Exterior Repair

beekinLeadMan · 05-20-2008, 04:18 PM

So some bonehead, driving on a suspended license, lost control of his car, hit me and now his insurance wants to repair the bumper, not replace it. I have a couple of questions for anyone who has an answer...

Repair vs. Replacement: What does this do to the value of the vehicle?
If I had it repaired...how can I be guaranteed that the big hole in the bumper won't show itself in 5 or 10 yrs?

Thoughts?

MadDad · 05-20-2008, 04:44 PM

I find it hard to believe that the cost of a proper repair will be less expensive than a straight replacement. Last time I priced a front bumper cover it was less than $400. As far as affecting the value of the car --- impact would be due to a poor/improper repair.

beekinLeadMan · 05-20-2008, 05:00 PM

I had the dealer spec out a complete OEM replacement on just the bumper cover. The cover, paint and labor to remove and install was just a hair over $700.
The insurance company estimator came out and said that the bumper could be repaired for $420 and they sent me a check for that. After calling them, and talking with them, they refuse to replace it because their estimate is that it can be repaired.

So my options, without putting money out of my own pocket, is to have it repaired or leave it as is.
I also thought about finding an OEM bumper cover at a wholesale price and taking it and having it painted at a body shop. I mean...how hard could it be to remove the old one and install the new one? I think I might be able to get this done for less than $420 they gave me, but not sure.

Does anyone know if moparpartsamerica.com really gives OEM parts? If so, I can get the bumper from them on my door for just over $200.

MagWag · 05-20-2008, 05:54 PM

what about cleveland pick a part?

matthew barry · 05-20-2008, 06:31 PM

mopar parts america is for real. ive ordered several parts from there before and everything came to me perfect.

NC-SXT · 05-20-2008, 08:06 PM

Bumper replacement is very easy. Take the check buy your bumper and have it painted .

bree94 · 05-20-2008, 10:04 PM

Replace it because if the body shop does a crappie job you'll be disapointed. Its not hard to replace, then get it painted. Have gotten several parts from mopar parts america and was happy with them.

NOTPAID4MSRT8 · 05-21-2008, 06:02 AM

Hate that for ya! I'd definitely get the new bumper and then get it painted, for sure!

TheFOSS · 05-21-2008, 07:10 AM

^^^Word.. definatly not worth having a crappy repair job!@ Do the replace..

I hate insurance companies that try and screw you!@

05-20-2008, 04:18 PM	#1
beekinLeadMan Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, TN Posts: 64 iTrader: (0)	Exterior Repair So some bonehead, driving on a suspended license, lost control of his car, hit me and now his insurance wants to repair the bumper, not replace it. I have a couple of questions for anyone who has an answer... Repair vs. Replacement: What does this do to the value of the vehicle? If I had it repaired...how can I be guaranteed that the big hole in the bumper won't show itself in 5 or 10 yrs? Thoughts?
	beekinLeadMan's Sig:Erick - a.k.a. Beekin Lead Man Check out tracks from the upcoming debut full length album from Beekin at www.beekin.com

05-20-2008, 05:00 PM	#3
beekinLeadMan Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, TN Posts: 64 iTrader: (0)	I had the dealer spec out a complete OEM replacement on just the bumper cover. The cover, paint and labor to remove and install was just a hair over $700. The insurance company estimator came out and said that the bumper could be repaired for $420 and they sent me a check for that. After calling them, and talking with them, they refuse to replace it because their estimate is that it can be repaired. So my options, without putting money out of my own pocket, is to have it repaired or leave it as is. I also thought about finding an OEM bumper cover at a wholesale price and taking it and having it painted at a body shop. I mean...how hard could it be to remove the old one and install the new one? I think I might be able to get this done for less than $420 they gave me, but not sure. Does anyone know if moparpartsamerica.com really gives OEM parts? If so, I can get the bumper from them on my door for just over $200.
	beekinLeadMan's Sig:Erick - a.k.a. Beekin Lead Man Check out tracks from the upcoming debut full length album from Beekin at www.beekin.com

05-20-2008, 05:54 PM	#4
MagWag Evaluating... Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lots of hotels...(Adress in Monett, MO) Posts: 7,421 iTrader: (0)	what about cleveland pick a part?
	MagWag's Sig:MEMBERS MAP! www.myspace.com/thompstud No, No, NO DRAMA!

05-20-2008, 06:31 PM	#5
matthew barry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ocala florida Posts: 210 iTrader: (0)	mopar parts america is for real. ive ordered several parts from there before and everything came to me perfect.
	matthew barry's Sig:yeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaw

05-20-2008, 08:06 PM	#6
NC-SXT Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 521 iTrader: (1)	Bumper replacement is very easy. Take the check buy your bumper and have it painted .
	NC-SXT's Sig:www.DodgeMagnumGrille.com Custom grilles for your Magnum Original NC-SXT Honeycomb Grill andTrue Srt style

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05-20-2008, 04:44 PM	#2
MadDad BWAAAAAAHHHHH! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Christiansburg, VA Posts: 4,235 iTrader: (0)	I find it hard to believe that the cost of a proper repair will be less expensive than a straight replacement. Last time I priced a front bumper cover it was less than $400. As far as affecting the value of the car --- impact would be due to a poor/improper repair.

05-20-2008, 10:04 PM	#7
bree94 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lawndale,CA Posts: 138 iTrader: (0)	Replace it because if the body shop does a crappie job you'll be disapointed. Its not hard to replace, then get it painted. Have gotten several parts from mopar parts america and was happy with them.

05-21-2008, 06:02 AM	#8
NOTPAID4MSRT8 CMOM FOR DEC 08 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Salisbury, North Carolina Posts: 4,054 iTrader: (0)	Hate that for ya! I'd definitely get the new bumper and then get it painted, for sure!
	NOTPAID4MSRT8's Sig:OLD GEEZERS LOVE CARS TOO!!!" 2006 Mag SRT8 (Brillant Black) SRT Floor Mats, Aluminum Pedal Kit, Interior Blue lights, HURST pistol grip shift knob with leather boot, Vinyl Lettering Kit and "SRT" front grille emblem. "HEMI 6.1" Hood decals, "ADIOS MUTHA" on the trunk lid. (Also own 19 other cars!)NOW 20 NOW 21! HEMI Registry #864 2/15/08 Jim

05-21-2008, 07:10 AM	#9
TheFOSS Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 2,711 iTrader: (0)	^^^Word.. definatly not worth having a crappy repair job!@ Do the replace.. I hate insurance companies that try and screw you!@
	TheFOSS's Sig: 2005 InfernoRed R/T Mods: Engine: Mopar CAI , JBA Shorty Headers , Diablo Predator , Custom painted engine cover and pillers, BT oilcap, fuse box cover, power steeriing, and washer fluid cap Exterior: Shaved Side Moldings and Badges , Tinted Tails Interior: Red C/F Dash Kit , BT shiftknob , Modified Shifter

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