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Back Bumper unclipping and Rubbing on Tailgate

Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:22 am
by squeaky2
For the second time the car has been into BMW as the rear bumper keeps unclipping and springing up and damaging the tailgate.

First time BMW kept the car for the week and fixed it. This time they have said that the bumper has been hit and are citing damage to the bumper. I checked the car before it went in was sure there was no damage but then again im not an expert.

BMW bodyshop says its needs a new bumper and spraying....total £2300.

Has anyone else had this problem yet?

Photo courtesy of our american friends

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Re: Back Bumper unclipping and Rubbing on Tailgate

Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:24 pm
by 5wany
This is a known problem by BMW, the clips are extremely weak and the slightest knudge by another car etc the clips fail. Bumpers should withstand impacts below 5kmph without damage, BMW know this but some dealers r chancers & try to fob u off if they think they can get away with it.

Check Outpost.com as few threads on there about it.

My car 2011 did this 2 months after purchase, when i bought it it had a very light scratch on rear bumper picked up during delivery from USA that I allowed them to repair before accepting. When the bumper popped up I took it back to dealers who removed and realigned bumper in 1 day, but then again I find my local dealer extremly professional and reliable.

If your car is under warranty fight them on this, £2300 is a pi55 take.

Re: Back Bumper unclipping and Rubbing on Tailgate

Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:15 am
by gadgetfreak
Squeaky2 - I've got the same problem on my 2010 car, but I'm thinking it maybe due to the previous owner retrofitting a detachable tow bar. I was going to take the car to Park Lane after reading your previous post, but now I'm not sure I will get anywhere with them now re. warranty. The other option is to get my local body shop to refit it for me, but they said if the clips are broke they may have to bond part of the bumper down which is not ideal.

Re: Back Bumper unclipping and Rubbing on Tailgate

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 6:29 am
by squeaky2
Am going in to pick up the car this morning.......so far nothing has been done to it. Am going to speak to the guys i know around the corner but from reading other posts there is a temptation just to leave it and to get everything repaired when i sell the bl00dy thing.

Gadget......if you go to park lane where r u based?

Re: Back Bumper unclipping and Rubbing on Tailgate

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 9:46 am
by gadgetfreak
I'm based around east london.

Let me know how you get on with park lane and what you decide to do.

Re: Back Bumper unclipping and Rubbing on Tailgate

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 9:16 pm
by westside
you may want to remove the bumper and then refit it until they sort it its only a 30 min job (your need to buy new plastic rivits though for when you remove them from th earch to get to the 8mm bolt that holds the side of the bumper in)

Re: Back Bumper unclipping and Rubbing on Tailgate

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:46 pm
by squeaky2
Well the cars back from Park lane and i have to admit there are marks on the back bumper consistent with it having contacted something.......not a huge amount of contact though. Will have to either get it round to the bodywork people round the corner or have a look at removing the bumper and seeing what the score is.

I am loathed to replace the bumper as there really isnt any damage to it other than obviously broken clips. Would be interested to have a look at the clips anyway as there must be something wrong with the design of them to let go at the slightest bump

Re: Back Bumper unclipping and Rubbing on Tailgate

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:11 pm
by westside
if u need a new bumper i have a genuine sport rear bumper for sale 30 quid

Re: Back Bumper unclipping and Rubbing on Tailgate

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 8:15 pm
by 5wany
see here for history to rear bumper clip failures

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showth ... p?t=461188