Replacing Rear Bumper Casing

[bmoy88]

In December, while loading my hockey bag at the arena, I noticed a couple of 1 inch vertical impact scratches on my rear bumper. Deep enough that it would have to be sanded, putty-filled and repainted. Upon further inspection, I noticed a 1.5 x 1.5 inch square crack at the right corner of the bumper. So I am pretty sure someone had backed into my car with a trailer hitch.

I guess I shouldn't drive a new car to an arena that serves alcohol!

Anyways, I brought the car in today for a regular service appointment and inquired about whether it could be patched or if it had to be replaced. The CSR said that because it was cracked (more of a perforated punch), that it had to be replaced. She could have patched the 2 scratches and repainted - but not the crack.

The price? Approximately $1,100 plus tax! $400 for the casing and about $700 for the painting and labour.

So, get a second "non-Lexus" opinion about repairing/replacing? Get it replaced at an independant garage? Or bite the bullet and have it done at Lexus? My main concern about getting it done at an indy is the color matching (starfire pearl). Would they get the part from Lexus or are there jobbers out already for the CT200h?

Any thoughts, opinions and suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[audi4t]

There's no guarantee the Lexus body shop will be better than an independant. My local Ford dealer has a great body shop and can repair any make. Paint matching is technology driven not dealer specific.

[bmoy88]

Just got the call back from the dealer. The total cost will be $974 plus taxes.

Better than the original estimate but still a fair chunk of change.

**UPDATE**: Just spoke to a hockey buddy who works as a manager at an auto parts supply store and he checked around. He says that there is no "jobber" bumper in the system yet for the CT200h. So it looks like I'll be forking out full price for a bumper in the spring!

Poop happens!

[midijab]

We got a mobile guy here that'll take the bumper off, push the square crack back out and reinforce the back with fiberglass. fill, sand, repaint and blend it all in for about $350. Dunno how good that'll work out but I seen this guy do some magic with touchup on everything from color bumpers, airdams, to bottom fronts of E93's.

[bmoy88]

We got a mobile guy here that'll take the bumper off, push the square crack back out and reinforce the back with fiberglass. fill, sand, repaint and blend it all in for about $350. Dunno how good that'll work out but I seen this guy do some magic with touchup on everything from color bumpers, airdams, to bottom fronts of E93's.

Wow, that'd be awesome if he were up in my neck of the woods!

Well I guess that gives me some hope that there is a viable option other than flat out replacing the casing!