[M80]

....but this happened somewhere round the M25.
Is that the brake cooling duct and does (as I suspect) the front bumper have to come off to replace it?

[jcdub]

If you remove the wheel arch liner. You'll gain access to the break duct, bracket and securing screws. You should be able to buy this damaged part on its own.

Air duct, brake, left Part number 51748054229
03 Air duct, brake, right Part number 51748054230

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_8507

[M80]

Originally Posted by jcdub

If you remove the wheel arch liner. You'll gain access to the break duct, bracket and securing screws. You should be able to buy this damaged part on its own.

Air duct, brake, left Part number 51748054229
03 Air duct, brake, right Part number 51748054230

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_8507

Perfect! Thanks for the info - very much appreciated

[Alscoob]

I had exactly the same on my F31. When I had the car in for a front end respray the guy fixed it. Basically he plastic welded a piece in then put a light coating of a light textured substance over the top & coated the otherside to match.

Looked perfect when done and it matched the grille finish and was a no cost option. Guess though it would be cheaper to just replace it in normal circumstances.

[M80]

Originally Posted by Alscoob

I had exactly the same on my F31. When I had the car in for a front end respray the guy fixed it. Basically he plastic welded a piece in then put a light coating of a light textured substance over the top & coated the otherside to match.

Looked perfect when done and it matched the grille finish and was a no cost option. Guess though it would be cheaper to just replace it in normal circumstances.

I had considered a patching job from behind the damage somehow, but TBH if it's relatively easy to remove the offending article without dismantling the whole of the front end then I'll just replace it.
I replaced the lower grilles on my old E91 once which involved taking the bumper off. Not too bad a job, but it was amazing how many layers of stuff hides behind the bumper cover.