Possible damage to underbody...

[persian54]

Went over a 'bump/ in the road (hard to explain, basically, think the road turned itself into a bump...)
Here is a screen shot of the area:




I heard a big bang/bump/sound etc from the bottom rear when I went over it...made my heart sink


i was going about 35mph? maybe 40 at the most.


Went home, jacked my car up...

First I thought this was it:

A couple of marks, nothing bad (when I touch it, the white stuff comes off)
Here is the other side, clean:




But, in my heart I knew it hit further back...and harder than that

And here it is:







Now, is it really 'bad' that the bar is scrapped up like that? Does it need replacing?

Also... I don't know if you can see in the pics (hard to take shots...), but there is a mark on the rear diff.
I couldn't reach to touch it to see the condition.


I know this isn't warranty-able, it's not a defect...So i know i will need to pay out of pocket if I want it investigated/replaced
But I don't want to go about paying for something that is 'fine'

If the case is simply that I am being overly paranoid and nothing is wrong...then great

Any and all advice is appreciated

[1sikbmr]

doesnt look too bad. but still

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Are you really worried about scratches on a metal bar that nobody will ever see?

[persian54]

There are plenty of parts on a car no one will see that, if damaged, need replacing.

I don't care about it from a cosmetic standpoint.

But I would hate for the bar's structure to be damaged preventing it the ability to work as functioned and designed.

This is a bar special to e93s due to the extra weight in the rear, especially with the top open.

If I do need to replace this bar, it's not that big of a deal.... or as big of a deal if the diff got damaged.

My main worry is that, could an impact onto the rear diff cause any damage?
My understanding would be that it's built strong enough...but I'm no tech/pro, hence why I am asking for advice.
Maybe from the pressure? impact? etc?

[bchang2001]

where is that bump at?

[stefan]

I think you're OK. Remember, it always sounds MUCH worse from inside the car. That part of the car is highly reinforced. A bump won't hurt it. To be sure, checkc the torque on all the bolts etc to check for jarring.

I'd also bring that bump up with your municipality office.

[ex10psi]

i wouldnt worry about the bar... i'd be more concerned about the impact your diff took. it appears to be just cosmetic on the diff though, on the outside diff cover. if the diff seems to be operating normally, then consider yourself lucky!

i'm willing to bet the diff is fine. do a few hard accel and hard braking tests... and make sure the car tracks straight and true in both conditions. make sure no noises, funny smells, weird sounds, etc... if everything feels right, then you're probably good to. based on that picture, it appears the diff just took a minor scuff and the diff cover is fully intact, lucky!

[persian54]

It's by Topanga and Sherman Way

How can I report it?

[BimmerRob08]

I'd take it to the dealer and have them look it over. Last week I accidently road over a lane medium as I was turning left, a moment of fatigue and innatention caused me to cut the curb short and I had to clear it all the way due to approaching traffic.

I looked underneath and I though all that happened was I broke off the lower plastic molding that holds the front bumper to the oil pan strike plate and a few scratches on the exhaust.

Instead I did well over $5,000 in damage. Several metal plates were curled, the oil pan strike plate was dented in at the center jack point, which put a dent into the main lower sub-frame aluminum machined frame that holds all the front lower suspension arms to, luckaly no damage to the actual oil pan of the engine. That part cost well over $1,000 plus 10+hrs of labor and an alignment, plus alot more crap.

So just a scratch isn't the issue. Depending on how you hit and how much impact, especially at higher than 20mph you were going, could have bent stuff you don't know about. Just go have it checked out. I didn't think my damage was that much because I ran over the medium at about 10 to 15 mph and it was a mess. Good luck.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by ex10psi

i wouldnt worry about the bar... i'd be more concerned about the impact your diff took. it appears to be just cosmetic on the diff though, on the outside diff cover. if the diff seems to be operating normally, then consider yourself lucky!

i'm willing to bet the diff is fine. do a few hard accel and hard braking tests... and make sure the car tracks straight and true in both conditions. make sure no noises, funny smells, weird sounds, etc... if everything feels right, then you're probably good to. based on that picture, it appears the diff just took a minor scuff and the diff cover is fully intact, lucky!

Yeah my main concern was the diff

I'll see how it drives tomorrow

drove home just fine though..

[persian54]

Just imagine if my car was slammed like some M3s I've seen...

[persian54]

Originally Posted by BimmerRob08

I'd take it to the dealer and have them look it over. Last week I accidently road over a lane medium as I was turning left, a moment of fatigue and innatention caused me to cut the curb short and I had to clear it all the way due to approaching traffic.

I looked underneath and I though all that happened was I broke off the lower plastic molding that holds the front bumper to the oil pan strike plate and a few scratches on the exhaust.

Instead I did well over $5,000 in damage. Several metal plates were curled, the oil pan strike plate was dented in at the center jack point, which put a dent into the main lower sub-frame aluminum machined frame that holds all the front lower suspension arms to, luckaly no damage to the actual oil pan of the engine. That part cost well over $1,000 plus 10+hrs of labor and an alignment, plus alot more crap.

So just a scratch isn't the issue. Depending on how you hit and how much impact, especially at higher than 20mph you were going, could have bent stuff you don't know about. Just go have it checked out. I didn't think my damage was that much because I ran over the medium at about 10 to 15 mph and it was a mess. Good luck.

Damn...

[bchang2001]

i always thought the diff was too low even on a stock M3.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

When you have a chance, take it to your BMW dealership (or other garage) and have a good mechanic give you his/her views on what is visible. From the photos it does not look too bad at all, still I would do the aforementioned if I was you Good luck.

[KRUZNM3]

damn! i feel your pain! a few yrs back in my e92, i experience the same thing... thought i messed up my car but i got lucky and it was just a few scratches underneath... hope your car is ok!!

[E90///M3`]

ouch... more reason to put her in the shop. bacardi limon anyone?

[Nelrock]

Originally Posted by persian54

I know this isn't warranty-able, it's not a defect...So i know i will need to pay out of pocket if I want it investigated/replaced
But I don't want to go about paying for something that is 'fine'

I'd have the dealership take a look at it.

Am I wrong in thinking, should repairs be necessary, the city could be liable to pay for the repairs?
That section of the road is clearly jacked up.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by Nelrock

I'd have the dealership take a look at it.

Am I wrong in thinking, should repairs be necessary, the city could be liable to pay for the repairs?
That section of the road is clearly jacked up.

I think you have a point, he should take good pictures and investigate this without question. I would even call it a safety issue.

[nusevad]

looks like minor scrape, i doubt there was any real damage done.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by Nelrock

I'd have the dealership take a look at it.

Am I wrong in thinking, should repairs be necessary, the city could be liable to pay for the repairs?
That section of the road is clearly jacked up.

I've heard this too, but with how broke CA is, and LA having no money, I don't think they will

My uncle got 2 of his rims bent driving on Wilshire (if you're from here, you know the area..)
surrounded by muli million dollar properties, near UCLA, etc etc....yet the road is crap
he filed a case with the city and never got any $ back

[persian54]

Btw, I've decided to take it to the dealer just to have it checked

Not sure when though..maybe next week if i can