GT3 bumper problems... I'm Frustrated!!!

[yoda6936]

Has anyone else ran into this issue!? I'm so frustrated!!! After seeing some recommendations from this site on the GT3 bumper from NR Auto, and talking to the NR Auto sales rep, I thought this would be a nice, high-quality bumper...

I bought this GT3 bumper for my 986 from NR Auto. The body shop repairing my car was hesitant about working with this aftermarket bumper before I even ordered it. When it arrived, they said it has too many waves and dings in the bumper, and that it would look horrible if they installed it. In addition, the instructions with the bumper said that the front reinforcement may need to be shortened to fit the bumper, which is illegal for shops to do (according to the shop)... thinking that it was this particular body shop being paranoid, I found a different custom Porsche shop that said that they could do the work. Well, after the second body shop took a look at the bumper, they said it would cost $1500 to install it and they were pretty sure it wasn't going to look as good as it should, because of the low-quality. And the third strike comes when the Porsche dealership happened to be in the shop, they evaluated the bumper and said it was completely unacceptable for a Porsche.

So, I called NR Auto to try and get a refund, and they claim that it's the area that I'm in (Colorado Springs, CO), and I had 2 options. 1) I pay $150 shipping back to the NR Auto and a 25% restocking fee ($324). Or 2) that they could paint it for me for $600 but I would have to pay for the shipping (again) to Cali and back to CO (~$300) and I would have to pay to get it installed somewhere in CO.

What to do... what to do...

[Johnny Danger]

As I have mentioned many times in the past, regardless of price or prestige, all of these aftermarket body kits and aero parts require a great deal of tweaking and prep work in order to obtain a good fit and workable surface . These types of projects involve a very different kind of animal as compared to the traditional paint and repair process. Therefore, it's important to find a shop that has a lot of experience working with fiberglass, composites and the like . With that said, unless your bumper is of unusually poor quality (which is entirely possible), your best bet maybe to look for a shop that caters to the JDM/Fast and Furious crowd. Those guys tackle these kinds of projects all the time .

JD
p.s. Its disappointing to hear that NR Auto may have sold you an inferior bumper. In the past, I've heard pretty positive things about them . Good luck.

[thstone]

You might have some negotiating room by contacting NRA and offering them a 10% restocking fee plus shipping. Being nice and courteous can't hurt either.

Otherwise if you paid by credit card, contact your credit card company and dispute the entire price because of the low quality of the product and work it from there.

Sorry for the major PITA.

[Pat]

Send it back and take the hit. Sorry to hear it.

[Cloudsurfer]

Sorry to say, but this is why I'll only run factory body parts on my cars (unless it's something small, like a side marker light or equivalent). Pony up and get a real GT3 bumper if that's the look you want.

[yoda6936]

Yeah... big lesson learned. I will only stay OEM from now on.

Gotta talk to NRA tomorrow to see what I can work out, if anything. Thanks for comments.

[Perfectlap]

is there a polyurethane aftermarket version of the GT3 bumper? I'm not aware of one. Only one I know of is the factory version which is what I have. I paid $1K. And have paid as little as $200 to paint (once already installed which is a snap). You'll easily pay that much for parts and labor on an aftermarket figberglass. no -brainer. Source a GT3 factory bumper as cheap as you can. Make sure its for 1999-2001 Carreras (or 1997-2004 Boxsters)

[yellowboxsters]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

is there a polyurethane aftermarket version of the GT3 bumper? I'm not aware of one. Only one I know of is the factory version which is what I have. I paid $1K. And have paid as little as $200 to paint (once already installed which is a snap). You'll easily pay that much for parts and labor on an aftermarket figberglass. no -brainer. Source a GT3 factory bumper as cheap as you can. Make sure its for 1999-2001 Carreras (or 1997-2004 Boxsters)

Yeah, NR Auto lists it specifically as the "997 Style GT3 style polyurethane kit for 986" for $2495 and includes the front bumper, lower front bumper spoiler, side sills, and a rear wrap around skirt. Have a look and see what you think.

[soucorp]

Just checked it out on their website.
Looks good but not worth the money IMO but is this something that you can do yourself in your own garage? Does not seem that hard to do. Sure, some sanding, trimming, mock up the parts first, once everything is aligned, disassemble and off to the paint. But with any aftermarket stuff, custom work will always be needed for it to fit right. Keep shopping for a shop that can do it, there are plenty if you wheel and deal. The shops always says its hard to do so they can drive up the proj cost. Been there done that! If it looks okay to you well that's what counts.

best

[Perfectlap]

definitely too expensive if you are not absolutely in love with the 997 look. You'll be spending $3,500 once everthing has been painted.

On the other hand you could have the factory 996 GT3 front bumper painted installed for maybe $1,500? skirting for $500? And add the GT3Tek Boxster Spyder bumper cover (goes over the stock bumper see PedroF's thread), which would look really good in yellow, for another $500 after painting (wait for their holiday sales). Keep the extra $1,000 towards a nice set of street wheels like the Forgestar F14's which can be had for under $1,500 for 18''.

[Johnny Danger]

As the forum's self proclaimed body kit expert, short of a company in California called MA Shaw, who was at one time able to source the oem GT3 bumper a few years back, I can't recall anyone else who had it. There are , however, a few high quality, TUV certified FRP versions that are available. Certain that it is, there are benefits to a bumpers and aero parts that are manufactured from polyurethane. However, take it from someone who has explored this topic ad infinitum et ultra, if an aftermarket part that is made from poly doesn't fit precisely (and I've seen plenty), you're SOL by virtue of the fact that said material cannot be manipulated. Whereas FRP can be "crafted" in any way imaginable in order to achieve a perfect fit. The downside to FRP, and carbon fiber for that matter, is that it does not withstand impact well.

p.s. That 997 GT3 bumper from NR Auto, along with all of the others,, is an abomination ! The way the areas for the driving lights have been backfilled is nothing short of a contrivance !

[Crono0001]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

p.s. That 997 GT3 bumper from NR Auto, along with all of the others,, is an abomination ! The way the areas for the driving lights have been backfilled is nothing short of a contrivance !

Yea, stick with stock.

[Perfectlap]

I've always found the 997 front end design to be weird. A not very fluid jumbled mix of a VW with a Mazda.

The 981 Boxster/Cayman design is well done, the best on any current Porsche, and should be the front end of the 991 Carrera. I'm not sure why people have such a boner for round lights. They were great on the vintage 911's but imho look out of place on a big modern Grand Touring like the 991. Ditto for those giant retro duck tails on the 997.

[Johnny Danger]

You might like this kit. It's produced by the German tuner Rieger, and it's all made from polyurethane. The price(s) are reasonable also.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

You might like this kit. It's produced by the German tuner Rieger, and it's all made from polyurethane. The price(s) are reasonable also.

I like the 987 mirrors. But is that a black strip on the skirting or an actual opening?

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I like the 987 mirrors. But is that a black strip on the skirting or an actual opening?

I believe that it's some kind of an insert, because there's a carbon fiber option as well.

[yellowboxsters]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

You might like this kit. It's produced by the German tuner Rieger, and it's all made from polyurethane. The price(s) are reasonable also.

Awesome find danger, that's pretty much what I'm looking for and it's polyurethane??? Sweet. Being lazy here but any chance you know where you saw the prices from?

Cheers mate. Getting a tickle of excitement now.

I did find a gemballa kit but still is fibreglass and even though its been discounted, it's still gonna cost me a bit once landed due to hefty import duties and then trying to find an experienced and adventurous body shop here In Melb Australia.

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by yellowboxsters

Awesome find danger, that's pretty much what I'm looking for and it's polyurethane??? Sweet. Being lazy here but any chance you know where you saw the prices from?

Cheers mate. Getting a tickle of excitement now.

I did find a gemballa kit but still is fibreglass and even though its been discounted, it's still gonna cost me a bit once landed due to hefty import duties and then trying to find an experienced and adventurous body shop here In Melb Australia.

Try these links:

reiger-tuning.de

Cult Werk Selector - CULT WERK PORSCHE

This link will give you an idea on pricing in $US:

Rieger Body Kit | Porsche Boxster 986 | Performance & Styling

[yellowboxsters]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

Try these links:

reiger-tuning.de

Cult Werk Selector - CULT WERK PORSCHE

This link will give you an idea on pricing in $US:

Rieger Body Kit | Porsche Boxster 986 | Performance & Styling

Thanks Danger, was just about to post that I've found prices on lltek.com but u beat me to it. Thanks for your help mate. How different is polyurethane to abs? Was never good with the subject of materials during school days.

Prices seem very reasonable. Will see if there's any reviews. If all, good then I'll most likely pull the trigger on it

[Crono0001]

Won't lie, this looks amazing