Need help on how to repair bumper

[eliouno]

I hit low ice and snow while backing up in 2 nd day driving the car. I don't know how to post photos so I put a pic in my signature.

Is there anyone who can offer help as to the best way to proceed in getting it repaired

Is is possible that the tear in the bumper gets bigger because I drive the car at higher speed?
Anxiously awaiting any suggestions

[M3R8]

To attach pictures to your post, when you compose a post, click 'go advanced', then on the menu where you see different icons, next to the smiley icon, you will see a black paper clip icon. Click on the paper clip icon and a dialog will pop up allowing you to choose a file from your computer, once chosen click the 'upload' button on that dialog.

From the small picture of the tear that I do see you should definitely first put a piece of (black) duct tape on it to indeed prevent it from becoming bigger, or worse, tearing off completely, at higher speeds or due to normal driving.

There are specialist shops for bumper repair, try to find one in your area... From seeing various bumper repairs in the past I can almost safely guess that your tear is very much repairable and should be a non issue and as good as new once done, especially if there's room on the inside of the bumper for added plastic/other materials to be glued/fused to the bumper to fixate that tear properly.

Once the tear is patched from the inside of the bumper, it would need to be cosmetically sealed on the outside, the bumper sanded to perfection and then repainted. In reality however, there's a pretty good chance that not the entire bumper needs to be sanded and painted since this area is almost invisible... a decent repair job and paint to that area only should probably suffice.

First try to see if your insurance company covers this issue under parking damage or some other excuse. If your insurance agent is friendly enough he'll advise you best.

My guess is that an Audi garage will want to replace/repaint the whole bumper, if it has to go out of your pocket, get a professional bumper repair shop to take a look at it first and see what they say.

[eliouno]

To attach pictures to your post, when you compose a post, click 'go advanced', then on the menu where you see different icons, next to the smiley icon, you will see a black paper clip icon. Click on the paper clip icon and a dialog will pop up allowing you to choose a file from your computer, once chosen click the 'upload' button on that dialog.

From the small picture of the tear that I do see you should definitely first put a piece of (black) duct tape on it to indeed prevent it from becoming bigger, or worse, tearing off completely, at higher speeds or due to normal driving.

There are specialist shops for bumper repair, try to find one in your area... From seeing various bumper repairs in the past I can almost safely guess that your tear is very much repairable and should be a non issue and as good as new once done, especially if there's room on the inside of the bumper for added plastic/other materials to be glued/fused to the bumper to fixate that tear properly.

Once the tear is patched from the inside of the bumper, it would need to be cosmetically sealed on the outside, the bumper sanded to perfection and then repainted. In reality however, there's a pretty good chance that not the entire bumper needs to be sanded and painted since this area is almost invisible... a decent repair job and paint to that area only should probably suffice.

First try to see if your insurance company covers this issue under parking damage or some other excuse. If your insurance agent is friendly enough he'll advise you best.

My guess is that an Audi garage will want to replace/repaint the whole bumper, if it has to go out of your pocket, get a professional bumper repair shop to take a look at it first and see what they say.

Thanks for the tip on the photos..I think it worked out

Glad you told me about the black duct tape, as I wondered about that. I think by driving it fast the tear got bigger.
I will take it to a body shop who fixed my front bumper on the Porsche. I wasn't sure if the material on the R8 required special preparations. So now with your confirmation, I will do as you suggested...Thanks for responding M3, you lighten the load on my mind.

[M3R8]

Get your dealer to also give his opinion on this ... it looks like such a surgical cut that they might even call it a manufacturing defect... especially on a car this new.

And no wonder this is getting bigger, it would be flapping in the wind like crazy.

[eliouno]

Get your dealer to also give his opinion on this ... it looks like such a surgical cut that they might even call it a manufacturing defect... especially on a car this new.

And no wonder this is getting bigger, it would be flapping in the wind like crazy.

Wow, that would be a major miracle..any suggetions as to how I can even approach such a subject. You're a lawyer, right...
So now I'm convinced that it did get bigger, because when I first saw it,I don't remember it being like that, however I wasn't sure, now I am...

[M3R8]

If there are no signs of something hooking that bumper and actually causing that damage, and with ice/snow there might not be, the dealership, especially since the car is so new, could decide to be nice with you and get it fixed either by replacement or by fixing the damage itself. Either would be fine as far as you're concerned. If you feel that you can play dumb, do so when talking to them yet be assertive and show them how bummed you are about it.

I'd say do your rounds between dealership, the insurance guy, and then the bumper repair shop... see what they all have to say and weigh your options.

All in all this is not a big problem, and should not be a huge issue to fix nicely.

I'm a bit surprised at how that plastic just snapped though... bumper plastic tends to be more flexible and therefore less prone to snap into such a sharp cut.

[harrison]

Maybe there was a parking/cell block hidden under the snow.

[eliouno]

If there are no signs of something hooking that bumper and actually causing that damage, and with ice/snow there might not be, the dealership, especially since the car is so new, could decide to be nice with you and get it fixed either by replacement or by fixing the damage itself. Either would be fine as far as you're concerned. If you feel that you can play dumb, do so when talking to them yet be assertive and show them how bummed you are about it.

I'd say do your rounds between dealership, the insurance guy, and then the bumper repair shop... see what they all have to say and weigh your options.

All in all this is not a big problem, and should not be a huge issue to fix nicely.

I'm a bit surprised at how that plastic just snapped though... bumper plastic tends to be more flexible and therefore less prone to snap into such a sharp cut.

I think I will try your suggestion with the dealer and do the dumb thing like you mentioned. As well, if there is any static,I will just get it repaired myself and don't want to involve the insurance as is should be only about $500 at the most, i'm guessing.
Thanks for all your help in all of this

[eliouno]

Maybe there was a parking/cell block hidden under the snow.

No, it was just hardened snow. But now I am convinced that taking it out on the highway just opened it up more. When I first looked at it, it just seemed like a little scratch and didn't notice anything more.
However, after the drive I noticed the big tear, so I figure the speed did the rest

[M3R8]

I think given that you can definitely push your case stronger with the dealer and get it replaced under warranty.