This Happened Today...

[Doctor///M]

Not even sure where to begin to find a replacement painted tow hook cover (passenger rear).

eBay has them but they're not painted. Any suggestions?

[jiggz]

How about checking with iND via email/phone call as they don't list them on their website but they specialize in painting/selling all these small body painted pieces. I'm sure they could easily source this piece or you could send them one. I got my front and rear painted reflectors from them, OEM pieces, perfect paint work.

Otherwise, it'd just buy one from eBay (if OEM) or other online vendor and have my local body shop spray it.

[Qsilver7]

Use one of the online part databases to get the 11 digit BMW part number for the tow hook cover you need (probably 3-4 minutes).

Once you have the 11 digit part number...you can go online and type "BMW xx xx x xxx xxx" (where x=the actual bmw part nbrs) to find vendors (if you don't want to order/purchase it from your local BMW dealership's PARTS DEPT).

As mentioned by other posters, I've seen ebay vendors that sell these covers...it appears that source them from wrecks etc...and they will ask you for your vehicle info so that they can check their inventory to let you know if they have the part in the color you want.

But all of this is easy started by simply going to one of the online part databases to get the correct part number you need.

If you are unfamiliar with any online part database sites...here are 3 of my favs...feel free to save/bookmark them for future reference. Just type in the last 7 digits of your VIN or select your model, year, build date, etc...then click the browse button and select the diagram group you need...or use the search box if you are unfamiliar with how to use the diagram groups, yet:

1. http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog
2. https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select
3. https://www.etkbmw.com

Also...do you have auto body shops where you live? It can't be that difficult to call and ask how much it would be to color match/paint a small exterior trim piece...you may find it's something really simple to do, too.

See #5 in the diagram and part number index at this direct link: http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E7...elements_rear/

[Doctor///M]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Use one of the online part databases to get the 11 digit BMW part number for the tow hook cover you need (probably 3-4 minutes).

Once you have the 11 digit part number...you can go online and type "BMW xx xx x xxx xxx" (where x=the actual bmw part nbrs) to find vendors (if you don't want to order/purchase it from your local BMW dealership's PARTS DEPT).

As mentioned by other posters, I've seen ebay vendors that sell these covers...it appears that source them from wrecks etc...and they will ask you for your vehicle info so that they can check their inventory to let you know if they have the part in the color you want.

But all of this is easy started by simply going to one of the online part databases to get the correct part number you need.

If you are unfamiliar with any online part database sites...here are 3 of my favs...feel free to save/bookmark them for future reference. Just type in the last 7 digits of your VIN or select your model, year, build date, etc...then click the browse button and select the diagram group you need...or use the search box if you are unfamiliar with how to use the diagram groups, yet:

1. http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog
2. https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select
3. https://www.etkbmw.com

Also...do you have auto body shops where you live? It can't be that difficult to call and ask how much it would be to color match/paint a small exterior trim piece...you may find it's something really simple to do, too.

See #5 in the diagram and part number index at this direct link: http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E7...elements_rear/

Thanks for the detailed post. Will certainly help someone and I did have the p/n for the set from realoem. It's just a matter of getting them painted. I already contacted a vendor on eBay who was selling a dented SG bumper cover with the part still intact. Fingers crossed.

[Doctor///M]

Originally Posted by jiggz

How about checking with iND via email/phone call as they don't list them on their website but they specialize in painting/selling all these small body painted pieces. I'm sure they could easily source this piece or you could send them one. I got my front and rear painted reflectors from them, OEM pieces, perfect paint work.

Otherwise, it'd just buy one from eBay (if OEM) or other online vendor and have my local body shop spray it.

Thanks for this! I contacted IND and within an hour they quoted me $119 for the two rear covers since they're sold as a pair. Will see how my eBay bumper cover lead plays out and decide.

[95wildtt]

Hi,

It's a hassle for a body shop to mix up a very small amount of the needed paint.
You could just buy a primed part, and then paint/clear it yourself.

The exact match BMW paint code and clear coat can be ordered here:
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/

John

[Doctor///M]

Originally Posted by 95wildtt

Hi,

It's a hassle for a body shop to mix up a very small amount of the needed paint.
You could just buy a primed part, and then paint/clear it yourself.

The exact match BMW paint code and clear coat can be ordered here:
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/

John

Good point. For $119 delivered, I'll leave it up to IND to do the work for me. I prefer to put a little extra than to deal with the possibility of messing up big time for an exterior body part.

Oh, and the eBay seller was a jerk when I asked them to sell me the one cover.

[leo_du_garde]

Originally Posted by Doctor///M

Not even sure where to begin to find a replacement painted tow hook cover (passenger rear).

eBay has them but they're not painted. Any suggestions?

Bmw dealer parts dept might either carry or can easily order. I had to order mine a few yrs ago. Match to VIN. Comes already painted and perfectly matched. Shouldn't be a big deal.

[Doctor///M]

So IND messed up big time with this. After 3 weeks and my following up once a week, they say that the covers were shipped in from Germany (which took time), and eventually ended up being misplaced by the painter in the paint shop.

Their first suggestion was to provide a refund rather than stepping up in some form or fashion. Maybe it's my expectation, but it's only built on their forum reputation across the boards.

I have done business with IND in the past, and this was the second time I've run into issues with their customer service. Never again - I'm hoping that my dealer contact will get me the painted cover soon.

[ncmoore12]

Originally Posted by Doctor///M

So IND messed up big time with this. After 3 weeks and my following up once a week, they say that the covers were shipped in from Germany (which took time), and eventually ended up being misplaced by the painter in the paint shop.

Their first suggestion was to provide a refund rather than stepping up in some form or fashion. Maybe it's my expectation, but it's only built on their forum reputation across the boards.

I have done business with IND in the past, and this was the second time I've run into issues with their customer service. Never again - I'm hoping that my dealer contact will get me the painted cover soon.

Damn that sucks. My front passenger one fell out the other day and noticed it when I got home. BMW dealership charged me $80, but the BMW CCRC said they would paint them for free out of good faith (normally $125)

Hopefully you can get it done on the cheap. It sucks that our ///M Tow hook covers don't seem to have tethers that keep them from getting lost. I almost switched to doing a front license plate tow hook mount when I lost this one.

[boneca]

Originally Posted by Doctor///M

So IND messed up big time with this. After 3 weeks and my following up once a week, they say that the covers were shipped in from Germany (which took time), and eventually ended up being misplaced by the painter in the paint shop.

Their first suggestion was to provide a refund rather than stepping up in some form or fashion. Maybe it's my expectation, but it's only built on their forum reputation across the boards.

I have done business with IND in the past, and this was the second time I've run into issues with their customer service. Never again - I'm hoping that my dealer contact will get me the painted cover soon.

sorry to hear about u bad experience with IND I've bought from them multiple times including some custom stuff and never had any issues, I guess its just one of those corner cases that can happen

I have to check my storage I might have extra tow hook cover laying around but if I do it will be in monte carlo blue, I'll let u know...

[quick]

What can be done to stop them from falling out?

[ncmoore12]

Originally Posted by quick

What can be done to stop them from falling out?

I was waiting to get my new ones in and thing of some kind of solution.
Maybe a tether like a fishing line? It looked like there could be a tab I might be able to drill a hole to run the line.

A less damaging way might be to take some double sided tape and put it along the back and just hope its not too hard to take out if you ever actually need to use the Tow Hook.

[mirob]

Originally Posted by ncmoore12

A less damaging way might be to take some double sided tape and put it along the back and just hope its not too hard to take out if you ever actually need to use the Tow Hook.

Won't need to use the tow hook. These vehicles never break down.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

[ncmoore12]

Originally Posted by mirob

Won't need to use the tow hook. These vehicles never break down.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Exactly

[boneca]

Originally Posted by mirob

Won't need to use the tow hook. These vehicles never break down.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

just changed my wheels to summers under heavy rain (due to issues with other set), yes nothing braking at all

btw those covers seat pretty tight in their places if installed correctly, I believe they just snap on covers with some tabs inside, if one is missing I would think somebody put some fingers on it