Converted my US Spec Bumper to a Euro Spec with headlight washer delete

[Mike Benvo]

A few weeks ago I was headed over to a friends house at around 10PM at night. As I made a right with a green arrow, this somewhat buzzed bicyclist came parading through the crosswalk on her bicycle against the hand. She plowed right into my car with her bike. Thankfully, she was not injured at all - not even a scratch. But I couldn't say the same for my car - I was actually surprised by how bad it looked. Luckily, the damage was consolidated to the bumper and missed the headlight, hood, PDC sensors, and CF Splitters.

The damage:



Later that night on my way home, I parked and walked around and eventually found my reflector. It had a couple scratches on it, but I figured I'd throw it back on as a temporary band-aid. A lot of the scratches buffed out, but it was clear the bumper needed replacing or repair from the bike pedal hitting it.

So off to the place where the magic happens, AVIO coach craft:






I've always wanted to get rid of the reflector holes for awhile, so I figured this was the right opportunity. After looking around for a Euro bumper, every road led to spending $1000 on a bumper (between shipping/exporting/markup, etc..), and then there was paint and install on top of that. The shop was confident that they could repair it perfectly as well as fill the reflector holes to convert it to Euro style. While they were at that, I figured it would be wise to also fill in the headlight washer holes also. I have had those turned off for awhile in the code because they always spray on my hood, so there was no reason to keep them there.

So, off the bumper goes...(careful, nudity)







Over the next week they kept the bumper and worked their magic on it. In the mean time I got my 7 detailed and took some time to fine tune the fueling for the turbo:



A week later I came back to have the bumper reinstalled. I was pretty happy with the work they did to fill the holes and repair the rock chips and damage from the bicycle. He are some pictures from inside of the patched areas:










And finally, installed back on the car (sorry for the low quality - iphone pics):












I'l try to post some better pictures after tomorrows Meet @ McKenna BMW. For half the price of a new euro bumper, I couldn't resist doing this. So if any of you get any scratches on your front bumper, keep this mod in mind

[W///]

Car looks great now. Just out of curiosity, when something like this happens, did you get the biker's information or did you end up having to pay out of pocket.

Specs on those wheels? They look so good.

[Alen E90]

SIKKKKK, looks 1000x better without that nasty reflector came out really nice and clean too, btw i love the way lm's look on jerez

[Powerbeast]

Looks Great.

[flipm3]

Looks great Mike!

[bape_sta206]

looks great!

[aus]

Looks great.
How much did they charge for this?
Did they fill the area with bumper material so it won't shrink with time?

.

[a burrito]

When I got my frotn bumper resprayed i too took the opportunity to get my reflectors filled in just for the hell of it. I actually didn't really care too much about shaved reflectors nor did I have any previous plans of doing it until I saw it in person and I fell in love. Makes the front end look so incredibly clean. I may just have to do this on every one of my rides from this point on... great looking car. the splitters go well with your whole setup!!

[mamadub]

It looks great Mike. I can't believe someone riding their bike could do that kind of damage!

[Mike Benvo]

Originally Posted by W///

Car looks great now. Just out of curiosity, when something like this happens, did you get the biker's information or did you end up having to pay out of pocket.

Specs on those wheels? They look so good.

Thanks! I'm a BBS whore

In terms of the biker, she hit the car and fell off the bike. I was going maybe 3-5mph when she rode in front of me. I pulled over and ran out of the car to make sure she was ok. She said I'm really sorry about your car etc... I asked her if she was injured or needed any medical attention, water, etc.. and she said that she was fine. I insisted that she take my information, and gave her my name and cell #. It's been weeks and I haven't heard from her, glad she wasn't the 'let me sue you and take your money even though i was the one that broke the law' type. Ironically enough, when she was telling me that she was uninjured, this crazy lady on the corner was telling her "You're injured and you don't know it yet, I'm calling the police" Then she put her bike in front of my car and said I'm not moving it until the police come... I told that lady "I gave her my information, if she is injured she can contact me, but don't tell her that she's injured, I think she can figure that out for herself." Turns out the lady worked in a chiropractic office and probably just wanted to milk a new patient.

So even though it was her fault, I figured it would be the path of least resistance to just pay out of pocket for it. It could have been much worse, and paying $500 for a new bumper, although an unexpected expense, was worth it given I didn't have to argue with her or anyone else to get the car fixed. The main point is that both of us were uninjured, and since I escaped without needing a new hood or bumper, I wasn't going to make a fuss.

Wheels are BBS-LM 19x11 ET25 rear and 19x10 Front with Michelin PSS tires.



Alen E90, Powerbeast, flipm3, bapesta206, a burrito, mamadub - thank you guys!

aus: I wound up paying around $500 for the job. This included repainting the bumper, installation, and filling the holes. They did fill both areas and you can feel it from the inside. Hopefully there won't be any shrinkage problems, but I trust they stand by their work. So I'll be back if it does!

I'll post some pics after todays event.

[bmwtech13]

Nice! Bumper came out really well, and I definitely dig the corner splitters on your M too

[tbone28]

Looks great. That will be one of my 1st mods.

What front offset are you running? And what tire sizes on those bad boys?

[slicer]

Looks great! I'm surprised more people don't get their reflectors filled (especially after spending $1000's on other mods...). I hate how even the painted reflectors look. Your car looks so much cleaner now!

[atruelunatic]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

aus: I wound up paying around $500 for the job. This included repainting the bumper, installation, and filling the holes. They did fill both areas and you can feel it from the inside. Hopefully there won't be any shrinkage problems, but I trust they stand by their work. So I'll be back if it does!

Looks like a reputable shop just based on the cars outside. I had that done too after an accident (but was done through insurance). Your price was really good too. My place said they do that job (no damage, just fill and respray) for $1000 and they want $500 for respraying the front bumper.

[WillC310]

Avio is one of the best shops in WLA. Nothing but high end cars there - M3's are probably one of the cheaper cars they work on.

[schnell325]

Turbo'd 7 series??? Do tell us more! (Or post a link to it please!!)

[THE TECH]

They did a great job. Saw it in the sunlight today. Looks so much better without all the fanfare on the bumper.

[Aquariu///M]

That's what I need to do, just looking for a shop around my area..or maybe go here
Anyone know 1 let me know.. Nice bumper !!! Clean!

[Powerbeast]

Originally Posted by dukeM3

That's what I need to do, just looking for a shop around my area..or maybe go here
Anyone know 1 let me know.. Nice bumper !!! Clean!

C&C out of Pasadena do GREAT work,only place I would ever take my car.

[spdy330]

^^ Insurance yes - Out of pocket no ^^

[M3SQRD]

Glad no one was injured. Bumper looks great without side reflectors

[Sam@ModeCarbon]

perfect