Front Bumper - Re-chrome/New MB/New Reproduction

[miked_md]

The right half of my front bumper has a small line of dents from where the prior owner bumped what was probably a pole of some sort.  I am trying to decide how to address this and wanted some suggestions on having the piece re-chromed or buying a new MB part ($1700) or a repro part ($395).  The prices are from Buds Benz.

Thanks,

Mike

[JN]

Mike

I think for me it would depend on the condition of your car now and what are your plans for it.

If you want it back to original condition, I would re-chrome your bumper (if it is original)

If you just want a shiny bumper,  buy the reproduction, I have seen those and for Sunday driving they are not bad.

JN

[miked_md]

Hi JN,

Thanks for the response.  I need to get some bids for repairing the small dent and re-chroming and then compare to the other options.  The car is very nice, this is one of a few blemishes to be addressed.  If anyone has good experience with a plating shop in Maryland or the DC area that they would recommend that would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Mike

[larryled]

Mike, I‘m over in Alexandria, none around here anymore because of the toxicity of plating, but had excellent results using Graves Plating in Alabama, if you go that route.  They re-chromed  the bumper overriders and grille on my W111 Coupe, outstanding results.  Check Hemmings or go on-line for shops that chrome, still one or more in Pennsylvania.  LLLL

[Jack Jones]

The new part is available from a number of Mercedes dealer for around $850.00. One example is below and there are others so search the internet.   

https://parts.mercedesbenzofwappingersfalls.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-bumper-1138800270

[MikeSimon]

Aren't some of the repro bumpers polished stainless steel?

[mrfatboy]

Aren't some of the repro bumpers polished stainless steel?

The one from Viet Nam is. I have seen it on eBay.

[TJMart]

I used Custom Chrome Plating in Ohio and they did an outstanding job. IMHO I would caution that rechroming just one half of the bumper may not match up with the other half.

[johnk]

I used Custom Chrome Plating in Ohio and they did an outstanding job. IMHO I would caution that rechroming just one half of the bumper may not match up with the other half.

I have also used custom chrome plating in Ohio along with several other members with great results. Also good chance that the repro is going to have a duller shine than OEM due to shortcuts they take to keep the price down. I bought repro rear bumpers from Miller’s and return them right away because the shine was no where’s near original. Luckily Miller’s return them no problem but that’s what you get for the cheaper price.

[114015]

Mike,

Repro bumers have already been around for quite a while,
but repro isn't always identical to repro.
There are different qualities around. While there were early qualities where the shine _and_ surface (!) was only acceptable for an average driver but no better, the fit was often ..... well,  improvable.

However, nowadays there are much better qualities around with good chrome and shine
and which also do fit much better. Very acceptable, I think.
Depending on what you have, it may well be worth a consideration to go the repro choice.
It's worth to shop around - who supplies the most acceptable choice.

MB new ones are crazily expensive and by no means perfect (for petrolheads like you.  )...,
there are also stainless steel choices around,
even some containing a chromium part, which look already pretty good.

I went the same way as John (K). Got my old factory original ones re-chromed. Not perfect but very decent.
Original remains  always  original - and I am happy with it.

Your choice ... 

IMHO...
Achim

[mrfatboy]

@Achim

What repro companies do you know of? I only know of URO and Dansk. It is hard to find Dansk bumpers if at all in the US anymore.

[kampala]

@Achim

What repro companies do you know of? I only know of URO and Dansk. It is hard to find Dansk bumpers if at all in the US anymore.

Dansk is usually available at rmeuropean.com

[neelyrc]

There is another option for repro bumpers in stainless from a French supplier.  See my earlier post about this:

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=29958.msg216997#msg216997

[Benz Dr.]

Find an original used bumper and have it chrome plated. Most of the repro stuff is junk.

[johnk]

Find an original used bumper and have it chrome plated. Most of the repro stuff is junk.

The plater can fix dents. No need to buy another. Custom chrome fixed the dent in my rear bumper and it looks great.

[miked_md]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.  I did try the MB dealer link, talked to the dealer and they say it is no longer available.  My bumper is original so I will look into getting it repaired/re-platted.  If the cost isn't ridiculous Ill have both halves done at the same time.

Ill post back later how it turned out.

Thanks!

Mike

[johnk]

For comparative purposes I had one dented rear bumper, but had to do the same thing to both so the finish matched. I first bought two repro’s for $500 and returned them due to sub par finish. Custom chrome charged me $700 to fix the dents and rechrome both with excellent results. Given the size difference I would guess the fronts would be a little over $1,000 at Custom Chrome.

[Vander]

For comparative purposes I had one dented rear bumper, but had to do the same thing to both so the finish matched. I first bought two repro’s for $500 and returned them due to sub par finish. Custom chrome charged me $700 to fix the dents and rechrome both with excellent results. Given the size difference I would guess the fronts would be a little over $1,000 at Custom Chrome.

John, what was the turn around time?

[johnk]

John, what was the turn around time?

Not quick as they do a lot of business nationwide and it depends on the time of year. My fenders were a 90 or 120 day turnaround but when I took my horn ring and shift lever in later that year it was less than 30 days. The good thing is they tell you ahead of time and meet or beat the timeframe. I would guess that winter and spring is the longest.