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rexbella

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  • First Name
    george

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  • Lexus Model
    es350
  • Lexus Year
    2009
  • Location
    Arizona (AZ)

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  1. There's some interest in where the bumper came from...mbiauto on Ebay. I've noticed their price on painted bumpers has gone up $100 since earlier this yr. At that new price level I would have complained about the clearcoat overspray, but would still recommend them.
  2. I ended up getting a new painted bumper via Ebay. An outfit in Michigan asks for your VIN number to get the manufacturer's paint code. Their bumpers aren't official Lexus but they do assure that they are insurance company certified. Total was about $286 - painted bumper shipped to your door. I sweated it even tho their feedback rating is excellent - what if it's damaged from shipping? How about the paint quality and match? A lot of holes to match up-what if they don't?... Turns out the packing was great - they used an entire roll of large bubblewrap. There was a slight underside scuff, but that occurred before it was wrapped, and once mounted it wasn't visible. Also there was clearkote over- spray on the bottom edge - again not visible unless one lays on the ground and looks up. The grey color was a shade dark. Could this be due to 5 yrs in Arizona sunshine, I don't know. But almost no one can see the difference but me. The most critical aspect for me was the fit. Turns out all the holes and tabs fit perfectly, even in the difficult area of the grill insert points. I saved about $1200 off the quote by my body shop and I'm pleased with myself every time I walk out into the garage and look at "Bella". I'd definitely do it again... As the job went, I took my time and photoed upclose all the assembly's and fasteners and snaps to ensure all went back together as intended. The car was on jack stands and there were moving blankets covering the floor underneath. This cushioned the new bumper, and kept dropped parts from bouncing all over the garage. I kept everything together in order of dis assembly so that when the time came to reinstall, I moved with speed and confidence. I won't go into detail on 2 other issues - a broken vertical "spacer" -Lexus wanted $97 for - and fog light - $150 from the dealer. Both I easily repaired with plastic bumper scrap and rivets.
  3. My shop wants $1400 to replace front bumper cover on a 2009 es350. He shop says Lexus wants $1000 for this cover. However there are offerings on Ebay for new covers around $100! Seems like a no-brainer. Anyone have good/bad comments on the relative quality of these venders?
  4. Wow. Now that's what I'd call a complete response; thorough and clearly written. You've given me just what I wanted to mull over the options. I'll let you know how this goes. Thanks gbhrps!
  5. My wife confessed to striking a high curb and tearing a 4in cut in the bottom of the bumper. It's an imperfection that can be dealt with in numerous ways other than turning the car into the mercy of my local body shop for probably $500-$800: 1) Glass mesh behind the crack and finish over and touchup paint. 2) Buy after market bumper cover $100-$350 and have it painted . How hard is it to remove and reinstall this bumper? Is there any danger of interfering with the airbag system?
  6. The key cap design is unworthy of the Lexus brand. It appears so chintzy as to wear out with merely one or two removals. Mine had been removed by the local Toyota service while reprogramming a new smart key. Subsequently my wife handed me the cap which fell off while closing the door. Inspection showed no breakage nor signs of wear. Packing the cap with modeling clay and pressing the assembly completely closed, then carefully extracting the clay, I was able to determine contact clearances to insert 2 sided tape at those strategic points after carefully cleaning all surfaces with lacquer thinner to allow adhesion. Time will tell if this lasts, but right now I know it doesn't easily flick off with a fingernail. Or you might use bubble gum. Or you can fork over a twenty for a new badly designed cap.
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