Bumper/tailgate issue

[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 ...

[jazzyj13]

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 ...

Same thing happened to me the guys in my parking garage like to play bumper cars, I do have a pretty thick bumper guard that wraps around the bumper so there aren't any blemishes on it. Took it into the dealer and they admitted that the clips that hold the bumper on are subpar, obviously I'm not the first to complain about this. Luckily I'm still under warranty so they ended replacing the entire bumper. If they do it for you inspect their work after, they ended forgetting to replace the bolts that hold the bottom of my fender flares to the inside of the wheel well.

[ard]

Originally Posted by BMW X5

or take to dealer and play dumb?

There have been reports in the past about this.... clips can pop off or become detached.

Do you think the dealer will fix it and not understand this was a bump? Your playing dumb might not force them into playing.

[BMW X5]

Originally Posted by jazzyj13

Same thing happened to me the guys in my parking garage like to play bumper cars, I do have a pretty thick bumper guard that wraps around the bumper so there aren't any blemishes on it. Took it into the dealer and they admitted that the clips that hold the bumper on are subpar, obviously I'm not the first to complain about this. Luckily I'm still under warranty so they ended replacing the entire bumper. If they do it for you inspect their work after, they ended forgetting to replace the bolts that hold the bottom of my fender flares to the inside of the wheel well.

Which dealer did you take it to?

Ard, this was a parking bump there are no blemishes and I've seen threads all over on those. I'm hoping they will remediate because a parking bump should not render the bumper useless. Every sigle other car I've owned has been bumped one way or another.

[BMW X5]

By the way I'm still under warranty its a 2013.

[jazzyj13]

Mine is a 2013 as well and my dealer is BMW of Westchester. Your right a small kiss on the bumper should not force you to do a Fonzie fist bump to get the bumper back under the lower tailgate everytime you open it.

[regdfry]

Sounds like you need to take this issue up with your automobile insurance company. Or, just pay for this small collision (bump) yourself. Perhaps, buy some new clips and do the repair yourself?

I don't see how this is a BMW warranty issue.

[ard]

R&R the bumper skin, fix the clips, maybe fix broken clips is a 2+ hr job. You think a dealer will say "yes, cars should tolerate bumps, we will pay this out of our pocket" since BMWNA will almost surely deny for this claim.

I agree bumpers should be more robust- but you cannot settle claims based on 'it was reported as a minor tap'. Thats the crux of this thread: yes, BMW has a weak design. How hard was it bumped? Was it due to a weak design or a strongish bump?


Play dumb, say 'it looks like heat has caused this to pop up- I read there are issues with the clips that hold it in place'. Once you mention a parking lot bump you are done. IMO

[jazzyj13]

Right, I did not mention a thing about the parking garage, I even left the bumper guard at home.

[BMW X5]

regdfry we're talking about parking and i'm going on an assumption that it was bumped because i noticed it after having been parked and went to open the trunk. it could as easily have been me leaning on the bumper while putting in a few heavy items. point is a bump or press or call it whatever should not yield clips to pop. thats poor design.

and ard i wasnt planning on telling them it was a bump i'm only assuming it was a bump because the car was on the street roughly when i realized this little predicament, i dont actually know how long it has been like that because i havent used the tailgate in a bit so for all i know its been a while. in either case i'm going monday.