halteh

Hey Guys- Hoping someone can help me out.

My front bumper on my C55 needs to be replaced. Long story short someone vandalized my car. I went through insurance and they're having lots of trouble finding a used C55 front bumper. They have suggested that I buy a new one ($1500) and they'd cover half the cost. Obviously I am not thrilled about spending $750 out of my own pocket. Wondering if anyone knows where i can get a C55 front bumper. Alternatively, it seems like some people here have putting from Bumpers from other models (I think E63?), can this be done? Any problems with this? Does anyone have pics? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I initially just wanted a C55 front bumper, but I am curious if I can go with something else and how it will look.

Thanks!

shaun.barnard

You can go with any W209 clk bumper as well (with minor mods apparently), there are guys on the forum that put clk 63 bumpers on their cars and it looks quite awesome but would probably be harder to find one than the original

alboogiee

I have a alabaster white C55 bumper, it's in OK shape needs a repair from a curb stop long long ago. I replaced it with the Brabus K8 bumper. Where are you located, I can see if it's even worthwhile to ship?

maverik259

im about to take my 040 black c55 bumper off and replace with the clk63 one thats sitting in my garage. It has a crack in the front middle lip that was repaired form before i owned the car and then cracked again because I assume it was repaired poorly...

and the bumper is NOT $1500...more like $1000. Check mymercedesparts.com, or getmercedesparts.com

halteh

Hi,

I am located in Toronto, Canada. How bad is the damage on it? Got any pics? I am not sure how you'd even ship this thing up, finding a box would probably be a pain in the ***.

Thanks!

Viper98912

you need better insurance

Gramma_Benz

Why is your insurance trying to fix your car with USED Parts?

maverik259

my insurance couldnt find the exact C55 bumper on their parts list either. The one they thought it was and came up when my car was input was some bumper from a basic C class. I befriended the adjuster to a degree and he let me get on his computer and search the part via a clk63 and I got the funding for that. I showed him online that the price was the same on their dealers websites

alboogiee

The white paint is faded toward the bottom, it had a CF lip that was removed so there are small holes on the bottom where it was attached, if you repaint it would be find. I don't think it would be worthwhile to ship to you since I'm in Tampa FL. Greyhound would be best, a box no issue but shipping would be a PITA, if you want to pursue and want pictures let me know--PM me your phone number so I can text them. I'll be out of town this weekend so I wouldn't be able to get you anything until sunday evening.

halteh

Will this do the job?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/07-08-09-MER...-/230919786584

halteh

Apparently the bumper had been previously repaired. This was news to me, as I bought the car used 3 years ago. They're claiming that if it was not previously repaired they wouldn't need to replace it. This is why they're only willing to meet me half way for a new bumper. I don't know if this is standard insurance practice, it's the first time such a thing happens to me.

maverik259

you should only be responsibile for the deductible and nothing else...thats the point of insurance! I would fight them on it unless your deductible is ironically half of what the bumper costs

halteh

My deductible is $300. I feel like if I argue enough with the insurance company I can probably get them to cover a brand new bumper. But I am wondering if I can use this opportunity to upgrade to the clk63 bumper. I had the shop do some searching and they weren't able to find a used one. I talked to the insurance adjuster to get a feel for the situation and I'm getting the impression that if I can procure a bumper online that costs less than a new one they don't mind paying for it. I'd have to get my shop to order it, but I have a good relationship with the shop so this shouldn't be a problem.

This one here

http://www.ebay.com/itm/07-08-09-MER...-/230919786584

seems like it's reasonably priced, I understand it's probably not OEM, but would there be any major disadvantage going with this?

Thanks for the help so far everyone!

JonMBZ

The CLK bumper is a lot more expensive with all the extra parts needed to retrofit it.

rlddlr53

I can get a C55 bumper for $895 new still looking?

halteh

Where is it located?

maverik259

you can get the clk63 bumper new for like $1050

ghiaguy

They look SOOO good - thats worth it

blacksage

That is not true. The job of your insurance company is to put you back to where you were before the accident. Unfortunately, sometimes it isnt as easy as buying a new bumper. Everyone trips off new parts, but a C55 is a seven or eight year old car so a NEW bumper would put him in a better position. With cars that old they tend to go used or re-manufactured.

OP, have you talked to the shop? Maybe they can put some heavy repair time on the bumper and fix the one you have...or get one from the web or this forum and eat the shipping cost.

rlddlr53

This is wholesale cost to shops

maverik259

maybe for your insurance but my insurance put me in a brand new one...all i paid was incidental cuz i hit a driveshaft on the hwy...i suppose if your insurance isn't that good they will put you in used parts

blacksage

Good? That is a matter of opinion. New parts cost more money per claim. While your insurance company might use new parts without regard to the age of the car (which is possible) you pay a premium for that, and that is where the opinion comes in. So good for him might mean lower monthly cost, and when there is a claim, he has a used or reman part. Those parts get sanded and painted. I doubt the average person (if anyone) could tell the difference between a new, reman, and used bumper once paint and install are complete. Just trying to spread some knowledge, I have some experience in the industry.

I would hate for the OP to take your statement as the truth and think he is getting ripped off when his insurance company is doing exactly what he is paying them for. OP, read your policy if you are unsure, and I am good at that as well. If you can get it in PDF form contact me and I'll be glad to look at it for you. Just trying to give back where I can

halteh

Thanks to everyone who provided help in this thread. Especially Alboogiee who sold me his old C55 bumper. The shop did a great job and it's nice to be driving my car again!

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2000.17.50.jpg

alboogiee

Glad you're back on the road! Looks like they did a great job, even filled in the headlight washer popouts.

maverik259

lol i guess its all about experience (not opinion)...MY insurance did not raise my rates a dime when i totaled my 2007 350z 4 years ago, and they haven't raised my monthly a dime after i ran over that drive shaft. I just have GOOD insurance. I can resepect you may have experience in the industry (whatever that exactly means) but i have had a few claims, none of which were my fault, and my rates haven't gone up. The only time my rates have gone up was when I moved from VA to CA cuz CA drivers are morons and too many uninsured motorists here.

But yes glad to hear you got back on the road as that was the goal from the beginning. I have yet to have time to get mine to paint. Been too darn busy with work since the new fiscal year came about and oh shocker, we suddenly have all this money to spend! lol FML