[EverettMcC]

I am getting some aftermarket headlights put in and i received a quote from Everything Euro. They told me 240 to take the bumper off and plug in the headlights. Seemed high when the YouTube video was like 10 minutes but I tend not to work on things that could be expensive fixes if I mess up if I can help it.

 

[Kajtek1]

What's the better way to learn something about your car than start DIY with bumper removal?
Sometimes body parts have hidden fasteners that you might break, but having youtube video should solve the issue.

 

[khomer2]

I am getting some aftermarket headlights put in and i received a quote from Everything Euro. They told me 240 to take the bumper off and plug in the headlights. Seemed high when the YouTube video was like 10 minutes but I tend not to work on things that could be expensive fixes if I mess up if I can help it.

10mins??
And you know this as a fact?
I would try it yourself, as suggested by Kajtek1....the DIY bumper removal, and operating your own business.
If you feel it's too pricey, either negotiate, or find another vendor with a price point you're happy with.

BTW, majority of thousands wannabe YT DIY fixers looking for glory, may bypass (or never even mention) little details and hidden fasteners, issues that they show. Read thru the multitude of threads professing a DIY (simplified fix) - you'd be surprised how unresourceful some of these and YT (general) fixes are. (ie. majority never mention specific make or model, just the maker (with a dozen different years and models).

 

[HandbuiltX]

I've removed the front bumper from my c55 many times, and yes it was a pain. There were some rusted fasteners, and about 6 different locations you have to remove the fasteners from. Nevertheless, it is possible to remove it by yourself. After the first time, its really easy.

Just remember:
By spending the several hours to do the job yourself, you're paying yourself $240.

 

[Kajtek1]

Just remember:
By spending the several hours to do the job yourself, you're paying yourself $240.

And you will get DIY training for no additional charge.

 

[HandbuiltX]

And you will get DIY training for no additional charge.

Basically paying yourself to learn, instead of paying another person to do it. It’s only worth paying someone else when your schedule is super busy, and you’re making a lot more money than the 240/time ratio.

 

[Kajtek1]

We have doctors DIY car repairs here.
When you consider the time spend to dropping the car off to a shop, picking it up, you'd have to make at least $500/hr to make economical sense in contracting the job.

 

[HandbuiltX]

We have doctors DIY car repairs here.
When you consider the time spend to dropping the car off to a shop, picking it up, you'd have to make at least $500/hr to make economical sense in contracting the job.

Yeah its ridiculous. Like sure there are some things that are better to be done by professionals, but if you don’t try you don’t learn.

 

[cowboyt]

True. Haven't done a W203's front bumper, but I have done W211's and W220's. I can pull either of those bumpers in about 15 minutes, not rushing. If everything's already staged, I've done it in five. A W203 should be just as easy.

 

[Datadogie]

I had my bumper off a few weeks ago. One of the long fixing brackets was so badly rusted it needed replacing. I chanced putting it back together without the bracket and just a nut and bolt till the new bracket ordered arrived. Two weeks later and all was still good. But overall was an easy job.

 

[EverettMcC]

Thank you everyone you've given me a lot to think about. The only reason I was worried about doing it myself was I had work done on the right side of the bumper by Geico when I got hit. I will try to do it myself and order a couple brackets just in case because I have a feeling I'll have an issue there too.

 

[Kajtek1]

I will try to do it myself and order a couple brackets just in case because I have a feeling I'll have an issue there too.

Here you go, that's the spirit!
Common mishaps doing the job 1st time is paint scratching.
So get yourself some cloths to put under during removal and later to put the bumper away,.
Good idea also is to get 2" wide blue masking tape and tape crucial bumper areas for protection.

 

[Seattle-C320]

Which aftermarket headlights are you installing? Do you have pics or a link to the product? I'm also thinking about doing this myself to my W203

 

[EverettMcC]

Which aftermarket headlights are you installing? Do you have pics or a link to the product? I'm also thinking about doing this myself to my W203

I am getting these and this is the best price I can find for them other than on Amazon and their shipping is awful at the moment due to the virus. They should come with the resistor for the led turn signals which I've never done so that should be another fun first haha. 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS BLACK HALO PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS - SPEC-D - (PAIR)

 

[Seattle-C320]

Those halo projectors look nice. Good luck with the installation

 

[EverettMcC]

The taillights from Spyder ended up coming in first. A lot easier than I thought it would be be because the resistors were built in. Brakes and rotors are in today and headlights coming soon!

 

[HandbuiltX]

Nice, they look good.

 

[cowboyt]

On that black car of yours, those Spec-D's ought to look pretty good.