So I bought an APR front bumper from Amber Performance.

Took it to the body shop, who have done all the work for me in the past, including re spraying my S2000 in new colour. So they are experienced, is what I am getting at. The bumper just didn't fit, mainly around the headlights. The body shop also commented on how poor quality the bumper was in general. The bumper wasn't cheap, well over £600.

The body shop charged me £400 as it was such a bastard to fit and took them most of the day to get it as right as possible. It is on the car, but the panel gaps are a joke. It is coming off asap and I am not driving the car at the moment due to this. I need to pay the body shop to put the old bumper back on etc, and I don't have the cash at the moment.

I contacted Amber Performance to complain about the bumper and they couldn't have cared less. I sent them pictures, they just told me I need to cut the crash bar, this isn't an issue as the crash bar isn't even on the car, as the bumper wouldn't fit with it in place. They said the bumper is for a 04 onward car, but the eBay listing stated all years and they confirmed it would fit a 2000 model. They have since amended the eBay listing. I stated I wanted to return the bumper and cut my losses on the spraying, get my money back for the bumper. I'm in Jersey, so would have cost me another £100 to post it back. I was told a flat "No".

This is just a rant, and maybe to warn people not to buy from Amber Performance, as they are happy to take your money and couldn't give a toss if they sell you substandard crap. They won't refund, and you will get no help form them.

 

They have been around for a while haven't they?

I take it you bought it via eBay, in which case you should be able to claim your money back from eBay.

 

There's better places and cheaper, they never have anything in stock anyways.

 

Surely that's not fit for purpose? Should be able to return it under the sales of goods act.

 

You should have tried it before painting it. Once it has been sprayed it is not returnable in my opinion.
I always thought Apr had a good quality bumper. All the best

 

Thanks for the replies.

The bumper was purchased through them, not through ebay.

As the bumper was fibreglass, you know some fettling is required, so the test fit was neither here nor there. Once the prep was finished, the bumpers fit was terrible. I can take it to a fibreglass specialist to be modified, but that defeats the purpose of buying an expensive bumper in the first place.

 

A common misconception of installing aftermarket bumpers is that they fit. I can't say I'm surprised in any way that you've had to pay the bodyshop to make it fit - I've done the same myself.


I also can't say i'm surprised that they won't accept a bumper back which isn't in as-new condition and will have been worked on. Fair enough regarding the description being inaccurate - that's definitely in the wrong, but the fitment issues are an unfortunate by-product of this industry.


Be prepared to pay £1k for a bumper that fits reasonably out of the box (if it isn't OEM).

 

or just keep your car standard, it looks better and holds more value (never more so than now it would seem)

 

Amber performance are poor in general. ( Living down the road - 5 mins walk )

I recommend leaving a photo or 2 on their face book page, that would quickly get comment or two from them.

 

Any chance of some pictures of the fitted bumper? Would be interested to have a look.