Can this be repaired?

[jock156]

Some Doris reversed into me today and damaged the front bumper.

It’s an Aero bumper, so replacement is not really an option unless someone is selling one immediately

So can it be repaired so it won’t be noticeable.

I’m waiting to hear from her tonight to see if she want to go through the insurance or not.

What would you suggest?

Finally it looks like just the bumper, but is there anything else I should think about that may have been damaged but can’t be seen?

TIA

 

[HGoward]

I don't see why that can't be repaired. My father had a split on his rear bumper on his tesla, and got it repaired and you can't even notice it. Don't see why this should be any different to that.

 

[Drshemming]

That can definatley be plastic welded, filled and resprayed, it will be a few hundred pounds to be done properly, when the bumper is removed you will need to check the plastics underneath, difficult to see until the bumper is off.

 

[TheDan]

Yep, 100% that can be repaired. A body shop can do this quite easily. If you're planning to DIY though the method is along the lines of:

• Remove bumper and sand both sides of cracked area

• Apply some plastic bonder or epoxy resin with some reinforcement matting such as mesh tape or thin glass fibre sheets (apply some heat to the area to align the crack if needed)

• Once dry and you're sure the crack is holding firm apply filler to the outside of the bumper where the crack is

• Sand the filler and small area of surrounding lacquer

• Prime, paint and then clear coat.

As its quite a small crack I would send this to a body shop as they should have this done in no time, to a high standard and usually with a guarantee.

You will likely also need a new bumper to front wing bracket: 51117165180.

 

[bigwinn]

100% mate- I had very bad cracks on my aero front bumper- local guy to me sorted it, if you need his details I can send over!

 

[bigwinn]

Yep, 100% that can be repaired. A body shop can do this quite easily. If you're planning to DIY though the method is along the lines of:

• Remove bumper and sand both sides of cracked area

• Apply some plastic bonder or epoxy resin with some reinforcement matting such as mesh tape or thin glass fibre sheets (apply some heat to the area to align the crack if needed)

• Once dry and you're sure the crack is holding firm apply filler to the outside of the bumper where the crack is

• Sand the filler and small area of surrounding lacquer

• Prime, paint and then clear coat.

As its quite a small crack I would send this to a body shop as they should have this done in no time, to a high standard and usually with a guarantee.

You will likely also need a new bumper to front wing bracket: 51117165180.

Ive got a spare bracket in the garage if Martin doesn't need it?

 

[jock156]

Thanks guys just as I thought

Cheers Stuart but I’m sure I have a spare set somewhere

 

[Zedebee]

That’s a PITA. The bumper certainly looks repairable, but the headlight looks like it may have been forced under the front wing. The headlight mountings are fragile and there are (good) repair kits available but, frankly, if Doris or her insurers are paying you should get it done properly.
Other vulnerable pars which you should check:
- front bumper carrier (black beam visible through your grilles, looking down) which is a deformable element. It won’t be structurally impaired, but may have been deformed slightly.
- splash guard, which is the plastic piece in front of the wheel arch which attaches to the bumper
- whatever the headlight mounts on to
- the metal bracket that mounts the front wing.

 

[Bombardino]

If it was me I would be avoiding the insurance route, a new headlight & bumper will likely write it off, is your insurance company aware of the non standard bumper?

 

[buzyg]

Yup that will fix. Get it to a crash repair centre or two and get a few quotes. If the whole bumper is resprayed be sure that it is blended into the bonnet and wings . It's hard to match silver metallic. So taking it off and spraying is not ideal, better to reattach before spaying.

 

[jock156]

Again thanks

Doris has called and asked me to get quotes and couldn’t apologise enough.

 

[jock156]

So while I’m having the bumper sorted I’m thinking of smoothing off the badge.

Shoot me down purists or go for it

 

[Smartbear]

Prefer the badge to be honest, gives the car more identity 8)
Rob

 

[TheDan]

Quite like it without the badge actually, but I wouldn't do it to my own

It looks nice and clean/smooth, kind of like removing the 3.0i side and Z4 boot badges.

While you're there... may as well fit one of these

 

[jock156]

They are already removed