Damn damn damn. Minor armco visit.

[magnust]

Terribly embarrassing. During the day's first training session I went out getting a feel for the track and the car. Letting it go a bit sideways, provoking some understeer, you know, just getting a feel of things. Out on the straight I get a tankslapper and instead of just pushing the brake my stupid brain thinks "I can handle this". Stupid stupid stupid stupid. I end up touching the armco with the front right corner and the rear right corner of the car. The front right wheel takes a bit of the initial contact. It's really just a minor, mostly cosmetic, accident. Rear bumper has a crack that can be fixed nicely. Front wing and rear wing are dented but no damage whatsoever beyond them. Front and rear light, although all still work as they should (including xenon), plastic and glass is smashed. And probably due to the front wheel taking some of the impact the servo steering isn't working, the pump sounds bad. I'm getting a replacement pump tomorrow for 100€ so that's ok.

The bad part is the crazy expensive front bumper's right corner is well smashed beyond repair. BMW wants 3800€! Yikes. And secondly the surprisingly expensive front light. BMW wants 1100€ for the front light!!?? It's just a general E46 3-series xenon light housing? I'm not going to continue to drive on the track with the original bumper. A simple visit in the gravel trap could cost me 3800€. I don't think so. So in addition to needing an original bumper I'm looking for a decent and cheaper copy bumper.



So, there are three things I'm wondering about. Hope someone has knowledge, experience or any hints?



- Anyone know a good supplier for a CSL copy bumper? I've found some on ebay but don't know who's the best one to shop from. They must also be able to ship to Sweden without charging an arm and a leg (like most US ebay sellers seem to do)


- I'm of course also looking for an original front bumper. Is there any better way to find one instead of buying one directly from BMW?


- I'm looking to buy a second hand right front light but I'm having a hard time understanding what part number and model I'm supposed to get. On realoem a bi-xenon part is said to be the proper one but my CSL only has xenon, not bi-xenon. Anyone know what part I should be looking for? If someone knows of the right part for sale somewhere a pointer to that would of course be greatly appreciated.



Thanks in advance for any help

[shane@mbtech]

Simpsons motorsport do one, as do Geoff steele racing. Both recommended.

Originally Posted by magnust

Terribly embarrassing. During the days first training session I went out getting a feel for the track and the car. Letting it go a bit sideways, provoking some understeer, you know, just getting a feel of things. Out on the straight I get a tankslapper and instead of just pushing the brake my stupid brain thinks "I can handle this". Stupid stupid stupid stupid. I end up touching the armco with the front right corner and the rear right corner of the car. The front right wheel takes a bit of the initial contact. It's really just a minor, mostly cosmetic, accident. Rear bumper has a crack that can be fixed nicely. Front wing and rear wing are dented but no damage whatsoever beyond them. Front and rear light, although all still work as they should (including xenon), plastic and glass is smashed. And probably due to the front wheel taking some of the impact the servo steering isn't working, the pump sounds bad. I'm getting a replacement pump tomorrow for 100€ so that's ok.

The bad part is the crazy expensive front bumper's right corner is well smashed beyond repair. BMW wants 3800€! Yikes. And secondly the surprisingly expensive front light. BMW wants 1100€ for the front light!!?? It's just a general E46 3-series xenon light housing? I'm not going to continue to drive on the track with the original bumper. A simple visit in the gravel trap could cost me 3800€. I don't think so. So in addition to needing an original bumper I'm looking for a decent and cheaper copy bumper.



So, there are three things I'm wondering about. Hope someone has knowledge, experience or any hints?



- Anyone know a good supplier for a CSL copy bumper? I've found some on ebay but don't know who's the best one to shop from. They must also be able to ship to Sweden without charging an arm and a leg (like most US ebay sellers seem to do)


- I'm of course also looking for an original front bumper. Is there any better way to find one instead of buying one directly from BMW?


- I'm looking to buy a second hand right front light but I'm having a hard time understanding what part number and model I'm supposed to get. On realoem a bi-xenon part is said to be the proper one but my CSL only has xenon, not bi-xenon. Anyone know what part I should be looking for? If someone knows of the right part for sale somewhere a pointer to that would of course be greatly appreciated.



Thanks in advance for any help

[magnust]

Originally Posted by lawsy

Simpsons motorsport do one, as do Geoff steele racing. Both recommended.

Sent email to Simpsons to start with.

Thanks!!

[magnust]

Over the years, does second hand original front bumpers ever pop up?

[shane@mbtech]

Originally Posted by magnust

Over the years, does second hand original front bumpers ever pop up?

They do pop up from time to time, but if you are tracking regular, go for a copy one

Imagine buying genuine and smashing it off again.