Bumper respray - take off or leave on?

[GJ1]

Hi,
I have spoken to a local body shop (Crawley West Sussex area) and they have quoted me £200 for a front bumper respray which I thought was pretty reasonable. However, they don't take the bumper off. Would you accept this or go elsewhere? Is this fairly normal practice? A bit concerned that the finish won't be as good where the panels meet. Also would need to look out for overspray. The bodyshop looks like they are used to working on german cars.
Cheers

 

[buzyg]

First word I thought of was cowboys. It should come off for sure to get any sort of decent job done.

£200 is too cheap.

 

[Angelus666]

For £200 it'll most likely an hours work....so a quick paper mask up, sand down, no filler, wipe down and then two coats od colour and one coat of clear. It'll look good from 6ft but won't really hold up after a few miles and you'll see the imperfections fairly quickly.

Spend £350, bumper off and full prep...and you'll get a proper job that will last.

 

[ErrErrminator]

I’m no expert, but am sure it is like anything, you get what you pay for and good preparation is key.

I had my bumper resprayed recently and it cost me £270. I removed the bumper and stripped it of fog lights, grills and badge, supplying just the bare bumper to the body shop. It got the full works, so I was more than happy with the price for a proper job and the finish is excellent.

 

[PAH]

I paid £300

 

[GJ1]

Yeah, the comments have confirmed my suspicions. Thanks for all your input. I will steer clear. I'd rather pay more for a great job.

I guess the next question is, does anyone know of any reputable body shops in the West Sussex/Surrey area?!

 

[JamieZ4C]

I paid £300

The invisible paint was a controversial choice :lol:

Yes, OP, just get it done properly, you'll be glad you did. Can't recommend anywhere in your area unfortunately, but I hope you'll report back with before and after pics

 

[kis]

Hi,
I have spoken to a local body shop (Crawley West Sussex area) and they have quoted me £200 for a front bumper respray which I thought was pretty reasonable. However, they don't take the bumper off. Would you accept this or go elsewhere? Is this fairly normal practice? A bit concerned that the finish won't be as good where the panels meet. Also would need to look out for overspray. The bodyshop looks like they are used to working on german cars.
Cheers

Which one? Are they a professional set up? Been thinking about getting mine done too.
I would have said it's easier bumper off. Then they've not got to do as much prep. Assuming you're taking it off.

 

[dhobbs]

I was just recently recommended Impact Bodyshop next to bluebell railway when my car was in BMR performance.

Need to get my wing resprayed so was going to give them a call.

 

[Bluebogartlabel]

Have you thought about taking it to BMW? Sycamore BMW did my bumper in 2017 for £354 and it was perfect. There was no rush, they kept the car for three days and gave me a Mini to use. What swung it for me was that the work is fully guaranteed for as long as I own the car; all I have to do is drop in once a year so they can inspect it and sign my certificate. Absolutely no regrets and cannot recommend highly enough.

 

[srhutch]

I was just recently recommended Impact Bodyshop next to bluebell railway when my car was in BMR performance.

Need to get my wing resprayed so was going to give them a call.

From meory the do a lot of work on Porsches. Nice to see other members using BMR, going to take my daily to them in Nov/Dec for service.

 

[Penelope]

Be prepared to snap the side bumper brackets if you remove the bumper yourself. They're £62 a pair.

 

[GJ1]

Hi,
I have spoken to a local body shop (Crawley West Sussex area) and they have quoted me £200 for a front bumper respray which I thought was pretty reasonable. However, they don't take the bumper off. Would you accept this or go elsewhere? Is this fairly normal practice? A bit concerned that the finish won't be as good where the panels meet. Also would need to look out for overspray. The bodyshop looks like they are used to working on german cars.
Cheers

Which one? Are they a professional set up? Been thinking about getting mine done too.
I would have said it's easier bumper off. Then they've not got to do as much prep. Assuming you're taking it off.

Will PM you.

 

[GJ1]

Impact Bodyshop next to bluebell railway

Thanks. Unfortunately a bit far for me.

 

[GJ1]

Have you thought about taking it to BMW? Sycamore BMW did my bumper in 2017 for £354 and it was perfect. There was no rush, they kept the car for three days and gave me a Mini to use. What swung it for me was that the work is fully guaranteed for as long as I own the car; all I have to do is drop in once a year so they can inspect it and sign my certificate. Absolutely no regrets and cannot recommend highly enough.

I did get an informal quote which was over £500. I might try again and maybe try another local BMW service centre too. That would be the preference. If it was around the £350 mark would probably sign up!

 

[GJ1]

Be prepared to snap the side bumper brackets if you remove the bumper yourself. They're £62 a pair.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[maxman]

It's unusual to break the brackets.I had my bumper off a few times and never broke them.Undo the inner wing liner.Slip your fingers in behind the bumper and have your thumb against the wing ,then pull out with your fingers.
I would take the bumper off.

 

[PDJ]

Be prepared to snap the side bumper brackets if you remove the bumper yourself. They're £62 a pair.

Just this week
I ordered and paid Williams BMW Manchester £43.90 for a pair.

 

[Angelus666]

Most places will do a decent job if you ask them to. Reality most folk with a 15 year old £5k car want a cheap job...understandably so. Go back to your local and ask them for a price on bumper off and full prep, they’ll likely revise and give the job you want.

 

[griffnut]

Hi,
I have spoken to a local body shop (Crawley West Sussex area) and they have quoted me £200 for a front bumper respray which I thought was pretty reasonable. However, they don't take the bumper off. Would you accept this or go elsewhere? Is this fairly normal practice? A bit concerned that the finish won't be as good where the panels meet. Also would need to look out for overspray. The bodyshop looks like they are used to working on german cars.
Cheers

That's a really cheap quote, but perhaps it might better to source a company that can do a "colour match" to rest of the cars bodywork. UV rays tend change the colour from the original spec - else the bumper could end up looking like an Elastoplast.