which dealer did you go to? i am no body work guru but depending on how fresh the paint is on the car and it being an 06 means its nearly new they should not really have to do your pannels because the might as well do the whole car at that point.

Went to Holtz BMW, and they had the car for a total of 3 days.

Do insist that they get it right or as close as possible! Check your paint code on your car and ask them what sub-code they painted the bumper with?

I was told that there are 2 "variations" (sub-codes?) and that the darker of the two was used.

That's unaccetable. The bodyshop should be able to match the color perfectly with the paint code.

That's what I thought, too, which is why I'm wary of them screwing around with the paint of the panels.

Thnaks for all the advice. I'll keep you guys posted on any developments.