I just noticed that at some point in time the plastic underbody cover which is directly below the front bumper on the passenger side met with either a curb or road debris and lost the battle. The area directly in front of the temp sensor? is crushed. I'm looking to replace the panel (it looks like it actually wraps up into the wheel well) and was wondering if anyone has done this themselves and if so, what the part cost and how hard was it to do. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks
Ash
i'm sure the part isn't cheap but as far as doing it yourself just pay attention to how it comes apart. make sure you don't get in a hurry during the disassembly/ reassembly process and you should be fine..
I damaged the plastic front underbody on the first day after taking delivery.
I kicked myself for not getting the PDC. Anyway I went to the dealer and was told the part installed was going to run just under $250. I still haven't done it (3 years later) figuring it would probably happen again.
I did learn that some outfit was selling a metal version of that part for the M3 but none for the M5. I bet they would do quite well if they made an M5 version. Of course I now part the car about a foot from any parking lot barrier.
I damaged the plastic front underbody on the first day after taking delivery.
I kicked myself for not getting the PDC. Anyway I went to the dealer and was told the part installed was going to run just under $250. I still haven't done it (3 years later) figuring it would probably happen again.
I did learn that some outfit was selling a metal version of that part for the M3 but none for the M5. I bet they would do quite well if they made an M5 version. Of course I now part the car about a foot from any parking lot barrier.
Gillie ... I have the PDC (first car with it in my garage) and it doesn't protect dummies, like me ... I was listening to the radio ... and ... you guessed it ... actually, happened twice (what is wrong with my head?) ...
Anyway, now I turn off the radio/tape/CD and listen very carefully ... once burned, twice burned, thrice shy.
Funny, but I prefer smaller cars (like the M3) and haven't had any similar problems with any of my other BMWs ... I just bought a Mini for my wife a couple of weeks ago ... and ... it has the PDC (we ordered it that way, and it is almost a joke in a small car like the Mini) ...
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it's an easy installation if you can safely get the car about a foot or so off the ground. I have replaced the corner parts, under $50 iirc, but never broke the large central belley pan. I have removed it a dozen times though, for other projects.
Mike
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Mike
91 M5 Alpine White II, Silver Gray 3/90 production
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Did the same thing myself. Nearly broke the front dam, when I bumped it on a park stop.. the second day I had the car.
My old car, even lowered, had better clearance. Of course, it's a POS, so I found parking stops by lightly banging into them!
bad habit that needed breaking..at this price level!
I got lucky..and merely had to repostion the (dam-nose)parts and put it back together.
thankfully, when it comes to front dam parts costs..the 5 series retro-fit after 2001 brought all those nice M5 parts into the realm of 530's etc. One might think that all those other M styled cars might make it difficult to find the parts cheaper, but the opposite is true. More will be written off..and the parts cost will go down..at least for the cosmetic items. The true and specific-'M only' M parts will of course, remain expensive.
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I've replaced mine more times than I care to admit. Very easy - some screws around the upper edge (in front of the tire) and some underneath - all easy to see. For the right side once you have the old part down you snap the thermometer out and pass it through - reverse for reinstall. It helps if you jack the car up a bit to get more hand/arm clearance in front of the tire.
Part numbers:
51-71-2-498-989 lwr engine compartment cover - L
51-71-2-498-990 lwr engine compartment cover - R
By the way, the part is about 75 bucks.
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Available at all online BMW parts suppliers, I ordered mine from Pacific BMW. I was originally going to leave it cracked but my service guy said that was a bad idea because if you drive into a puddle on a rainy day you might suck water into the engine. It's an easy install if you have jack stands.
Many thanks for the details! While mine was up on the ramp having the KW's adjusted this morning spotted some damage to my front right panel and some of the under belly panels have holed on low objects since lowering it
Thought I would have to hunt for some time on realoem for the part details... but no a post about the exact issue - fantastic!!!
All the best
-Steve
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