So, thanks to a piece of retread in the middle of the highway, I am now in need of a new front bumper. I like the look of the silk bumper, but I am wondering about the quality of the product. Fit issues, is it just some cheap looking flimsy pos that I shouldn't spend money on? I like the price, but I don't want something that is going to rattle off, crack, or in general mess up in 3000 miles.
Or, if some nice person with a red 04 rx8 near the MO area has a front bumper laying in their garage and could use a bill or so. I'm in need

 

It's a replica, just be prepared to spend a lot of money to get it to fit right and then get it paint matched. Easier for u to just buy a stock bumper.

 

haha,says the guy with a replica

 

^ Which is why I know you'll spend money getting them to fit + paint. They will look better than stock bumpers once fixed though

 

If you have hook ups with a body shop I say go for it.. I didn't pay much at all fixing mine. Just keep in mind it can get pricey though

 

yup, also stray away from fiberglass!

frp is ok, thats what shine uses, and i have seen how flexible they are [the autobahn rep]

 

^ frp is the same thing as fiberglass FYI

 

The specific mix is the difference. It's more flexible than fiberglass so it will bend instead of crack. Closer to the stock bumper material and worlds better for durability.

 

It's just a fancier word for fiberglass.. still the same crappy material IMO.

 

Frp is nowhere near as sturdy as the stock bumpers

 

have you ever seen an FRP bumper? its different than straight fiberglass dude

if you have ever seen VdarkstarV's 8, his front is FRP, the top is plastic, but its reinforced with fiberglass backing. its really damn flexible, compared to a fiberglass bumper. i have an MS replica bumper [fiberglass] that Rev let me have and it cracks like no other

 

^ So your saying that its almost as good as a stock bumper just because its flexible?

 

Pretty sure he's saying it's better than a standard fiberglass bumper. Just like the rest of us. So far you have not added anything useful to this discussion to help the op. Do you have a recommendation you'd like to share or just want to continue to convince yourself you're smart by crapping in this thread?

 

^ Maybe u should re-read what I've posted. Telling em to stay away from crappy FRP bumpers is being pretty helpful, unlike the dumb crap you've posted.

 

guys guys guys...... FRP is good, most companys dont use fiberglass by itself anymore unless its just to patch up a FRP bumper for filling, customization, or fix a crack.

Nothing wrong with a Replica either..... its all on the body shop. If you guys havent seen authentic kits... they have their flaws, hood gaps and gaps around the side markers as well.

Im still getting my Replica fitted like for the 10th time.... but in the end... No one will know its a Replica..... $250 for the bumper $250 for an authentic fender from Mazda.... $450 for fitting, paint of bumper/fender...

$950 front replica VERTEX bumper/Authentic fender/fit/prep/paint/..... (if necessary) a second fit/prep/paint... let the paint cure.... and then BUFF... and all is done!

Compare $950 final price (bumper and fender), to a bumper that costs $755before taxes+shipping (for just the bumper.

2 key factors when buying a replica....

- Buy from a Company that makes pretty legit replicas....
( another forum member bought a Vertex replica as well and you can tell they really didnt fit it for him, his bumper has gaps around the side markers, which even authentic have, he just had it painted and put on.... even then the bumper fit pretty good, So I knew with My body shop that kit would fit flawlessly)


- Have a Good Body Shop
( whatever body shop he went to looks like they tried to match the paint instead of going off of the color code... in shadows and out in the sun you can cleary see the mismatch of the paint....)

Pics of my kit in the works..... (erasing the butt-ugly side markers), and a kit I had fitted and painted for a fellow forum member.....

 

+1

That kit is a replica and it's not by a familiar company. I wouldn't pull the trigger on it - but it's still your call.





As for the discussion regarding FIBERGLASS vs FRP. Here's some info from a very popular replica making company. This should shine some light on some grey areas of your discussion

Link: http://shineautoproject.com/materials.htm

 

I just looked up the SILK bumper...... on the same page itself, it states "professional installation recommended"

But its up to you. Good Luck.

 

yes, because instead of just cracking, it would flex to an extent, but then again it all depends where you live [shitty roads] and how careful you drive. no matter what kind of material you end up getting, if you get some kind of kit, you would still drive carefully.

 

damn zumn, im guessing thats rev's bumper? thats the one i want, but the whole kit since im not as low anymore.

 

Yes it is. As far as getting it after REV (local WB) has it.....

As far as I know... Rev, Martin and Myself are the only WB's kitted in SoCal....

 

We'll agree to disagree

 

Not to add fuel to the fire, but Shine makes some pretty good ****. I had their Burnout 2 replica. I could bend that thing around my arm twice. I ran into curbs, parking blocks, but the thing that finally killed it was this past ridiculous winter storm. Hit a snow covered drift and plummeted nose first into the street.

 

^Good to know, I plan on getting their front lip shortly to resort back to my OEM bumper.

 

^oh wonderful - we'll be freakin' twinz.

 

Hey man, I don't wanna, but the Tsunami has fitted like shat on the corners never fully latching into place no matter how much I've done to it and being a perfectionist does not help.

Plus, I don't think you have a GT spoiler on the rear, and your rims are black not to mention your hood, and sideskirts and different, and on and on....SHUT IT!

Not to mention the likelihood that our cars ever meet, let alone meeting someone else who has the same thing.