[MA25z]

I've made a really stupid mistake with my car yesterday and reversed the back end of my car into a lamppost damaging the rear driver side along the bumper and side panel. Paint has been damaged and dent is fairly deep.

Never been in this situation before and I'm not too keen to go via insurance for this. What would be my best option for getting this repaired and how much might I be looking at?

Im not sure if I'm best off searching for replacement parts rather than looking for dent removal and spray?

Its a black f32 lci coupe if that helps.

[Two-tone525]

Looks like you could be looking at a new bumper, although with heat a plastic bumper could be reformed a little. Being black and a little upside down in your photos it's not so easy to see.

The bumper is probably the least of your worries regarding the damage. I would start with a highly reputable dent removal company if I was you. It's amazing what they can pull out these days.

I had something, possibly a coach, kiss the rear quarter of my S1 Peugeot 106 Rallye in a car park in 1998 and make a perfect dent, it didn't even crack the paint it was going so slowly. On that occasion the rear quarter was replaced to full Thatcham standards.

When I took it to a specialist car restoration business recently for a full strip and restoration they informed me that if the dent had occurred today they would have pulled it out; not replaced the panel. They did say whomever did the repair at the time did it perfectly as they found it hard to spot until I informed them of the history.

Anyway, I'd start with dent removal before surgery if I was you.

You'll have to look into paint too, unless you like the battle scarred look (it does make people give you a wide berth) and black is a nightmare to match well.

Make sure you inspect it in bright sunlight or garage forecourt type lights on collection to ensure the shade of black matches the rest of the car.

All the best with it.

[MA25z]

Originally Posted by Two-tone525

Looks like you could be looking at a new bumper, although with heat a plastic bumper could be reformed a little. Being black and a little upside down in your photos it's not so easy to see.

The bumper is probably the least of your worries regarding the damage. I would start with a highly reputable dent removal company if I was you. It's amazing what they can pull out these days.

I had something, possibly a coach, kiss the rear quarter of my S1 Peugeot 106 Rallye in a car park in 1998 and make a perfect dent, it didn't even crack the paint it was going so slowly. On that occasion the rear quarter was replaced to full Thatcham standards.

When I took it to a specialist car restoration business recently for a full strip and restoration they informed me that if the dent had occurred today they would have pulled it out; not replaced the panel. They did say whomever did the repair at the time did it perfectly as they found it hard to spot until I informed them of the history.

Anyway, I'd start with dent removal before surgery if I was you.

You'll have to look into paint too, unless you like the battle scarred look (it does make people give you a wide berth) and black is a nightmare to match well.

Make sure you inspect it in bright sunlight or garage forecourt type lights on collection to ensure the shade of black matches the rest of the car.

All the best with it.

Sorry I'm not sure how or why the pictures rotated to upside down. I've uploaded some clearer ones in daylight and the right way around now. It actually looks less bad in daylight and your post gives me some hope on the repair, thanks for the advice! I'm not sure how much this might set me back

[Two-tone525]

Originally Posted by MA25z

Sorry I'm not sure how or why the pictures rotated to upside down. I've uploaded some clearer ones in daylight and the right way around now. It actually looks less bad in daylight and your post gives me some hope on the repair, thanks for the advice! I'm not sure how much this might set me back

I can't help there - on costs. If it needs a new bumper I suspect they won't be cheap. Try a scrappy, there could be the same model BMW that's been written off in a front end accident with a perfect rear bumper for you. Fit and go. Have the back of the car machine polished with the new bumper to make it all new looking again.

Hopefully the dent people can gain access from the inside and push it out as well as pull; also hoping you've not squished anything between the outer panel and inner skin.

Also hopefully, you haven't snapped off any clips our mounts under the bumper in the bump. That will be further ball ache.

I'd also try to identify a highly reputable independent paint shop that really cares about their reputation and quality of works vs. an 'accident repair' shop with a pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap attitude.

It's perfectly possible to find a good volume shop, but much is about the quality of the people and their training. Some main dealer (all manufacturers, I'm not singling out one in particular) body shops are dreadful and don't care about the work, just working to a minimum standard in the time they're given.

[MY340i]

WhatsApp the pics to +44 7920 100510 to get an instant quote.

[Two-tone525]

Originally Posted by Bars111

WhatsApp the pics to +44 7920 100510 to get an instant quote.

ChipsAway Franchise in Ascot?

[Sennen]

Difficult to tell from the pictures but I reckon that will need more than 'ChipsAway' to sort that out properly, worth giving them a bash though I suppose.

Good Luck.

[PeakyJ]

Originally Posted by Two-tone525

I can't help there - on costs. If it needs a new bumper I suspect they won't be cheap. Try a scrappy, there could be the same model BMW that's been written off in a front end accident with a perfect rear bumper for you. Fit and go. Have the back of the car machine polished with the new bumper to make it all new looking again.

Hopefully the dent people can gain access from the inside and push it out as well as pull; also hoping you've not squished anything between the outer panel and inner skin.

Also hopefully, you haven't snapped off any clips our mounts under the bumper in the bump. That will be further ball ache.

I'd also try to identify a highly reputable independent paint shop that really cares about their reputation and quality of works vs. an 'accident repair' shop with a pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap attitude.

It's perfectly possible to find a good volume shop, but much is about the quality of the people and their training. Some main dealer (all manufacturers, I'm not singling out one in particular) body shops are dreadful and don't care about the work, just working to a minimum standard in the time they're given.

It’s almost certain something is squished a little behind the damage there. Particularly behind the rear bumper there are lots of impact reinforcements etc.

Best case scenario the impact protection is just slightly weakened on that side of the rear after doing only the outer cosmetic repair.

[aquazi]

Rear quarter panel will need to be replaced - and then painted and blended into the door…. The bumper pretty easy to source and respray.

Hate to say it but thats an insurance job…. I’d have thought you’d be looking at a minimum £1.5-2k for that “minor” damage.

[WillLowe]

Try boiling water from the kettle then machine polishing first and it may take out a fair chunk of that damage

[NotGotABimmer23]

Originally Posted by WillLowe

Try boiling water from the kettle then machine polishing first and it may take out a fair chunk of that damage

Thats some wishful thinking...

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by WillLowe

Try boiling water from the kettle then machine polishing first and it may take out a fair chunk of that damage

On plastic maybe, but not a metal rear quarter panel!

[WillLowe]

I feel that came across alot less sarcastic than I had intended