Front Bumper chipped...I'm pissed! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SHYNE · #1 03-30-2001, 12:25 AM

Thanks to a brutal Canadian (why am I living in this country?) winter, my front bumper is missing a chunk out of it......$638.00 +taxes to replace it!!!
Before I had my Euro's installed I couldn't see that well in the dark so overdriving my headlights was common. I've paid for it, hitting a solid boulder of ice left behind from a snowplow. The chip out of the bumper is just large enough to be annoying.(1 1/2" diameter)

Should I go ahead and replace or have body shop repair and paint???

With the cost of painting the new bumper I'm looking at a grand!!!! I'm a university student...can anyone save me some money in this regard???

Any tips or help greatly appreciated!!!!
Thank you in advance for your help

Mike McKinney

ymsin · #2 03-30-2001, 12:55 AM

I would try looking at the salvage yard for something similar, it might be loads cheaper.

Second up would be to weight the cost of repairing vs. replacing. Depending on labour cost, you might have to make the final call.

If it happened in Malaysia, the cost of repairing would be much much cheaper. I just repaired one of the company's car bumper, rear right fender and fuel tank area for less than USD30 all in, with some loose change.

Otherwise, ship your bumper over here, and I promise to return it back in good condition at local charges.

JimF · #3 03-30-2001, 01:10 AM

Mike,

In SD, unknown to me, was a great service! The guy calls his business, "Bumper Medic".

Had the same problem on my S500 and was lamenting my fate. The bottom right side and corner was cracked and torn.

The BM man patched, sanded, filled, primed, painted (two coats) and clear coated for $175! And it was done in my driveway in about three hours.

His van has a mix/match computer with the 'recipe' for every car made! So he mixes the stuff and sprays with a special air gun.

Check around, you might be surprised. My web site has full size pics for a closeup look.

SHYNE · #4 03-30-2001, 01:25 AM

Who is this bumper repairing God you speak of?

I live in Canada, any specialists up here?

Can I get a link to your website?

Thanks!

Mike McKinney

JimF · #5 03-30-2001, 10:30 AM

Mike,

Click the RED house below to get to my web page.

I found the BM man in the 'yellow' pages of the phone book under "automobile repairing". Maybe you will get lucky too!

MBenzNL · #6 03-30-2001, 11:29 AM

SHYNE,

If you are a little handy with your hands and know what to do with liquid polyester, you should be able to do most of the repairing yourself (before having the bumper repainted).

greetingz,

Ron Johnstone · #7 03-30-2001, 11:59 AM

I recently had the hood and roof completely repainted and had a similar hole in the bumper repaired and had ALL of the soft trim on the bumpers and the lower sides of my 300 SD repainted so the car looks absolutely new for about $500. The trick is to find out where all the used car dealers take their cars for body fixing. Down here in the San Jose, CA area, there is a shop in Milpitas that used to be a Maaco franchise that is now independent. CalTech Auto, 408-946-5651 if anybody needs them.

ymsin · #8 03-30-2001, 08:09 PM

As I drove home yesterday from work, the car in front of me swung a rubber belt towards me. I swerved and I thought I missed a belting on my 126.

When I checked later, it sure did hit the lower left of the bumper - had some superficial belt marks. Had them removed by simple waxing but some markings are still there.

Thought I missed it as I didn't feel or heard a thing.

Anyway, wasnt as bad as Mikes ... hope yours is ok now.

SHYNE · #9 04-08-2001, 02:01 AM

Found a man who offered to repair it he said for a few hundred bucks at his shop. I said "great I'll get the colour code for the paint and get back to you." He then said, "don't worry it'll be on the door just leave it with me for a few days..."

I'm scared to do so. Does this guy know what he's talking about? Should I just have it patched at a regular import body shop? Where can I get the original MB paint?

What do you guys think?

MBenzNL · #10 04-08-2001, 07:24 AM

On the european MB's the color code of the chassis is displayed under the hood. The plastic door and fender panels, the skirts and the front & rear bumper are painted in a contrasting color that is HALF matt. The color code of these contrast colored parts are not to be found on the european cars, but are occasionally stuck on the inside of the door and fender panels.
The color codes of these contrast colored parts are fairly standard and may vary a tint or 2,3/4. The body shops in europe have these color codes in their computer and will spray a sample paper to see what the exact tint of the color has to be...

Just be sure that he uses the right contrast color code (not chassis color code) and that he paints it half matt (no clear coated, shiny finish).

greetingz,

SHYNE · #11 04-09-2001, 12:34 AM

Since my car is not European spec, could I have the dealer give me the colour code for my car?

Would they only need my VIN #?

What should I do if I'm told that half matt is no good?
Other suggestions?

Thank you all for your advice, MBenz especially!!!

Later!
Mike McKinney

MBenzNL · #12 04-09-2001, 03:27 PM

Mike,

The color code of your car should be on a steel plate under the hood near the lock of the hood. This identification tag (OEM MB) contains several numbers; one of them is the code for the chassis color. If you cannot find what I mean, I can send you a picture by mail with the mentioned number to look at...
Each chassis color comes with a certain (known) contrast color code for the plastic panels and bumpers. The color-codes for the chassis exists out of three numbers, the contrast colored panels and bumpers have a four digit color code (if I remember correctly).

The dealer should be able to give you the color-code by VIN#.
Half matt/partly matt, it doesn't matter that much as long as the repainter knows that the plastic contrast color is not glossy and is not completely matt!

greetingz,

#13 04-09-2001, 07:41 PM

Mike,
I got the orinal color paint from my local dealer
through my VIN#.
Clauser1

william rogers · #14 04-09-2001, 08:29 PM

I used good old J B weld on a bad crack on the bumper on my 81 sd. I built it up in layers and then sanded it out as you would any other body filler ,it feathered out fine and after paint looks good as new. I paint cars as hobby so have all the equipment........
William Rogers........

SHYNE · #15 04-11-2001, 12:46 AM

I took my car to Wharncliffe Chrysler (next door to Mercedes-Benz London) as they do the body work on Mercedes vehicles in London. I went ahead and had a complete estimate done. I was told I could not have the bumper patched and that it would have to be replaced!!! The chunk missing is on the bottom edge and is at most 2 1/2" in diameter. I even have one of the pieces of the chunk that broke off!!!

Am I being lied to so I just have to buy a new bumper???
This repair shop is state of the art and has several awards on display, why wouldn't they tell the truth right?

What should I do guys?
Repair or Replace? New ? Used?

All suggestions will be appreciated!!!
Thank you

Mike McKinney

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