Front parking sensor replacement

[beans_x5]

Received a PDC failure warning, dealer states it is due to a rock impact and cost to replace one is $800. Seems excessive...thoughts?

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by beans_x5

Received a PDC failure warning, dealer states it is due to a rock impact and cost to replace one is $800. Seems excessive...thoughts?

What color is your car and which sensor exactly is hit by a rock? There's 4 of them on the front if I'm not mistaken. OEM sensor already painted is about $235 (unpainted $153 - two central ones are painted, but two side ones are black) and replacement is just popping it out and putting new one in the bumper.

Here's AlpineWhite one https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/...209283750.html

I may be missing something, but I think it's a 10 min job to swap it.

[DuSh]

Here's removal and installation instruction: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...pdc/1VnXbbECXM

So the only big deal is that it says to remove front bumper. If this can be done without it - then it's a no brainer. I think removing lower grill can give you easy access to sensor to swap it. It's just a single plug connector.

[DuSh]

Or just pay $800 lol. You know it's always hard to advise someone on internet without knowing how mechanically savvy they are.

[menelaos]

This is nuts. I have aftermarket or used ones and they work fine. 1/3 of price or something.

[Maverik259]

Lol $800 to pop in a PDC sensor. I woulda politely told them to GFT

[beans_x5]

Thanks all for the help...the front bumper removal sounds too much like a pain for me, so bit the bullet and paid the dealer...ridiculous cost to say the least.

$120 for initial diagnosis
$237 for a black sensor (double online prices)
$304 to put it in, and then they didn't even fix the colored ring that surrounds it that is not sitting totally flush due to the rock impact...some excuse of it being hot pressed on, and they would need to replace bumper skin...I call BS

My last service at the dealer...

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by beans_x5

Thanks all for the help...the front bumper removal sounds too much like a pain for me, so bit the bullet and paid the dealer...ridiculous cost to say the least.

$120 for initial diagnosis
$237 for a black sensor (double online prices)
$304 to put it in, and then they didn't even fix the colored ring that surrounds it that is not sitting totally flush due to the rock impact...some excuse of it being hot pressed on, and they would need to replace bumper skin...I call BS

My last service at the dealer...

Why not just source the oem part yourself and save a couple $. They'll install it as long as it's oem. Doesn't have to be from their specific parts department.

[kry226]

Is there something new or special about X5 sensors? A few months ago, I replaced a bad sensor in my 2013 X1 and a dealer-sourced sensor ran me about 25 Euro (yes, I understand German prices are likely to be at least slightly cheaper than U.S.). But except for paint or color, my X5's sensors appear exactly the same in size and function.

[bmwx5er]

Could’ve gone to a body shop, their labor rates are far cheaper.

[Mr.47]

Here are some used OEM PDC sensors on ebay for ~ $20

BLACK PDC OEM USED $21

Ebay OEM USED $19.00

OEM SILVER USED $19.00

[sbkim]

My wife ran into something in the front and now her front PDC seems to be going off all the time. I can turn off the alert via parking button but annoying. I don't see anything visually wrong with the outside of the sensor and not getting malfunction light either...

Is there something I need to clean or reset? Or do I need a replacement?

Thanks