CLK 430 Front Bumper Cover Can be Repaired
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
2001 CLK 430 AMG
CLK 430 Front Bumper Cover Can be Repaired
Like so many others on here the front bumper cover of my CLK 430 was cracked when it got caught over a curb stop. The bumper was cracked severely by both fog lights and three body shops recommended a new bumper as the only choice. Just over $1250 installed.
Well, I wanted to share that depending on the damage, almost all of these cracked bumpers can be repaired. I found a shop to repair mine for $550 and it looks like new. Just wanted to pass it along since this is a common problem. The key is to get a body shop referral from your Mercedes mechanic since they see this common problem frequently and can usually refer a body shop that's done it before. Not sure about other folks, but $700 is a big savings. Good luck.
Well, I wanted to share that depending on the damage, almost all of these cracked bumpers can be repaired. I found a shop to repair mine for $550 and it looks like new. Just wanted to pass it along since this is a common problem. The key is to get a body shop referral from your Mercedes mechanic since they see this common problem frequently and can usually refer a body shop that's done it before. Not sure about other folks, but $700 is a big savings. Good luck.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
2001 clk 320
Just had mine fixed for the second time last week. My neighbor repairs MBZ and BMW's and used some sort of bonding. He does side work from his house and charged a friendly neighbor fee of $200. I pulled into a parking spot slowly without scraping. On the the way out it got caught.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,748
Likes: 0
From: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
Make sure when you have it repaired they are using the proper flexible repair kits, most places just use bondo, it will crack very easily and every single stone that hits it will leave a chip.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 494
Likes: 13
From: Amber waves of grain.
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet
On Sept. 2010, I paid $450.80 to Parts.com, a new OEM Bumper cover, front AMG, w/o washer, for year 2000, 430 CLK Cabriolet. Carstar painted it for $200.
Check Parts.com price today, $508.80
Link:
http://www.parts.com/parts/2000/MERC...FRONT%20BUMPER
If you examine the inside of the cover you will find the raised letters, "PUR". Our bumper is made of polyurethane. Most American car bumpers are not made of this material. US manufacturers use a heat forming process to create the bumper cover. These can be repaired with a plastic welder using conventional techniques. An amateur can do a pretty good job. Polyurethane is not a heat forming process. Two compounds, in the form of beads are blown into the mold, then a catalyst is added and the bumper is created in a cold, non-heat, process. So, while a plastic welder can be used to repair these poly bumpers, the technique is a bit tricky, because it is easy to sort of blow a hole in the bumper. Another method is to use chemical bonding, and this also is a bit tricky. It's very easy to have what appears to be a good weld or bond on poly, only to see it come apart after flexing. So, it's good that you have a knowledgeable neighbor to help you out. $200 can't be beat.
Check Parts.com price today, $508.80
Link:
http://www.parts.com/parts/2000/MERC...FRONT%20BUMPER
If you examine the inside of the cover you will find the raised letters, "PUR". Our bumper is made of polyurethane. Most American car bumpers are not made of this material. US manufacturers use a heat forming process to create the bumper cover. These can be repaired with a plastic welder using conventional techniques. An amateur can do a pretty good job. Polyurethane is not a heat forming process. Two compounds, in the form of beads are blown into the mold, then a catalyst is added and the bumper is created in a cold, non-heat, process. So, while a plastic welder can be used to repair these poly bumpers, the technique is a bit tricky, because it is easy to sort of blow a hole in the bumper. Another method is to use chemical bonding, and this also is a bit tricky. It's very easy to have what appears to be a good weld or bond on poly, only to see it come apart after flexing. So, it's good that you have a knowledgeable neighbor to help you out. $200 can't be beat.
Last edited by Pancho; Mar 1, 2012 at 11:36 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
clk 430
cheaper bumper
I see this bumper on Amazon for $348.00, it used to be $312.00.
1998-2002 Mercedes CLK W208 AMG Style Front Bumper
heres the link..
1998-2002 Mercedes CLK W208 AMG Style Front Bumper
heres the link..
Last edited by maxxwell22; Mar 3, 2012 at 01:50 PM. Reason: forgoot link.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
2001 CLK 430 AMG
I see this bumper on Amazon for $348.00, it used to be $312.00.
1998-2002 Mercedes CLK W208 AMG Style Front Bumper
heres the link.. http://www.amazon.com/1998-2002-Merc...d=PTXCL6DFDRM5
1998-2002 Mercedes CLK W208 AMG Style Front Bumper
heres the link.. http://www.amazon.com/1998-2002-Merc...d=PTXCL6DFDRM5
Stay away from Duraflex aftermarket bumpers if you can. They have a rep for fitment problems and they just don't look as nice as OEM. I spent quite a bit of time researching them.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
2001 CLK 430 AMG
On Sept. 2010, I paid $450.80 to Parts.com, a new OEM Bumper cover, front AMG, w/o washer, for year 2000, 430 CLK Cabriolet. Carstar painted it for $200.
Check Parts.com price today, $508.80
Link:
http://www.parts.com/parts/2000/MERC...FRONT%20BUMPER
If you examine the inside of the cover you will find the raised letters, "PUR". Our bumper is made of polyurethane. Most American car bumpers are not made of this material. US manufacturers use a heat forming process to create the bumper cover. These can be repaired with a plastic welder using conventional techniques. An amateur can do a pretty good job. Polyurethane is not a heat forming process. Two compounds, in the form of beads are blown into the mold, then a catalyst is added and the bumper is created in a cold, non-heat, process. So, while a plastic welder can be used to repair these poly bumpers, the technique is a bit tricky, because it is easy to sort of blow a hole in the bumper. Another method is to use chemical bonding, and this also is a bit tricky. It's very easy to have what appears to be a good weld or bond on poly, only to see it come apart after flexing. So, it's good that you have a knowledgeable neighbor to help you out. $200 can't be beat.
Check Parts.com price today, $508.80
Link:
http://www.parts.com/parts/2000/MERC...FRONT%20BUMPER
If you examine the inside of the cover you will find the raised letters, "PUR". Our bumper is made of polyurethane. Most American car bumpers are not made of this material. US manufacturers use a heat forming process to create the bumper cover. These can be repaired with a plastic welder using conventional techniques. An amateur can do a pretty good job. Polyurethane is not a heat forming process. Two compounds, in the form of beads are blown into the mold, then a catalyst is added and the bumper is created in a cold, non-heat, process. So, while a plastic welder can be used to repair these poly bumpers, the technique is a bit tricky, because it is easy to sort of blow a hole in the bumper. Another method is to use chemical bonding, and this also is a bit tricky. It's very easy to have what appears to be a good weld or bond on poly, only to see it come apart after flexing. So, it's good that you have a knowledgeable neighbor to help you out. $200 can't be beat.
