996 Coupe ( 1999) - Front Bumper Cover

[Hroussard]

I have been told by my dealer that I need to change the front bumper cover of my 1999 Carrera because they can not attach the cover to their attachments / supports . It seems some of these attachments underneath got ripped off ( maybe in touching the road at one point). There is a 996GT3R cover on eBay and I wonder if that would fit . I know I would need to get it painted and installed. Maybe another question would also be. What would you do ?? Would you buy an aftermarket product and so which one would you recommend or would you stick with a Porsche part . The dealer quoted a base price of around 1500 dollars,unpainted. Painting about 450 dollars .

HarryR

[Loren]

Sorry... I don't understand what is wrong with your front bumper cover. Is it torn up on the underside so the bolts are gone?

The GT3R bumper cover should work with minor adjustments (as you would on any aftermarket bumper).

[Hroussard]

Loren, I had a good look at it. This is what I can see without having the car on a ramp. It's on the passenger side ,just in front of the tire. The bumper cover gets attached to the wheelwell lining and I believe some other structure of the car. It seems that you need to push the bumper cover into a small "wedge" and than you secure it with some sort of bolt. The bumper cover is torn for about 2-3 inches starting at in front of the wheel.,exactely in the crease where you attach the little rubber flapper. Because of that is seems to be impossible to get the cover securely attached to the car. It seems to be a big expense t spend 2K dollars for this and I seems to me that one could repair this bumper cover with some process (glas or maybe simple glueing) . That would then allow the bumper cover to be tightened up again. Suggestions here?? I appreciate it.

PS Do you know a guy called Cowsy Wadia??

roussar@yahoo.com

[Loren]

Loren, I had a good look at it. This is what I can see without having the car on a ramp. It's on the passenger side ,just in front of the tire. The bumper cover gets attached to the wheelwell lining and I believe some other structure of the car. It seems that you need to push the bumper cover into a small "wedge" and than you secure it with some sort of bolt. The bumper cover is torn for about 2-3 inches starting at in front of the wheel.,exactely in the crease where you attach the little rubber flapper. Because of that is seems to be impossible to get the cover securely attached to the car. It seems to be a big expense  t spend 2K dollars for this and I seems to me that one could repair this bumper cover with some process (glas or maybe simple glueing) . That would then allow the bumper cover to be tightened up again. Suggestions here??  I appreciate it.

PS Do you know a guy called Cowsy Wadia??

roussar@yahoo.com

I haven't heard of folks having much luck with fixing the flexible plastic bumper covers - they are not like a fiberglass cover. Here is a diagram with the front bumper mounting pointing (highlighted in purple).

[Hroussard]

Thanks Loren, it's item 3 and 4 as per your drawing. Thanks much.

HarryR

[JimB]

Harry,

I race with a friend that has a GT3R and while I'm not able to look at it right now I really doubt that you can make it work on a 996. The radiators on the GT3R are much larger and sit at a different angle. Hence, the openings on the bumper cover are different. The cover is also very low and very wide. You would have much better luck transferring the suspension or the tub from a GT3R then you would the bumper cover. I could be wrong but I sure wouldn't spend any money until you know for sure.

As for your problem, those parts on a race car are literally consumables. They hit the track so often that we end up patching them together on a regular basis. There is really no magic to how it all fits together. Just make sure it's secure. We have used screws, bolts, wire ties and fabricated plastic to make it all last a little longer. I'm sure you can do the same. You won't win a concurs but you can put off the $2k for a while. None of it is visible anyway.

Good luck,

Jim

[Hroussard]

Thanks Jim. I decided not to go ahead with that bumper and found a standard 996 front bumper on eBay fully primered ( and returnable if I do not think the quality / condition is as I want it to be) for about 250 dollars plus freight. That sounded much better to me. The next thing will be the painting effort.

HarryR