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    Sep 2, 2005 6:37:42 PM

    JJGray
    Newbie
    JJGray
    Loc: CA, USA
    Posts: 25, Gallery
    Registered on: Aug 10, 2005

    Question about minor front bumper damage...

    Hey guys,

    I had just picked up my new '06 997S last Saturday, and in a freak occurance, an older guy at my work office accidentally backed into my front bumper while my car was parked. Keep in mind that it is only minor cosmetic damage and there is no body damage done to the car.

    The insurance estimator just examined my car and feels my bumper damage is minor enough not to warrant a new factory bumper, and it can be repaired good as new.

    The dent is in the center of the bumper and is about an 1/8" to 1/4" deep and has a slight paint scrape about 4 inches high on the bumper.

    Have any of you needed cosmetic bumper done to your car, and would you feel okay to have it repaired rather than replaced?

    I know how I feel, but any thoughts are welcomed.

    Thanks guys!

    John Gray
    Anaheim, CA.

    Sep 2, 2005 7:18:30 PM

    SrfCity
    Expert
    SrfCity
    Loc: Orange County, CA
    Posts: 1339, Gallery
    Registered on: Jul 21, 2004
    Reply to: JJGray

    Re: Question about minor front bumper damage...

    That's a bummer. A good body shop could fix that so you'd never be able to tell.

    Sep 2, 2005 7:46:26 PM

    fritz
    Rennteam VIP
    fritz
    Loc: BaWü , Germany
    Posts: 10248, Gallery
    Registered on: Jul 23, 2003
    Reply to: JJGray

    Re: Question about minor front bumper damage...

    Quote:
    JJGray said:
    The insurance estimator just examined my car and feels my bumper damage is minor enough not to warrant a new factory bumper, and it can be repaired good as new.

    The dent is in the center of the bumper and is about an 1/8" to 1/4" deep and has a slight paint scrape about 4 inches high on the bumper.




    The bumper and its paint are flexible enough to absorb many bumps without leaving any trace. If a bumper is damaged enough to leave a deep gouge in its surface, the body shop would have to fill it before repainting the damage. I would have my doubts about the filler being flexible enough to survive a later "soft" bump as well as the original bumper.
    So even if the proposed repair left the bumper initially looking like new, it would not be as good as new in terms of function, that is, its ability to withstand future minor bumps which would otherwise be harmless.

    You should try to hold out for a new bumper skin. Get the insurance estimator to tell you the difference in cost between a repair and a replacement. If nothing else works, you might even want to pay the difference yourself?.

    Sep 2, 2005 8:33:11 PM

    69bossnine
    Rennteam Pro
    69bossnine
    Loc: FL, USA , United States
    Posts: 2028, Gallery
    Registered on: Jan 27, 2005
    Reply to: fritz

    Re: Question about minor front bumper damage...

    Fritz is dead-on. The bumper on your Carrera is extremely flexible. The dent will need to be "filled" with something. If there is ANY difference in the flexibility of the repair-product and the bumper itself, the repaired area will craze and/or a ring will form around it, or the paint will "crow's foot" when the bumper flexes, and on and on and on and on... Also, it is common for fill-putty to SHRINK over time and heat, which will create a visible "halo" around your repair. It's just an unfortunate thing, what happened. If it were a new Kia Rio, sure, just repair it. It's not, it's a brand new day's old Porsche. Demand a new bumper. You'd be insane not to, and I do not think you would be unreasonable or greedy in that demand. These new 997 bumper fascias are SO FLEXIBLE.

    Sep 2, 2005 8:55:05 PM

    JJGray
    Newbie
    JJGray
    Loc: CA, USA
    Posts: 25, Gallery
    Registered on: Aug 10, 2005
    Reply to: 69bossnine

    Re: Question about minor front bumper damage...

    Hey guys,

    THANKS a million for the advice, and GOOD NEWS! I just got a phone call from the insurance guy, and he said to go ahead with the new factory bumper, without my having to bring up the great advice you were kind enough to offer me.

    He's coming over to finish up paperwork, and I'll be calling the dealer body shop to get this rolling. Boy, am I happy once again.

    BTW, I've been a lurker here for awhile and didn't want to make my presence known until I got some good pictures to share. When I get home a little later from the office, I'll upload a few I took the first day I got the car, along with my other '82 911 SC.

    What a sigh of relief I have now! Thanks again guys!!

    John Gray
    Anaheim, CA.
    2006 Arctic Silver 997S
    1982 White 911SC Targa

    Sep 2, 2005 9:06:53 PM

    fritz
    Rennteam VIP
    fritz
    Loc: BaWü , Germany
    Posts: 10248, Gallery
    Registered on: Jul 23, 2003
    Reply to: JJGray

    Re: Question about minor front bumper damage...

    Quote:
    JJGray said:
    GOOD NEWS! I just got a phone call from the insurance guy, and he said to go ahead with the new factory bumper .....




    Yeeeeh! Your insurance guy is obviously also a rennteam lurker, and realised when you posted here that he wouldn't get away with it!

    Sep 2, 2005 9:44:53 PM

    Flashman
    Co-Pilot
    Flashman
    Loc: USA North Carolina , United States
    Posts: 252, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 30, 2004
    Reply to: JJGray

    Re: Question about minor front bumper damage...

    Sorry to read that after such a short time of ownership an accident happened. At least you know who did it. Nice to hear that the insurance is going to cover a complete replacement bumper.

    My 997S is a little peppered with road rash on the front bumper and I was thinking of having it repainted. Its black so shows every microscopic mark. Be interested in how much its costing you to have the whole thing replaced?

    Sep 2, 2005 10:34:15 PM

    JJGray
    Newbie
    JJGray
    Loc: CA, USA
    Posts: 25, Gallery
    Registered on: Aug 10, 2005
    Reply to: Flashman

    Re: Question about minor front bumper damage...

    Thanks Fritz!

    Hey Flash,

    The estimate I got from Pacific Porsche Body Shop was about $2800, which includes new front '06 factory bumper with all parts, paint, clear coat, and clear bra (which I had the dealer put on the day before I picked it up). The clear bra was estimated at $1200 which was a tad high, as the dealer asking price is $995, and I actually got the clear bra for lower than that. So it was basically $1600 without the clear bra.

    The insurance guy gave me the full amount of the estimate, except he paid $995 for the clear bra rather than the $1200 on estimate.

    The body shop is already on the job. They are going to get the bumper painted, let it cure for 30 days, put the clear bra on, and then I'll take my car in to swap bumpers.

    I just wanna say that this was handled through State Farm, and they did a fantastic job making sure I was happy.

    Btw, I picked up the car on Saturday, had two beautiful days of driving, and the accident happened on Monday afternoon. Talk about breaking your heart, you know? I can't wait to put this behind me, although I feel more paranoid this week when I'm driving. Go figure.

    Thanks guys!

    John Gray
    Anaheim, CA.
    2006 Arctic Silver 997S
    1982 White 911SC Targa

    Sep 2, 2005 11:59:09 PM

    Flashman
    Co-Pilot
    Flashman
    Loc: USA North Carolina , United States
    Posts: 252, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 30, 2004
    Reply to: JJGray

    Re: Question about minor front bumper damage...

    Thanks for the pricing.

    All's well that ends well as they say - you should have your S back to perfection in no time. Look forward to seeing a few pics when you get time.

    Sep 3, 2005 1:12:46 AM

    JJGray
    Newbie
    JJGray
    Loc: CA, USA
    Posts: 25, Gallery
    Registered on: Aug 10, 2005
    Reply to: Flashman

    Re: Question about minor front bumper damage...

    Here are a couple shots I took last Saturday when I brought the new baby home. I just love the side view of the 997's.

    http://www.johnjgray.com/Porsche/Two%20911's.jpg

    I love sexy rears too:

    http://www.johnjgray.com/Porsche/Two%20Sexy%20Rears.jpg

    To think I almost traded in my '82 911SC. I'm glad I kept it.

    Enjoy!

    John Gray

    Sep 3, 2005 2:23:46 AM

    SVNSVN
    Rennteam Pro
    SVNSVN
    Loc: CA, USA
    Posts: 2994, Gallery
    Registered on: May 22, 2005
    Reply to: JJGray

    Re: Question about minor front bumper damage...

    Shaweeeeeeeet!

    Very nice picture of your new and older babies!

    Arctic Silver rocks! The colored wheel crests look great!

    Congratulations- and good to hear of a happy ending!

    Sep 3, 2005 2:24:13 AM

    LowPolarMoment
    Senior
    LowPolarMoment
    Loc: Boca Raton, FL
    Posts: 725, Gallery
    Registered on: May 22, 2005
    Reply to: JJGray

    Re: Question about minor front bumper damage...

    Here I am, a professional insurance adjuster who works only for the property owner against the insurance company, figuring I've got a chance to help a fellow P lover and by the time I finish the thread you've got it solved! Fantastic. When's the coworker's funeral?

    Sep 3, 2005 2:27:05 AM

    SVNSVN
    Rennteam Pro
    SVNSVN
    Loc: CA, USA
    Posts: 2994, Gallery
    Registered on: May 22, 2005
    Reply to: LowPolarMoment

    Re: Question about minor front bumper damage...


    I was wondering if the bruises on his neck have started to heal yet.

    Sep 3, 2005 4:10:19 AM

    996toomey
    Co-Pilot
    996toomey
    Loc: CA, USA
    Posts: 194, Gallery
    Registered on: Jul 10, 2005
    Reply to: JJGray

    Re: Question about minor front bumper damage...

    Hey JJ:

    Sorry about your misfortune, you are handling it better than I would. Kudos to you for that. What color is the car Arctic or GT Silver? Hard to tell sometimes.

    Sep 3, 2005 4:31:28 AM

    MMD
    Rennteam VIP
    MMD
    Loc: usa
    Posts: 9652, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 16, 2004
    Reply to: 996toomey

    Unreal: one bump and huge bills

    Geez! This is crazy. A simple bump from another car and we've got a couple thousand dollar (us) repair bill?

    You'd think the bumper would be made out of a material which is easily filled with filler that welds like ABS plastic. You'd think the paint was easy to spray, sand and polish (like acrylic). Why has not this "Excellence" applied the technology to make bumper repair almost a DIY thing?

    I'm amazed that consumers can be sucked into buying cars without spares and bumpers that cost thousands just because a shopping cart rolled into it. Wow.

    Sep 3, 2005 7:46:54 PM

    fritz
    Rennteam VIP
    fritz
    Loc: BaWü , Germany
    Posts: 10248, Gallery
    Registered on: Jul 23, 2003
    Reply to: MMD

    Re: Unreal: one bump and huge bills

    Quote:
    MMD said:
    You'd think the bumper would be made out of a material which is easily filled with filler that welds like ABS plastic. You'd think the paint was easy to spray, sand and polish (like acrylic). Why has not this "Excellence" applied the technology to make bumper repair almost a DIY thing?



    MMD, anaytime you manage to invent all that stuff, the world's car manufacturers will crawl on their knees to your front porch begging for licenses to use your patents, because nobody has it yet.
     
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