The front bumper cover on my 02 Silver Arrow fell victim to a parking barrier. I parked with the tires against the barrier (no problem), but when I backed out of the parking space, the car had settled down and the bumper cover was cracked through from the bottom to the foglight opening. Is this kind of crack repairable? There's a repaired unit on eBay for $400, but I'm skeptical about whether welded plastic will hold up. My body shop is quoting over $1600 for the replacement front bumper cover. Any suggestions?

 

IMO, it's repairable; a picture would probably help!

I'd find another body shop. Repairs of this type (understand we haven't seen yours) are normally in the $300-$500 range. I think you got the 'Mercedes Premium' tacked on to your quote. Keep shopping and check with local detail shops, used car dealers, autopaint supply stores...you'll find someone.

Bob

 

mine was a clean break, no distortion to the plastic other than it kind gaped open slightly forward. I cleaned the back side of the bumper where crack was and applied Goop glue to the cleaned area approximately three to four inches on each side of the crack and filled the crack from the back side at the same time, then put a couple of glue saturated pieces of typing paper, one on top of the other to cover the same area. I gingerly put a weighted board against the crack and pushed it in till it closed up. carefully rework the patch. after 24 hrs there was a slight line of a crack, but not too noticeable. I never even bothered to touch it up, it worked that well. It has not come apart in two years and I have hit the curb since I repaired it. $4.00 for the glue. worth a try if your break is clean.