Front bumper autopsy!

[twoqu]

Thought that some pics might help somebody else who like me has to attempt a repair of a front bumper using a section from another damaged one. So this is a N/S section from a Coupe bumper.
In essense the top half (painted bit) on the Coupe bumper is the same across all the models except where headlight washers are added. It looks as though the bumper support has the facility to incorporate those even when not fitted!
It would make sense if there were one bumper support and two bumpers skins, one for the regular Coupe and one for V6/S2 models, with or without the slots for the headlight washer block. The slots on mine look pretty rough so I guess its done manually depending on the spec of the vehicle.
Hopefully it is possible to see that with some careful prising it is possible to seperate the two component. The bonding is a very small strip, approx 5mm, top and bottom and around the foglamp and indicator aperatures. I used a small screwdiver.

[Error404]

Great post

[bluequattro]

Good idea!
I'm fixing a v6 one soon, no mounting area for brackets at all, totally shamed but outside ok
Gong to use sides from an old air box and a good bumper for comparison

[twoqu]

Actually having had a closer look there are differences between the two versions. The arch return is wider and there is a recess on the top bolt of the S2 and there is extra material on the front, back towards the engine. I had assumed that it was only the bottom black bit that was different.
Not that this affects me as I need a section from around the indicator recess. But it does prevent replacement of a section back to the wheel arch which I was considering due to the slit on the side which might be difficult to line up. So I will have to cut out the damage section somehow and let in a new section. Theory being that straight lines would be easier to deal with than trying to repair various splits.

[twoqu]

At the moment I can only compare bumper skins not the internal carrier. I have a S2 bumper skin from which someone removed the carrier. I did not want to cut this up for a small section as if Plan A (repair) failed, I could still attempt a bumper skin replacement. I did want a complete Coupe bumper to dismember so that I could get the section I needed plus the carrier in case I damaged the original one. It could well be that the carriers are different but I will need to compare when I get the damaged one off.

Just thought that I can use the section of bumper carrier inside the S2 skin! The top of the skin and bumper carrier looks like it should be flush.

[rj scotty]

You can weld the plastic these are made of very successfully with a soldering iron too.
I repaired a rear avant bumper bracket (same plastic) with great success

[twoqu]

In an ideal world I would like to find someone who could cut out the damaged section of mine and weld in the replacement cut from the donor. Its not that I am fussy but it needs to be a totally undectable repair!
Hot staples is another option but haven't drummed up the courage to sound out self confessed experts who will undoubtedly disappoint me by over promising and under delivering! Surely not to much to expert a professional to do a better job than an amatuer.

[twoqu]

Had a close look today and I think that both variants have different carriers!
There are so many differences when you can compare them side by side. The indicator recess is approx 30mm further forward on the S2 than the Coupe. There is an extra 10mm of material around the foglight recess. The distance between the grill aperature and the bumper is about 10mm higher on the S2. Then there is the lip at the front mentionted previously. This is important as the carrier mounts to the edge of the bumper and the top of the grill aperature.
So I don't think its possible to use a Coupe carrier to mount a S2/V6 skin. A Coupe bumper section could be used to repair an S2/V6 but only if letting it. Thats what I am planning to do so nothing lost!