A Love/Hate thing

paullo · 08-09-2005, 02:04 AM

I love my car, but... it was bound to happen,... with a front bumper so low to the ground;

Wife & I are getting groceries for the week, and we head towards our 'usual spot' at the back of the parking lot, away from everything... and for no reason, I didn't stop in time... scraped against the cement divider thing.

Left & right underside of the front bumper have a bunch of scrape marks. Now, I'm at a loss as to what to do. Do I bother having the bumper re-painted and risk scraping up the bumper yet one more time! Or just accept that unless you're underneath the car, you'd never know anything was wrong?

Aside from the Carbon Fiber attachments, is there any clip/bolt on protection for our frighteningly low front bumpers? Any suggestions? I'm still kicking myself for being careless...

Dnz · 08-09-2005, 04:27 AM

If you cant see it, its alright. Everyone gets it. My e36 has this plastic under thing, which protects a little..

Otherwise, just get used to backing into every space, its a lot safer..

CC 330i · 08-09-2005, 10:50 AM

Yes, I scraped mine a little bit going over a dip, and you can't even see it. It's going to happen again, trust me. I would just leave it alone.

cosby · 08-09-2005, 11:42 AM

paullo - I feel your pain.

but no worries if you can not see it. Save your money for when you go out to the parking lot and find a scratch or dent from some one hitting your car with their door.

itznin · 08-09-2005, 12:54 PM

Yes it happened to me as well, I just left it as it is not that noticeable.

Post some pics!

silverado · 08-09-2005, 01:39 PM

Ditto. I got over it. I bet every car will get them.

paullo · 08-09-2005, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverado

Ditto. I got over it. I bet every car will get them.

I'm getting over it... it's somewhat re-assuring that I'm not the only one who's done it, and you're right - it'll be something nearly everyone does at some point.

I'll take a few pics tonight when I get home and post them...

tooner · 08-09-2005, 02:56 PM

First ones always hard...

you'll get over it!

thrill30 · 08-09-2005, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dnz

Otherwise, just get used to backing into every space, its a lot safer..

I agree... backing into parking spaces is safer... in fact I find it easier to park this way... but a few people think I'm nuts for doing this most of the time... well, it works for me.

Jesse Wilson · 08-09-2005, 03:23 PM

Wow, I am suprised by all the people saying that this car is low. The E90 is at least 3-4 inches higher then my last car. That combined with the much shorter front end makes me a very happey driver. I used to scrape going up every single driveway.

Jesse

silverado · 08-09-2005, 03:30 PM

Jesse,

What was your last car?

thrill30 · 08-09-2005, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse Wilson

Wow, I am suprised by all the people saying that this car is low. The E90 is at least 3-4 inches higher then my last car. That combined with the much shorter front end makes me a very happey driver. I used to scrape going up every single driveway.

Jesse

I agree... the E90 is not low at all... even with Sport Package, I find it to be higher than what I expected... I have not scraped mine at all, but I treat it as if it were very low, just to be on the safe side.

I've come out of tricky situations where I was unsure that the front bumper would clear the ground, but it did.

Armen52 · 08-09-2005, 03:51 PM

Well, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one. I was in a hurry trying to get back to work from my new place yesterday at lunchtime and there is a huge drainage dip right in the MIDDLE of the parking lot of this new place. Stupdiest place to put it I ever saw. Anyway, its not marked or highlightes in any way either and I just forgot about it and ran over it at about 15 or 20mph.

There was a very loud and ugly sound as the car crashed down and hit the ground in the front. The front bumper is scraped underneath on the right side but its so far back that you can't see it unless you get down on your knees or bend over all the way. I don't even know why its painted so far back.

Oh well, nothing I can do about it. I had gone over a month without a single scrape of any kind. I started with a big bang!

Jesse Wilson · 08-09-2005, 05:10 PM

The car I was refering to was my Dodge Avenger. The nose on that thing was long and low. I couldn't go up any regular driveway without loosing half the underside of my front end. I have yet to come close to the bottom of my E90. Not even when I park it inside the warehouse where I work which has a pretty high lip to get in it.

Jesse

patrick2k6 · 08-09-2005, 07:44 PM

I did the same thing last week, and it really had me upset b/c I'm so careful with the car!

I took my car back to the dealer and they airbrushed over the scratch marks. $190. I know it's expensive, but I've learned a lesson and hopefully can keep my car perfect for a good while longer.

I'm supposed to pick the car up tomorrow, so I'll let you know how it looks. The service guy said that they can make it look like new again.

By the way, if you ever nick your wheels, they can do wheel touch-ups also.

bmwboy29 · 08-09-2005, 09:52 PM

yea man, just leave it be, I mean if I were to walk by your new baby I wouldnt even know it! and I dont normally crawl around and look under the car and im sure others wont. LOL

paullo · 08-09-2005, 11:20 PM

Here's what it looks like... it's a bit less on the right side, but it's still there. I'm going to see how much it'd cost to touch up, and if it's less than a few hundred bucks, I might go for it. Otherwise, I'm leaving it be.

RICH2005 · 08-10-2005, 12:09 AM

I slowly backed out of my sister's steep driveway on the weekend and heard a scrape at the very end of the driveway. I forgot about the scrape it until I read this thread. I just checked my car in the garage and sure enough I have a scrape also (but not as bad as paullo's).

I will probably leave it as is because you would not know it was there unless you got down on your hand and knees and looked for it. With the sports package being 0.6 inches lower than my non sports package 330i I am now even more glad I decided against the sports package.

davinet78 · 08-10-2005, 05:19 AM

for your conscience if you can afford to fix it fix it cos you know the damage is there.

itznin · 08-10-2005, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davinet78

for your conscience if you can afford to fix it fix it cos you know the damage is there.

Forget your conscience, you can't see it don't fix it!

There is no reason to throw money away as it may happen again (god forbid) to your new bumper that you would replace this one with.

The damage could be worse than this and you will be kicking yourself!

lucas.kent · 09-09-2005, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrick2k6

I did the same thing last week, and it really had me upset b/c I'm so careful with the car!

I took my car back to the dealer and they airbrushed over the scratch marks. $190. I know it's expensive, but I've learned a lesson and hopefully can keep my car perfect for a good while longer.

I'm supposed to pick the car up tomorrow, so I'll let you know how it looks. The service guy said that they can make it look like new again.

By the way, if you ever nick your wheels, they can do wheel touch-ups also.

patrick2k6, how did this turn out? Were they able to make the bumper look like new?

08-09-2005, 02:04 AM	#1
paullo Captain 28 Rep 686 Posts Drives: ThreeThreeFive Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	A Love/Hate thing I love my car, but... it was bound to happen,... with a front bumper so low to the ground; Wife & I are getting groceries for the week, and we head towards our 'usual spot' at the back of the parking lot, away from everything... and for no reason, I didn't stop in time... scraped against the cement divider thing. Left & right underside of the front bumper have a bunch of scrape marks. Now, I'm at a loss as to what to do. Do I bother having the bumper re-painted and risk scraping up the bumper yet one more time! Or just accept that unless you're underneath the car, you'd never know anything was wrong? Aside from the Carbon Fiber attachments, is there any clip/bolt on protection for our frighteningly low front bumpers? Any suggestions? I'm still kicking myself for being careless...
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08-09-2005, 04:27 AM	#2
Dnz New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: '94 325i w/M-Tech Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Zealand iTrader: (0)	If you cant see it, its alright. Everyone gets it. My e36 has this plastic under thing, which protects a little.. Otherwise, just get used to backing into every space, its a lot safer..
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08-09-2005, 10:50 AM	#3
CC 330i Captain 44 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 330i SG/Blk/Alum Join Date: May 2005 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	Yes, I scraped mine a little bit going over a dip, and you can't even see it. It's going to happen again, trust me. I would just leave it alone.
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08-09-2005, 11:42 AM	#4
cosby Private 0 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 325i SG Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: emerald city iTrader: (0)	paullo - I feel your pain. but no worries if you can not see it. Save your money for when you go out to the parking lot and find a scratch or dent from some one hitting your car with their door.
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08-09-2005, 12:54 PM	#5
itznin Captain 26 Rep 679 Posts Drives: 2013 F30 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North NJ iTrader: (2)	Yes it happened to me as well, I just left it as it is not that noticeable. Post some pics!
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08-09-2005, 01:39 PM	#6
silverado Captain 288 Rep 874 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Ditto. I got over it. I bet every car will get them. __________________ 2018 F87 M2 \| LBB \| Executive \| Moon Roof \| Apple CarPlay [2018 F22 M240 (sold) ; 2015 F22 M235i (sold); 2006 E90 330i (sold); 1983 E30 Coupe 320i (sold)]
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08-09-2005, 02:56 PM	#8
tooner New Member 3 Rep 22 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: bAY AreA iTrader: (0)	First ones always hard... you'll get over it! __________________ 2005 997S CAB 2006 330i 2003 4.6is Ariverderci! 05 530i 02 M3 04 325i
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08-09-2005, 03:23 PM	#10
Jesse Wilson Lieutenant 12 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 2006 325I Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tempe, AZ iTrader: (2)	Wow, I am suprised by all the people saying that this car is low. The E90 is at least 3-4 inches higher then my last car. That combined with the much shorter front end makes me a very happey driver. I used to scrape going up every single driveway. Jesse
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08-09-2005, 03:30 PM	#11
silverado Captain 288 Rep 874 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Jesse, What was your last car?
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08-09-2005, 03:51 PM	#13
Armen52 Captain 33 Rep 663 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Well, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one. I was in a hurry trying to get back to work from my new place yesterday at lunchtime and there is a huge drainage dip right in the MIDDLE of the parking lot of this new place. Stupdiest place to put it I ever saw. Anyway, its not marked or highlightes in any way either and I just forgot about it and ran over it at about 15 or 20mph. There was a very loud and ugly sound as the car crashed down and hit the ground in the front. The front bumper is scraped underneath on the right side but its so far back that you can't see it unless you get down on your knees or bend over all the way. I don't even know why its painted so far back. Oh well, nothing I can do about it. I had gone over a month without a single scrape of any kind. I started with a big bang! __________________ E90 330i delivered 6/29/2005, ZSP/ZPP/ZCW/Step, Arctic/Gray/Walnut
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08-09-2005, 05:10 PM	#14
Jesse Wilson Lieutenant 12 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 2006 325I Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tempe, AZ iTrader: (2)	The car I was refering to was my Dodge Avenger. The nose on that thing was long and low. I couldn't go up any regular driveway without loosing half the underside of my front end. I have yet to come close to the bottom of my E90. Not even when I park it inside the warehouse where I work which has a pretty high lip to get in it. Jesse
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08-09-2005, 07:44 PM	#15
patrick2k6 New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: e90 330i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	If it's really bugging you... here's your solution: I did the same thing last week, and it really had me upset b/c I'm so careful with the car! I took my car back to the dealer and they airbrushed over the scratch marks. $190. I know it's expensive, but I've learned a lesson and hopefully can keep my car perfect for a good while longer. I'm supposed to pick the car up tomorrow, so I'll let you know how it looks. The service guy said that they can make it look like new again. By the way, if you ever nick your wheels, they can do wheel touch-ups also. __________________ __________________ 2006 E90 330i \| SG \| Black Dakota \| A/T \| Step \| Sports \| Premium \| Cold \| Sirius
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08-09-2005, 09:52 PM	#16
bmwboy29 Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 218 Posts Drives: bmw 325xi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	yea man, just leave it be, I mean if I were to walk by your new baby I wouldnt even know it! and I dont normally crawl around and look under the car and im sure others wont. LOL
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08-09-2005, 11:20 PM	#17
paullo Captain 28 Rep 686 Posts Drives: ThreeThreeFive Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	Here's what it looks like... it's a bit less on the right side, but it's still there. I'm going to see how much it'd cost to touch up, and if it's less than a few hundred bucks, I might go for it. Otherwise, I'm leaving it be. Attached Images
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08-10-2005, 12:09 AM	#18
RICH2005 Private 1 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: May 2005 Location: VANCOUVER iTrader: (0)	I slowly backed out of my sister's steep driveway on the weekend and heard a scrape at the very end of the driveway. I forgot about the scrape it until I read this thread. I just checked my car in the garage and sure enough I have a scrape also (but not as bad as paullo's). I will probably leave it as is because you would not know it was there unless you got down on your hand and knees and looked for it. With the sports package being 0.6 inches lower than my non sports package 330i I am now even more glad I decided against the sports package.
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08-10-2005, 05:19 AM	#19
davinet78 Lieutenant Colonel 28 Rep 1,832 Posts Drives: bmw e90 320d Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: gibraltar(europe) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 bmw 320d E90 [0.00]	for your conscience if you can afford to fix it fix it cos you know the damage is there. __________________ e90 320d,arktis,lumber support, hifi speaker, alarm, dakota beige, 162 18", xenon with washer spray,window chrome trimmings, professional radio, 6 cd changer wood trimmings 6 speed manual.
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