Custom Front Bumper Fab
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 267
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
W208 CLK55
Custom Front Bumper Fab
Hey Guys,
First, we all know our car looks aged in a few key areas. One being the front bumper. Some may think the OEM AMG bumper looks good, but I personally think it's very out of date. Take mine for example.
There's so many pictures out there of some of your guys' cars with some amazing looking front bumpers other than the stock AMG one because it is dated. I've always wanted one of those low sweeping w209 style bumpers with the front lip. So I've been looking around for a while and doing a lot of reading on front bumper options for our cars and here's what I've come up with:
There's the VIS Racing front bumper:
Or theres custom molded front bumpers which forum veterans like VIPCLK and Williams have showcased. To me it seems like these guys took another mercedes bumper and molded it to the top part of the w208 bumper through some crazy witchcraft.
Anyway, I've wanted to do a project like VIP's bumper but really have no clue where I would take the two bumpers to be fabricated, or if it would be possible to do it myself. So, time for my question.
Does anyone who has molded bumpers together have any advice for me? Should I buy a used bumper to mold together or a new one? What's the best model bumper to use? Are there any cheap places to find some used bumpers? What kind of body shop should I take it to? Does anyone know of any reputable body shops that have done this work before?
Basically, I'd just like a little input before I bite off more than I can chew. Thanks to everyone in advance.
First, we all know our car looks aged in a few key areas. One being the front bumper. Some may think the OEM AMG bumper looks good, but I personally think it's very out of date. Take mine for example.
There's so many pictures out there of some of your guys' cars with some amazing looking front bumpers other than the stock AMG one because it is dated. I've always wanted one of those low sweeping w209 style bumpers with the front lip. So I've been looking around for a while and doing a lot of reading on front bumper options for our cars and here's what I've come up with:
There's the VIS Racing front bumper:
Or theres custom molded front bumpers which forum veterans like VIPCLK and Williams have showcased. To me it seems like these guys took another mercedes bumper and molded it to the top part of the w208 bumper through some crazy witchcraft.
Anyway, I've wanted to do a project like VIP's bumper but really have no clue where I would take the two bumpers to be fabricated, or if it would be possible to do it myself. So, time for my question.
Does anyone who has molded bumpers together have any advice for me? Should I buy a used bumper to mold together or a new one? What's the best model bumper to use? Are there any cheap places to find some used bumpers? What kind of body shop should I take it to? Does anyone know of any reputable body shops that have done this work before?
Basically, I'd just like a little input before I bite off more than I can chew. Thanks to everyone in advance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 50
From: Yokohama, Japan
2000 CLK 320
Sorry, I don't know, mine was also an Ash / VIPclk320 Special. I was living in Japan when it was made, so Ash/VIPclk320 would be the one to answer all the questions. Wish I knew more.
Last edited by Williams707; Mar 25, 2014 at 11:17 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 267
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
W208 CLK55
I see what you mean about how they terrify you. Theres so many small things that need to be perfected that going into fitment and durability for the perfect oem look.
Last edited by CJackson13; Mar 26, 2014 at 12:51 AM. Reason: Forgot a few points.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 267
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
W208 CLK55
I'm sure the quality was worth it though 
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 267
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
W208 CLK55
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 50
From: Yokohama, Japan
2000 CLK 320
I'm a little skeptical. A guy who has a heavily modded w208 with a w209 bumper and CF lip told me that your typical body shop wouldnt be able to do the job, or at least do it well.... I figured I'd believe him because his car speaks for itself, but I mean he could be wrong
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
CLK W208
its not a job for your typical bodyshop. sure anyone can grab two bumpers and fiberglass them together with 50lbs of bondo but it will crack on the first drive and the car will feel like crap with the all that weight. I made all my bumpers with aero dynamics and weight in mind. you have two make sure the bumper that you choose is close in size to the w208 bumper so you don't have over hang. then you have to calculate and position the wheel arches so the bumper doesn't look like crap from the side and also doesn't hang too low or too high. then you have to find strong points to attach them together I use a specially made liquid plastic to bond them together which I pay about $250 can for which is specially made for me and I use about 3 cans and then I use urethane to do the final stage of fusing. that insures my bumpers being super light most cases lighter than what I started with and also flexible so they bend and everything just like the oem bumper without cracking. best advise I can give you is find strong points for attachment. also some bumpers you have to extend the sides or shorten the sides and recreate arches which is why it takes me about two months to make one of my bumpers. so take your time and don't rush it. unfortunately there is no blueprint for this kind of work it just takes experience, skills and a wild imagination. haha
p.s. measure 4 times cut once.
p.s. measure 4 times cut once.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
W208 CLK55 AMG, W203 C32 AMG, W163 M Class Sport
I really wish someone made a front lip for the W208 AMG front bumper. The CLk320 has a lip spoiler available. I doubt one will ever be made since the W208 had pretty low production numbers. Its nice the car's rare but a hassle getting aftermarket body parts.
Anybody want to create a urethane or carbon fiber front lip and start a group buy?
Anybody want to create a urethane or carbon fiber front lip and start a group buy?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
CLK W208
There is already a front lip offered for the 430 and 55 bumper. Its by a company called JDL tuning out of UK buy therr are many of their dealers that will ship to USA and the lip is about $250 and the nicest one I have ever seen for the amg bumper.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
W208 CLK55 AMG, W203 C32 AMG, W163 M Class Sport
I've searched many times for front lips and found nothing. Do you have a link or pics of it? I'd be very interested in seeing this!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
W208 CLK55 AMG, W203 C32 AMG, W163 M Class Sport
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 267
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
W208 CLK55
its not a job for your typical bodyshop. sure anyone can grab two bumpers and fiberglass them together with 50lbs of bondo but it will crack on the first drive and the car will feel like crap with the all that weight. I made all my bumpers with aero dynamics and weight in mind. you have two make sure the bumper that you choose is close in size to the w208 bumper so you don't have over hang. then you have to calculate and position the wheel arches so the bumper doesn't look like crap from the side and also doesn't hang too low or too high. then you have to find strong points to attach them together I use a specially made liquid plastic to bond them together which I pay about $250 can for which is specially made for me and I use about 3 cans and then I use urethane to do the final stage of fusing. that insures my bumpers being super light most cases lighter than what I started with and also flexible so they bend and everything just like the oem bumper without cracking. best advise I can give you is find strong points for attachment. also some bumpers you have to extend the sides or shorten the sides and recreate arches which is why it takes me about two months to make one of my bumpers. so take your time and don't rush it. unfortunately there is no blueprint for this kind of work it just takes experience, skills and a wild imagination. haha
p.s. measure 4 times cut once.
p.s. measure 4 times cut once.
I've decided I am going to use the w209 AMG front bumper and have just ordered a used with light scratches but is still structurally in tact. I've never cut body panels before so we'll find out how that goes after having done my due diligence.
If you dont mind me asking, what do you do that allows you to create all of these crazy parts and one-offs? They're extremely impressive.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
CLK W208
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
CLK W208
Thank you so much VIP for setting me off in the right direction. I'll have to play around with a bunch of different materials and ideas until I find something that works.
I've decided I am going to use the w209 AMG front bumper and have just ordered a used with light scratches but is still structurally in tact. I've never cut body panels before so we'll find out how that goes after having done my due diligence.
If you dont mind me asking, what do you do that allows you to create all of these crazy parts and one-offs? They're extremely impressive.
I've decided I am going to use the w209 AMG front bumper and have just ordered a used with light scratches but is still structurally in tact. I've never cut body panels before so we'll find out how that goes after having done my due diligence.
If you dont mind me asking, what do you do that allows you to create all of these crazy parts and one-offs? They're extremely impressive.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 267
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
W208 CLK55
With the type of things you come up with for your car, I'm sure you're asked what you do all of the time. Then furthermore, how you do it haha. The things you create for the w208 are seriously at the level of a world class automotive engineer. The way you replicated the new black series headlights for your w208 was insane. Anyway, thanks again for the guidance with the beginnings of the bumper and good luck with your mods down the road.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 280
Likes: 8
02' CLK 430
Here is my VIS Racing front bumper. Pretty much a C350 replica. I have the fog lights and mesh for it but wont be putting those in until the summer when the bumper cover gets repaired and re-painted. Currently have some cracks in it and it hangs loose off the one side. Fitment is actually quite good though...
KRis
KRis
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 287
Likes: 5
From: New Hampshire
Magma Red W208 55 AMG, W203 C230 Kompressor Sedan 6speed M/T, W220 S500
Here is my VIS Racing front bumper. Pretty much a C350 replica. I have the fog lights and mesh for it but wont be putting those in until the summer when the bumper cover gets repaired and re-painted. Currently have some cracks in it and it hangs loose off the one side. Fitment is actually quite good though...
KRis
KRis
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 280
Likes: 8
02' CLK 430
Unfortunately I dont. I will have some this June when I get the bumper reworked and repainted. The bottom lip broke in half and is being held together by black hky tape lol.
I was gonna wash the CLK up tonight after the long trek from Vancouver. I will take some pics after the wash and post them up. The bumper fits good though which is really all I could ask for. After the makeover Im installing 2007 C350 3000K HID Yellow Fogs in the fog light openings. Give it a nice DTM look.
KRis
I was gonna wash the CLK up tonight after the long trek from Vancouver. I will take some pics after the wash and post them up. The bumper fits good though which is really all I could ask for. After the makeover Im installing 2007 C350 3000K HID Yellow Fogs in the fog light openings. Give it a nice DTM look.
KRis
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
2001 CLK430, 2012 CLS550
I've also thought about joining the lower part of a w209 bumper with upper w208. My thoughts have always been to make the cut underneath the impact strip that way you could bond them together from both sides and your seam would still be hidden by the impact strip (except for exposed left and right sides of course). The grand idea seems to be good fitment around headlights thus using top part of 208 and sleek look of lower half of 209 bumper. I don't have any hands on with dimensionally sizing the two up but it may be in the works for me soon.
