[v callum o]

Car Crash - Front End Damage - Opinions?


Hello to anyone reading, I've been on the forum for a while, however this is my first post. From what I've seen people tend to be helpful and come up with good ideas.

Basically I was involved in an accident last week. I was turning onto a main road, a car coming the opposite way on the main road caught my front-end driver side, fairly hard hit. I pulled over up the road once it was clear (30 metres). I walked back to where the accident happened and there was no car, just drove off. Now i don't really need help with the reason for the Crash. He was more on my side of the road than he should have been, since I have done the same turn plenty of times without issue.

I do however need help with the damage on my car and people's opinions if they're willing too.

From what I can see:
- Smashed my D/S Xenon Headlight, bulbs work and are level (surprisingly)
- Bumper 3-4 inch split, broken tabs near wheel arch fitment, broken lower grills, scratchs with few small dents
- Bodywork, very slight 1inch fold on front quarter D/S just under wheel arch
- Front indicator not working, however visually not smashed, possible filament or loose connection.
- Xenon Headlight washer pushed in, possibly became disconnected due to filling washer fluid up and leaking, or maybe cracked washer container







The car drives perfectly fine, only driven once since the accident (to drive home) 20 miles on a mixture of 30-70mph roads, no pulling or audible scraping whatsoever which is obviously a good sign.

My questions are as follows:

- My Xenon Headlights are Adaptive currently, as I only plan to replace the damaged headlight. Will I need to get an Adaptive one or will a regular Xenon be sufficient? Or will this cause problems?
- Bumper, it's seeming very hard to buy a Sportline bumper with the required Xenon Headlight washer holes. Can these be cut from a regular bumper with ease? As in do they have marking on the rear to show the cut outs?
- If this was your Car, would you rather buy second hand (good condition) genuine OE BMW parts and get this work done by a trusted garage for a total of £900-1.2k. Or go to BMW and get new parts which plus fitting would possibly be in the 3k+ region? Please bear in mind that the car will be sold within a year.

Appreciate any feedback anyone puts forward.

Few photos before it was smashed

[jd_perspective]

Doesn't sound too damaged but similar to a collision I had on my 2015 428. Similar parts were repaired/replaced. Total bill was $5000 USD. The car was brand new so they used new parts.

- Don't have one Adaptive and one regular, you'll likely throw error codes.
- I wouldn't cut into a new bumper, your repair shop should be able to locate one.
- used OEM parts are acceptable in repairs, in the U.S. most shops will use that if they are authorized not to use aftermarket. I would never allow aftermarket but I guess used is fine, I've never really had issues with OEM Used on prior cars.

[cfm56d7b]

If you are selling the vehicle, an estimate from a reputable body shop with intent to use genuine BMW parts (even if used) is a good first step.

[v callum o]

That's what I thought, especially since I'll be selling the car within a year. Doesn't make sense to spend thousands on brand new parts for the sake of a few little stone chips/light scratches on the headlights. Especially when the cost of new is about x4 of used. Body shop I know of are spot on also, may even be able to get the parts via them. Thanks!

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by v callum o

That's what I thought, especially since I'll be selling the car within a year. Doesn't make sense to spend thousands on brand new parts for the sake of a few little stone chips/light scratches on the headlights. Especially when the cost of new is about x4 of used. Body shop I know of are spot on also, may even be able to get the parts via them. Thanks!

Do you not have Insurance?

[v callum o]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Do you not have Insurance?

Of course. It would be cheaper since my excess is only £500 but overall, probably cost the same with next year's premium being higher, it would also lose my no claims bonus, which helps with premium price.

Would have been better if the other person stopped and would have gone through his instead :

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by v callum o

Of course. It would be cheaper since my excess is only £500 but overall, probably cost the same with next year's premium being higher, it would also lose my no claims bonus, which helps with premium price.

Would have been better if the other person stopped and would have gone through his instead :

I cannot speak for UK, but you do not get dinged in USA when not your fault as you claim this instance was.

[Calvin36]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

I cannot speak for UK, but you do not get dinged in USA when not your fault as you claim this instance was.

This is true. Talk to your insurance and see if there will be a premium change. It's quite literally a hit and run.

[zambarossa]

My accident was not as bad, but still needed a new bumper, 2 kidney grills and one headlight. Insurance covered but cost them ~5K CAD. Looks like new now, but make sure it is done to your satisfaction. I had to take it again because the bumper was ever so slightly misaligned and they did not replace the headlight the 1st time, not until I showed them the heavy condensation inside.