DrGator

So I was driving home in a slight rain from a road trip a couple weeks ago. As I was nearing home, I came up on a semi in the slow lane, and a van in front of me. Right as I started to change lanes to pull in behind the semi (and take my exit) the semi blew a tire and the tread stood up sideways right in front of me. It all happened so fast (at 70 mph) that there was no way to avoid it. Unfortunately, I didn't get any details off the truck to be able to claim it against them and their insurance.

I was so pissed off, I never took pictures of the damage. Basically, the tread cracked my front bumper chin lip, busted by fog light holding pins, and put black rubber 'scars' all down the passenger side of my car and left me with a flat front tire. (Which is why I didn't get any details on the truck - I was too busy trying to get stopped without getting hit.)

Got a couple estimates to repair the bumper, all of which ran $1500 or so due to the color and the tri-stage paint process. Not wanting to spend the money, I managed to buff out all the scars on the side. I pulled the front bumper and used a combination of plastic epoxy and fiberglass mesh inside the chin lip and put it back together (as well as gluing the fog light retention clips back in place). I used fender washers to hold the pieces back together, since all the retention clips were cracked and missing as well. While it is still far from perfect, I still have $1500 in my pocket - which makes it easier to live with. (I plan to trade this one in the next few months and purchase an ISF.) The car sits so low, 'most' people would never notice it as anything more than a parking curb rash (which I also have). You can see the evidence of the cracks running along the split between the bumper cover and the bottom chin trim under the fog light.

Just wanted to throw this out there as a reminder to everyone - these cars sit low, and trucks are prone to throw a tread at any time. So be careful out there! I got lucky it wasn't worse that it was!

Here is the repaired front end...

RDIS250AWD

iTrader: (7)

^ thats repaired? I still see some damage towards the bottom. Glad you're safe. a Front lip would cover that up

600rr05

iTrader: (9)

Agee wih ^^^^ A front lip will cover that up

DrGator

Yeah - hence my point that it is not perfect... You can see the crack still, but it is put back together. When I suffered the damage to the front end, the bottom lip was almost dragging the ground. So at this point it is put back together more than repaired. Some sanding and painting and you wouldn't notice it. But like I said, I am going to trade this one in soon.

In regular daylight, you can hardly notice it unless you look for it. Of course, EVERY time I walk to my car, it is the main thing I see... Just more motivation to trade out...

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

Sorry to hear your story. Good you're a bit handy. I ge it, you put a band aid on it till you get an F. Great idea. I think the other two guys (whom I know) are just thinking if they were going to keep the car that it wouldn't satisfy them.

NSGxLEX

iTrader: (2)

Claim from your insurance and take it to a body shop. 2012 FSPORT bumper!!