My new (to me) 430 spyder has some scrapes underneath the front bumper. What would you advise: 1) live with it as no one can see it 2) have the area repainted and deal with the "repaint issues" down the road at the time of resale 3) a better idea thank you in advance Image Unavailable, Please Login
Install some skid plates, and just enjoy the car. http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?cPath=600_539&products_id=261258 .
If you repaint it, be prepared to repaint it again...and again...and again...and, well, you get the picture.
If it bothers you that much. Repaint it and get yourself a KW HLS Front Axle Lifter - http://www.kw-suspension.com/us/kw_hls.php You can also get the KW HLS (Hydraulic Lift System) at NOVITEC-ROSSO! The skid plates are also interesting! Greetz, Joseph
I wouldn't repaint it unless damage is visible. It'd never look like new anyway, plus aftermarket paint chips much easier, making the front bumper is the worst part to repaint IMO. Good luck.
My bumper is scraped and at some point one of the tabs cracked. I have skid plates now but will have the bumper off and fixed maybe end of summer. I will add a lift kit at that time and go to stiffer springs as well. I have looked at Ramliftpro.com (no affiliation). It is about 1/2 the price of the other one listed and appears to be a good choice.
I have an 07 coupe and the scrapes under the car don't bother me at all. I can't see them and never even remember that they are there. Like previously stated, if you repaint it, be prepared to do it many more times.
I too have some scrapes and they can't be seen unless the car is on a lift. They always happen on the bottom toward the front edges ahead the front tires. It doesn't bother me, but if it did then I would hand paint them, wet sand and buff the area, I would never repaint the bumper. Skid plates are a waste to me 'cause you have to drill holes so it defeats the purpose of having a virgin bumper.
I'm just repairing similar issues now. Full repaint of the bumper, hood, rockers, and after installing polyurethane OEM skip plates and a 3M clear bra on all these areas I should be good for a while.
BTW, I keep my 360 on a lift so I see these blemishes every time I walk by the car all so it bothered me more than it probably would've if it sat at ground level all the time.
I am in the process of optimization for my 360F1 Spider fron wheels of a hydraulic push-up system similar to KW, but manufactured in TX and sold for only a fraction of the KW price. I will post pictures once I am done. Send me a PM, if you are interested.
Funny this thread shows up today. I've had my 2008 430 for a month and just today I was inspecting my front bumper for radar detector parts. I have lightly scraped the front pulling up my driveway curb once or twice. Anyway, there were some pretty good scuffs just like you guys described. Before reading this thread I was wondering if there existed skid plates. I think I saw some silver metal type ones somewhere but I didn't pay any attention to the part or the selling site. If anyone knows who sells the metal ones, I'd like to check them out. Thanks. Btw, I won't be repainting down there, in case someones keeping track. Lol.
Don't get the aluminum skid plates as they'll just get shredded and look like crap after 1 or 2 rubs. The poly ones, whether OEM or Ricambi are pretty cheap and if you rub them, so what. They're black all the way through and that's what they're there for.
Thanks to all for the answers. I like the skid plate idea but from what I can determine, they are 2 half moons, one for each side....good if you have no scrapes so presumably, they will touch first and car body panel remains scrape free...BUT...what if there are scrapes before installation (like I have)....the outer areas on both sides gets covered with the plates and the center area is exposed and will show the scrapes... thanks again
Then the better reason to forget about skid plates. The damage is already done and most likely it will not happen again. Why would anyone care about having a perfect factory bumper and paint, but hey, let's drill this crap and make holes, we can ruin the paint and bumper with screws...
Every 430 in the world gets kissed at some time or other or it isn't a 430....fact! Once I did it for myself, I was over it and now I keep a can of touch up paint specifically for these kisses. Rob.
I had mine lowered and now I am scraping it MUCH more. It's not a once in a while thing as before. Going with the skid plates.
