[delikanli]

I have a portion of the plastic bumper cover missing on the front bumper. I want to find a DIY fix. Initially, I thought I could use Bondo or something like that to fill it and paint over it...Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

 

[ps2cho]

that is far too large to DIY repair with any success.

Find a local junkyard -- if they have ANY w124's, it'll be there. It looks like its just the impact strip, so you don't even need the whole bumper.

That or a new impact strip isn't even that expensive. Repairing that will probably cost more and take hours and hours.

 

[delikanli]

Actually, it seems like the original is about 66 bucks and the ez bumper version around 40 bucks...Seems like a no-brainer. Thanks for saving me the hassle. Is it easy to dismantle/attach?

 

[semis1]

It is very easy.
The bumper is attached to the frame in 5 points.
One is smack in the middle (in nut- this can be reached from the top under the radiator), on top of the license plate, the other 2 to the right and left of that one (2 nuts each) and the other 2 are in front of the tires. Lift the front safely and look under.

 

[delikanli]

Thanks. Do I need to take the bumper off to take the impact strip off? I was thinking of just replacing the impact strip.

A friend of the previous owner hit a deer at that spot. I think. If this was a modern bumper I would have had to replace the whole thing. I think as old school as an impact strip looks visually, it is very practical to just replace the strip. Hats off to the impact strip.

 

[semis1]

Yes
The impact strip is attached with 2 screws at the ends from the back.

 

[ps2cho]

Yes. Once you have taken the bumper off once, you'll get it off in 10mins flat 2nd time around. Its dead easy.

If needed, take the opportunity to repaint bumper or fill any other cracks in or anything.

 

[delikanli]

The more modern look would be if the impact strip color matched the grey on the bumper. But...I am going to think about that one for a bit before getting into it. Thanks again for the help.

 

[chabanais]

Won't look too modern when someone smudges your nicely painted bumper though.

The more modern look would be if the impact strip color matched the grey on the bumper. But...I am going to think about that one for a bit before getting into it. Thanks again for the help.