zh.guitar

iTrader: (1)

Long story short Is: I have to replace the front bumper. It is covered by insurance NO deductable. Estimate is 1050.00.

Options (you may add other options if you like)

1. Replace it with stock and don't come out of pocket. $$$$$

2. Replace it with aftermarket cool stuff.

I like the ideas of some aftermarket stuff but am afraid of fitment and reliability issues.

was thinking:

stock with veilside V1 lip.

Tommy kara (sp?) front........ooooooh

New stillen 2 front fascia......

Keep it stock and sell it and trade up for ?????? Do you think it's easier or harder to resell with a mod like this?

zh.guitar

iTrader: (1)

Oh yeah. This is because someone backed up and "nudged" the bumper. It has a dent about the size of a nickel and the paint is scratch the size of a dime. I have to replace the clear bra in order to paint so they are just gonna replace THE WHOLE THING.

Anyone interested in buying the old one?

Moroccan_Mole

iTrader: (5)

how is it $1000 to fix/replace the bumper? because of the clear bra? i think somebody is trying to bend you over on that one.

$200ish for an oem bumper + $100 paint at the most. from the sounds of it, im sure you could just rip off the clear bra and repair the bumper. any pics?

OTOH, a TK front would be hot ... one of my favorite front bumpers.

zh.guitar

iTrader: (1)

Yeah it's 220 for the bumper, 350 for the clear bra (installed)

plus painting and labor to take it off and put it on.

It's a good quote. A little high but it's the most reputable place here. If I use them my insurance company doesn't question it because they are "on the list". Also any repairs a warrantied for life thru the insurance company. I used them on my truck (twice) and they do nice work.

Moroccan_Mole

iTrader: (5)

so they're charging you 500 bucks paint and install the bumper? that's outrageous ... no matter how reputable the shop is.

as a comparison, i just had my bumper, fenders, side skirts (all fiberglass) painted and had some minor body work done (some grinding i couldn't do myself); i also had the paint blended onto the doors ... all for $175 after my incident with some road debris.
ill have some pics up of the process probably tomorrow, it looks better than ever.

it's ridiculous what people pay for paint on this board. i've said this several times, make friends with a painter and/or find a guy that works at a body shop and will do paint/body work on the side.

maybe try to find a used super black bumper and just install it yourself ... it only takes about 10 minutes and you only need a 10mm wrench, 12mm socket and a flat head screw driver. you don't even need to jack the car up.

emoke

well I will tell you what I have always done.

Rule of thumb :
IF you like aftermarket stuff and have been putting it off take this as an omen and replace it with something new.

it was fate, meant to be. If you were suppose to keep the original bumper then you would have never lost it in the first place.

I had an eclipse gst and it got wrecked by a friend I replaced it with a blitz kit(before fast and the furious) then that bumper got messed up and i replaced it with a wings west. Best bumper i ever owned. then a girl ran the intersection and totaled my car i got a celica (sorry car btw) then I used the celica to get my Z and now I am finally satisfied.

zh.guitar

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the advice emoke, that's kinda what I was thinking.

So is it really that expensive at this shop?

220 +350 = 570 + labor (taking off old one putting on new one), painting and tax. That is less than 400 for labor and painting.

mofoz

iTrader: (1)

JDM nismo bumper?

KrazY-2K

I got my replica JDM nismo front from 350zforums.org. Looks to be in great shape. Just needs some sanding it looks like. Maybe you'd consider a nismo front also.

Sorry to hear about your accident.

mgl

iTrader: (10)

i say stay stock, get the lip, and shave the front emblem, just like me.

and yes the quote you got is a little high. you can save by uninstalling and installing the bumper yourself. but if your insurance is paying anyways go ahead have the bodyshop do everything.

Moroccan_Mole

iTrader: (5)

That is extremely expensive!! taking off the old bumper and installing the new bumper should only take the body shop about 10 mins each time, so figure $40/hr labor, and if the body shop charges you .5hr of labor, that's $20. If you break it down:

$1050 (original quote)

$220 (bumper)

$350 (clear bra)

$20 labor for installing/removing bumper

------------------------------

that leaves $460 to paint a bumper ... i'd tell them to go take a walk. people need to start understanding that paint work should not cost you that much money ... body shops are ripping you off!

Emoke is right, take this oppurtunity to get something aftermarket, if that's what you want.

Even though I despise replica parts, if I had a black Z ... I would get a replica CF nismo body kit, CF oem fenders, CF oem hood, APR/Craftsquare CF mirrors, CF hatch ... you get the idea

zh.guitar

iTrader: (1)

Well I see that it is a high quote. But NO ONE will take off the bumper and put it back on for 20.00.

Since it is covered under "their" insurance with no deductable to me I don't really care if it's a high quote. Especially because they do good work and their work is guaranteed forever.

That aside I'm thinking of going aftermarket.......leaning toward Stillen 2.

Moroccan_Mole

iTrader: (5)

unless they're charging upwards of $100/hr for labor i don't see why not, it's a 10 minute job, tops.

either way you decide to go, get a check cut out to yourself. order your new bumper and drop it off with a dead panel (like your gas gap) to be painted. if you go with the stillen bumper, prefit it yourself to see if everything lines up and looks right.

then

remove your old bumper and install the bumper yourself.

it's not hard at all. it is literally 10 of those locking plastic tabs ... 6 on the top of the bumper and 2 in each wheel well. There are 2 10mm bolts that connect the fender to the bumper on each side, and like 6 12mm bolts that connect the plastic undertray to the bumper on the bottom, and that's it.

if you keep it stock you will come out with some extra cash for other mods or if you go with the stillen, you should be able get it without coming out of pocket with any money and probably will have some extra insurance money at the end.

mdacko

iTrader: (3)

1. buy the Nismo front bumper.

2. find a new body shop.

Road Warrior

iTrader: (16)

sorry to hear about your misfortune guitar...hope it all works out...

would anyone have the front bumper removal/installation instructions....i am in a similar situation but i want to do the install myself to save a few bucks....thanks in advance

Moroccan_Mole

iTrader: (5)

DL a copy of the service manual ... i think you can find it on **********.com

zh.guitar

iTrader: (1)

Since everyone seems to be commenting on the quote, I decided to itemize the charges.

By the way I appreciate the feedback and comments and definately will take them under consideration.


Bumper cover = 219.80
subl hazardous waste 5.00
clear bra with install 437.50
-----------

662.30 subtotal

Body labor (remove old one, take out grill, markers etc.. and install on new)
1.6 hrs @ 44.00/hr 70.40
Paint labor (with clearcoat)
3.9 hrs @ 44.00/hr 171.60

Paint supplies (?) no idea 3.9 hrs @ 25.00 97.50

so 662.30
+ 70.40
+ 171.60
+ 97.50
-------------------
1001.80

+ 6.0630% sales tax of 60.74

TOTAL = 1062.54




Are those numbers outrageous or in the ball park?

Keep in mind that this is FREE to me and this is one of the top body shops in the state.

Moroccan_Mole

iTrader: (5)

$340 to paint and install the bumper, yea ... that's entirely way too much. but like you said it's free, shrug.

zh.guitar

iTrader: (1)

Should I question them about the cost or just let it go? BTW they said if I want to go with aftermarket they will refund the 220.00 for the oem bumper to go towards the aftermarket one and do the paint/install for the same price.

Road Warrior

iTrader: (16)

thanks for the link mole...preciate it man

zhguitar...have you got any quotes on the aftermarket bumpers...you should be able to get one (depending on brand) for a grand painted and installed