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The side of my front bumper is slightly detached - is this expensive to fix?
I parked too close to the curb and when I pulled away, it hit the curb. The left side of the front bumper is now slightly detached. Everything else still attached and aligned. I tried to push it back up but it won't stay.
I have attached pictures on the front bumper (side and underneath). How much will this cost? I am hoping I do not have to replace the whole bumper.
Left side of the front bumper: slightly detached Left side of the front bumper: underneath view Right side of the front bumper is fine. Right side of the front bumper: underneath view
Looks like a DIY job.
Pretty straight forward you could do yourself.
Loosen and remove the fastener shown.
Part X, looks like the open end shown was ripped off as you described. If needed, you could patch strip of thinner sheet metal
across the open section (screws to hold it in place),
Then slide part X under part Y and re-fasten the 2 parts together.
OR, a shop could do this: shouldnt cost too much. Less than an hours work.
Doesnt look like the bumper would need to be removed for this fix.
I don’t have the right tools and not very experienced in car repair and afraid I may mess this up.
If this is a common issue and body shop know to fix this easily (an hour or so), how much do you think they’ll charge?
I prefer not to bring it to Mercedes dealer since they often jack up the price and will go to authorized third party shop.
Originally Posted by khomer2
Looks like a DIY job.
Pretty straight forward you could do yourself.
Loosen and remove the fastener shown.
Part X, looks like the open end shown was ripped off as you described. If needed, you could patch strip of thinner sheet metal
across the open section (screws to hold it in place),
Then slide part X under part Y and re-fasten the 2 parts together.
OR, a shop could do this: shouldnt cost too much. Less than an hours work.
Doesnt look like the bumper would need to be removed for this fix.
I don’t have the right tools and not very experienced in car repair and afraid I may mess this up.
If this is a common issue and body shop know to fix this easily (an hour or so), how much do you think they’ll charge?
I prefer not to bring it to Mercedes dealer since they often jack up the price and will go to authorized third party shop.
Understood.
Best thing to do is take it to few reputable body shops for an estimate and show them what you've posted here, including the photo I posted.
They can probably give you an estimate on the spot.
Even without the repair to the missing portion shown, they can most likely pull back that section and tuck it back where it belongs and re-use and or fashion an existing fastener to keep it in place and have it back, good as new.
show them what you've posted here, including the photo I posted.
They can probably give you an estimate on the spot.
Even without the repair to the missing portion shown, they can most likely pull back that section and tuck it back where it belongs and re-use and or fashion an existing fastener to keep it in place and have it back, good as new.
Perfect! I’ll check out some shop near my area and will update if I have other questions. Thanks again!
@khomer2 So I have been driving around to 4 different body shops and they said that I have to replace the whole bumper (?!).
I showed them your picture and they told me it "cannot be done that way" because there is a small piece of the bumper (right where the detachment occured) that is ripped and it won't stay attached. I am not sure if they're telling the truth or just want to charge me $1K - $2K (that's the quote).
I took a picture on the inside of the left bumper. What do you think? Am I toast and had to replace the whole bumper or is there another trick I can try?
They's Fo$$hiat. (respectfully). It's not in their intere$t to minimize profit.
I've done patch work similar to this myself, as well, shops do this stuff locally. Just need to find a open-minded shop or an independant that can fabricate simple stuff like this.
I would even goto say, this can be plastic welded given the proper materials (which can be cut off from the same source - ie. skin grafting), and simple tools (soldering iron, heat gun)
Head over to the w163 forum here and reach out to a few of the good members there (that are based in NorCal) or someone here nearby.
I'd assist you if I were closer, but I'm on the otherside of the 49th.
@khomer2 Thanks for the link to w163 forum! I'll check it out.
After my 6th body shop visit, I visited a small independent MB repair shop (not a body shop) and they couldn't figure out what to do. However, they recommended a body shop and I may have found the one!
They have a similar approach to your recommendation. E.g. plastic weld if possible. I have appointment with them this week and they quote only $100 for everything, though they said they can't promise the bumper will be attached just like the right bumper. I'll keep everyone updated.
Originally Posted by khomer2
Ianwarrior,
They's Fo$$hiat. (respectfully). It's not in their intere$t to minimize profit.
Agreed. The 5 body shops I visited just saw an E-400 wagon and they think they can charge $1K. Smh...
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Do you know anyone that does auto repair / body shop in that area?
