[Ravina]

I got a small hole (around 1.5 inches) in my bumper on my 335i. I'm sure it happened at the car wash but I can't prove it.

Do you guys know how I can fill this hole myself before it gets bigger. Alternatively, do you think a bodyshop would charge a lot for a small fix like this?

I'm in the GTA. Would love to hear thoughts.

[bobblehead]

OMG. You really mean a hole thru the bumper ?

If it is, you are probably looking at $1000 to fix.

since you are in Oakville, the better body shop would have to be Budds Collision.

In Mississauga, you can get a quote from Heartland B&B collision, certified BMW body shop.

http://www.heartlandbnbcollision.com/

[bobblehead]

Did your wife do this ?

[steve@codemybimmer]

Definitely looks like a repaint job. Any reputable shop will sand down the entire bumper, prime and repaint it. You can try touching it up but it will never look the same since the paint won't be leveled.

[Ravina]

Guys the hole is small, like an inch long. The pic makes it look bigger. What can happen if I leave it and do nothing. It's really quite small. Can't I fill it with some white putty/filler?

[regular_joe]

If its that small a reputable body shop will be able to fill it, sand it and repaint it no problem. Roughly $200-300

[Ravina]

Originally Posted by regular_joe

If its that small a reputable body shop will be able to fill it, sand it and repaint it no problem. Roughly $200-300

That makes more sense.

[regular_joe]

Originally Posted by Ravina

That makes more sense.

Just PLEASE make sure its a certified bmw shop. If you have a lease it is a must. Bmw has started issuing certificates for repairs and if a repair does not have a certificate, you will have problems upon returning the vehicle.

If you own the car then I would also take it to a certified bmw shop as they can match the paint close to perfect. Other shops have no clue and will blend bad paint to your car. Mostly likely overspray and now you have more problems you started with. Learned this the hard way do not make same mistake.

Goodluck and let us know the results and which shop you took it to

[vanbmw]

I think you will have 2 options.

The less expensive one is to have them sand/fill and repaint a small area and try and blend it in with the rest of the bumper. I would guess $300. I have seen some fairly good repairs this way and a good paint guy can blend it in so it is hard to notice...but you'll always notice it!

The more expensive (but better) option would be to have the bumper removed, filled, sanded and completely repainted. This will be a perfect job and you won't see the repair at all. The only issue could be if the paint isn't a perfect colour match with the rest of the car. I would THINK it is $1000 but it will depend on the bumper removal. Sometimes the headlight washers and other stuff can be a pain to detach and re-hook up.

[claykin]

Is this a hole or simply paint lifted off? If its a hole (around 1" as you said) you'll need a bumper replacement to repair this correctly. I've spoken with many high end body shops before and none will fill holes as large as 1" in a bumper for repair.

Plastic bumpers are expected to flex and those that are repaired with a filler won't last.