Front bumper repair on black 2.0 FSI (Sydney)

[mk5 golf]

Hi guys,

I am back again with more questions. I've just had my front bumper damaged on the lower passenger side when it was bumped into one of those high kerbs. My lovely gf on learner's did the work on a relaxing Sunday afternoon. It's not too bad (I hope) but it looks like it needs a replacement. I've looked through the threads as usual but wasn't successful - by using search terms, front bumper.

The car is insured with 65% NCB discount and so I haven't decided whether to fix it by out of pocket expenses or through insurance. I haven't got any quotes from panel beaters yet but if it's like under $2000 I might just pay for it myself. So does anyone know how much replacing a front bumper would cost inc. labour and does it come pre-painted/sprayed as I'd like it to match the car's original colour. Also, could anyone recommend good panel beaters or places that do front bumpers in Sydney, preferably in inner west areas?

I am also afraid if there might be any mechanical/electrical problems which I haven't noticed any yet. I am definitely taking my car to get it checked at one of those places that you guys recommended previously. I am just worried as I see a torn housing/cover around some wires under the lower passenger side. Here are some of the photos taken on my mobile.

http://s992.photobucket.com/albums/af50/mk5golf09/?action=view&current=SNC00433.jpg

http://s992.photobucket.com/albums/af50/mk5golf09/

Thanks in advance for any info/advice.

[aristocrat]

Hi there, from your pictures, the damage looks worse than they really are. I'm sure a reputable repairer - even look up yellowpages for plastic welding blokes will be able to apply heat and refinish your bumper. I think you might have to get the bottom rubber strip though. Has the front black plastic cover been damaged as well?

From what I know, I think all bumpers come primed in either black or grey, you will have to have it sprayed by the painters. You'll find good bodywork guys paint to perfection, you won't pick the difference from factory finish.

If you were to live in Hobart, I'll certainly give you a few pointers, but since you live in Sydney, I'll leave the experts who live around your area to comment.

I don't think even with replacing with new parts and the spraying, would amount to $2000. I think a repair would be less than $1000 - that'll be my guess, unless you have some other forms of damage.

Good luck anyhow dude.

[mk5 golf]

Hi there, from your pictures, the damage looks worse than they really are. I'm sure a reputable repairer - even look up yellowpages for plastic welding blokes will be able to apply heat and refinish your bumper. I think you might have to get the bottom rubber strip though. Has the front black plastic cover been damaged as well?

From what I know, I think all bumpers come primed in either black or grey, you will have to have it sprayed by the painters. You'll find good bodywork guys paint to perfection, you won't pick the difference from factory finish.

If you were to live in Hobart, I'll certainly give you a few pointers, but since you live in Sydney, I'll leave the experts who live around your area to comment.

I don't think even with replacing with new parts and the spraying, would amount to $2000. I think a repair would be less than $1000 - that'll be my guess, unless you have some other forms of damage.

Good luck anyhow dude.

Thanks for the advice. It's good to hear the cost might be less than $1000. That's a relief. I've come across a thread on plastic welding as well and I think it was a DIY one but I don't know if that could work on my bumper. How is the finish look in general after plastic welding by a professional? And by front black plastic cover do mean like vents in that area or the actual bumper? I saw the rubber thing hanging off underneath (like you said) and a plastic cover surrounding some wires is torn/broken but I haven't noticed any electrical abnormalities so far.

[aristocrat]

The front black plastic cover I was referring to is the vent. That shouldn't be too dear to buy if you need one. The rubber strip beneath the bumper depending if its torn or scratched badly might need replacement. Generally speaking, a good plastic welding job is as good as new. You wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Another advice is check out the sponsors of this site and see if there's anybody out there supplying VW OEM parts and compare their prices with the stealership.

[mk5 golf]

The front black plastic cover I was referring to is the vent. That shouldn't be too dear to buy if you need one. The rubber strip beneath the bumper depending if its torn or scratched badly might need replacement. Generally speaking, a good plastic welding job is as good as new. You wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Another advice is check out the sponsors of this site and see if there's anybody out there supplying VW OEM parts and compare their prices with the stealership.

Thanks for the advice again. I will check out the sponsors here and pm if anyone supplies VW OEM parts. I might consider plastic welding to repair the damage as it may be repairable and the bumper is in very good condition. But I am just not sure if it is ok to go with one of those plastic welders who also do welding on other stuff other than car parts. I've googled and found some but it's hard to tell which one is good. I guess I will just wait for someone in Sydney to suggest good ones.

Another thing that worries me is the cracked/torn covering around some wires in the damaged area (see pictures). It exposes some bundles of wires there and I am worried if it's going to cause any electrical faults esp when driving in wet weather - it rained in Sydney yesterday and I was scared to drive.

Anyway thanks for the advice.

[aristocrat]

No worries mate. Hope that helps. If you are worried about exposed wires and don't know what you're looking at, perhaps you should get the car down to the stealership or your local VW expert and ask what those wires are and if they pose any hazard driving around like that. Generally speaking, stuff around the front of the car would normally cop some rain and water anyway (in a perfect specimen), so I don't think you need to worry about things shorting out unless wires are utterly exposed and can short out on to the metal framework of the car....How do you manage from kerbing the front spoiler to having the vent cover smashed and having exposed wires? Must be hellofa bump! You'll be kind to your gf now....

[mk5 golf]

No worries mate. Hope that helps. If you are worried about exposed wires and don't know what you're looking at, perhaps you should get the car down to the stealership or your local VW expert and ask what those wires are and if they pose any hazard driving around like that. Generally speaking, stuff around the front of the car would normally cop some rain and water anyway (in a perfect specimen), so I don't think you need to worry about things shorting out unless wires are utterly exposed and can short out on to the metal framework of the car....How do you manage from kerbing the front spoiler to having the vent cover smashed and having exposed wires? Must be hellofa bump! You'll be kind to your gf now....

hehe.. it wasn't a big impact but the car had to be reversed on a busy main road on a late Sunday afternoon (imagine that in Sydney) to take a turn into the street as she missed it when she was in the right turn lane - says she didn't see it and didn't expect the lane to end that quickly. Drove straight and ended up stopping on the opposite side of road. Anyway that's when the car bumped into this big kerb on the corner at the lights when making a u-turn on the opposite side of road. One of my gf's workmates has told my gf to avoid me for a few days so I guess that helped. I couldn't sleep the first two nights.. seriously.. but it's all good now. I'm trying to make a contact with one of the recommended mechanics here so hopefully I can get everything fixed soon.