X5 and poor bumper design

[cravin]

My X5 is in for service where they are providing me a new rear bumper. Raises the question of why. So here is the story:

There seems to be a very common issue with the X5. With this problem, it's easy to miss when looking up close. If you look down at the bumper, you'll notice a gap between the bumper and the body. If looking at it from 20 feet away or so though, it becomes easier to notice. You notice that there are ripples in the top of the bumper. Seems to be a design flaw that the reinforcement clips tend to break.

The service center told me that it must have been from hitting the something. I told them about this days after I received the car, and the dealership agreed that it should have been fixed before delivery to me, so they're covering the cost. I thought it would just be a process of taking the bumper off and reinforcing it with new clips, but seems like they think it needs a whole new bumper. Now that I am aware of the issue with my truck, I've been noticing it on more and more X5s that I come across.

Raises the question of how to get BMWNA to acknowledge that the bumper is not designed to US Safety laws of being able to withstand a mild bump.

Here is a thread on bimmerfest with dozens of owners that have the issue.
2010 BMW X5 Rear Bumper Problems - Quality Issue - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

[cravin]

Now I need help from fellow owners.

I picked up my X5 from the service center on Friday. After a couple days of driving, there is an ever so slight gap in the middle of the bumper again, between bumper and body. When I push on it, it slides in, but after a bit of driving, the slight gap is back. Can't be more than 2mm or so, but I'm wondering if I should be seeing ANY light between bumper and body.

[ard]

2 mm?

Horrific. Sue them.

[jeremym]

Originally Posted by ard

2 mm?

Horrific. Sue them.

For once, I agree with ard.

Sounds like you're being much too critical of the thing. After all, it's the bumper COVER. Not the actual bumper -- someone correct me if I'm wrong here -- so that has nothing to do with any laws.

PS: Hopefully I see you [and your new bumper cover] around the area!

[marshotel]

Originally Posted by jeremym

For once, I agree with ard.

Sounds like you're being much too critical of the thing. After all, it's the bumper COVER. Not the actual bumper -- someone correct me if I'm wrong here -- so that has nothing to do with any laws.

PS: Hopefully I see you [and your new bumper cover] around the area!

the gap is small but when it happens it causes the lower part if the tailgate to hang up on the bumper cover when you close it........at least that is what happened to me when I had th issue.

[jeremym]

Originally Posted by marshotel

the gap is small but when it happens it causes the lower part if the tailgate to hang up on the bumper cover when you close it........at least that is what happened to me when I had th issue.

I see. I always though it was common for large bumper covers to have that ripple type of effect. Almost every GM SUV I've seen has it somewhere...even the pricy ones.

[cravin]

I don't believe that I was asking for wiseass comments. I was asking if it's as it was meant to be. If not, then I would need to get back to the service center before they try and charge me money for a fix since this new bumper is all of 5 days old.

So anyone have any useful input?

[cravin]

Sorry that I didn't specify. I mean a gap when looking at it from the top. With full tailgate closed, when looking down at the bumper, there is a gap. You can see the ground under the car through the space between bumper and body.

I have to leave and drive up to Boston, but will try and get a pic of the gap later today or tomorrow.

[rh71]

I just checked and looking straight down there is no gap. At a slight angle, there's a small space. Compare it with other E70s at the dealer's service lot next time you're there.

[cravin]

Thank you for taking the time to look!