bumper repair / replacement

[richardofengland]

looking at dent to centre of bumper on 2004 mini cooper. Should be smooth curve until where it levels out where boot opens.

Looks like to car has been reversed into something so bumper slightly pushed in with a crease approx 8-10 inches long and the top is pushed up.

Not easy to describe, but can plastic bumpers be fixed or is it a new one and if so approx costs

thanks

[sad61t]

Personal opinion this, but I would look at a replacement.


I would certainly take it off and look at the back face - if it's just a cosmetic cover over an unblemished, separate, impact absorbing structure then you can probably use some filler & repaint. However, if it's all in one and the impact has been absorbed by the visible part then replace it. While it can be fixed cosmetically, the structure of modern plastic bumpers is such that the energy of the impact is dissipated by powdering the internal structure. The outer shell may still look reasonable but the protection (that comes from the sacrificial internal structure) is no longer present. (Bit like a motorcycle crash helmet - the first impact may leave the shell intact but as far as protecting your head in a subsequent impact it does nothing.)

[DanGT]

There are a number of paint shops that can fix plastic bumppers (I have seen some amazing work). I would check out some places and get some ider of price and if its posible with you bumper.

[Byff]

The bumper is just a plastic cover for a seperate metal beam, so you should have no problems.

I've just had a repair to a rear bumper - small knock where someone reversed into me. Repaired it using plasticy stuff (technical term), resprayed and looks as good as new. Cost me £80. I did have to remove the bumper and refit, but that was an easy job to do, just don't forget the bolt behind the reversing light like I did - Doh!