Hey guys,

Need some opinions from you guys regarding this unfortunate incident that occurred today.

I was on a three lane highway in the right-most lane, and a piece of debris was in the left-most lane. Someone hit the piece of debris and it landed right in front of my front left. At highway speeds I didn’t have a chance to safely get out of the way so I ended up hitting it.

Here is the damage:








I have a couple of questions about how to get this fixed.

1) Is it possible for the a-spec front bumper cover to fit on top of my bumper to cover the damage?

2) Can this damage be fixed? Or, does the bumper need replacing?

3) If the bumper needs to be replaced, can someone recommend a place to get the bumper for a decent price?

4) Anyone that can tell me an estimate for replacing a bumper (part, labor, painting), please do share.

5) Any other threads that may help me, which I have overlooked, will be much appreciated.


I know most of these questions are pretty hard to answer if you haven’t been in this situation before.

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

Don't know if this is posted in the correct section...mods feel free to move it appropriately.

One clerification: One clarification, when I say bumper, I mean bumper cover…

 

The Aspec Kit Will Not Cover The Damage
The Front Bumper Cover Is Fairly Easy To Replace
You Could Buy A Cover Have It Painted And Install It Your Self

Or You Could Go Cheap And Buy A Full Nose Mask To Cover The Damage

 

I've had this exact thing happen to me before. Not in my TL, but in my Accord. It tore a hole in the front bumper and damaged the foam piece inside. I had to have the bumper cover and the foam replaced. It looks like your damage is low enough that probably just the bumper cover needs replacing. I went to an independant body shop so it wouldn't be as high. For a '97 Accord it was around $500.

 

although it has been a few months since i last checked, so far there are no distributors other than acura that make a stock bumper cover. you are going to have to replace the bumper cover. its very easy to install so i second the suggestion to have it painted at a shop and then install yourself. my quote for my cracked front bumper @65/hr labor rate was 800 dollars. installed myself and i would have saved 1.5 hours.

 

Im an insurance adjuster here in Cali so maybe I can help

!) you could claim it under insurance, should be considered a Comprehensive (road harzard) claim, they should not charge it against you

2) Bumper is not repairable

3) Because this style of TL has been around for now 3 years, there are places were you could find a reconditioned/remanufactured bumper

4) New vs. recon is probably going to only be about $100.00
Figure that is will be approximately $700-800.00 installed
Turn around time should be 3-4 days


Hope this helps

Andrew

 

It's the time to get a RJ~

 

can you confirm that you can find a reconditioned bumper? I was looking little less than a year ago all over CA and couldnt find any. i know bumper warehouse is a big supplier in sac and they didnt have any and have been unable to hear otherwise from them.

 

Here's my little road damage. Hit a 90lb Pit Bull doing 70MPH on the freeway. The estimate calls out part# 04711SEPA90ZZ, at $273.07, for the front bumper cover. They called me a day later and informed me that they would be using an OEM repaired cover. Of course there will be prep and paint charges also. Total estimate was just over $1000. If they can get one here in Idaho, I can't imagine it being a problem in the larger metro areas.

KBOM

 

!!!
So over 700 to paint and replace a bumper cover...!!!

I have had several covers replaced on my cars in the past few years and it was never more than 600 with parts and labor...

 

Mickey,
The $1000 bucks is not only the bumper cover, but also all of the other plastic and hardware damaged. As well as a new AEM intake. It was actaully crushed almost flat. I had to squeeze it back to semi-round so it would allow air into the engine. Luckily the filter was still intact, although rather flat, and I was able to drive the 60 miles to get home. Parts accounted for about $600 of it. Maybe my bumper will actually match now

KBOM

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I got three estimates for replacing the bumper cover:

788, 796, and 1050.

I also got an estimate for just painting the cover, which was 350.

I don't know if I should get insurance involved in this. I don't know if my low premium (550/6months in NJ) is worth jeopardizing.

I'll put an update out once I decide on what to do.