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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: JMann on 09 June 2011, 17:02

Title: Bumper Repair and Vancouver Alloy
Post by: JMann on 09 June 2011, 17:02
Hi all,

When leaving work yesterday I noticed that some moron had hit my back bumper, and left a nice scratch on it which has gone down past the primer. They of course didn't leave details, which is pretty much standard now. :rolleyes: I've not had to deal with anything like this before, but I am looking for recommendations as to what company to deal with the repair.

I could ask Volkswagen for a quote to repair it, but would they do a better job than say a bumper repair company like Chips Away for example? I am positive that a Volkswagen Dealership would be more expensive, but would it be a better quality than another firm? Has anyone had something similar, and any recommendations? I will take a picture and upload it soon so you can get a better idea of the minor damage. It's a Golf MK6 GT TDI 140 in Reflex Silver.

Secondly - Over winter I buckled one of my alloys by driving over one of those dreaded pot holes, and after getting my car serviced my local VW Dealership recommended I got a replacement wheel sorted as it was slightly buckled. After getting quotes for local garages for one replacement 18" Vancouver the best price I got was from where I purchased the car at £473 inc VAT. Does this price sound reasonable or I am been taken for a ride? :lipsrsealed:

Cheers guys.
Title: Re: Bumper Repair and Vancouver Alloy
Post by: R32UK on 09 June 2011, 17:33
i would look for a genuine wheel on ebay... certainly wouldnt pay that price.

as for bumper repair, find yourself and independent with good reviews. they will do a better job than any VW garage.
Title: Re: Bumper Repair and Vancouver Alloy
Post by: dubber36 on 09 June 2011, 17:46
Vancouvers rarely come up in sets of 4 for sale on ebay, never mind individual ones, so it could take a while to find one. I'll call TPS for a price and see how much a new one would be without the dealers margin.

As for paintworks. Chips away are not the best if you want an A1 job. As said, you are better off using a recomended local bodyshop, even if is does mean having to wait a bit longer to get booked in.
Title: Re: Bumper Repair and Vancouver Alloy
Post by: Buck on 09 June 2011, 17:56
Agree re paint job - find a local independent. Chips Away type franchises are not the best quality/durability and are inconsistent depending on which operator you get.

I've noticed a few Vancouvers on the bay. Might be worth looking on there over the next few weeks. 
Title: Re: Bumper Repair and Vancouver Alloy
Post by: JMann on 09 June 2011, 20:04
Thanks for the quick responses.

I've been looking on eBay for Vancouvers for a while now, have seen a couple come up for sale but usually sets of 4 and they usually sell well over the £500 mark. Of course I could get all four, hoping that they aren't buckled either but I have 3 perfect Vancouvers on the car and don't really have the storage room to keep the spare x3 - seems like overkill.

@Dubber, if you could give TPS (Trade Parts Specialists?) a call that would be an excellent help, but please don't go out of your way to do so.

As for the bumper repair, I will aim to avoid Chips Away and try and find a local company that can do it, just got to find a decent firm in the Somerset area. Time to start Googling!

Promised a picture earlier, doesn't look as bad when you see it like this:

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/5816118004_c96d83bab7.jpg)

 
Title: Re: Bumper Repair and Vancouver Alloy
Post by: dubber36 on 09 June 2011, 20:58

@Dubber, if you could give TPS (Trade Parts Specialists?) a call that would be an excellent help, but please don't go out of your way to do so.


Our local TPS sponser another forum that I use, so I have posted them a message. It's no problem.

Looking at your picture of the damage on the bumper. Mud flaps would cover that. Just a thought.
Title: Re: Bumper Repair and Vancouver Alloy
Post by: dubber36 on 10 June 2011, 09:36
Bloody Hell. TPS have just quoted me £441.20 inc VAT  :shocked:
Title: Re: Bumper Repair and Vancouver Alloy
Post by: JMann on 10 June 2011, 13:55
Hi Dubber,

Thanks for checking with TPS, £473 doesn't seem like a bad price then! :wink: Amazing to think one wheel can cost that much, all due to a stupid pothole and councils not looking after the roads properly! I will keep an eye on eBay for a couple more months and if nothing comes up, just bite the bullet and get it from VW Cirencester.

I had thought about getting mudflaps, especially through the winter months but I would still know that the scratch is under them so I would rather just get it sorted completely and forget about it!

Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: Bumper Repair and Vancouver Alloy
Post by: p3asa on 11 June 2011, 11:39
fter getting quotes for local garages for one replacement 18" Vancouver the best price I got was from where I purchased the car at £473 inc VAT. Does this price sound reasonable or I am been taken for a ride? :lipsrsealed:

I had to swerve and avoid a dog in my first few days of owning the car. Upshot was I badly damaged my Vancouver on a kerb.
Phoned the garage I had just bought the car from and they gave me 25% off bringing the price down to £318.  I still thought that was a bit high and phoned 2 other main dealers and they both said they could match £318 so I reckon they could give you a discount.

When I went to pick up my new wheel, my VW dealer had Monza replicas and R replicas and all sorts of others for £89 and £99 or a set of 4 with decent tyres for £549.  If I had known that I would probably have just sold the other 3 Vancouvers and got a set of reps considering the money I was paying for one!!
Title: Re: Bumper Repair and Vancouver Alloy
Post by: Snoopy on 11 June 2011, 11:40
Theres a big markup on the alloys. I use to know what too :embarassed: but just cannot remember at the moment. :embarassed: