About two or three times a year I get some sort of annoying front end damage from parking on the streets in New York City. Unlike my undamaged Gfriend's 2007 Accord front end panel, my E36 front nosepanel and grills always seem to come out of any parking bumps looking like I drove head on into a tree.
Our cars seem to be notorious for having a soft dent-able nose panel hence which is why it is easy and quick to fix-The metal of the nose panel is really much softer and malleable than you would think.
Most dent shops will charge you $100 to $200 to do the same thing and if you need paint $200 to $300.
All you need are a soft hammer or mallet and your hands and about 10 minutes to 1 hr of free time to get it done right. I did this on a 96 degree day in mid-July under the hot sun so I'm not sure if the metal is easier to work when hot than when cold. So bear that in mind.
A Ford Expedition backed into me whiles I was parked at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx a few saturdays ago. Here is the damage.
Start by removing the two black coverings that sit over the fan and radiator
Run your fingers between the grills to feel out the dents. It would normally feel smooth but the dents will feel like bumps or lumps along the inside.
Warped, Dented, Damaged E36 Nose Panel Quick Fix! (Pictorial DIY) 
Linear Mode
