Scratch in bumper

[bencook]

So today I discovered that some f***** left a big old scratch in my rear bumper:
www.bencook.net/Files/ExeoScratch.jpg

This is going to need a repsray I guess. Any ideas what this is going to cost me? I'm based in London which will no doubt add some $$$.

 

[jake]

Yeah down to the plastic.

Factor 100-200 for the full bumper depending on location

 

[mcdonald]

Had something similar a few months ago including some tiny scratches on the side.
They had to remove the bumper for filling up the scratches with some sort of plaster and to spray the whole bumper again.
Costs were appr. GBP 550.

 

[cliveseat]

Just took mine in today after reversing into a skip, would you believe, and it'll be £450 if they can suck out a football-sized dent and spray the whole lot - or £650 if it needs a new rear bumper. Mind you, that also includes a new rear lens so that will inflate the final figure a bit. Damn those parking sensors - not bloody loud enough! To rub salt in the wound, so to speak, I've only had the car back a couple of months after a kid rammed me in his mum's Polo - the difference being that, on that occasion, his insurance picked up the tab for - you guessed it - a new rear bumper.

 

[mcdonald]

The loudness of the rear speaker of the parking sensors can be increased through VCDS or by your dealer.

 

[cliveseat]

That's brilliant news. The car is due a service (at just under 58k - seems weird) when it's back from the bodyshop, so I'll get it sorted then. Right now, the noise of the demist fan drowns them out.
On the subject of maintenance periods, I've noticed something on the dashboard countdown. The other day I'm sure it claimed a service was due in 900 miles, which it reckoned would take a pretty ridiculous 284 days to cover - next Spring, maybe? Two weeks later, the service indicator's come on. So how does that work, then? Now, I reckon I've done 500 miles in the last fortnight, so on what calculations does the electronic brain of the car base its decision to throw in the towel?

 

[MisterW]

On the subject of maintenance periods, I've noticed something on the dashboard countdown. The other day I'm sure it claimed a service was due in 900 miles, which it reckoned would take a pretty ridiculous 284 days to cover - next Spring, maybe? Two weeks later, the service indicator's come on. So how does that work, then?

If the car's set for long life servicing it uses oil level and temperature sensor (known as oil quality sensor) and a number of other factors including engine rpm and road speed. To calculate when the oil has degraded and needs changing. Initially, after a service, the countdown will be set to the maximum which is ~18000 ml or 2 years. As you drive the mileage countdown will decrease according to the oil degradation calculation whereas the days left will decrease acoording to time. Once either the mileage or days left gets below minimum then the service indicator will come on. Actually mine seems to warn service required when mileage drops below a few hundred, so I'm not surprised yours is on at 400 (900-500)
Hope that helps

 

[bencook]

So I've had a couple of quotes on sorting the bumper out:
Local spray shop: £250 to respray the bumper
Chips Away: The local guy is supposed to be good and wants £150

 

[dazescort]

most of the time chips away will do job outside so will look ok for abit of time then look crap and you will have to have job done again at paint shop

 

[cliveseat]

Mine came back from the bodyshop today - repaired bumper (the plastic hadn't cracked so they just sucked it out, as it were), spot-on paint match (Urano Grey), new rear lens (£60) and a decent clean in and out. Not cheap at £500 all in - but they've done a quality job so I'm not too unhappy.
On the servicing issue - thanks, MisterW - mine isn't on the extended programme and has only done 9k since it was last serviced. So that's two services inside 12 months. Wish I was a company user!

 

[MisterW]

So that's two services inside 12 months.

If you're doing that sort of mileage then I'd think about getting it set to longlife servicing. Unless that is, it's an early car ( pre 2011 I think!), and can't be set for it. Mine does about 18k between services and so works out at pretty close to one a year.

 

[cliveseat]

It's a 2009 Sport 143 so it's not possible, although having read the debate about this elsewhere on this excellent forum, I remain unconvinced about the wisdom of leaving such a long interval between oil/filter changes. Thanks, though.
On the cosmetic front, the car looks really nice again, although i notice one of the front mudflaps (the little splash-guard/lip things at base of the wheel arch) is shredded and requires replacement. Anyone know what it's called and the part number so I can get one fitted when it's serviced shortly? Wouldn't be surprised if it's an expensive one this time. Brakes and engine not as sharp as they were, and it's dropped a couple of mpg, but that may be to do with the weather.

 

[mcdonald]

SEAT calls those little mudflaps 'wheel spoilers' in the electronic VAG catalog.

Wheel spoiler left: 8E0 853 887 A
Wheel spoiler right: 8E0 853 888 A

Parts for securing the spoiler in case you need them:
Grip pin: 8D0 805 121
Clip: 4A0 805 163
Speed nut: 8D0 805 960

Think each wheel spoiler cost appr GBP 5,-

 

[cliveseat]

Many thanks. Booked in for next Tuesday at IVC in Leeds, who say it's cambelt time. so I'll pass the details on to them. As I thought, it'll be an expensive one this time round. In fact, one way and another it's been an expensive year with the Exeo. But at the same time it's wearing well and - give or take the odd bulb or puncture - has been totally reliable, and when I eventually get rid (maybe next Spring - still want a convertible but left it too late this summer) I expect it to look as good as the day I got it. Even if it'll only be worth about half as much!

 

[DWaldie]

There must be something in the air. Got back to mine in Morrisons car park and some moron has driven down the side of my bumper. It has a scratch about 12"X1". I can get the paint matched and should be able to do a decent job, but the scratch has left a groove in the plastic. Not enough to warrant filler though.

Is there any merit in heating the plastic in the hope it will return to it's original shape?