted over their pdc and it worked fine

Kaizen

Cool. I wasn't 100% sure, but I do remember reading somewhere that a member had issues with false readings when parking after painting over PDC sensors.

balbs

Try putting a piece of vinyl on it before you paint just to test it out. See if the transducers still work with it. You can always peel the vinyl off.

devildawg712

painted over mine 2x and they work just fine. Haven't heard of a non-success story yet. GL and hopefully you're not the first.

bimmerboyali

Damn that's cool to hear. All the used PDC's I found are different colors and I need to paint them Alpine White. So I'm glad to hear this.

Thanks for your input.