Front Fender Bender

[tashfeen]

Not sure how this exactly happened but I think someone must have backed into the car. This is on the driver side and there are minor scratches on the front and the fender bulges out a little over the wheel. A local body shop gave me an estimate for $2,200.
I have FSD and have not noticed any issues so far. So, I assume this is mostly cosmetic? Though I wonder if that gap will allow water to seep in? Has anyone had a small fender bender like this? Do I need to get this fixed?

 

[TLLMRRJ]

Call a mobile bumper repair specialist. They will make it look like new for a few hundred bucks. I have always gotten great, lasting results from them. Look up local ones with good reviews and recommendations.

 

[vcor]

I've pulled the bumper on my car. The picture: PXL_20230327_152618207.jpg shows the snaps that have parted. There are tabs with fasteners and a screw in the wheel well (not seen in the photos). If lucky the tabs are not cracked/damaged and maybe with some minor work the bumper can be reattached. If the tabs are broken, a new bumper is likely needed as it will never hold on properly. It's hard to tell about the other damage. It doesn't look like the paint was harmed and perhaps a buff can take out the marks. Again hard to tell via photos.

Tesla (at least in the past) has stocked pre-painted bumpers and it's far cheaper to use one of these than fix a damaged bumper or get a blank and have it painted. A Tesla body shop can tell you more. Good luck.

 

[TLLMRRJ]

It’s amazing how well you can get a bumper to stay in place by drilling a few holes in the leftover tabs and using tie wraps to secure it.

You my scoff at that, but I found my 2000 Dodge Viper used tie wraps on the bumper from the factory.

So I would never throw away and otherwise good bumper because some of the tabs are damaged.