Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

Okay, so I was washing the car the other day, and when I started cleaning the front bumper, I noticed that the black plastic insert was warped. There is a bulge on the front face, and the underside has been bent downward somehow. There is no impact damage, no apparent damage from heat that would change the texture of the plastic.

I am more than just a little upset by this. It's such an eyesore, and it completely disrupts the flow of the bumper design. To my knowledge, you cannot just buy this piece from Mazda, and getting used replacements is near impossible. Not to mention the fact that Mazda seems to be dwindling on their stock of MS parts in general for this car.

I am open to suggestions. I showed it to my bodyshop guy, and he's doubtful anything can be done. Try to heat it, and you risk ruining the plastic altogether. And it's too rigid to push back into place - I really cannot imagine how this kind of damage could have happened. Anyway, please take a look at the pics and tell me what you think. I was going to post a 'Wanted' ad for one of these, but I think it would be time wasted.

Thanks in advance...

Front bulge:


Lower piece warped downward:

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Easily fixed, a good body shop will just heat it up and mold it back into place.

Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

You think? Ever had anything like this repaired? Seems like if you used enough heat to actually move it, it would start melting a bit and change the texture of the plastic.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yeah my buddy has an authentic MS bumper and it was in a slight bump and the damage was similar. They fixed that piece and you cannot even tell it was ever dented. This is his bumper after the incident.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9krpmrx8/6968458992/

New Yorker

Yes, you're in a large metropolitan area. Ask around and find a really top notch body shop. Find out where guys who get custom body work and paint jobs go. Or call a local exotic car dealer (Ferrari, Lambo, even Porsche) and ask them to recommend a good body shop.

It will cost you more than an ordinary shop would charge but, believe me, having it done right – and not seeing it done wrong every time you go to your car – is worth the extra bucks.

Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

Great, thanks guys. Makes me feel better to know it can be fixed. Honestly, the body shop I use is good for painting and repairing standard body parts, but they're a small shop and probably not a great place to get this done anyway. I'll ask around.

And btw, that red MS RX-8 is sexy. Love those wheels.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I won't tell him, I don't want him getting a big head J/K

Mine is faster though For now anyway

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9krpmrx8/7219766816/

limpbozkit

iTrader: (1)

If you want to save some money you should remove the bumper and that piece by yourself before you take it to any body shops. I can only guess someone bumped into it at some point? The only things behind that are 2 metal pieces for you to mount a license plate to (you have to drill through it) and the thin metal flaps that bend around the mesh to hold it all in place. Anyways if you're worried about discoloration or scratches during the repair you could always get it painted gloss black? I had mine painted gloss black and I think it looks better than just the bare black plastic.

Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

Yeah, I'd definitely just take that piece to the shop to fix, instead of leaving the car to have them remove everything. I considered getting it painted as well, but wasn't sure if it would look good glossy, or not. Plus I'd think it would be a huge flat target for stones hitting the paint.

If anyone around B-more knows a reputable place to get this done, please let me know!

Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

So I visited the local Porsche/BMW body shop last week and showed them the damage. The guy there was great to deal with and asked me to bring the part back when I could. I removed the bumper Monday, brought the plastic insert to him and he asked me to come back today. When the piece was off the bumper, he was a little less sure of the outcome of the repair, because the plastic is just difficult to work with. Also, it turns out that the plastic was warped in more places than I thought. The whole thing was just a mess.

So I get there today and I was ecstatic to see what he'd done. There is still a slight waviness to it in one section, but you can barely see it. He said if he'd heated it anymore, there may have been some damage to the plastic (he mentioned initially that he might paint it afterward, but that was unnecessary). The big knot is completely gone, as well as the bulge at the bottom.

So yeah, all it took was a good body shop. And the bonus? He didn't charge me anything. I already plan to take the car again for additional body work. All those bimmers need some company!

EricB

iTrader: (7)

^great outcome.

vacuum forming a new piece from an authentic bumper would have been your next option.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

Turned out great! Car communities (any type of car) are full of some really helpful people sometimes!

Looks like you won't be needing a new bumper any time soon...

Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

Yeah man, I was definitely happy with it. The vacuum form idea is a good one... but I'm just glad I didn't have to do it.

RX8Soldier: It was nice to find a shop that actually helped me out, without thought of profit. Sorry I couldn't buy your bumper though!

monchie

Looks great. I hate driving a car with body damage on it.

WhiskyRotary

Hi I need the mazdaspeed mesh, the black plastic piece, the oil cooler plastic ducts and the oil cooler mesh screen to finish up my project. Been looking for this for months now any help regarding this would be enormously appreciated.

Thanks