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Garage => Interiors & Exteriors => Topic started by: ngruzevs on 06 December 2018, 11:34 PM

Title: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: ngruzevs on 06 December 2018, 11:34 PM
I'm currently restoring a 450SE and searching for a good rear bumper. To date I've purchased two, but both were in such bad condition, that there wasn't an option to re-chrome. As I'm spending a lot of $$$$$$ on restore, hence I'm now actually considering purchasing a new rear bumper. Are new Euro bumpers available? It does look like Niemoller sells them.

Has anyone got any feedback on the option to purchase new and if so, recommendations on where to buy?
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: UTn_boy on 07 December 2018, 02:25 AM
All front and rear chrome pieces for Euro bumpers are still available from Mercedes as of a month ago.  Be careful buying from places like Niemoller, as they buy the parts from Mercedes and mark them up.  Though, they sometimes have a better deal, so shop around.  You can even buy them through your local dealership, but you'll have to take the part numbers to them, physically put it in their hand, and ask them nicely to order the part numbers written down on the piece of paper.  As expensive as they are, when you compare the price to buy good used ones, have those re-chromed, the price difference will either be astounding or negligible.  Either way, I'm just thankful that there are options.  Sometimes we don't get to "pick our poison".....it picks us. haha
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: nathan on 07 December 2018, 07:40 PM
I would think prices here in Au from the dealer would be wild.  You should probably chat to RobertD on this site in Victoria as he may have some.  The simplest solution would be to buy an entire 116 off gumtree for pittance and take the bits you need, calling the metal wreckers to take the car afterwards!
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: ngruzevs on 09 December 2018, 03:07 AM
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm just waiting on Niemoller for a quote, I estimate a brand new 3 piece bumper would cost ~$2000 AUD (not including shipping), but will wait for firm pricing. Given I've spent close to 140 hours on the body work, a new 3 piece bumper will pale into insignificance. I have now sourced a good rear bumper, chrome is excellent, but it does have a couple of scratches and and indent, I would say it's about an 8/10.

You may call me recalcitrant, but given the amount of time and effort I've invested, I don't think I'm going over the top.
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: UTn_boy on 09 December 2018, 06:02 AM
Well, to own and properly restore a W116 of any kind requires one to be recalcitrant.....it's just a prerequisite.  haha  If one is concerned about having more in the car than it'll ever be worth, then all is lost.  A large part of being an enthusiast means being recalcitrant and unconcerned about cost in the end.  And by the way, don't forget your joint covers for where the three pieces converge.  I also believe that most, if not all, of the bracketry for between the chassis and the bumpers is still available, too. 
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: floyd111 on 09 December 2018, 05:20 PM
The bracketry has been well-available tlll now, the little chrome pieces were NLA a few years ago (2 out of 3?) Found them in NOS, but few and mostly overpriced. I would buy any and all of them still. Rear bumpers (the lower straight piece) are worth their weight in silver and more, and one should never leave a nice unit on a dumped car. One little accident and you're out of a fortune and in for a mission to replace it, if ill-prepared.

I second the Niemoller warning, both for "obviously OEM" parts pricing and also for all other parts, that are advertised as if they are MB, without actually telling you they are.. or are not. You may end up buying Febi in a transparent bag without labels, after picking MB/Niemoller numbers from their parts fiches. -for a price that seems friendly, 25% cheaper MB NOS, but is actually overpriced aftermarket.
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: UTn_boy on 09 December 2018, 09:24 PM
Currently, only the front left joint covering isn't available.  The front right and both rear ones are still available......and they're actually reasonably priced at 30-50 Euros each.  The rear center part of the lower bumper.....yeah.  They're proud of that at nearly 900 Euros. 
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: marku on 11 December 2018, 12:59 PM
That is some price. It would be easier to replace but not a that price so going to attempt a repair, its rotted through just under the flange that holds the rubber strip, and rechrome.
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: floyd111 on 12 December 2018, 10:38 PM
Is that the price now? 900?? I paid half of that, in shock, for each of the 2 units rear bumper i bought 2 years ago.

Be warned with the re-chroming. Not only is the new chrome color no longer the same as the rest -due to certain chemicals and heavy metals made illegal-, but there is a lot of difference in workmanship.
A proper international hunt WILL lead you to find bumpers much cheaper then 900usd, either NOS or used. Just needs work and time. While you're at it, buy a pair of them, for it's just a matter of when when you back up and hit something. Save a bucket on shipping most likely,
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: ptashek on 13 December 2018, 04:33 AM
Quote from: floyd111 on 12 December 2018, 10:38 PM
Be warned with the re-chroming. Not only is the new chrome color no longer the same as the rest -due to certain chemicals and heavy metals made illegal-, but there is a lot of difference in workmanship.

I've re-chromed all of my bumpers, the grill frame and all trunk lid trim, and the shade is no different to the original spare set I have. The finish is better though, especially on the bottom bumper parts.

If re-chroming, always insist on triple-plating: first one or more layers of copper, each polished to perfection, and only then chrome and nickel. Many shops, to cut costs and due to shortage of skilled polishers, do away with the copper part, and the finished product doesn't look as good, and doesn't last as long.

It's a dying trade and people with the required skills to produce a flawless finish are few and far between. Prices will vary wildly across regions too as it's a very labour intensive process.
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: marku on 13 December 2018, 12:07 PM
There is a plater not far from here I plan to use. They say that they always copper plate first. Now that I am thinking of getting some plating done I have been looking it all with a more critical eye. Looks like I will be putting a lot of trade their way. I did buy the car with the intention of doing just basic work mostly engine but it has got really out of hand. It is keeping me occupied though and out of trouble.
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: ngruzevs on 13 December 2018, 09:56 PM
Thanks for all the replies, as it's help me to determine which path to take. I'm going to initially use the bumper I purchased second hand, it's an 8/10, but the key is that it has no rust and in time I will go ahead and rechrome it.
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: Balfour on 22 April 2019, 03:09 PM
Quote from: marku on 13 December 2018, 12:07 PM
There is a plater not far from here I plan to use. They say that they always copper plate first. Now that I am thinking of getting some plating done I have been looking it all with a more critical eye. Looks like I will be putting a lot of trade their way. I did buy the car with the intention of doing just basic work mostly engine but it has got really out of hand. It is keeping me occupied though and out of trouble.

Could you fire me over the details for the company you use? Going to need someone in the near future...
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: marku on 23 April 2019, 02:02 PM
PM sent hope info useful
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: Balfour on 24 April 2019, 03:10 AM
Quote from: marku on 23 April 2019, 02:02 PM
PM sent hope info useful

Received, thank you.
Title: Re: New chrome bumpers availability
Post by: hamidagha on 17 September 2019, 04:18 PM
Quote from: marku on 13 December 2018, 12:07 PM
There is a plater not far from here I plan to use. They say that they always copper plate first. Now that I am thinking of getting some plating done I have been looking it all with a more critical eye. Looks like I will be putting a lot of trade their way. I did buy the car with the intention of doing just basic work mostly engine but it has got really out of hand. It is keeping me occupied though and out of trouble.

Can I also have details of the plater? Thanks