first of all, i appologize if this question was asked before, but im not exactly sure what the piece is called so i don't know what im searching for. just recently, i rear ended my buddy's rx-8 going aboug 10 mph. the only thing on the car that was damaged was that plastic piece between the exhaust tips. what are my options for fixing it? i read somewhere that it has to be cut off and a new one has to be "plastic welded" back on??? anyways, i would really appreciate any help at all. thanks.

 

that section is actually attached to the rear bar, ie. one piece.
im sure they come as one piece and paint it differently.
on the other hand, the trims where the exhaust tips are are seperate pieces to the rear bar.

 

If you are referring to the large black plastic bit located directly below the rear number plate, then it is actually a part of the bumper even though it looks like it's seperate.

Depending how large the damage is to this section, your options are as follows:

1.small dents can be plastic welded
2.medium damage may require replacing black section by cutting off damaged area and plastic welding replacement.
3.large damage may require replacing entire rear bar.

I'm not sure whether Mazda sells the black plastic diffuser seperately, so you might have to replace the entire bar.

If you feel really bad about damaging his car, you can always get a Mazdaspeed rear lower bumper which replaces the black plastic diffuser anyway.

 

Damn Ezzy, beat me to it!

 

illl try to post pictures of the damage a little later today. thanks for the help though.

 

ok well here are the pics. what do you think is the best way to get this fixed? thanks.

 

That's pretty badly damaged..... it looks like you might have warped the plastic.
Consult a body shop.... I think you'll have to replace the entire section since plastic welding may not give it the original finish.

 

by entire rear section, you mean the whole bumper right? thanks. i called mazda and they said 310 for the rear bumper. anybody have any idea how much it would cost for a clean, stock looking paint job? thanks.

 

I was actually only referring to the rear diffuser unit, that is if it is available seperately (I doubt it though).

 

oh ok cool. ill consider what you told me. thanks a lot, nojuc. you've been a lot of help. oh yea, about the paint job. how much would a stock looking paint job cost for a rear bumper? thanks.

 

No idea since I'm in Australia.
Bodyshops down here normally charge $200-$300 AUD.

 

just buy the rear bumper from a member who is getting rid of theirs for an aftermarket version easy

 

i posted a wanted ad here: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=44872

if anybody has an extra bumper, i'd be interested. thanks.

 

anyone know where i can find that small section of the bumper that surrounds the exhaust? mine got chipped pretty bad, but i cant find it anywhere!

 

should be less than $300. you dont have to paint it so that will save you a lot of money

 

Online Mazda Parts, 40 dollars

Heres a link:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...layCatalogid=0

 

that damaged black part is part of the overall bumper. not separable from the painted area. the MS rear diffuser cuts that part in half and attaches to the remainder. If the painted area is not damaged, thats the route I would take.

 

Cheapest way is to buy and install a new bumper. Forget welding.