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[shyboy]

I've just been let down by a mobile dent/ bumper repair man, and on reflection, thinking back on his comments when he quoted, I'm not sure he wants to do the job.
Younger son borrowed the 3.2l saloon last year to tow our caravan to Cornwall on holiday and had the unfortunate experience of hitting a deer which ran into the offside headlight area from the side. It broke the headlight fixing brackets necessitating replacement from my 'sorned' facelift Estate, but the bigger problem is damage to the front plastic bumper. This was pushed sideways to the nearside which has caused a split in it from the back edge to half way across its front to back depth, under the offside headlight, and the wrap round top edge is slightly deformed. The whole bumper is now sitting about 1 to 2 inches to the left of where it should be, and I now must get round to sorting it.
Is this something which could be tackled with appropriate fillers and/or heat, assuming the original profile can be restored, or is plastic welding etc.( for which I don't have the equipment), the only way to go.
The other alternative is to use the bumper from the Estate, but this would mean a respray from 'gold' to silver.
Anyone got experience in this area, please?
Incredibly, the deer was OK and apparently ran off after a short rest.
 

[Diamond Black Geezer]

frankly unless you have some sentimental attachment with the bumper, just replace. If yours is a silver facelift, there are more of them around than there are any other. 2nd hand bumpers are cheaper than a respray job, let alone the repair bill, too, so shouldnt be too 'deer'. 

[05omegav6]

Carried out a near identical repair to Lagondanets car...

First port of call would be remove the bumper and check for hidden damage... If all good refit the bumper in its correct position, if not fix the hidden first...

Pay particular attention to the position of the crash bar and it's brackets as these define the bumper position

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Let us know what silver you have, Z147 or Z157 (colour code found on the B pillar as you open the door) might be able to help 

[RobG]

Let us know what silver you have, Z147 or Z157 (colour code found on the B pillar as you open the door) might be able to help 

3.2 would be Z157

[shyboy]

Thanks for your replies.

DBG. I think you're right. A closer look reveals minute cracking of the paint finish in several places which would make it a full respray job, I suspect. So, with 'hind'sight, replacement seems to be favourite. Do you mean you might have access to a replacement?

RobG. The colour code is actually Z147 on the 'B' pillar. Perhaps this makes it even rarer. 

Harris KT. Thanks for the tips. Just out of interest, what method did you use on Lagondanets job? I'll get the bumper off as soon as I get time and see if there is any hidden damage.

Thanks again for your help.

[05omegav6]

A hammer and various suitable drifts for the metalwork, a good second hand crash bar and brackets and finished off with good second hand headlight and bumper cover

[shyboy]

Fortunately there's no damage to visible metalwork at all, just to the plastic bumper so not as big a job as lagondanets. I suspect the crash bar has escaped damage because of the oblique angle of the impact. Here's hoping anyway.

[05omegav6]

Fortunately there's no damage to visible metalwork at all, just to the plastic bumper so not as big a job as lagondanets. I suspect the crash bar has escaped damage because of the oblique angle of the impact. Here's hoping anyway.

You might be lucky

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Yes, one in my local scrappy. I'll see what price they can do for me, and in the meantime you get thinking what price you're happy with. I'll, of course, check for any small marks/damage etc. on the bumper. (check it's still there, for starters!) 

Pretty sure its Z157, however. I know some have fitted 'wrong' bumpers and the colour difference in imperceptible when you have a distinct change of angle, as with bumper. Doors next to doors are more noticeable.

[shyboy]

Thanks DBG. If it's not too much trouble for you, could you suss out the scrappy bumper for me when convenient. If it's in excellent condition I would go for it although Z147 would be best naturally.
I'm sure you're good at wringing out the most sensible price but that's not the most important aspect if it's in good condition.
Many thanks.
Bill.