Cracked front bumper (2009 model), what are my options? Picture inside
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
2009 C63 AMG
Cracked front bumper (2009 model), what are my options? Picture inside
Hey guys,
I've had the car for 3 weeks and already cracked the front bumper :/ I guess it happened when I was leaving a parking lot where the exit is very steep. It didn't sound like it broke anything but I can't think of anything else.
The picture is attached. When looking at the car from a standing position you can only see a small part of the crack.
I'm thinking of these options:
1 - Install a CF front lip, it will fit right under the cracks and only a small part of the crack will be visible. Is this a bad idea?
2 - Replace the whole bumper. I want to avoid doing this as I just bought the car 3 weeks ago, a new bumper seems very expensive.
3 - Somehow repair the cracks. Would this be a much cheaper than the other options?
EDIT: Not sure if it matter but I have parking sensors.
Are there any other options?
Thanks!
I've had the car for 3 weeks and already cracked the front bumper :/ I guess it happened when I was leaving a parking lot where the exit is very steep. It didn't sound like it broke anything but I can't think of anything else.
The picture is attached. When looking at the car from a standing position you can only see a small part of the crack.
I'm thinking of these options:
1 - Install a CF front lip, it will fit right under the cracks and only a small part of the crack will be visible. Is this a bad idea?
2 - Replace the whole bumper. I want to avoid doing this as I just bought the car 3 weeks ago, a new bumper seems very expensive.
3 - Somehow repair the cracks. Would this be a much cheaper than the other options?
EDIT: Not sure if it matter but I have parking sensors.
Are there any other options?
Thanks!
Last edited by gmurad; May 7, 2014 at 10:11 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,650
Likes: 74
From: Gdynia, Poland
'08 C63 Estate
I'm not sure about the labor prices in your area, but I would have the bumper welded (plastic welding) and painted.
If it's too expensive, just get a CF lip from eBay for about $400 shipped
If it's too expensive, just get a CF lip from eBay for about $400 shipped
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Toronto York-R, Canada
E92 335i / C63 AMG / GSX-R 600
Lip would be a very bad idea. It will probably rip the rest of your bumper off since it needs to be bolted onto the bottom of your bumper. You have two options, plasti-weld it and re-paint, or buy a new bumper. Go to a good shop, that has a clean paint booth. Cost should be $1,000 and up for plasti weld and paint. New bumper should cost you $1,200 + $400-500 paint.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
2009 C63 AMG
Lip would be a very bad idea. It will probably rip the rest of your bumper off since it needs to be bolted onto the bottom of your bumper. You have two options, plasti-weld it and re-paint, or buy a new bumper. Go to a good shop, that has a clean paint booth. Cost should be $1,000 and up for plasti weld and paint. New bumper should cost you $1,200 + $400-500 paint.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
2009 C63 AMG
This seems a bit ridiculous. It's just a crack, it's not like I'm missing parts of the bumper and most of the crack is not even visible.
I barely hit the bumper on the ramp(I wasn't going fast) and it got cracked. I can't believe this will be a 1K repair job!
I barely hit the bumper on the ramp(I wasn't going fast) and it got cracked. I can't believe this will be a 1K repair job!
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Toronto York-R, Canada
E92 335i / C63 AMG / GSX-R 600
Consider what they have to do, remove bumper and all bits, remove paint, plasti-weld and strengthen, prep for repaint, repaint, re-assemble bumper and all parts. $1,000 is not much for this car.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
2009 C63 AMG
I'm considering the front lip idea, I'm not sure exactly how they are attached to the bumper, I think I might get away with not bolting the cracked area.
How do people install front lips? Is it usually a DIY thing or do people take it to shops?
How do people install front lips? Is it usually a DIY thing or do people take it to shops?
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Toronto York-R, Canada
E92 335i / C63 AMG / GSX-R 600
the cf styles install with 8 - 12 screws drilled and bolted on the bottom of the bumper. Plus some urethane / 3m tape to seal the gaps. Can be a diy if you have help and can lift the front.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 7
2017 Mini Cooper S Clubman ALL4 - British Racing Green
You could probably do the repair and leg work yourself, and pay someone to paint it, or
try your hand at painting.
Remove the bumper, sand, either plastiweld, or from the inside using fibreglass or CF matting and the appropriate adhesive/chemical prep products, sand the crack area down a little, and some filler, sand, prime, send off to paint.
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/ (I have no affiliation) sells OEM paint colors for our cars in spray cans all the way up to gallon cans, and all the prep materials you would need to respray your bumper, and its not hard.
try your hand at painting.
Remove the bumper, sand, either plastiweld, or from the inside using fibreglass or CF matting and the appropriate adhesive/chemical prep products, sand the crack area down a little, and some filler, sand, prime, send off to paint.
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/ (I have no affiliation) sells OEM paint colors for our cars in spray cans all the way up to gallon cans, and all the prep materials you would need to respray your bumper, and its not hard.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,704
Likes: 19
From: Denham Springs,LA
'12 C63 Black Series, '12 ML350 BlueTech
Yep you could do that yourself sanding, filling, sanding primer. That will save you half of the cost at least. Even better if you have a buddy owning a paint boot you could just try painting it yourself.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
2009 C63 AMG
My Fog lights are cracked, so I could fix them at the same time.
Thanks again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,704
Likes: 19
From: Denham Springs,LA
'12 C63 Black Series, '12 ML350 BlueTech
removing the bumper cover is the easiest part 
2x10mm bolts on each side close to the side markers, 2 more on each side of the grill. A few more from under as well as the clips from the wheel wells and you are almost done.
2x10mm bolts on each side close to the side markers, 2 more on each side of the grill. A few more from under as well as the clips from the wheel wells and you are almost done.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 484
2012 C63;1971 280SE 3.5(Sold);2023 EQS 450 SUV 4 Matic (Wife's)
I don't think a lip is a valid repair option in this case. The crack in the bumper extends above the area the lip will cover. Personally I would see that every time I looked at the front of the car. Other people will easily notice that crack as well. Get a proper repair done and move on.
