Mark in Baltimore

This past week I had the misfortune of being involved in a minor bumper incident and have what appears to be some light damage to my front bumper. Parking directly in front of a film lab, I pulled in behind a Cavalier, made sure I left plenty of space front and rear and ran in to meet a friend. Not more than ten seconds later, as I walked into the door, my waiting friend, who was watching me park from a window, exclaimed, “Mark, that girl just hit your car!” Great. So, I turn around and lightly tap on her window and inform her that she just smacked my car.

Long story short, there are bunch of scratches on the bumper cover and a weird reverse indentation caused by something on her bumper or something inside of my bumper. I wasn't upset at all, knowing that stuff happens. The driver apologized and said she never even saw the car, which corroborates with my friend’s account of the incident, said friend disclosing that the girl backed up as if there were nothing behind her. My buddy also stated that she hit the car hard enough to actually move it on its very stiff PSS-9 suspension.

Two funny stories: First, the driver and her sister both insisted that the impact was very light and were concerned that the damage had already existed. Walking around my car and offering for them to find any other prior damage on my car, which there was none, I looked at them and said, “Gee, what a coincidence that the only damage on this car happens to be in the exact area where you just hit.” The driver’s sister then looked at the reverse indentation and proclaimed that it was a “natural formation” of the car.

Mildly incredulous but still being very patient, I pointed to the tow bolt cover right next to my newly-formed automotive stalactite and indicated to her that THIS was a natural formation of the car, the irregular, nickel-sized bumper booger being an UNnatural formation of the car. I had no idea there were so many Porsche experts out there.

Second, the driver called the police so that an official assessment could be made. This wonderful law enforcement individual was able to take her years of caring and wisdom and give our little incident an enlightened touch, declaring that my damage had occurred prior to that day and was old enough to have already started to rust. Looking around for the Candid Camera crew but finding none, I told her that I couldn’t see any rust at all, to which she proceeded to point to some dark lines in the scratches. Obviously, I notified her that prior rust could not have existed because my bumper is made of *PLASTIC*, the dark lines caused by the driver’s own black plastic bumper. Baltimore’s Finest, and another confirmed automotive expert.

It gets better. Baltimore's Bruce Anderson with a Badge reminds me that there's a reason cars have bumper-to-bumper coverage, that the coverage ends where the bumper ends and that the bumpers were made to be, uh, bumped. I am not making this up.

Anyway. The insurance company, Nationwide, appears to be very cooperative since the girl did not deny the accident. An archive search revealed mixed results as to whether the reverse indentation can be sanded and filled. It’s nickel-sized and not a huge repair so I am a bit reluctant to ask for a new bumper, especially if a repair will be permanent. But will it be permanent? This repair may look terrific now but not be able to withstand the test of time or another bumper altercation where I won’t have the incredible fortune of having a friend as a witness.

Any new experiences from other Rennlisters that have not been posted? How good are these fillers? Are there any new types of fillers out there or will most body shops want to opt for a replacement cover?

Thanks in advance!

Nol, 95 993 C4

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, and you should get get a professional bodyshop opinion, for sure.

In my experience small area repairs with filler will "age" differently from the original. What appears flawless today will look duller/brighter/raised/recessed/darker/lighter or whatever after exposure to the elements. Temperature, temperature changes, humidity, UV light, road salt etc. etc. all have an effect on plastic, filler and paint. The resulting slight fading, swelling or shrinking is not usually exactly the same at the repair location. This may take a while to surface, but in my opinion it will eventually.

Also beware that usually the damage spreads out further than the visible damage. Sometimes months after the impact damage may appear on plastic bumpers that was hidden by excellent elastic properties of the paint. I have no experience with my Porsche like that, and a competent bodyshop will know what to look for.

This may not be sufficient to claim for a new bumper but beware if you are sensitive about the exterior off your P-car. I had a similar parking event on my front bumper liner and used it to "justify" changing to a turbo front bumper cover.

Enjoy <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />

Nol

Speedraser

Prior rust on your bumper -- I guess Porsche should galvanize the plastic...

I don't know that I would have remained so calm, especially in view of the denials, cop brilliance, etc. Sorry, but I have no personal knowledge about bumper repair.

John Boggiano

Obviously we don't need Rennlist anymore!

Just ask any Baltimore citizen for their opinion and you'll find an instant expert! (Just add water).

Arthur Del Mundo

I know, at least here in California, you have a right to a repaired vehicle. Even though the damage is small, I would really try to insist for a new OEM bumper, and have a body shop insist on it. While you're at it, you should also try to request to get the bumper replaced with an OEM Euro Turbo Bumper (find a reputable Porsche body shop to do this one for you). This happened to a fridn of mine with a 993 also, where a person smacked into the bumper. Took it a a body shop of his choosing (not the insurance company's choosing), which they then proceeded and replaced it with an OEM Porsche part (Euro bumper but still OEM part). Unfortunately the insurancce company won't cover the euro lights though and my friend had to pay that out of pocket.

GTR 993

Cops.........Pshhhhhh I think they hate P-Cars..

Anir

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by GTR 993:
<strong>Cops.........Pshhhhhh I think they hate P-Cars..</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Maybe, but I recently had a state trooper give me only a warning for 105 mph. Turned out his brother drives a silver Porsche "just like yours".

Mark,

I'm sorry to hear of your misfortune - not only with the physical damage, but with the pitiful attitudes. It's a shame when folks don't respect another's pride and joy.

I would definitely push for a new bumper. You have every right to have the damaged part replaced, not just jerry-rigged. Stand your ground on this one.

Mark in Baltimore

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your advice and words. I guess I'll talk to the body shop and see how they feel about a repair. If they're the slightest bit iffy, I'll push for a replacement. Tonight, at least, I'm not feeling like a harda**.

Anir - 105? You're a lucky dog. I got off with a warning coming back from Putnam Park last year. Was clocked at a mild 86 mph but was just doing 130 before I decided to shut it down before a long sweeper. 105, though, is handcuff speed.

How's the PSS-9 install going?

Speedraser

Anir, you're a lucky man. How did your wife respond, in view of her ticket first time out in your car?

Anir

Mark and Todd,

I've also managed to get a ticket from an Indiana trooper after a Putnam weekend - for 81 mph. That time, I had the children asleep in the 993 rear seats, so the officer was pretty miffed with me. My wife does think it is unfair that my overall luck is so much better than hers, considering my "habits".

I've got all the PSS-9 tools organized except for the Hazet sockets and Moroso spanner wrench, which should arrive by Tuesday latest. The car is up on jack stands patiently awaiting their arrival. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> I'm going to install some Kerr Friction 03 race pads tomorrow, and hopefully, Greg and I can do the suspension install mid-week.

I'm looking forward to the OVR DE at Mid Ohio over Easter weekend, since it will be my first event (other than an Auto-X) with the new harnesses, roll bar, GT3 seats, PSS-9's, RS rear bar, and race brake pads. Should be interesting.

JasonAndreas

Been there done that: Have them replace the bumper with a new one, the bumper was perfect before she hit it. Any Porsche involved in an accident, no matter how minor, is worth significantly less than a Porsche not having been in an accident. The depreciation hit you will take when you resell your Porsche because of the accident will be for a lot more money than the $2500+ her insurance company is hoping to get away with paying you for a new front bumper. Make sure you receive diminished value from her/your insurance company. Whatever you do, DO NOT feel guilty for insisting on a replacement front bumper. There is nothing harda*s about this; the lady or her insurance company aren't literally holding a gun to your head and robbing you however the end result will be the same, your out of a couple thousand dollars.

Robin 993DX

Sorry to hear about the stupid SUV driver experience.

I had an UPS driver drop a hand truck on my bumper right in front of me. It made a dent and cracked the paint.

I called the UPS dispatch immediately afterwards, the manager were out in less than one hour to take pictures, it was difficult to see the dent and the scratch to the paint but I insists to have their insurance buy me a new bumper. Of course they declined, and had the bumper repaired and painted instead.

They paid for the rental car while I had my car repaired and the cost of the repair.

Two hours after I had picked up the car I hit a concrete stopper in a parking lot scratched the heck out of the bottom of the bumper, worst than what I started with....... just my luck.

Mark in Baltimore

Jason - thanks for your advice. I'll push for a new one and talk diminished value.

Robin - two hours after it's perfect and you bunged it up? THAT hurts.

Robin 993DX

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Mark in Baltimore:
<strong>Robin - two hours after it's perfect and you bunged it up? That hurts.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Mark,

Yes I was very disgusted.

Made me think if I was being a a*&*&^% for asking UPS to pay for their mistake to fix my bumper cover that was really no big deal.

JPS

Don't let the cop be the last word...go through insurance and make it right. Go for new bumper and upgrade to Euro Turbo/4S...sexy as hell, in my opinion.

This is why people have insurance, and this is why the human race should be more self cleaning...don't let the soccer mom or whatever she is get away with it! aaaahhh!