Got an estimate on front spoiler repair..

[bimmerlover]

Some of ya'll might remember.. a few months back, I busted the 325es front spoiler that is on my 318.

See this post for pictures and other detail: http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/vie...711&highlight=
(the crack has gotten a bit larger/more noticable since then)

I finally got around to taking it by a good bodyshop today.. to ask how much repairs would be.
The guy said he didn't really think it was worth repairing.. but if that's really what I wanted, they would repair it for around $100 (i'm providing paint).

So.. is it worth that? Or should I just buy some other aftermarket spoiler?

TIA

[Sean]

Ask how the process would go - since the spoiler is flexible, if the crack it badged up with a material that doesn't bend as easily, it's pointless.

However, getting another IS Spoiler would cost well over $220 - and I don't know of any "good" options that are aftermarket for the pre 88's - they all don't fit as well as that pretty IS spoiler, ya know? ;)

I think it'd be worth it, but I think it'd be realy tough to repair a flexible spoiler. But, i think as long as all the pieces are there, it should definately be doable.

[bimmerlover]

It's an ES spoiler.. but still, very attractive, and rather hard to come by!

Not quite all the pieces are there. I'm missing a couple of small chunks :-(

[Sean]

It's an ES spoiler.. but still, very attractive, and rather hard to come by!

Not quite all the pieces are there. I'm missing a couple of small chunks :-(

Ah, yea, ES doesn't have spot for the oil cooler - still good looking none-the less ;)

Yea, the missing chunks would pose a problem. Maybe find a ruined one that would have the pieces you need? Cause, I think the spoiler could be repaired as long as all the pieces are there.

[Jordan]

Sean, just shut the fuck up ok? You are talking out of your ass and obviously haven't got the slightest clue about bodywork and plastics repair.

Any good bodyshop will have a plastic welder, and they can mend the repair and the missing sections quite quickly. Then its just normal sanding and smoothing followed by paint.

[bimmerlover]

Sean, just shut the fuck up ok? You are talking out of your ass and obviously haven't got the slightest clue about bodywork and plastics repair.

Any good bodyshop will have a plastic welder, and they can mend the repair and the missing sections quite quickly. Then its just normal sanding and smoothing followed by paint.

Hm.. okay. So do you think $100 is reasonable?

[Jordan]

$100 is a great price.

[bert]

i would ask for details about HOW they plan to fix it
before i agreed to the deal...otherwise, you might end
up with what they consider to be a good repair: a little
bit of bondo slapped on the front of the spoiler and sanded
down with some 400 grit...and they might even spring for
some fiberglass mat and resin on the back for extra super
duper strength...remember, they already said the part wasn't
worth fixing, so i seriously doubt that you will get the best
degree of workmanship...and if you complain, he'll probably
just say "Hell...what did you expect for a 100 bucks?!"

bert

[bimmerlover]

i would ask for details about HOW they plan to fix it
before i agreed to the deal...otherwise, you might end
up with what they consider to be a good repair: a little
bit of bondo slapped on the front of the spoiler and sanded
down with some 400 grit...and they might even spring for
some fiberglass mat and resin on the back for extra super
duper strength...remember, they already said the part wasn't
worth fixing, so i seriously doubt that you will get the best
degree of workmanship...and if you complain, he'll probably
just say "Hell...what did you expect for a 100 bucks?!"

bert

The guy is a good friend of my dad's.. and the work i've seen of his is REALLY good.
I'm not worried about getting ripped off. I will ask a few questions before I drop it off. (if that's what I end up doing)

[arnoldgtr]

In this day and age, repairing flexible plastic is commonplace. I have used a flexible epoxy product with great results on my urethane M3 spoiler. I also welded the ABS cover on my plastic rear bumper on the 318i. I wish I had taken before photos....there were pieces broken out and several long cracks. I tried it for grins...the junkyard sold me the complete bumper/cover/shocks for $10. I have it on my car now, and nobody can tell it was busted.

[///M42 sport]

Yeah, I'd say keep the spoiler and repair the crack since its been concluded that repairs are possible and commonplace. All you need is a bumper tuck after that.

arnold, interesting that your the first to post a pic of a dirty car. ;)
________
Hurt from nexium

[arnoldgtr]

That is on top of a 4600 foot mountain in West Virginia. Snowshoe Ski Resort is on the mountain in the background. It is 8.5 miles of winding gravel logging road. I also tried it one time in the winter, with 5" of snow. I couldn't make it up the mountain that time, though. I had 16" Sumitomo's on it then...they are really crappy in the snow.

[Digitalwave]

Sean, just shut the fuck up ok? You are talking out of your ass and obviously haven't got the slightest clue about bodywork and plastics repair.

Any good bodyshop will have a plastic welder, and they can mend the repair and the missing sections quite quickly. Then its just normal sanding and smoothing followed by paint.

I don't think he knows much about anything, just another random post whore (with the likes of rwh, 808, etc.)

[aaron_silva]

In this day and age, repairing flexible plastic is commonplace. I have used a flexible epoxy product with great results on my urethane M3 spoiler. I also welded the ABS cover on my plastic rear bumper on the 318i. I wish I had taken before photos....there were pieces broken out and several long cracks. I tried it for grins...the junkyard sold me the complete bumper/cover/shocks for $10. I have it on my car now, and nobody can tell it was busted.

Is this "flexible epxy product" easy to find? Do you think it would do a good job filling in "grooves" put in the bottom of an eS spoiler?

Thanks
Aaron