Hi guys, I got caught in a train of thoughts for a moment and crashed into a guardrail at my apartment. The front bumper in my new nx200t probably needs to be fully replaced as there are cracks in it. Anyone know how much it would cost? Being a new car, is my only option to get it fixed at a Lexus dealer? Would that be much more expensive compared to a local body shop (but don't know if they can get the parts since it's a new model)? Should I wait a year or two when parts are more abundant, and get it fixed then?

Please share any information you have. Anything is appreciated.

Thanks

 

Some jackass veered into my car and got my rear bumper scratched up. The respray job would have cost only around $150 (USD) at the dealer, but the problem was that the lower bumper (the black plastic piece) was also deeply gouged. It's not a repairable part, so that section had to be replaced. Total cost around $500. Being in Malaysia, I'm guessing that labour and parts are cheaper than other parts of the world, and your damage being on the front bumper, would also expect that to cost a lot more...

 

Sorry about your damage.

Damaging the front bumper bar in this car is a pain.

The parts are very expensive. The front wheel fenders have to also be replaced due to crappy design. Colour matching of the bumper bar is difficult with Lexus colours especially the USB. Mine had to be resprayed.

Due to all the complex curves, the front bumper does not just 'clip into place' like a Euro car.

The biggest frustration are the plastic fenders as they are stuck on at the base with screws but on the flat surface with double sided tape. This results in a constant lateral tension which leads to them slowly peeling off and leaving unsightly gaps against the sheet metal. I'm up to my third set and continue to have the same problem.

The shop I use is highly recommended and a Lexus panel specialist who have bent over backwards to overcome these inherent problems.

 

Something to invest in if you ever get in a train of thought in the future.

 

I would go to a couple of body shops as well as the dealer for estimates. Estimates should be free and it will help you make up your mind. You need to ask about your concerns about parts availability as well as the repair time estimates.