[glennj3]

I found a new bumper for $123, then shipping was $160 and I have to possibly trim it, and paint it.

Wondering if there are other places to locate new bumpers?

Thinking I will talk to the local dealer, see if they can order one for me through their routine shippings and not charge me shipping.

My problem is the lower portion is split from scraping on curbs, driving too far forward onto them. I could remove mine and try to repair it, paint it and replace it.
I have attempted to repair it several times with it on the car, just very difficulty to get to it well.

 

[macysum]

I found a new bumper for $123, then shipping was $160 and I have to possibly trim it, and paint it.

Wondering if there are other places to locate new bumpers?

Thinking I will talk to the local dealer, see if they can order one for me through their routine shippings and not charge me shipping.

My problem is the lower portion is split from scraping on curbs, driving too far forward onto them. I could remove mine and try to repair it, paint it and replace it.
I have attempted to repair it several times with it on the car, just very difficulty to get to it well.

If you have to trim it it's a poor quality knock off. Run away quickly. Repairing yours is the best unless it's missing big chunks. It's a simple removal and with some bondo and maybe some fiberglass patch you'll be good as new after painting and sanding yourself in the backyard or shed. Post a picture of your damage.

Bumper scratches and scuffs are almost unavoidable given the low front bumper lip height. Do yourself and wallet a favor...go buy a couple of rattle cans made up by professional paint sellers, maybe even have them mix in some clear coat with the pigment and try a DIY. Find the paint code under your hood or on the Internet and ask them to mix it for you.

Lots of YOuTube videos on how to do this.

 

[tdoriot]

Yikes ! While we'd all love to pay that kind of dough for a new front bumper cover, the reality is that that figure won't likely pay the shipping for the real thing. How bad is your existing bumper ? The above advice is probably worth thinking over. :grin

PS, those things remove in about 10 minutes if you goof off while you do it. They have kits to repair that plastic. Yank it and take it to your favorite body shop. Or do it yourself if you have the material, tools and talent.

 

[glennj3]

Thanks, I will do it myself. Just get under there and find the fasteners. You convinced me!
I already painted it over while on the car but it faded terribly after a few weeks, must have used the wrong kind of paint for the material the bumper is made up of.

 

[deanyel]

Driving the front wheels up on ramps improves access considerably. If you take it off it's very awkward to work with it, and to paint. The vehicle is a great place to hang it. Post a picture.

 

[glennj3]

I don't know how to post pictures?

 

[monkeymerc]

Exploded view front bumper

 

[V12-4-RD]

I just had the same issue with my SL600. The factory replacement bumper is 1900.00 USD...Yikes....Well I learned my lesson about parking too close to those parking stops. I found on Ebay a replacement aftermarket for 165.00 and the paint was 100.00 at the local autopaint supply. My only challenge was the aftermarket bumper did not have the lower driving light stub mounts, so I had to cut the ones off the bad bumper and epoxy onto the new. It worked very well. The aftermarket instructions recommended using double sided tape to hold the lights in-place, not sure where their engineering expertise comes from!

My bumper had been "repaired" at least twice from the previous owner, so new bondo and fiberglass was not an option this time.

 

[MAVA]

I paint cars too. The reality is "Bondo" and Fiberglass are never to be used to fix these bumpers. They can be fixed with a stainless steel mesh, and the plastic material (scraps) melted on the tear. then this plastic flexible filler is used ( the stuff is expensive ).

These bumpers are rare, and no one really makes an aftermarket bumper.

 

[deanyel]

We still need a picture. Without a picture "repair" or "replace" is pure speculation. If repair is possible you need to find a good auto paint store with some good people who will spend some time with you. There are some great products for just this type of job. A good store will either stock them or have quick access to them. Once you've priced out a proper repair you can make the call. The auto paint store is going to want see to your picture too, or the car in person.

 

[glennj3]

Sorry for the delay getting back with you. I repaired the split on the px side. I removed the old stuff I had used previously. Though difficult to get under the bumper and hold the crack in place. It ran from the bottom to the top and almost completely through at the top. I placed fiberglass inside, layed down the fiberglass matt then placed more liquid fiberglass over that. 5 minutes is complete time to being hard and it gets hot. After that, for the visible crack on the outside I pushed GOOP into it, it dries quickly too.
I then found some shiny black can paint for plastic. After preparation of the bumper, I pained it. It is not perfect (due to the paint job itself) but is sooo much better now. I used Scotch Bright pads to scuff it back up, repainted it, then used rubbing compound, polishing compound then waxed her.
All while on the car.
I will post pictures soon as I take some and try to upload them via my phone.

Glenn

 

[glennj3]

Certainly not a professional job but it sure looks better and it is solid again. Missing the wire on the px side. Maybe will buy some gutter wire and paint it!

 

[Timoma]

I just had the same issue with my SL600. The factory replacement bumper is 1900.00 USD...Yikes....Well I learned my lesson about parking too close to those parking stops. I found on Ebay a replacement aftermarket for 165.00 and the paint was 100.00 at the local autopaint supply. My only challenge was the aftermarket bumper did not have the lower driving light stub mounts, so I had to cut the ones off the bad bumper and epoxy onto the new. It worked very well. The aftermarket instructions recommended using double sided tape to hold the lights in-place, not sure where their engineering expertise comes from!

My bumper had been "repaired" at least twice from the previous owner, so new bondo and fiberglass was not an option this time.

 

[Timoma]

The crack in my front bumper has also been worked on by DIYers and it’s cracked again. I decided to take it to an auto body shop but they said it could not be repaired. Here is a photo Seems like it could be repaired

 

[smata67]

I have been repairing some cracked ABS trunk trim pieces using sections of 1/8" ABS sheet and JBWeld Super Weld, a gel consistency "super glue." Working like a charm. I plan on tackling the crack in my bumper with the same approach after doing some testing. There are other ways to get ABS to stick to things that might work, MEK and maybe even plastic plumbing cement. The plan is to span across the crack with the ABS sheet as a backing, forming the backing with a heat gun if necessary. I purchased two different plastic welding systems, the staple gun and the heated foot gun and will probably not use either, this backing method is going to do the trick with the proper adhesive. I will have a hairline crack to deal with, but not too concerned with that, my bumper is black.

In your case, looks like there may actually be some pieces of the bumper missing, so there will be some fill that is needed and it will most likely not hold up well to flex. A paintable silicon caulking perhaps? But if you get the bumper stabilized and reinforced with the backing I speak of, you will have at least improved things.

 

[carltwo]

I have been using this method for 3 years now and just found it threw experimenting. This is a full prove method that will flex with the ABS bumper you have and will not come apart. Sand with 80 grid the area and beyond. Lay a layer of this black ABS cement (no other) over the repair and extend it to the good area. Lay the fiberglass material as shown (no other type) over the crack or missing piece and extend it to the good area, then lay another coat of the ABS cement. After 3 minutes you can smooth out or mold with your finger or a ice cream stick. You will know when the ABS cement can be molded as it will not stick to you finger. Must let dry overnight. Then sand smooth or for a perfect look you can apply fiberglass bondo. I have fixed many of the plastic pieces on all of my r129 using this procedure.

 

[355190E26]

That crack is definitely repairable. Plastic weld is going to be the best option.
Here's a post from my R129 restoration thread about my front bumper repair

Rolling Restoration Progress Thread: 1999 SL500 Sport

Update: Bodywork restoration is well underway. As I mentioned earlier the car had damage on both rear quarter panels, along with numerous small dents on the top left by the antenna. Front and rear bumpers are off the car and being repaired as well. Next up the scrapes on the passenger door and...

www.benzworld.org

Jb Weld bumper weld works well too-originally my bumper was patched together with that and I cut a piece out of a plastic bucket as a backer.

 

[jdgretz]

You are missing the tow hook cover on the passenger side. Check eBay for a used one. Many of the third party ones don't fit wall or at all. New ones from the dealer are in the $500 range as that is the AMG bumper.

Good luck,

jdg <-- has a slightly damaged black bumper for sale off a 2002 SL500

 

[Timoma]

I have been repairing some cracked ABS trunk trim pieces using sections of 1/8" ABS sheet and JBWeld Super Weld, a gel consistency "super glue." Working like a charm. I plan on tackling the crack in my bumper with the same approach after doing some testing. There are other ways to get ABS to stick to things that might work, MEK and maybe even plastic plumbing cement. The plan is to span across the crack with the ABS sheet as a backing, forming the backing with a heat gun if necessary. I purchased two different plastic welding systems, the staple gun and the heated foot gun and will probably not use either, this backing method is going to do the trick with the proper adhesive. I will have a hairline crack to deal with, but not too concerned with that, my bumper is black.

In your case, looks like there may actually be some pieces of the bumper missing, so there will be some fill that is needed and it will most likely not hold up well to flex. A paintable silicon caulking perhaps? But if you get the bumper stabilized and reinforced with the backing I speak of, you will have at least improved things.

thx

 

[Timoma]

Thanks for the advice