kwash703

Hey guys, (PICS IN ATTACHMENTS)

SMH.....This was due to me backing up in a parking garage and hitting one of them short yellow poles. There is some yellow paint on my car now. I don't think it should be that hard to get out you think? How much would the repair cost on this? Do I need to get a whole new tail light? This is the first time this has happened. Thank you in advance

PS: I might just replace these with the 2014 E350 tail lights. I like the design of those! Very slick!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-2013-Me...=mtr#vi-ilComp

Munich77

I am guessing at least $2000 to $3000 if you also have to get your fender blended. I just had a bumper repaint cost $750 or so.

jonUF02

Buff most of the scratches out of the bumper, if not handy, most car washes can provide this service. Replace the broken light section with used OEM from Ebay for less than $200, or the 2014 look-alike after-market full sets going under $400 on Ebay.

If you want to paint the bumper, probably could be done for a few hundred, but doesn't look that bad, most of what you can see will buff out.

pamiboy

If you are planning to install the facelifted tail light, you might as well get a new facelifted bumper. The new bumper is required for perfect fitting of upgraded taillight anyway.

jonUF02

I guess that's true, you could go with OEM facelift tails and bumper, but that would certainly cost thousands for OEM parts: all tail lights, bumper, diffuser, ehaust tips(?). Has anyone confirmed that the actual body panels will allow install of the facelift tail lights? fender and trunk lines? The rear quarter panels on the facelift models definitely have different style lines at the wheel well.

The Ebay facelift look-alike tails for pre-facelift are direct replacement of the original tails, no need to change anything else.

The G Man

Those are after market tail lights, the quality might not be as good as the factory one. The bumper, if done right, will cost you about $1000 for a painted replacement bumper cover.

beejAMG

get Meguiars Scratch X remover for under $20 and thank me later.

as for the tail lights, youre gonna have to replace it, no need to replace the bumper if you go for '10-'13 with '14 onwards look. somebody has done it here recently, do a search.

homeofstone

Just get your local Mercedes body shop to fix it correctly so its like new. Its not a big deal.

pamiboy

You're right. I've also read it somewhere but it was aftermarket replica facelift tail light made to fit the pre facelift cars. It is similar to the link provided by the OP in his opening post. I was talking about genuine MB parts which will leave a small gap if bumper is not replaced. Thanks.

beejAMG

i got ya. i just dont see the point of spending a lot of money (OE bumper and OE taillights) when you can get the same results from the replica taillight for a fraction of the cost.

homeofstone

The point is that its not a Mercedes part and after market lights almost always leak and in a few months look nothing like OEM.

jonUF02

Not in my experience. I've had after-market headlights and tail lights on my w208 for over 4 years daily driver with plenty of moisture in FL, not one of them has any fog inside or looks bad at all. They look way better than stock. I see plenty of the same car around with very cloudy headlights and dull tails.

These guys that are all on their high horse about "I would only use OEM parts" are full of crap, and have no genuine 1st hand experience. Hell, if the after-market ones look bad in a few years you can afford to replace them at least 3 times over for what a full new OEM set would cost.

beejAMG

Sorry mate, i didnt know that was the point. All the while i thought OP was looking for a fix for the scratched bumper and an after market tail lights update.

Also, had my fare share of using replicas too and no complaints whatsover until i part with those cars.

Now if OP is willing to shell out about, 1000 for each taillights, then another 1000 for a bumper, then have it painted then have it installed, roughly about 4-5 grand oem parts compared to $400 replica tail lights and $20 scratch remover, then your "point" is very logical.

pamiboy

I agree that quality aftermarket parts should not have much of a problem. You can also replace it at will, should a problem arise. Hopefully they will provide some warranty as well.

The G Man

That is a pretty general statement, from my experience, aftermarket parts are hit or miss. One need to do their research to find out if they are good quality.

jbizzle76

Replace the tail lamps with used OEM ones from the internet (tons are available). Should be < $200. I wouldn't do anything to the bumper other than some rubbing compound, a fresh coat of wax and some elbow grease. Consider it "character"