So, I got lightly rear ended over the weekend. There are two small dents in the back. The other guy's insurance is going to cover it, so should I get the dents repaired or just ask them to replace the entire bumper? How hard is the color matching? I have an 05 Super Black.

 

replace bumper. No substitute. New car= new bumper.

 

No color matching necessary on a new car, no matter what the dealer tells you. They will tell you that there will be "color matching charges" to get you to pay more. No sir! Tell them to use the paint called for by the VIN #.

 

I have an 2003. First body shop man tried to charge me 200.00 extra for color matching. Second guy said the 1st guy was wrong. Car is too new to need color matching.

 

New car does not equal new bumper if the damage is repairable. I'm a claims adjuster for an insurance company so trust me when I say this.

It definitely sounds like the bumper is repairable.

 

yea the insurance is going to have to give an OK on the whole new bumper. they are not gonna replace the bumper if u can just get the current one fixed...

 

Not to challenge your expertice in the field, I'm speaking from my personal experience. I've replaced 3 bumpers on my Z. 2 were minor damages and 1 bumper was obviously damaged beyond repair. Each time I went to the dealer, they said that they do not repair bumpers on a 350Z. They would only replace it. I do understand that a dealer would be looking to make more money, but they advised me that it is not cost effective to repair it(assuming the rubber in creased) since the repairs would cost just as much as a replacement. To futher affirm this, I went to an independent body shop. The outcome was the same. It cost about the same to repair as does to replace.

 

Urethane is not easy to fix but it certainly can be. The problem is that the fix tends to stiffen the urethane and render the flexible paint ineffective. Most body shops won't even try to fix a large, solid piece of urethane anymore. Too many comebacks by unhappy customers.

Go for new. If the insurance company says fix, ask them how many times they want to fix it before they get tired of paying. Also, ask them why a new car has to have a repaired bumper. Keep at them until they agree to replace, not repair, the bumper.

 

Just take the money and buy an aftermarket rear!!!

Sorry had too :P.