All,

I usually hang out int eh 4G forum, but have posted here a couple times. My girlfriend has an '05 Base with navi...I think. Has leather, navi, no fogs, etc. I entered her VIN on bernardiparts.com and it came up invalid, so I have no way to verify...it is used. Regardless...

She has a tear in the front bumper cover and we are looking to replace it pretty quickly and easily. I found one on eBay that the seller will pre-paint. I realize there may be issues with matching, but the one she has on there now doesn't match (dealer used slop job to get it sold) and the car has 150K miles on it.

Anyway, I'm curious if there is a DIY remove and install for the front bumper cover and if there are any concerns regarding breaking fasteners, etc. Anything in addition I should pick up in case I break something in removal and install?

Also, does anyone know of anyone here that does pre-painting? This is the one I'm looking at on ebay and would welcome any thoughts as well.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAINTED-FRONT-BUMPER-COVER-ACURA-TL-2004-2006-BRAND-NEW-/380686565387?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58a2b0000b
What about OEM vs. aftermarket? Anything I should be concerned about for a 150K car?

 

I think most of those on ebay are NOT oem and the fitment is pretty shoddy most of the time.

 

^^what he said.

 

Anyone with experience or that will paint and ship an OEM?

 

i think most people just buy OEM and then take it to their local body shop for paint (and they can paint match it to the car). we did this with our Accord. no down time for the car.

 

^^^this.

without experience of these ebay pre-painted things (because i wouldn't buy them myself). I'd bet money that the color would be majorly off from the rest of the car.

save yourself the frustration of the bad fitment and get an OEM bumper properly color matched at a reputable body shop.

 

Is it an aftermarket unit or a refurbished unit? The OEM refurbished units shouldn't present a problem as there is quite a thorough process to renew the cover.

OEM cover online, $318.33/$238.75, but shipping is costly, then add the cost to paint.

For the price, @ $350 painted, shipped, guaranteed, I wouldn't be too concerned about the color match as the OEM WDP is horrible from the factory and for fit, I bet it won't be a concern. Just my opinion as I've never ordered any from the ebay sellers.

Remove:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/diy-video-updated-removing-front-bumper-3g-garage-e-080-a-628363/

 

Removal and installation of the front bumper is pretty easy and straight forward. Nothing really breaks either so don't worry about buying extra clips and push pins or anything. I say go oem as well, but I also understand the car has a ton of miles so your probably not looking to spend too much. Your call, like others have said if you go eBay pre painted, just understand the paint might not match perfectly and fitment might not be perfect.

 

OEM FTW

bumper removal and replacement also super super easy. 1 man job no help needed.

If your girl doesn't care about color match then why not? save the extra cash just be prepared for anything……………