Bumper/tailgate issue

[cravin]

My dealer replaced mine for me, but like Ard is hinting at, it's not a cheap fix. They had to replace my entire new bumper, and yes, they know it's a bad design and all, but your dealer won't do it if you remotely mention any sort of contact and they run the risk of getting the claim denied by BMWNA.

[BMW X5]

As far as I'm concerned I came out to my car in the garage at home and opened to trunk and when I closed my tailgate it snapped. I looked and saw it was rubbing the bumper. End of story

[finnbmw]

Originally Posted by BMW X5

guys I have an issue: car was bumped and now when I close the tailgate or open it it runs the bumper. I felt around and seems like the inside bumper clips popped out. Any suggestions or thoughts or take to dealer and play dumb? No damage it was just I guess someone backup parking but non the less ...

If it's the lower tailgate portion rubbing the bumper, that should be an easy fix. Couple of clips probably popped out of place. I mentioned my similar problem to my SA during a service vist. The tech came out and in literally one minute had put the clips back in place. Obviously a common problem.

[BMW X5]

yeah its the lower tailgate rubbing bumper fairly dead center. the issue is the bumper in that spot is not clipped in and i just cant figure out if the clips are broken or if it just snapped off. i tried to pop back in/on but dont know the proper way and have been unsuccessful. taking it to dealer will see what happens. regardless of the circumstances this should not be happening. i've seen at least a dozen reports on other sites and around which is a bit disconcerting.

[Price]

Paradoxically, breaking off those two clips actually fixes the issue, w/o any adverse effect.

[BMW X5]

Well apparently as everyone said the internal skeleton with clip rail is busted so need new bumper. Do I use an Indy shop or bmw in house? And should I get aftermarket bumper or factory? Pros cons of each option combo!

[cravin]

Guessing they're not gonna cover it, huh? I'd go Indy over stealership any day

[regdfry]

Why don't you just get some modern aerospace adhesive, squirt some where the clips were, plus a little bit more for general purposes, and place some weights on the bumper cover over said adhesive for the prescribed drying time?

It could work. . .

[London Lad]

Originally Posted by Price

Paradoxically, breaking off those two clips actually fixes the issue, w/o any adverse effect.

^^^^ This. I had the same happen to me yesterday! The clip is like an oblong socket under the top edge of the visible bumper. A small impact to the centrer of the bumper partially breaks the clip and the top part of the bumper is pushed up slightly by the broken clip and the touches the bottom of the lower tailgate.

It's an easy fix, half open the tailgate and get your fingers in and snap off the offending clip. Close the tailgate and put a heavy weight on the top centre of the bumper and leave car in the sun for a few hours and it will be flat again. Simples!

[BMW X5]

Originally Posted by London Lad

^^^^ This. I had the same happen to me yesterday! The clip is like an oblong socket under the top edge of the visible bumper. A small impact to the centrer of the bumper partially breaks the clip and the top part of the bumper is pushed up slightly by the broken clip and the touches the bottom of the lower tailgate.

It's an easy fix, half open the tailgate and get your fingers in and snap off the offending clip. Close the tailgate and put a heavy weight on the top centre of the bumper and leave car in the sun for a few hours and it will be flat again. Simples!

Sadly sounds like my actual entire clip rail is broken. Visually there is only a little bulge where I'm guessing the impact was but I can live with it all just for now can't use tailgate. Will talk to Indy shop to see if they can remediate without the added costs. That's for all the input. I tried to plea the bad design but that's barking up a really large tree