Hi all,

I am seeing some very minor flaking of chrome with some blistering of the chrome on the front bumper of out 1989 560 SEL. I heard somewhere those bumpers are actually aluminum underneath. Where then would that one rust spot be coming from? Or are my bumpers still steel? Trying to figure out if I have a rusting bumper that may need to be replaced, or an aluminum bumper that may need to be re-chromed at some point.

Thanks!

__________________
Henry Bofinger
1989 560 SEL (black/black)
2001 Audi TT Roadster (silver/grey)

I believe at least the portion under the chrome is normal steel. The bumpers on my 300SD have been flaking/rusting for years.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I suspect it can be restored? This is only the very start, one minor spot...

__________________
Henry Bofinger
1989 560 SEL (black/black)
2001 Audi TT Roadster (silver/grey)

I have never tried....a good body shop might be able to fix it.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

The chrome portion of the bumper is a decorative set of steel plates that can be replaced. They have nothing to do with the function of the bumper. It is not the bumper per se that is rusting, it is just a replaceable decorative plate.

Whew!....

__________________
Henry Bofinger
1989 560 SEL (black/black)
2001 Audi TT Roadster (silver/grey)