patela

So my car ('95 C4) is currently in the shop after someone hit the right side quarter panel and front fender. In the process of doing the work, the shop has decided to respray most of the car - i.e. both sides, and the front hood, but not the rear hood or roof. The insurance quote includes some time to blend the rear bumper, which they have removed.

The rear bumper had a few nicks on it, and after they took it off, they noted that it also had a few scrapes and bends at the bottom, and that the arches around the exhaust tips have some heat damage and have melted a bit. (I already knew most of this). The car has a Fabspeed exhaust system.

Given the rest of the paintwork they're doing, they suggest putting a new porsche brand bumper cover on, which will cost about $1500 for the part, and about $300 in additional labor. I think that's steep, but not something I can't afford.

I can probably get an OEM non-porsche part (at least that's my understanding) for $1000-1200. The shop says that if I provide a non-porsche part (even OEM), they won't guarantee the paint work.

My questions are: Do I really need to put a new one on, and does it make a difference that it's a porsche branded part? Would I be better off getting a cheaper part and forgoing the warranty?

Also, is there anything that can be done to protect the bumper from heat damage from the tailpipes? It seems like most of this work is for naught if it's just going to happen again.

Your help is much appreciated as always.

e9stibi

To prevent heat damage, you need to have an appropriate gap between tips and muffler. A bandaid could be to install the heatshields that come on the wide body models that have the big ovals. On the bumper would only go OEM Porsche and get it from Sunset in Oregon. You should save 200-300. when you do this, go European to get rid of the bumperettes. You need to make the call if it is justified ....

patela

Yeah, clearly the gap is not big enough - ok, found the heat shield part numbers (99350561100 and 99350561200) - I think that's probably the way to go.

Have sent an email to Sunset for prices - thanks.

User 122821

Just a note the S heatshield trim is not plug and play on the narrow body. Some trimming of the heatshield is required.

H.H.Chinn

Always buy genuine Porsche body parts, what you would save in $$$ for the OEM non Porsche you will spend in getting a proper fit.

Magdaddy

shipping that rear bumpercover will kill you $$ wise. Approach your local Pcar dealer, and ask them to match Sunset's price. My local dealer did, and it saved me quite a bit.

Good luck

tommyg

Here's a used one for $300 on CL: http://syracuse.craigslist.org/pts/2765772265.html

patela

Ok, so the local dealership agreed to beat the price of part from Sunset + Shipping, which is awesome!

Now for the other issue - does anyone know how much work is involved to get the exhaust tip heat shields to fit the NB bumper?

Thanks!