Front Bumper Rant!

SIIK2NR · 04-25-2011, 08:32 PM

I had a minor accident with a racoon and went with Geico's recommendation for a shop to the do repair to the oil cooler and the mesh grill.

Repair is done but when I went to pick up the car the bumper was not aligned.

I requested a re-adjustment. They took it back and brought it back to me and it appeared to be fixed in the area of concern but then after I looked closer the bumper was even more off on the other side. All of these adjustments are by the headlamps.

They actually moved the headlamp position to make the gap go away. WTF?? They did not need to move the headlamps. Now the reference point is jacked up and they will never get it back to the way it was unless they move the lamp back, then adjust the bumper.

Is the bumper really THAT HARD to adjust around the headlamps?

Called a BMW shop and they said they will fix it if they can't. Now I need Geico to authorize the work in the event the shop can't figure it out.

Thoughts on the difficulty of aligning the bumper?

Tim

persian54 · 04-25-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E=mc2

This is what you get with Geico. There is a reason for them to be cheap. You can't both pay P less and have quality work.

I also have geico.

it's not Geico's fault

He could have taken it wherever he wanted to.

It's pretty difficult to get it right.

xquisit · 04-25-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E=mc2

Where did you even find a racoon?

SIIK2NR · 04-25-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E=mc2

Where did you even find a racoon?

found me...........Kansas.

where are the adjustment points? can't be that hard. i just need the diy specific to the m3

SIIK2NR · 04-25-2011, 09:07 PM

I just need to know the adjustment points incase I want to do it myself before they damage the bumper or incase I want to take it off to mod and want to put it back on.

///My5UV · 04-26-2011, 10:34 AM

Sorry man.... never, ever just go where the insurance company wants you to go... next time ask at the dealer for a few recommendations. Then ask at an MB, Audi, Porsche dealer and use one of the shops that they all like. The body shop I use is way on the other side of town but every trip is worth it. Somehow they always manage to do the work without me having to pay over deductible and I have the super-cheap-bastages at Progressive.

Hope you get it all sorted out!

mdosu · 04-26-2011, 10:37 AM

this is why you never take it to a "recommended" shop, the only reason its "recommended" is Geico and the shop has a pricing agreement. YOu should have taken it to someone who'll do it right. sorry for your bad luck

JCtx · 04-26-2011, 10:40 AM

There's no adjusting points man; at least I didn't see any when I removed mine. Besides, even if adjusting was possible, bumper should have mounted EXACTLY the same as before... unless something was broken or bent. You need to fix that, rather than trying to make it fit by moving other things. Now they f***ed up your headlights.

Seems to me not only that the bumper should have been replaced (any tear warrants replacement), but that something bent when hitting the racoon. The only thing we know is that the shop you used is crap. Good luck.

Grail05 · 04-26-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIIK2NR

I had a minor accident with a racoon and went with Geico's recommendation for a shop to the do repair to the oil cooler and the mesh grill.

Repair is done but when I went to pick up the car the bumper was not aligned.

I requested a re-adjustment. They took it back and brought it back to me and it appeared to be fixed in the area of concern but then after I looked closer the bumper was even more off on the other side. All of these adjustments are by the headlamps.

They actually moved the headlamp position to make the gap go away. WTF?? They did not need to move the headlamps. Now the reference point is jacked up and they will never get it back to the way it was unless they move the lamp back, then adjust the bumper.

Is the bumper really THAT HARD to adjust around the headlamps?

Called a BMW shop and they said they will fix it if they can't. Now I need Geico to authorize the work in the event the shop can't figure it out.

Thoughts on the difficulty of aligning the bumper?

Tim

its all depends on the body shop.

My bodyshop in Los Angeles are are one of the best shop around, i recently just had my bumper resprayed cause of rock chips and at the same time i had the front reflector shaved off. Everything looks really good without any issue. so i guess to answer to your question no it should be easy enough to put it right back in. i know some people take the bumper off and put it back on with no issue at all. i think your body shop is just lazy to put it together.

isugoo · 04-26-2011, 11:21 AM

Hey, contact mike (mwscircle) and tell him Tommy asked you to contact for bumper align issue. he is our local E90 guy who took off, install a lot of E90 bumpers. He maybe able to help you out.

crzy4bimmers · 04-26-2011, 11:36 AM

Agreed that this has nothing to do with Geico. Find a good body shop, and if they can't get it done, take it to BMW and pay a bit out of pocket to get it right. A skewed front end bumper can really ruin the look of the M3. The front of the M3 should look just angry, not sad and angry! ;-)

ES_TRADER · 04-26-2011, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E=mc2

This is what you get with Geico. There is a reason for them to be cheap. You can't both pay P less and have quality work.

I also have geico.

To the OP for future reference, u can take it to an AUTHORIZED BMW Collision center....someone ripped a hole in our brand new 328 and we had it towed there...Geico insured this car...no issues...sent the check right away and they use brand new factory parts and changed out all the bolts and screws, as it is mandated by BMW factory that all bolts and screws are ONE TIME USE parts...so BMW billed geico for it and no issues....NEVER take it to joe blow down the street...its not a Chevy.

stega · 04-26-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elp_jc

There's no adjusting points man; at least I didn't see any when I removed mine. Besides, even if adjusting was possible, bumper should have mounted EXACTLY the same as before... unless something was broken or bent. You need to fix that, rather than trying to make it fit by moving other things. Now they f***ed up your headlights.

Seems to me not only that the bumper should have been replaced (any tear warrants replacement), but that something bent when hitting the racoon. The only thing we know is that the shop you used is crap. Good luck.

I just aligned a aftermarket bumper w/ a buddy of mine after a "Bodyshop" could not. There are not adjustment points but the fenders and headlights need to be loosened and then re-bolted in the proper position for proper alignment...

Merlosso · 04-26-2011, 03:54 PM

I have GEICO too. Call your adjuster and tell them the work wasn't done correctly. According to their website, if you went to one of their Auto Repair Xpress shops, the work is guaranteed as long as you own the car. If it's not done right, keep calling your adjuster until it is.

positiveions · 04-26-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIIK2NR

found me...........Kansas.

where are the adjustment points? can't be that hard. i just need the diy specific to the m3

Same here, was making a U-turn in a Cul-De-Sac, stupid raccoon jumped out of nowhere, ran into him, cracked the center bottom grill, and he took off running.
Good thing I didn't have to perform CPR.
Actually, you can have Geico call the shop to reimburse you by paying BMW to fix that bumper.

mmmpowered · 04-26-2011, 10:38 PM

Headlights need to first go back to their original positions. Then, the top 4 or 5 bolts under the rubber strip should be inserted but left loose. After all the bottom bolts on the bumper are tight, you need to align the edge of the fender with the edge of the bumper and then tighten the two screws that insert from inside the fender well, through the 6 inchish metal bracket near the corner and into the headlight and fender. These are the adjustment points. Repeat for the other side. Install the fender liner to bumper bolts. Finally push or pull the top of the bumper slightly to align then tighten the top bolts.

You pretty much have to do it in this order or you'll never get it. Leaving the bottom bolts loose can be helpful but I've found it doesn't matter much.

Good luck!

SIIK2NR · 04-26-2011, 11:46 PM

Update: They were able to get it all aligned on the third try. I did an extensive inspection this time to make sure all the bolts and liners were intact. All good. Just took some prodding.

It was the express service and it is guaranteed work for life.

Worried at first but overall, glad to have my car back.

Thanks for the comments and the notes on how to properly tighten the bumper down.

Tim

xccess · 04-27-2011, 01:24 AM

opps

04-25-2011, 08:32 PM	#1
SIIK2NR Lieutenant 51 Rep 598 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Dog iTrader: (0)	Front Bumper Rant! I had a minor accident with a racoon and went with Geico's recommendation for a shop to the do repair to the oil cooler and the mesh grill. Repair is done but when I went to pick up the car the bumper was not aligned. I requested a re-adjustment. They took it back and brought it back to me and it appeared to be fixed in the area of concern but then after I looked closer the bumper was even more off on the other side. All of these adjustments are by the headlamps. They actually moved the headlamp position to make the gap go away. WTF?? They did not need to move the headlamps. Now the reference point is jacked up and they will never get it back to the way it was unless they move the lamp back, then adjust the bumper. Is the bumper really THAT HARD to adjust around the headlamps? Called a BMW shop and they said they will fix it if they can't. Now I need Geico to authorize the work in the event the shop can't figure it out. Thoughts on the difficulty of aligning the bumper? Tim __________________ Current: 2006 Lotus Elise SC Previous: 2008 AW E92 M3 6MT - Sold 2004 AP2 S2000 - Sold
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04-25-2011, 09:07 PM	#5
SIIK2NR Lieutenant 51 Rep 598 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Dog iTrader: (0)	I just need to know the adjustment points incase I want to do it myself before they damage the bumper or incase I want to take it off to mod and want to put it back on. __________________ Current: 2006 Lotus Elise SC Previous: 2008 AW E92 M3 6MT - Sold 2004 AP2 S2000 - Sold
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04-26-2011, 10:34 AM	#6
///My5UV Lurker 78 Rep 812 Posts Drives: YMB F80, SS E90 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	Sorry man.... never, ever just go where the insurance company wants you to go... next time ask at the dealer for a few recommendations. Then ask at an MB, Audi, Porsche dealer and use one of the shops that they all like. The body shop I use is way on the other side of town but every trip is worth it. Somehow they always manage to do the work without me having to pay over deductible and I have the super-cheap-bastages at Progressive. Hope you get it all sorted out! __________________
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04-26-2011, 10:37 AM	#7
mdosu Banned 314 Rep 8,496 Posts Drives: Double Vanos'd Civic-M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (6)	this is why you never take it to a "recommended" shop, the only reason its "recommended" is Geico and the shop has a pricing agreement. YOu should have taken it to someone who'll do it right. sorry for your bad luck
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04-26-2011, 10:40 AM	#8
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	There's no adjusting points man; at least I didn't see any when I removed mine. Besides, even if adjusting was possible, bumper should have mounted EXACTLY the same as before... unless something was broken or bent. You need to fix that, rather than trying to make it fit by moving other things. Now they f**ed up your headlights. Seems to me not only that the bumper should have been replaced (any tear warrants replacement), but that something bent when hitting the racoon. The only thing we know is that the shop you used is crap. Good luck. Last edited by JCtx; 04-26-2011 at 10:46 AM..*
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04-26-2011, 11:21 AM	#10
isugoo Major General 248 Rep 6,125 Posts Drives: 991.2 GTS Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (73)	Hey, contact mike (mwscircle) and tell him Tommy asked you to contact for bumper align issue. he is our local E90 guy who took off, install a lot of E90 bumpers. He maybe able to help you out. __________________ PAST: F80 M3 ZCP \| 911.1 C2S \| F10 M5 ZCP \| E70 X5M \| E90 M3 \| E46 M3 \| E36 M3
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04-26-2011, 11:36 AM	#11
crzy4bimmers Private First Class 63 Rep 193 Posts Drives: G63, GLS63, X7M50 (inbound) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Agreed that this has nothing to do with Geico. Find a good body shop, and if they can't get it done, take it to BMW and pay a bit out of pocket to get it right. A skewed front end bumper can really ruin the look of the M3. The front of the M3 should look just angry, not sad and angry! ;-)
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04-26-2011, 03:54 PM	#14
Merlosso Banned 24 Rep 495 Posts Drives: Results Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Germantown, MD iTrader: (2)	I have GEICO too. Call your adjuster and tell them the work wasn't done correctly. According to their website, if you went to one of their Auto Repair Xpress shops, the work is guaranteed as long as you own the car. If it's not done right, keep calling your adjuster until it is.
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04-26-2011, 10:38 PM	#16
mmmpowered Private First Class 6 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Coupe Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Left Coast iTrader: (1)	Headlights need to first go back to their original positions. Then, the top 4 or 5 bolts under the rubber strip should be inserted but left loose. After all the bottom bolts on the bumper are tight, you need to align the edge of the fender with the edge of the bumper and then tighten the two screws that insert from inside the fender well, through the 6 inchish metal bracket near the corner and into the headlight and fender. These are the adjustment points. Repeat for the other side. Install the fender liner to bumper bolts. Finally push or pull the top of the bumper slightly to align then tighten the top bolts. You pretty much have to do it in this order or you'll never get it. Leaving the bottom bolts loose can be helpful but I've found it doesn't matter much. Good luck! __________________
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04-26-2011, 11:46 PM	#17
SIIK2NR Lieutenant 51 Rep 598 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Dog iTrader: (0)	Update: They were able to get it all aligned on the third try. I did an extensive inspection this time to make sure all the bolts and liners were intact. All good. Just took some prodding. It was the express service and it is guaranteed work for life. Worried at first but overall, glad to have my car back. Thanks for the comments and the notes on how to properly tighten the bumper down. Tim __________________ Current: 2006 Lotus Elise SC Previous: 2008 AW E92 M3 6MT - Sold 2004 AP2 S2000 - Sold
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04-27-2011, 01:24 AM	#18
xccess Private First Class 18 Rep 107 Posts Drives: none Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: side curb iTrader: (0)	opps Last edited by xccess; 04-27-2011 at 01:45 AM..
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