Replace bumper cover vs fix dent?

[Trevor B]

Somebody bumped into my car in the parking garage (looks like they forgot the car was in Drive, instead of Reverse). The damage is minimal, just a dent and some scrapes. I got quotes from Tesla and a very reputed local body shop (know them from before, they are also Tesla certified).

Tesla is proposing to swap out the bumper cover while the body shop will fix the dent and repaint the damaged areas. I'm a bit hesitant to go the swap route as there's a chance that the color may not exactly match (from some of the reports I've read here).

Am I paranoid? The cost is in the same ballpark (less labor to replace, but offset by the replacement cost vs more labor to fix and paint).

 

[Watts_Up]

I would prefer getting a new bumper, but are you using your insurance or pay for it?

 

[Trevor B]

The other driver's insurance is paying for it (fortunately)

 

[ivy_]

They are painting your bumper either way. If the costs are the same, go with the new part.

 

[UWGorilla]

To add to this, if its Tesla doing the bodywork, Tesla will use prepainted bumpers sometimes instead of painting the bumper onsite. This means you can immediately wrap the bumper if necessary as it was actually painted weeks ago in CA.

 

[esrandl]

My front bumper cover was replaced at delivery due to minor damage. They had some already painted and ready to go. Took less than an hour. Way faster and easier than painting. I cannot tell there is any color difference and I suspect that might not be the case if you actually had it repaired and painted.

Concur with the wrap comment. Get some PPF on it immediately and you won't get rock chips/minor scuffs in the future. Do it while the cover is perfectly clean, don't wait.

 

[Watts_Up]

Am I paranoid? The cost is in the same ballpark (less labor to replace, but offset by the replacement cost vs more labor to fix and paint).

Can you give an idea of the estimate for part and labor for replacing a bumper or repairing it and painting it?

Also a picture of the damage would be great.