I got rear ended my a moron while I was waiting to make a left turn. I saw her coming up and could see she wasn't paying attention. To make a long story short after the shop fixed everything back to specs, I need a new bumper. The problem is I've been waiting for the part for 4 weeks. My shop tells me there are 15 out there available but they can't seem to get one. Anyone else have this experience?

It happened on the last nice day before it got cold and of course I decided to take her out for one last spin. I miss having her in the garage even if I can't drive her.

 

While I feel for you and hope to never have your experience, I would expect parts that get hit the most are the toughest to find. And there are plenty of idiots not paying attention and running into the rear ends of innocent people. So you may have to wait until some poor owner hits a deer and has his car totaled out due to front end damage.

 

I recently bought a front and rear bumper cover off Ebay. There are plenty of these avilable. I figure you never know if you will need these. Parking lot dings, road damage, etc. Sounds fishey to me.

 

How bad is it? can you post a pic?

 

The car is in the shop and the bumper can be repaired, but this was a mint condition car before the accident and I don't want to put a "patched up" bumper back on it. The shop advises that they can fix it if necessary but that it might not hold up. Since the car has lost value with the accident, I won't get top dollar with anything less than a perfect restore. Not that I would ever sell her.

Bottom line, I won't be even more of a victim by accepting anything less than my car in the best condition possible. Since it's winter anyway, waiting for the part is more of an annoyance than a problem. It also gives me time to work on upgrades in a nice warm garage while I wait for the part. I've added HID low beams and driving lights & LED Stop lights. The stop lights for obvious reasons (can you see me NOW!) I'm also adding a brake activated LED windscreen for this summer's top down driving.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll check ebay and see if I can source one there. My shop guy is a perfectionist which is why I go to him. He likes to only use OEM parts but he might not have thought of ebay.

 

In answer to the cost question; about $8k with muffler and miscellaneous body work. Not sure what the bumper itself costs. I'd take a picture of it, but since the quarter panel and all other body parts have been fixed, you really can't see much. It's sitting in the to be scrapped pile. It has a crack and is dented. With a lesser car I would just have it patched up.

 

Did both your taillights survive the crash? Squirrel Crusher

 

Yes. I am upgrading to LEDs for the visibility. I've had a few close calls before this and I think brighter lights and good karma are the only things I can do for defense.

 

This may help you with some terms in regards to bumpers.


In the repaired bumper cover the work addresses only the problem spots such as cuts, crack, missing tabs, small or big holes, etc. After the repair is completed the repaired areas appear as primed spots with the color of the primer used such as black, light or dark gray. The primer is applied as protection in shipping and as before painting preparation.
In the refurbished bumper cover the work is done to the entire bumper cover. After repairing all problem areas if any the whole cover is sanded down by scuffing the existing paint so that the surface becomes more abrasive, not shining. This is done so that the primer sticks better to it. It is better and more complete preparation for painting. The completed refurbished bumper cover appears as new.
For the inexperienced person it may look like the completely refurbished bumper cover will be the better choice. We disagree. In the refurbished cover the work has to be exactly right. Every little corner and curve must be scuffed perfect before priming in order for the paint to stick well. It work is time consuming and expensive. Then the “correct” type of primer must be used. Every body shop technician has its own idea of “the correct primer” to be used before painting. And finally after priming the cover all repairs become invisible to the untrained eye. It becomes easier to hide careless work.

 

I called Chrysler Customer "no" Service and asked what was up with replacement parts. They checked on mine and advised that they still don't have a delivery date for parts. The rep I spoke with was useless as far as giving me any kind of ETA or reason for the delays. Word from some of my supply guys is that Chrysler owes Benz and parts are being held up as collateral. That's the only thing that makes any sense. Still not willing to compromise on a patched up bumper.

Well at least my baby is warm and dry, even if slightly undressed for now.

 

Hope your Xfire is repaired by next spring/ summer. Please keep us updated. If the bumper is in the junk pile please send me a private email with their phone number so I can try to arrange a deal and have it fixed.

I am sure I am not telling you anything that you were not aware of when you bought your Xfire but it is worth bringing up from time to time. The issue of money owed is kinda like a 'urban legend'. The issue you related about money issues between MB and Chrysler was resolved with the divorce of MB and Chrysler and Chrysler bankruptancy. What is more of a factor is the producer in Europe of the Xfire who went chapter 11 in 2009/10. They make the body parts or at least control the process and molds. The second part of this issue is what you experienced with your call to Chrysler. They or MB don't care about this car. They are just biding their time till their legal time limit to support this car is up and they can finally wash their hands of the Xfire. If you search this site you will find more data on the lack of parts issue. You are not along. It is something we will have to live with and make due with parts that are available. It is worse for the daily drivers out there. Just think how difficult it is working with two companies that are continents apart who are both financialy on the ropes and just want to move forward and forget their pasts.

PS If you think the rear end parts are difficult just try finding front end parts. Leave plenty of room with the car in front of you.

 

Thanks for your input. But I don't want a refurbished or repaired bumper. I want a new OEM bumper. Are you saying that's not possible? I was led to believe that's what I am waiting on. My guy told me the same things that you said with the caveot that a new bumper has no stress areas that might show up later.

So I'll wait until one becomes available. Hey it took me 4 months and 15 cars to find her. The least I can do is put her back together "the right way".

 

You know being a pain in the rear pays off sometimes. After my second call and a call from the dealer where I bought the car a bumper appeared like magic. Should be here by Friday and back together early next week.

The cracked bumper is still there. I'll let you know about availability once I talk with my guy.

 

Great news.

 

So here's what my baby looked like in December. She spent a month and a half in hibernation waiting for a proper bumper.

 

Here she is now after a whole lot of TLC and a little light upgrade
- HID 5,000K Low beams
- HID 5,000K Driving lights
- LED accent Parking lights

Coming soon HID Hi beams and LED Brake lights

 

Any word on the old bumper?

 

I sent you a PM awhile ago. It was waiting for you. PM if you need info.

 

Having three Crossfires I bought spare bumpers, etc off Ebay for little money. They are now reserved in the rafters taking little room. gary

 

that was smart. all it takes is one idiot, but i'm rolling the dice in that area. the only things we get year-round here are fog and rain. the cars stay in the garage during those times, anyway. i purchased some cosmetic parts; the main investment so far being a pair of headlight housings.