Here's the story, folks. I was recently hit on the highway (LIE to be accident) and the damage on my Z came out to more than I expected. The body shop is talking about ordering a new OEM REAR bumper for my 2008 Nogaro Red Enthusiast coupe, since just fixing the existing bumper might be more trouble than its worth.

I thought that since they're installing a completely new bumper anyway, and I was planning at some point to convert to the 07-08 Nismo/380rs bodystyle, that I should work it out with them so I buy the Nismo v3 REAR bumper for them to put on, and they'd pay for the paint etc. The thing is, I can't afford the rest of the kit right now. One on hand, it might look a bit silly having one Nismo piece on my car, but on the other hand, this is the best opportunity I would have to start the conversion. Opinons? Have you ever seen 350z's with just this REAR bumper?

Confirming I mean this one:

 

Yea some people have done it... the good thing is that the bumper has that painted gray piece in the front. It's easier to paint match that color as you go adding the sides and rear. The 380RS is a FRP unit while the OEM V3 is polyurethane. I'm doing the 380RS with OEM Nismo sides but not the rear so we'll see how it works out. Zspeed sells the splash guard and extension for cheap so the bumper won't be flopping around. Do a quick search on the subject and you'll see some other options as well.

 

Oh...umm....I just realized I left out an important word. 'Rear'. I has hit in the back, not the front. I know people have used the front bumper by itself but not the rear.
edit - fixed with bold lettering.

 

Then no...but piece by piece then throw it all on one time!

 

The rear is pretty drastic without the other pieces to go with it.

 

I'm just saying if I'm getting a new OEM bumper now, there's isn't much reason to change the bumper in the near future, so then I wouldn't convert it.

Eventually, regardless of which bumper I choose, I wasn't going to get the Nismo v3 wing, but an adjustable GT wing. Which bumper do you think a real wing would look better with?

 

I'd say it depends on your time scale. If you can get the rest of the kit with in a month... I'd be ok with looking goofy for a bit. If you're talking about full seasons or years, I'd just wait. My opinion.

 

i would buy a cheap busted red oem bumper and have the body shop buy you the nismo v3

 

Are you sure that your insurance will cover the entire cost of the rear bumper? It's more than just a bumper, it is several pieces and is pretty expensive brand new.




Buying the rear bumper by itself with no other mods will of course look weird but if your plans are to mod the rest of the car over time then it would be a means to an end

 

The nismo rear bumper is very agressive and is probably my least favorite body part on a Nismo Z. Installing one on a stock Z will throw the aesthetic design out of whack and will look silly. You're best waiting till you have all Nismo parts and get them sprayed and installed at the same time as red is a hard color to paint match.


Good luck.