My 06 got rear-ended by a Harley rider this week. There is some minor damage around the license plate area - two little cracks and some minor deformity, but I'm sure no damage to underlying bumper. As he has no insurance and I'm anticipating having trouble getting compensated, I'm considering just getting him to pay for the bumper fascia and replacing it myself. But being overworked I don't want to commit to a big job. The shop manual makes it look pretty easy, but I'd like to hear from someone who's done it before I decide.

I presume I'll have no problem with paint color matching, the car being only a year old and never having spent much time parked outside.

 

I doubt the color matching will be easy they will need to blend it in. Year old or not. Metalic paints are harder then others to match.

The installation and removal are very easy. A few bumper clips and two screws and it pulls right off. Installs just as easy.

 

You mean if I buy a new 06 rear bumper cover in my paint code (Suzuka Blue Metallic), it won't really match my car's paint?

 

If you want to do it yourself, you can search for a thread about "trunk leak" in the DIY section. It requires the removal of the bumper, so it'll give you a pretty good idea on how easy it is. It's really just 5 clips and 4 screws total.

 

Yeah, that is what I mean. Paint is differant on differant days of the week. If you are happy with close, that is what you will get. If you want a perfect match, then they will need to blend it into the rest of the paint on the car.

 

That's pretty discouraging, especially for the prospect of buying one online (sigh)

But thanks for the info. Better to know up front.