Dennis C

As we looked at the front of the car, it seems that there was more road rash than I thought. The plan is to repair the front bumper chips (hundreds of them, or more), fill in the license plate holes, repair the chips on the hood and fenders, repair the chips on the roof between the windshield and the sunroof, repair the chips on the mirrors, repair the chips on the rockers and the rear fender flares, and then paint with a blend into the rear quarter fenders. This will essentially repaint 3/4 of the car.

The estimate is from a reputable shop that is frequently used by our local Porsche dealer, BMW dealer, etc. I know the owner and I have seen his work before. It is good.

The quote is just shy of $2,500. Considering the amount of work to be done, I don't think this sounds too high. Any thoughts or similar experiences?

No HTwo O

Take "before" pictures. Someday you may need them to show to the next buyer. This will show that the paint work was just for cosmetic reasons.

skiracer

Sounds reasonable, Dennis.

sbpsu354

Sounds very reasonable. I just had the front bumper of my S4 painted. I also had them strip off the old clear bra and reinstall on the bumper, hood, fender tips, and rocker panels. Total bill was 2K. It looks perfect!

Dennis C

Good idea. I'll do that... then you can all stare in horror at the horrible road rash...

I plan to drive the car this winter, so I'm debating waiting until spring to have it done. Not sure yet.

Van

I had that done to my 944 by a body shop man that moonlights on the side - it cost about the same (he also painted everything that I could unbolt and bring him - hood, rear bumper, valance, etc.)

Marlon

My vote is wait until Spring...

himself

I got a similar estimate for an exterior "refurb" on my car. I think it is a reasonable price for a good quality shop. You could save some cash at a discount paint place, but, IMO, your quote is in line with the work being done.

-td

Dennis C

I almost wonder if I should just have them repaint the entire car at this point...

jsmirand

invest the $2.5+k, someday, make he 997 happen a year sooner (then otherwise).

Dennis C

Not a bad thought, but the 996 is paid for, and I don't plan to switch to a 997 (or anything else) anytime soon. I'd rather get the 996 exactly the way I want it and enjoy it for a while.

rudy1024

Amen!

Rudy

ivangene

I dont know about "exactly" - but I agree with make it yours and enjoy it, the money spent is for pure pleasure, THAT IS your return.........

and I agree, dont think I want a 997, but have not driven one either....if I was to "step up" I would look MKII GT3.... or step backwards (sideways) to an older car for a while just for fun

perryinva

That's a good price, as long as they sand out the chips completely. I had similar just done to mine, but replaced the front bumper cover with new as mine just had too much damage (backed into more than once) and had been repainted at least once before. I found a new cover on the bay for $400 shipped. Not including the cost of the bumper, I paid $1600 for full hood, bumper, both fenders blend to doors and mirrors. Unfortunately there were 3 chips not sanded out completely and they are now little painted divots...still a 1000 times better than before, but a little disappointing. Some helpful hints for you: Consider replacing the mirror housing with new. Being plastic they are truly a PITA to sand without leaving depressions. They are cheap, like $70 each, and literally take 15 mins a side to replace on the car. Mine look amazing. In my case, the labor to refinish the many mirror chips was almost oa wash for new housings. In addition, I found when I replaced them that BOTH had cracks or were broken in the mounting stops where attached to the car. Make sure they plan to remove all molding anywhere they plan to paint. Taping will NEVER EVER come out right, I don't care HOW good they are. Along those same lines, plan on removing your bumper cover yourself and carefully remove (a little tricky to start, but once you get started, not too bad) the under headlight eyebrows carefully, the black plastic scoop/vanes in the bumper cover, and the lower corner skid trim. These are impossible to tape w/o looking shabby, and easy to remove if the cover is off. Hopefully, this shop will bake on the finish for the bumper, which cures the flex additive, and if they paint the mirrors and cover off the car, you will get a much nicer over all finish. Since that black trim has that "pebbled" finish and mine looked a little worn, I looked in to replacing them and found that the eyebrows are over $65 each, the intake is about $280, and the corners about $25 each. They are VERY easy to replace after the bumper cover is painted. I replaced the corner trims with new, and it turned out the body shop had a set of eyebrows still in a bag that had been bought incorrectly a few years ago, so he just gave them to me ( I paid cash), but I had them sand and repaint the scoops black, and they came out awesome. I waited a few months before getting new 3M film installed. Good luck!

OCNYPORSCHE

How much for a new bumper? Would it be less expensive to get a new bumper, than to patch so many dings?