New front bumper - Replica or Stealers?

[Andy25]

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone has replaced their front bumper with a replica FR bumper (such as the ones supplied for insurance companies, etc)

Or something like this which I'm guessing is the same thing.

I've heard that they can be a poor fit so was wondering if anyone has ever used one or knows anyone that has? Maybe heard stories about them or you've got an experience of using replica parts such as this on a past car or a different car?

I've been keeping my eyes peeled for an FR bumper from another car, but it's pretty difficult to find one which is reasonabley priced. Basically I'm trying to weigh up the cost against the quality as I don't want crap on my car, but at the same time my insurance is due on the 18th of this month and it's not too cheap!

Thanks for reading.

 

[Mickylad]

Stay away usually mate. They're cheaper for a reason. You can't beat original quality.

 

[Andy25]

Shame, not the answer I was looking for but if that's what's best for my car then so be it!

Will just have to be patient and see if a decent one pops up on fleabay or anything.

Thanks

 

[smithy84]

hows this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/seat-ibiz...CarParts_SM&hash=item415b462c62#ht_500wt_1156

 

[Andy25]

hows this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/seat-ibiz...CarParts_SM&hash=item415b462c62#ht_500wt_1156

Currently watching that but I was thinking it's probably a replica as it's primed white? I don't know why the seller would have one primed & starting the bids so low if it was an official SEAT bumper? If it was painted, even the wrong colour I'd stick a bid in at that price!

 

[smithy84]

mines a genuine one & it was a white/very pale grey colour when i got it. also it may have been prepped ready to go on a car & never finished. it may be worth dropping the seller a message asking if its a proper one also if you look at the replica one they have 3 or 4 lines going down behind the lower centre grill & this one dosent

 

[Mickylad]

It's the same colour that all bumpers come in, basically it's a primer coat which needs to be rubbed down before it's painted.

It looks good enough from where I am although would be nice to see the markings behind the bumper.

 

[Veyron]

Got mine on ebay for £60, genuine. Just keep looking!

 

[Andy25]

mines a genuine one & it was a white/very pale grey colour when i got it. also it may have been prepped ready to go on a car & never finished. it may be worth dropping the seller a message asking if its a proper one also if you look at the replica one they have 3 or 4 lines going down behind the lower centre grill & this one dosent

I know they do but I don't understand why this seller would have a genuine bumper without it being painted. Would presume if it was genuine, it was bought to go on their car & if so would expect it to be painted. If they changed their mind, I thought it'd be at a higher price or a reserve at least as they'd have paid much more from the stealers..

Maybe I'm just paranoid!

I did notice that, wonder if that's a sign of the replica ones...

Got mine on ebay for £60, genuine. Just keep looking!

I'll give you £70 for it.

 

[Andy25]

I think someone is being optimistic with their asking price for this as it's not a genuine part.

Can't really tell very well from the photo's but the paintwork looks far from perfect either, looks like it would need a respray.

also if you look at the replica one they have 3 or 4 lines going down behind the lower centre grill & this one dosent

If you look at the red one that I've just posted a link of, it has the 4 vertical bits on the lower part of the bumper. If you compare the one that's 3rd from the left when you enlarge the picture, it looks like there is the same type of thing on the white primed bumper linked in post #4 by Smithy.

My guess is that the other ones have been removed as I can't see anything like that on any other bumpers already fitted to cars..

 

[smithy84]

mine is a genuine one bought from westgate seat in grimsby & it dosent have & never has since ive had it those 4 lines down in the middle. when i got it it looked just like the one in the link i posted last night apart from it was in a bag. i rekon its probably a body shop ordered it & it never went on the car or something silly like that. ive worked in insurance approved body shops & the pay is shite on some jobs so its sometimes quicker & easier to repair the part on the car than it is to fit new etc. so new parts get ordered & never used. its always worth sending the seller a message if your unsure about the item & see what they come back with. you never find anything out without asking so whats the harm. the worst they can say is its crap in which case your no worse off & you know then. ill give them a message for you if you like dude just let me know

 

[Andy25]

mine is a genuine one bought from westgate seat in grimsby & it dosent have & never has since ive had it those 4 lines down in the middle. when i got it it looked just like the one in the link i posted last night apart from it was in a bag. i rekon its probably a body shop ordered it & it never went on the car or something silly like that. ive worked in insurance approved body shops & the pay is shite on some jobs so its sometimes quicker & easier to repair the part on the car than it is to fit new etc. so new parts get ordered & never used. its always worth sending the seller a message if your unsure about the item & see what they come back with. you never find anything out without asking so whats the harm. the worst they can say is its crap in which case your no worse off & you know then. ill give them a message for you if you like dude just let me know

It's cool, the more I look at it, the less I think I need a new bumper. It's just scratched really.. I'm getting it looked at on Saturday so I'll just see after then.

Thanks for the offer though!