Expert: William Forster - 3/23/2007

Question
Hi,

I broke the front plastic bumper on my mother-in-law's 2005 Kia Sorento 4x4. I can order one online for $290.00, but there is no color option. I'm guessing it will need to be painted. Could you advise me if I should have a body shop do the whole thing or buy it myself, have them paint it, and install it myself. I don't know how difficult installing it would be and if it's even worth doing it myself. Also, do you have any idea what I should expect to pay to have it all done by the body shop? I live in Concord, NH.

Thanks,
Mark


Answer
Mark, it doesn't sound to me like you are comfortable doing this job, and I have never fixed a Kia Sorento. I have no clue how the bumper come off or on, and I don't do estimates online. The most expensive part is painting, and the removal and installation is the cheaper part of the job, probably 2 hours or less. 80 to a hundred bucks for installation. You will have to transport it home, and install it on the in-law's car, without damaging the paint. A tall order for an ameteur. Do as you like, but I think you might just want to spend the extra money, and have the body shop go start to finish. I know, its a pocket full of money, but if you do a marginal job, the in-law's will bitch forever. What sort of price tag do you put on not having that happen any worse than it surely already has? Every time their kia makes the slightest hickup, they will think you did something wrong, and it's your fault. Just a little friendly advice. Bill